OceanSide church of Christ

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THE PREEMINENCE OF CHRIST ACCEPTED

Victor M. Eskew

 

INTRODUCTION

 

A.               Colossians 1:18

 

And he is the head of the body, the church:  who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.

 

B.               Preeminence (4409).

1.               This is the only time this Greek word is found in the New Testament.

2.               Definition:

a.         Strong:  to be first (in rank or influence)

b.         Thayer:  to be first, hold the first place

                        3.         Other translations:

                                    a.         NASV:  …so that he Himself might come to have first place in everything.

                                    b.         TEV:  …in order that he alone might have first place in all things.

                                    c.         NKJV:  …so that he should be supreme in every way.

 

C.              Christ has the preeminence for many reasons:

1.               He is truly the only begotten Son of God (John 3:16; Luke 1:35; Matt. 3:16-17).

2.               He was the first to arise from the dead never to die again (Rom. 1:4; Acts 2:29-32).

3.               He has been given all power in heaven and on earth (Matt. 28:18).

4.               He has been given a name that is above all names (Phil. 2:9-11).

5.               He has been given a kingdom that shall never be destroyed (Dan. 7:13-14; Matt. 16:18; John 18:36).

6.               He rules over His kingdom at the right hand of God (Acts 2:34-35; Heb. 1:3).

7.               He will sit and judge all nations in the last day (Acts 17:30-31; II Tim. 4:1).

 

D.              Tonight, we have been assigned the topic:  “The Preeminence of Christ Accepted.”

1.               My assigned text is not found in Colossians.  My text is Philippians 4:6-9.

2.               Instead of just using these four verses, we are going to back up to Philippians 4:1.

3.               We want to look at several points that apply to us, if we have truly accepted the preeminence of Christ.

 

I.          WE STAND FAST IN THE LORD (Phil. 4:1)

 

Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved.

 

A.               Stand fast (4739

1.               Strong:  to be stationary…to persevere

2.               Thayer:  to stand firm, to persist, to keep one’s standing

 

B.               Those who have accepted the preeminence of Christ do not waver.

1.               Jesus and His service is number one to them.

2.               Sin entices, but it does not prevail.

3.               The enemy seeks to discourage, but we remain firm.

 

C.              Why do they refuse to budge?  Why are they constant and persistent?  They know that their labors are not in vain in the Lord (I Cor. 15:58).

 

Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.

 

II.         WE ARE OF THE SAME MIND IN THE LORD (Phil. 4:2)

 

I beseech Euodias, and beseech Synteche, that they be of the same mind in the Lord.

 

A.               In the church, there will be problems that develop in our relationships with each other.

1.               Personality problems

2.               Matters of expediency and opinion

3.               Doctrinal matters

 

B.               Those who have accepted the preeminence of Christ seek agreement in these matters (Amos. 3:3).

 

Can two walk together, except they be agreed?

 

C.              When we agree and are of the same mind, unity will prevail.

1.               I Corinthians 1:10

 

Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.

 

2.               Our efforts to be of the same mind and to keep unity ought to be diligent and intense (Eph. 4:3).

 

Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

 

3.               Sadly, we give too much lip service to these verses and the body of Christ continues to divide into smaller and smaller fragmented groups.

 

III.        WE WILL REJOICE IN THE LORD ALWAYS (Phil. 4:4)

 

Rejoice in the Lord always:  and again I say, Rejoice.

 

A.               This rejoicing is not some silly display of joy (i.e., “praise the Lord” and handclapping).

 

B.               Our rejoicing is praise to God that comes from an inner joy because we comprehend the work of God in our lives and the lives of others, the blessings that our ours, and the promises we have received.

 

C.              This praise can be displayed in many ways:

1.               In outward praise to God (II Cor. 1:3; Eph. 1:3; I Pet. 1:3).

2.               In outward service to both God and man (John 13:14-17; Acts 20:35).

3.               In praise when suffering persecution for the cause of Christ (Acts 5:41; 16:25).

 

D.              If we focus upon self, our needs, and our problems, our Christianity becomes dull and loses its luster.  When we focus upon what we’ve been given by God, we rejoice and Christianity is full of life (John 10:10).

 

…I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

 

IV.        WE LET OUR MODERATION BE KNOWN TO ALL MEN (Phil. 4:5)

 

Let your moderation be known unto all men.  The Lord is at hand.

