Christ, The Head of the Church!

Christ, The Head of the Church! 

Colossians 1:15-20 (ESV) 

The Preeminence of Christ 

15He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.16For by[a] 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. 

Intro: A new year. A new season. A pastoral transition. Before we look to the under shepherd, we look to the Chief Shepherd. 

- Mrs. B – A founding member who has remained faithful through five pastors—Pastor Jim, Pastor Tan, Pastor Romy, Bishop Jerry, and now me. Her stability is rooted not in personalities but in Christ the Head. - Historic churches that prove Christ is the Head 

1. Tenth Presbyterian Church (Philadelphia) 

- Dr. James Montgomery Boice (1968–2000) 

- Dr. Philip Graham Ryken (2000–2010) 

- Dr. Liam Goligher (2011–2023) 

Now continuing under transitional leadership. Why does it endure? Because Christ is the Head. 

2. First Baptist Church in America (Providence, RI) 

- Founded in 1638 by Roger Williams. Nearly 400 years of pastoral transitions. Still standing because Christ is the Head. 

3. Westminster Chapel (London)] 

- Dr. G. Campbell Morgan

- Dr. David Martyn Lloyd Jones 

- Dr. R. T. Kendall. A century of transitions, one 

unchanging Head. 

4. Metropolitan Tabernacle (London) 

- Charles Haddon Spurgeon 

- Followed by faithful pastors, now led by Dr. Peter Masters. Still proclaiming Christ because Christ governs His church. 

5. Redeemer Presbyterian Church (New York City) 

- Founded by Dr. Timothy J. Keller 

- Now led by Rev. Abe Cho and a pastoral team. The ministry continues because Christ, not Keller, is the Head. 

Pastors change. Seasons shift. But Christ remains the Head of His church. 

I. Christ Gives the Church its Life 

a. “He is the head of the body, the church… He is the beginning.” (Colossians 1:18a) 

b. “For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit.” (1 Corinthians 12:13) 

c. “So, we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.” (Romans 12:5) 

- Christ is founder, foundation, and life giver. 

- Joined to Christ by the Spirit; nourished by Christ as the Head. - “Firstborn from the dead” = first in rank; His resurrection guarantees ours. 

d. R. B. Kuiper (The Glorious Body of Christ): “The union between Christ and His church is organic… a profound mystery.” 

e. “I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5). Charles Haddon Spurgeon: “Without Christ as her life and Head, the church can do nothing.” 

f. Application:

● Life does not originate from a pastor, specific leadership styles, or programs. Rather, Christ is 

the true source and provides growth. 1 Corinthians 3:6, “I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth.” 

II. Christ Governs the Church for His Glory 

a. “…that in everything he might have the preeminence.” (Colossians 1:18b) 

b. “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.” (Matthew 28:18) 

-Christ holds highest rank in creation and in the church 

- His authority is absolute and unrivaled. 

- Leaders serve under Christ’s delegated authority. 

c. How does Christ govern His church? 

1. Through godly leaders - Pastors/elders/deacons represent Christ’s delegated authority 

- Their task, according to Ephesians 4:11-12, “And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ. 

2. Through God’s Word and Spirit - Pastor’s calling: 

- 2 Timothy 3:16-17 - “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.” 

- 1 Peter 2:2–3 - “Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation—if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good.” The Spirit grows and nurtures the church 

3. Through God’s providence and sovereign protection - Only Christ guards from Satan, flesh, world. Only Christ ensures the gates of hell will not prevail. Matthew 16:18 states, “And I tellyou, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” 

4. Illustration (The Eyes of Love)- When Cyrus the Great, king of Persia, pardoned a condemned woman because her husband offered to die in her place, she said: “I had no eyes for the king. I saw only the man who was willing to die in my place.” 

Conclusion: Beloved BCI, we have no eyes for personalities. We see only Christ, the One who died in our place. 

A. Christ must have first place: “That in everything He might be preeminent.” (Colossians 1:18c). In our families, church, marriages, work, ministry, time, love, conversations, pleasures, music, worship. Let us give Him first place. 

B. John Calvin: As head of the church, Jesus is the “root, from which vital energy is diffused through all the members, so the life of the Church flows out from Christ.” 

C. Because Christ is the source, we find our security. 

D. Because Christ is sovereign, we receive guidance. 

E. Because Christ is preeminent, we do everything through Him and for Him. Seasons may change, and leadership may shift, but Christ remains the head of His church forever. All hail King Jesus, the Head of the Church, the Lord of the New Year, and the Shepherd of His people. SDG!