In this powerful sermon, Art McNeese explores key themes from Paul's letter to the Colossians, focusing on the supremacy and centrality of Christ.

McNeese begins by comparing understanding Christianity to assembling a jigsaw puzzle, where some pieces are missing and others don't belong. He emphasizes that Christ is the key to making sense of reality and human existence.

The sermon highlights two major arguments from Colossians:

1. Christ is the source of all wisdom and knowledge. McNeese contrasts this with humanism and other philosophies that place humans at the center instead of Christ. He argues that without Christ as the foundation, there is no basis for ethics, kindness, or human dignity.

2. Christ brings life. McNeese explains how Christ cancels the record of sins against us and defeats spiritual forces of evil. He uses the Roman practice of shaming conquered enemies to illustrate how Christ paradoxically achieved victory through the cross.

McNeese discusses how baptism represents participation in Christ's death and resurrection, not mere imitation. He emphasizes that this brings new life and freedom from our sinful nature.

The sermon then addresses the danger of legalism and man-made religious rules. McNeese warns that focusing on external practices can lead to pride and a false sense of spirituality. He encourages listeners to examine whether they are truly growing in Christ or just following religious customs.

Throughout, McNeese stresses that Christ is the centerpiece of reality who will ultimately reconcile all things to Himself. He is the creator and sustainer of the universe, the defeater of evil, and the one who brings meaning to human existence.

The sermon concludes by returning to C.S. Lewis' analogy of Christianity being like the sun - we believe in it not only because we see it, but because by it we see everything else. McNeese affirms that Christ is the lens through which all of reality makes sense.

This thought-provoking message challenges listeners to center their lives on Christ rather than human wisdom or religious legalism. It offers hope that despite the brokenness and confusion in the world, Christ is working to bring all things together under His rule.

Date: 7.21.24

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