A.               Moderation (1933)

1.               Strong:  appropriate…mild

2.               Thayer:  equitable, fair, mild, gentle

3.               Matthew Arnold:  your sweet reasonableness

 

B.               Example:  Abram dealing with Lot (Gen. 13:8-9)

 

And Abram said unto Lot, Let there be no strife, I pray thee, between me and thee, and between my herdmen and thy herdmen; for we be brethren.  Is not the whole land before thee?  Separate thyself, I pray thee from me:  if thou take the left hand I will go to the right:  or if thou wilt depart to the right hand, then I will go to the left.

 

C.              With some brethren there is no reasonableness or gentleness.  They exhibit a spirit similar to Diotrephes who opposed John (III John 9-10).

 

I wrote unto the church;  but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not.  Wherefore, if I come, I will remember his deeds which he doeth, prating against us with mali-cious words:  and not content therewith, neither doth he himself receive the brethren, and forbiddeth them that would, and casteth them out of the church.

 

V.         WE REFUSE TO WORRY, INSTEAD WE PRAY (Phil. 4:6)

 

Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

 

            A.         The word “careful” literally means “be anxious.”

1.         Paul says be anxious for nothing.  Yet in II Corinthians 11:28, Paul admitted that the care of all the churches came upon him daily.

2.         There will be cares and worries that come upon us.  It is how we deal with them that matters.

                        a.         Some deal with them improperly:

                                                1)         They let them deeply plague their minds.

                                                2)         They allow them to harm their health.

                                                3)         They allow them to stifle their spiritual lives.

b.         Instead of these things, we are to go to God in prayer and make our requests known to Him.

                                                1)         I Peter 5:7

 

Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.

 

2)               We must go in faith (James 1:6).

3)               When we do, peace awaits us (Phil 4:7)

 

And the peace of God which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

 

4)               Example:  Hannah (I Sam. 1:1-18)

 

VI.        WE WILL THINK ON RIGHT THINGS (Phil. 4:8)

 

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

 

A.               The Bible is clear that our thoughts influence our actions.

1.               Proverbs 4:23

 

Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.

 

2.               See Matthew 15:18-20

3.               Garbage in; garbage out.

 

B.               This is difficult for a Christian living in our society.

1.               We’ve been influenced by TV, radio, songs, movies, games, the internet, etc.

2.               We’ve become desensitized to evil.

3.               Too, we do not study the Word of God as much (See Romans 12:2).

 

C.              In order to think on right things, we must turn our eyes upon Jesus, and look in His wonderful face.  And the things of earth will grow strangely dim, in the light of His glory and grace.

 

VII.       WE WILL SEEK TO FOLLOW THE EXAMPLE OF PAUL (Phil. 4:9)

 

Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do:  and the God of peace shall be with you.

 

A.               When we ask others to pattern themselves after Jesus, they think of it as being impossible.  They see Jesus as “the Son of God.”

 

B.               In Paul, we have a human example to follow (I Cor. 11:1).

 

Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.

 

1.               Paul had trials and afflictions.

2.               He, too, struggled with temptation and sin.

3.               He had trouble with his brothers in Christ.

 

C.              He remained faithful all of his life.  When he came to the end of his life, he knew a crown of righteousness awaited him (II Tim. 4:8a).

 

Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge shall give me at that day…

 

D.              If we learn from Paul’s life and act as he did, we, too, can have a crown of righteousness.

 

CONCLUSION

 

A.               Christ is preeminent.  Nothing can change this fact.

 

B.               Having put Christ on in baptism, the question is:  “Is my life a demonstration of my belief that He is preeminent?”

 

C.              Colossians 3:1-4

 

If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.  Set your affection on things above, not on thing on the earth.  For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.  When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye appear with him in glory.

 

 

 

 

THE PREEMINENCE OF CHRIST ACCEPTED

Victor M. Eskew

 

INTRODUCTION

A.                Colossians 1:18

B.                 Preeminence (4409):  to be first in rank or influence, to hold first place.

C.                Christ has the preeminence for many reasons.  We examined seven of these in a previous lesson.

D.                Tonight, we have been assigned the topic:  “The Preeminence of Christ Accepted” (Phil. 4:1-9).

I.                 WE STAND FAST IN THE LORD (Phil. 4:1)

A.                Stand fast (4739

1.                 Strong:  to be stationary…to persevere

2.                 Thayer:  to stand firm, to persist, to keep one’s standing

B.                Those who have accepted the preeminence of Christ do not waver.

1.                 Jesus and His service is number one to them.

2.                 Sin entices, but it does not prevail.

3.                 The enemy seeks to discourage, but we remain firm.

C.                Why do they refuse to budge?  Why are they constant and persistent?  They know that their labors are not in vain in the Lord (I Cor. 15:58).

II.                WE ARE OF THE SAME MIND IN THE LORD (Phil. 4:2)

A.                In the church, there will be problems that develop in our relationships with each other (Personality, option, and doctrine).

