Calvary Vero Home Groups

Week of 05/03/26

Guest Pastor Andrew Lundy

Solus Church - Boca Raton

Colossians 1:15-23

Introduction - Jesus is Preeminent

Paul writes to the “saints and faithful brethren in Christ who are in Colosse” commending them for their faith, love and hope (Col 1: 2-4). The Colossians, however, had been diminishing Jesus - putting Him on level ground with other modern thinkers, undermining the very foundation of their faith. Paul stresses in Colossians chapter 1 how the following truth can transform our lives: that Christ is preeminent in all things.

  1. What is Preeminence?

Colossians: 1:15-18

These verses cover the Biblical concept of the preeminence of Christ. Preeminent means to hold first place; to be supreme; to have the highest rank; to be first in status; not just sequence. Sin, by contrast, is humanity’s desire to put ourselves first, seeking our own way instead of God’s way.

Q. What issues have you encountered because you were putting self first? How did God, in His grace, rescue you?

Even our basic needs should not be a priority in our lives above Jesus. Jesus states in Matthew 6:33 “Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.”

Pastor Andrew touched on the concept of “second screen” writing which is “a style of writing that doesn’t demand your full attention; it assumes your half watching, half scrolling, and writes itself around your distraction rather than against it.”

Q. Jesus won’t allow us to create a second screen writing where He’s in the background to accommodate all of our distractions. How have you lived your life with Jesus as the second screen?

2.  The Preeminence of Jesus in our Lives

Colossians: 1:19-23

Christ’s will for our lives, for our flourishing and our good, is for Christ to be at the center. There are five categories that we can consider to evaluate if Christ is first in our lives.

DESIRES

One of the first things that God changes about us when we get saved is our desires. He transforms and sanctifies our desires.

Q. How has knowing Jesus transformed your desires?

DECISIONS

In life we're faced with many decisions. We can let our flesh, culture, the world, or our own “common sense” shape our decisions, or we can follow the principles of God’s word and His truth. Proverbs 3:5-6 states, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding, but in all your ways, acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.” Verse 7  continues, “do not be wise in your own eyes.”

Q. How have you lived by or lived contrary to this verse?

DAYS

Jesus set a model for early morning prayer time with the Father (Mark 1:33). In some seasons of life this comes easily, in other seasons, it can be a challenge.

Q. Is this a habit you have developed? How has seeking the Father’s will at the beginning of your day impacted your life?

DOLLARS

One of the most dangerous areas where we make Jesus second is with our money.

Andrew recommended that we ask the Lord to show us any greed hidden in our hearts and for him to show us if our hearts are subconsciously serving our bank accounts instead of stewarding faithfully what belongs to God.

Jesus told His followers, “No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money” Matthew 6:24

Q. How can we love Jesus with our finances in a way that would give Him ownership of our resources and glorify and honor Him best?

DIFFICULTIES

Jesus wants to be first in our difficulties. He doesn’t want to be preeminent just in the happy times or our lives. We can bring glory to Him in our difficulties.

Q. Have you considered that trying to carry a heavy burden in your own strength is not putting Jesus first?

Q. Is there a time you can recall putting Jesus first in your difficulty and found Him to be proven faithful?