Why Christianity Makes Sense

1. Read: Colossians 1:15-20

2. About the Text:

1) The book of Colossians is a contrast between Christ and the speculations of men.

2) Paul’s answer to all opposition to Christ is to tell them about Christ.

3) Understanding the identity of Christ is why Christianity makes sense.

3. Ref. to S, T, P, O, and A.

1. Universe did not come from nothing.

2. The relationship of God to the world is not one of identity, but of Creator and creature.

1) “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth” (Genesis 1:1).

2) “For thus says the LORD, ??Who created the heavens, ??Who is God, ??Who formed the earth and made it, ??Who has established it, ??Who did not create it in vain, ??Who formed it to be inhabited: ‘?I am the LORD, and there is no other’” (Isaiah 45:18).

3. Jesus is the Creator.

1) “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God” (John 1:1-2).

2) “God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds” (Hebrews 1:1-2).

1. God created all things for a purpose.

1) “For it was fitting that he, for whom and by whom all things exist, in bringing many sons to glory, should make the founder of their salvation perfect through suffering.” (Heb.2:10).

2) “For it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.” (Phil.2:13).

2. He created mankind for a purpose.

1) “So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. Then God blessed them, and God said to them, ‘Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth’ (Genesis 1:27-28).

2) Matthew 22:37-40.

1. God created it, upholds it, and sustains it as both real and good.

2. The world is real.

1) “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” (Heb.1:3a).

2) “He has made the earth by His power, He has established the world by His wisdom, And has stretched out the heavens at His discretion” (Jeremiah 10:12).

3. The world is good for the purposes that He created it.

1) “Then God saw everything that He had made, and indeed it was very good. So the evening and the morning were the sixth day” (Genesis 1:31).

2) “Yet he did not leave himself without witness, for he did good by giving you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons, satisfying your hearts with food and gladness.” (Acts 14:17).

1. All are made equal in His image.

1) “And He has made from one blood every nation of men to dwell on all the face of the earth, and has determined their preappointed times and the boundaries of their dwellings” (Acts 17:26).

2) “Then Peter opened his mouth and said: “In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality. But in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him” (Acts 10:34-35).

2. All are called to unity and equality in the body of Christ, the church.

1) Galatians 3:26-29

2) “And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all” (Eph.1:22-23).

1. Jesus was a real person who lived in a real time and place.

1) “No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father’s side, he has made him known” (John 1:18).

2) “But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born[fn] of a woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons” (Galatians 4:4-5).

2. Jesus is also God.

1) John 1:1-2

2) “He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature” (Heb.1:3a).

1. Mankind cannot merit salvation.

1) Jeremiah 10:23

2) Romans 10:1-2

2. Mankind needs a savior.

1) Ephesians 2:8-16.

2) “After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high” (Heb.1:3b).

1. Why does Christianity make sense?

1) There is a Creator.

2) Mankind has a purpose.

3) The Creator made a real and good world.

4) He desires the unity of mankind.

5) He reveals Himself in Jesus.

6) He saves by His grace.

2. Invitation