Baby Jesus

Baby Jesus- "The Head of the Church"

Colossians 1:18 Emmanuel Christian Church 12.10.23

INTRODUCTION: Last week, we looked to the manger of Bethlehem and did a “double-take” of what we saw. Cleverly disguised as a helpless human infant was the God of all Creation! The CREATOR who became part of His own Creation!

This week, we return to our text to learn another exclusive title that belongs to the baby Jesus. He is, “The Head of the Church”.

PROPOSITION: While many have presumed to claim that title for themselves- there can only be one head (frankly, more than “one head” is both illogical and unnatural!). And God’s own Word speaks with crystal clarity on the subject...

And [Jesus] is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. Colossians 1:18

Jesus is the Head of the church (let's define our terms) - What is “IS”?

- This simple two letter word is a clear testament to the fact that Christ's authority is NOT of human origin, neither is it a matter of debate.

• -  Jesus IS the Head of the church, no matter what you think or feel about it.

• -  Jesus is the Head of the church, regardless of how others have tried to assume that position for themselves or assign it to others.

• -  Jesus’ position as the Head of the church IS the indisputable REALITY.

  - What is meant by “Head”?

  - Think about your head for just a moment. Is it not the central repository of who you are? (you can remove my limbs and many of my internal parts and yet I still remain who I am)

• -  The "head" of any body is its source of identity, personality, will and direction. As Head of the church, Christ is all of that for those of us who, in a very real sense, make up the members of His body.

• -  The Apostle Paul put it this way:

  “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” Galatians 2:20

- Or, think of Christ's headship in these terms- He is the One who is ABOVE ALL OTHERS. For the Christian, there is no higher authority than Jesus. Everyone and everything in his life is in submission to Jesus.

What is meant by "church"?
- The church (of which Christ is the Head) is NOT an organization- it

is an ORGANISM. It is a living, breathing, Divine entity!
- The church (of which Christ is the Head) is not a building of wood,

stone and steel- it is one described by the Apostle as:

“a HOUSEHOLD, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit. Ephesians 2:19-22

- The word translated in the Bible as “church” literally means the gathering together of the ones who have been called out from this world. (EKKLESIA)

APPLICATION: How do you view the church? Your answer to that will depend largely upon your perspective. For those who are a part of it, it is a living flesh and blood fellowship whose only Head is Jesus Christ. For those who stand on the outside looking in, the church is a building with programs and preachers.

Jesus is the Head of the church, because...

• -  He is the beginning.

• -  Actually, He is before the beginning of the beginning. Listen to

  John's record of his encounter with the resurrected Christ:

  “Look, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him; and all the peoples of the earth will mourn because of him. So shall it be! Amen. 8 "I am the Alpha and the Omega," says the Lord God, "who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty." Revelation 1:7-8

• -  So, Jesus is before the beginning of the beginning act of Creation.

• -  Do you know what Jesus was doing before the Creation? He was

  making plans to redeem it! The Apostle Paul tells us about...

  “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight.” Ephesians 1:3-4

  - Jesus is before the beginning of all earthly authorities.
  - Jesus is the ORIGINAL SOURCE of all authority- remember

  verse 16?

  Colossians 1: 16 For by [Jesus] all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him.

  - Jesus will be the END of all authority- of Him Paul says:

  "Then the end will come, when he hands over the kingdom to God the Father after he has destroyed all dominion, authority and power." 1 Corinthians 15:24

  - Jesus is the “firstborn from among the dead”

  - That seems like such a strange phrase! We don’t usually think of being born from the dead.

  - Here’s what that means: before Jesus’ resurrection, everyone who ever lived, eventually died and remained dead. The

reason was simple: when sin entered the world through our

ancestral parents Adam and Eve- so did DEATH.

• -  But Jesus was born into this world on a rescue mission- to

  live a perfect life, and to offer Himself as the perfect sacrifice in payment for our sin. Having died on the cross to accomplish that, He rose from the dead three days later breaking the power of sin and death over you and I.

• -  Of Himself, Jesus said:

  "The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life--only to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father." John 10:17-18

  And again,

  John 11:25 Jesus said..., “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; 26 and whoever lives and believes in me will never die.”

  - The Apostle Paul tells us that in our baptism into Christ, we share in Jesus’ death, burial and RESURRECTION. He goes on to say:

  2 Timothy 2:11 Here is a trustworthy saying: If we died with [Jesus], we will also live with him...

  The fact of Christ's resurrection is what sets Christianity apart from every other religion in the world. Listen again as the Apostle John relays his encounter with the resurrected Christ:

  "I turned around to see the voice that was speaking to me. And when I turned I saw seven golden lampstands, and among the lampstands was someone "like a son of man," dressed in a robe reaching down to his feet and with a golden sash around his chest. His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and his eyes were like blazing fire. His feet were like bronze glowing in a furnace, and his voice was like the sound of rushing waters. In his right hand he held seven stars, and out of his mouth came a sharp double-edged sword. His face was like the sun shining in all its

brilliance. When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. Then he placed his right hand on me and said: "Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. I am the Living One; I was dead, and behold I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades." Revelation 1:12-18

CONCLUSION: The baby Jesus in Bethlehem’s manger is an image that's easy to embrace, for He poses no threat to us- no challenge to our lives.

The vision of the resurrected Head of the church is another matter.

As your thoughts are drawn to the manger in Bethlehem this Christmas season, let me ask you a simple question: Are you ready to meet that same Savior in His exalted position at the right hand of God the Father?

On that day there will be one of two scenarios. For those who have submitted themselves in faith to Christ- they will find Him as Savior. Those who have not, will find Him to be their Judge.

Make no mistake about God’s desire in all of this- Christmas is about God’s desire for our salvation through His Son Jesus.

The Apostle Paul summed it up simply when he said:

1 Timothy 1:15 Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners...”

Baby Jesus: Creator of all that is; Head of the Church; Savior of the World.