INTRODUCTION:

1). Sin - (Rom. 6:17-20)… Some would protest and say they are not servants of sin - then quit all known forms of it. Because men are sinner, they have broken the law.

2). Law - (Gal. 4:4-7)… Man has voluntarily sold himself into sin and the law dictates that he serve his master.

3). Curse of The Law - (Gal. 3:10,13)… To break the law involves a penalty which is a curse on the offender.

4). Death and The Grave - (Hos. 13:14)… So mankind needs two things - a free kinsman and one who is willing to redeem him and has the price. Who meets the requirements? (Col. 1:12-14)

B. His image (vs. 15) - If he is an exact image of God, He must be God. First born indicates rank, not a created being. He is the Sovereign Head of the family.

Paul takes this opportunity to brag on Christ for awhile - isn't that what Christians are supposed to do?

C. The Work of Creation - (vs. 16) - Creation was just finger work (Psa. 8:3), but salvation (redemption) is arm work (Isa. 59:16; 53:1).

D. The sustainer of the universe - (vs. 17) - When you understand this tremendous principle, you can see that Scientific laws cannot be true laws because Science has no way of enforcing them or even guaranteeing that they will continue to operate. Science is meant to be an observation of the consistency of Jesus Christ. Scripture affirms that the universe with its matter, energy, and laws will not always exist (2 Pet. 3:10-12; Rev. 20:11).

His reason for holding all the galaxies in their places, for keeping the traffic of the universe on its course, is so that he "might bring many Sons into glory". (Heb. 2:10)

E. Preeminence - (vs. 18) - Christ is not preeminent with you, unless you are occupied with Him. If you have eyes for yourself you are guaranteed misery. A close companion is eyes on other people. These two usually coordinate and run together.

* This Great God Desires To Redeem You!