B.                 Those who have accepted the preeminence of Christ seek agreement (Amos. 3:3).

C.                When we agree and are of the same mind, unity will prevail.

1.                 I Corinthians 1:10

2.                 Our efforts to be of the same mind and to keep unity ought to be diligent and intense (Eph. 4:3).

3.                 Sadly, we give too much lip service to these verses and the body of Christ continues to divide into smaller and smaller fragmented groups.

III.              WE WILL REJOICE IN THE LORD ALWAYS (Phil. 4:4)

A.                This rejoicing is not some silly display of joy (i.e., “praise the Lord” and handclapping).

B.                 Our rejoicing is praise to God that comes from an inner joy because we comprehend the work of God in our lives and the lives of others, the blessings that our ours, and the promises we have received.

C.                This praise can be displayed in many ways:

1.                 In outward praise to God (II Cor. 1:3; Eph. 1:3; I Pet. 1:3).

2.                 In outward service to both God and man (John 13:14-17; Acts 20:35).

3.                 In praise when suffering persecution for the cause of Christ (Acts 5:41; 16:25).

D.                If we focus upon self, our needs, and our problems, our Christianity becomes dull and loses its luster.  When we focus upon what we’ve been given by God, we rejoice and Christianity is full of life (John 10:10).

IV.              WE LET OUR MODERATION BE KNOWN TO ALL MEN (Phil. 4:5)

A.                Moderation (1933)

1.                 Strong:  appropriate…mild

2.                 Thayer:  equitable, fair, mild, gentle

3.                 Matthew Arnold:  your sweet reasonableness

B.                Example:  Abram dealing with Lot (Gen. 13:8-9)

C.                With some brethren there is no reasonableness or gentleness.  They exhibit a spirit similar to Diotrephes who opposed John (III John 9-10).

V.                WE REFUSE TO WORRY, INSTEAD WE PRAY (Phil. 4:6)

                    A.                The word “careful” literally means “be anxious.”

1.                 Paul says be anxious for nothing.  Yet in II Corinthians 11:28, Paul admitted that the care of all the churches came upon him daily.

2.                 There will be cares and worries that come upon us.  It is how we deal with them that matters.

                                        a.                 Some deal with them improperly:  1) Mind, 2) Health, and 3) Spiritual life

b.                 Instead of these things, we are to go to God in prayer and make our requests known to Him.

                                                                                1)                I Peter 5:7

2)                We must go in faith (James 1:6).

3)                When we do, peace awaits us (Phil 4:7)

4)                Example:  Hannah (I Sam. 1:1-18)

VI.              WE WILL THINK ON RIGHT THINGS (Phil. 4:8)

A.                The Bible is clear that our thoughts influence our actions (Prov. 4:23; Matt. 15:18-20).

B.                This is difficult for a Christian living in our society.

1.                 We’ve been influenced by TV, radio, songs, movies, games, the internet, etc.

2.                 We’ve become desensitized to evil.

3.                 Too, we do not study the Word of God as much (See Romans 12:2).

C.                In order to think on right things, we must turn our eyes upon Jesus, and look in His wonderful face.  And the things of earth will grow strangely dim, in the light of His glory and grace.

VII.            WE WILL SEEK TO FOLLOW THE EXAMPLE OF PAUL (Phil. 4:9)

A.                When we ask others to pattern themselves after Jesus, they think it to be impossible.  They see Jesus as “the Son of God.”

B.                 In Paul, we have a human example to follow (I Cor. 11:1).

C.                He remained faithful all of his life.  He knew a crown of righteousness awaited him (II Tim. 4:8a).

D.                If we learn from Paul’s life and act as he did, we, too, can have a crown of righteousness.

CONCLUSION

A.                Christ is preeminent.  Nothing can change this fact.

B.                 Having put Christ on in baptism, the question is:  “Is my life a demonstration of my belief that He is preeminent?”

C.                Colossians 3:1-4

 

THE PREEMINENCE OF CHRIST ACCEPTED

Victor M. Eskew

 

INTRODUCTION

A.                Colossians 1:18

B.                 Preeminence (4409):  to be ____________ in rank or influence, to hold first place.

C.                Christ has the preeminence for many reasons.  We examined seven of these in a previous lesson.

D.                Tonight, we have been assigned the topic:  “The Preeminence of Christ Accepted” (Phil. 4:1-9).

I.                 WE STAND __________________ IN THE LORD (Phil. 4:1)

A.                Stand fast (4739

1.                 Strong:  to be stationary…to persevere

2.                 Thayer:  to stand ____________, to _______________________, to keep one’s standing

B.                Those who have accepted the preeminence of Christ do not ______________________.

1.                 Jesus and His service is number one to them.

2.                 Sin ________________, but it does not prevail.

3.                 The enemy seeks to ________________________, but we remain firm.

C.                Why do they refuse to budge?  Why are they constant and persistent?  They know that their labors are not in ___________ in the Lord (I Cor. 15:58).

