Crossroads Church - Plymouth, IN
True Identity - Colossians 1:15-20
Worship Gathering
Locations & Times
Crossroads Church
1650 N Oak Dr, Plymouth, IN 46563, USA
Sunday 7:00 AM
Connection Card
Please take a moment and fill out this simple Connection Card. Thank you!
https://crossroadsefc.churchcenter.com/people/forms/505322Online Giving
We believe everything we have comes from God. As a steward, not an owner, it is an act of worship to be generous and give. Thank you for considering a gift to Crossroads.
https://crossroadsefc.churchcenter.com/givingBulletin
Stay up-to-date with things happening at Crossroads and how you can get connected.
https://www.crossroadsefc.com/digital-bulletinPrayer and Praise
Romans 12:15 says, "Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep." Take a moment to let us know how we can rejoice with you or bring a need before God with you.
https://crossroadsefc.churchcenter.com/people/forms/478788Daniel 4:17 (ESV) - …the Most High rules the kingdom of men and gives it to whom he will and sets over it the lowliest of men.
Engaged and informed, not consumed.
1 Timothy 2:1–3 (ESV) - First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, 2for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. 3This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior...
No matter who’s in charge, in Christ, you win.
Engaged and informed, not consumed.
1 Timothy 2:1–3 (ESV) - First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, 2for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. 3This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior...
No matter who’s in charge, in Christ, you win.
Colossians 1:15–20 (ESV) - He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 16For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. 17And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. 19For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, 20and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.
Hebrews 1:3 (ESV) - He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high…
Hebrews 1:3 (ESV) - He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high…
And it’s God who, in the process of creation, determined…
Genesis 1:26–27 (ESV) - Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” 27So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.
Deuteronomy 5:8 (ESV) - You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is on the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth.
Genesis 1:26–27 (ESV) - Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” 27So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.
Deuteronomy 5:8 (ESV) - You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is on the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth.
To be human is to possess the image of God.
Therefore, being made in the image of God is innate and means:
· It’s outside of our choice, it is predetermined by God.
· It defines the value and purpose of humanity – 1 Corinthians 10:31
· It’s not a blessing of salvation.
Therefore, being made in the image of God is innate and means:
· It’s outside of our choice, it is predetermined by God.
· It defines the value and purpose of humanity – 1 Corinthians 10:31
· It’s not a blessing of salvation.
What impact does this have on how we think, participate and respond in a diverse and divisive political climate?
· It means we have a completely different starting point than those without Christ.
· It means we seek to represent God well among all people.
· We actively promote and pursue moral standards that truly align with God’s Word.
· We live with understanding and peace among brothers and sisters in Christ who desire the same God honoring goal but differ on how to go about it.
· It means we have a completely different starting point than those without Christ.
· It means we seek to represent God well among all people.
· We actively promote and pursue moral standards that truly align with God’s Word.
· We live with understanding and peace among brothers and sisters in Christ who desire the same God honoring goal but differ on how to go about it.
Discussion Questions
1. Do you have a replica of something that you admire (e.g. a painting, a car, a large fake diamond! etc.)? Tell the group about it. Maybe some “show and tell” for the group this week???
2. Read Colossians 1:15-20. What description of Jesus stands out to you most and why? What other verses came to mind as you read these verses (like John 1, for example)?
3. What questions does this passage stir up in your mind that the group can consider biblically together?
4. Verse 16 tells us all things were created by, through, and for Jesus. That’s amazing! Describe this in your own words as best as you can. What impact does this have on your Christology (theology of Christ)?
5. Verse 15 teaches that Jesus is the image of the invisible God. Genesis 1:26-27 says, “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.” What is the same and what is different about Jesus and us being in the image of God?
6. Male and female are created in the image and likeness of God…everyone. What impact does this have on how we think, participate and respond in a diverse and divisive political climate?
7. Review the biblical truth we have discussed in this series – the sovereignty of God over government, true hope in Christ vs misguided hope in politics, true allegiance as a citizen of heaven before a citizen on earth, and true identity as created in the image of God. What has been most helpful for you?
1. Do you have a replica of something that you admire (e.g. a painting, a car, a large fake diamond! etc.)? Tell the group about it. Maybe some “show and tell” for the group this week???
2. Read Colossians 1:15-20. What description of Jesus stands out to you most and why? What other verses came to mind as you read these verses (like John 1, for example)?
3. What questions does this passage stir up in your mind that the group can consider biblically together?
4. Verse 16 tells us all things were created by, through, and for Jesus. That’s amazing! Describe this in your own words as best as you can. What impact does this have on your Christology (theology of Christ)?
5. Verse 15 teaches that Jesus is the image of the invisible God. Genesis 1:26-27 says, “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.” What is the same and what is different about Jesus and us being in the image of God?
6. Male and female are created in the image and likeness of God…everyone. What impact does this have on how we think, participate and respond in a diverse and divisive political climate?
7. Review the biblical truth we have discussed in this series – the sovereignty of God over government, true hope in Christ vs misguided hope in politics, true allegiance as a citizen of heaven before a citizen on earth, and true identity as created in the image of God. What has been most helpful for you?