Preparing for the Lord's Day
The Scope of Our Vision
In 2000, Time magazine named Albert Einstein the "Man of the Century" for his groundbreaking theories, which reshaped our understanding of the universe. Einstein’s special and general relativity theories laid the groundwork for countless advancements—from the atomic bomb to the very technology in our phones. Yet, throughout the last 30 years of his life, he searched for something more—a “Theory of Everything” that could unify all physical laws and explain the cosmos in one elegant equation. He hoped this would, as he put it, “read the mind of God.” This quest has fascinated people throughout history, as we seek meaning and connection amid a world that often feels fragmented.
But what if this “Theory of Everything” isn’t an equation or an idea but a person? This Sunday, as we turn to Colossians 1:15-20, we’ll see how Christ is not only the creator and sustainer of all things but also the One who holds all of creation together and redeems it. In Christ, we find the ultimate unity, the meaning beneath all that exists. He brings together the diversity of creation under His sovereign rule, restoring what is broken and guiding us toward His purpose. Our vision as a church flows from this understanding: if Christ is central to all things, then our lives, our relationships, and our communities are also meant to be centered on Him. For in Christ alone, we find a purpose that transforms not just our personal lives but the world around us. To come prepared for the sermon, take time this week to read and to meditate upon Colossians 1:15-20, Genesis 1:1-3, Psalm 104:24-30, John 1:1-3, Hebrews 1:1-3, Revelation 21:5-6, and Westminster Confession of Faith chapter 5.
This week we will celebrate the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper during our worship service. As we receive the elements of bread and wine look in faith to the Lord Jesus Christ. For as we physically receive the signs of the Lord’s body and blood, spiritually we feed upon him and all his benefits. Our hymns for this week include “Glorious Things of Thee Are Spoken,” “Before the Throne of God Above,” and “For All the Saints.”
A Liturgical Note:
In the Church liturgical year, November 1 is designated as All Saints' Day. Christians traditionally remember with thanksgiving the life and witness of the faithful Christian men and women who have gone before us, following Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. In the Communion Prayer this Sunday, we will remember those saints of this congregation who have died since November 1, 2023. This is not a prayer of intercession for them, but a prayer of thanksgiving for their life and faithful witness, in the assurance that Christians who have preceded us in death are "away from the body and at home with the Lord" (2 Corinthians 5:8).
Sermon Information
Text: Colossians 1:15-20
Title: To Reconcile All Things
Outline:
- Jesus Reconciles All Things as Creator (vv. 15-16)
- Jesus Reconciles All Things as Sustainer (v. 17)
- Jesus Reconciles All Things as Redeemer (vv. 18-20)