II.                WE ARE OF THE SAME __________________ IN THE LORD (Phil. 4:2)

A.                In the church, there will be problems that develop in our relationships with each other (Personality, option, and doctrine).

B.                 Those who have accepted the preeminence of Christ seek ________________________ (Amos. 3:3).

C.                When we agree and are of the same mind, __________________ will prevail.

1.                 I Corinthians 1:10

2.                 Our efforts to be of the same mind and to keep unity ought to be ___________ and intense (Eph. 4:3).

3.                 Sadly, we give too much lip service to these verses and the body of Christ continues to divide into smaller and smaller fragmented groups.

III.              WE WILL ____________________ IN THE LORD ALWAYS (Phil. 4:4)

A.                This rejoicing is not some _____________ display of joy (i.e., “praise the Lord” and handclapping).

B.                Our rejoicing is praise to God that comes from an inner joy because we comprehend the _________ of God in our lives and the lives of others, the ______________ that are ours, and the ________________ we have received.

C.                This praise can be displayed in many ways:

1.                 In outward _____________ to God (II Cor. 1:3; Eph. 1:3; I Pet. 1:3).

2.                 In outward ___________________ to both God and man (John 13:14-17; Acts 20:35).

3.                 In praise when suffering persecution for the cause of Christ (Acts 5:41; 16:25).

D.                If we focus upon self, our needs, and our problems, our Christianity becomes dull and loses its luster.  When we focus upon what we’ve been _________________ by God, we rejoice and Christianity is full of life (John 10:10).

IV.              WE LET OUR MODERATION BE KNOWN TO ALL MEN (Phil. 4:5)

A.                Moderation (1933)

                                        1.                 Strong:  appropriate…_________________

2.                 Thayer:  equitable, fair, mild, _______________________

3.                 Matthew Arnold:  your sweet ___________________________

B.                Example:  ___________________ dealing with Lot (Gen. 13:8-9)

C.                With some brethren there is no reasonableness or gentleness.  They exhibit a spirit similar to __________________ who opposed John (III John 9-10).

V.                WE REFUSE TO WORRY, INSTEAD WE ___________________ (Phil. 4:6)

                    A.                The word “careful” literally means “be _____________________.”

1.                 Paul says be anxious for nothing.  Yet in II Corinthians 11:28, Paul admitted that the care of all the churches came upon him daily.

2.                 There will be cares and worries that come upon us.  It is how we ____________ with them that matters.

                                        a.                 Some deal with them improperly:  1) Mind, 2) Health, and 3) Spiritual life

b.                 Instead of these things, we are to go to God in prayer and make our requests known to Him.

                                                                                1)                I Peter 5:7

               2)                We must go in ___________________ (James 1:6).

3)                When we do, peace awaits us (Phil 4:7)

4)                Example:  _______________________ (I Sam. 1:1-18)

VI.              WE WILL _____________________ ON RIGHT THINGS (Phil. 4:8)

A.                The Bible is clear that our thoughts influence our ____________________ (Prov. 4:23; Matt. 15:18-20).

B.                 This is difficult for a Christian living in our society.

1.                 We’ve been influenced by TV, radio, songs, movies, games, the internet, etc.

2.                 We’ve become _________________________ to evil.

3.                 Too, we do not _________________ the Word of God as much (See Romans 12:2).

C.                In order to think on right things, we must turn our eyes upon Jesus, and look in His wonderful face.  And the things of earth will grow strangely dim, in the light of His glory and grace.

VII.            WE WILL SEEK TO FOLLOW THE EXAMPLE OF __________________ (Phil. 4:9)

A.                When we ask others to pattern themselves after Jesus, they think it to be impossible.  They see Jesus as “the Son of God.”

B.                 In Paul, we have a ___________________ example to follow (I Cor. 11:1).

C.                He remained faithful all of his life.  He knew a ______________ of righteousness awaited him (II Tim. 4:8a).

D.                If we learn from Paul’s life and act as he did, we, too, can have a crown of righteousness.

CONCLUSION

A.                Christ is preeminent.  Nothing can change this fact.

B.                Having put Christ on in baptism, the question is:  “Is my life a ___________________ of my belief that He is preeminent?”

C.                Colossians 3:1-4