10/28/2012
God Made Peace Through
The Cross
The Cross
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Scripture Reading: Ephesians 2:11-18
Please open your Bible with me to the Book of Colossians at chapter one.
We all know what the center of our solar system is. That, we know, is the sun. But, does anyone here know what the center of the universe is? I downloaded just a few pictures sent back to the earth by the Hubble Telescope. These pictures are still pictures that show us some of what Hubble could see. Everything has a center, doesn’t it? Well, what is the center of the universe? The universe is, according to The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, “1. All existing things, including the earth, the heavens, the galaxies, and all therein, regarded as a whole; the cosmos; the macrocosm. 2.a. The earth together with all its inhabitants and created things.” The Greek phrase is ta olon = “The whole.” The Latin is “universum” which translates into English as “turned into one.” Imagine, for just a moment, that you are God, the Father. Your Son has just created the universe. Now, Who does the Father see as the Center of the universe? One of the most wonderful truths about the universe is this. A Person is at the center of the universe. And His name is Jesus Christ. Let me show you what we find here in Colossians chapter one. Look with me at verse fourteen. Colossians 1:14 “In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins: (15) Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: (16) For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: (17) And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. (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. |
(19) For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell; (20) And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.”
Is it possible to program a computer by chance? Some people believe the universe with all its laws and principles and mathematical computations was programmed by chance. Imagine, if you can, the following scenario. You are seated comfortably in your seat on a jetliner along with three hundred other people. You are flying at 40,000 feet. A public announcement comes over the loudspeaker. “There is no pilot in our plane today. We are flying by a computer that was programmed by chance when numerous hailstones fell on the keyboard.” [found on www.peterkreeft.com “Argument From Design”]. How many here would believe it? Folks, is it even possible that the universe came into existence by chance? And is it possible that the universe can continue apart from the One Who originally designed it? According to the Bible, and as we’ve already discovered in this little NT Epistle to the Colossians, we know just Who Jesus is. It’s as if someone had asked Paul to write a letter to them and tell them Who Jesus Christ is. Who is He? 1. He is the Image of the invisible God – v. 15 2. He is the Firstborn of every creature – v. 15 3. He is the Creator of everything in the universe – v. 16 (16) “For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:” 4. He existed before all things – v. 17 5. Everything “consists” by His power – v. 17 6. He is the Head of the Church – v. 18 - 19 7. Today, He made peace through the blood of His cross – v. 20 - 21 |