First Place (July 12, 2026)

<p><strong>Introduction</strong></p><ul><li><p>Colossians 1:18-23</p></li><li><p>&quot;Few would deny the importance of Jesus.  They would simply dethrone Him.  They would give Him prominence but not preeminence.&quot;  - Warren Wiersbe</p></li><li><p>Acts 5:41–42</p></li><li><p>2 Peter 3:18</p><p><br></p></li></ul><p><strong>Why Should Jesus Be First in our Lives?</strong></p><ol><li><p><strong>He Reveals God to Us v.15a</strong></p></li><li><p><strong>He is Creator over All  v.15b-17</strong></p></li><li><p><strong>He is the Head of the Church v.18-19</strong></p><ol><li><p>Colossians 1:18–19</p></li><li><p>Ephesians 1:20–23</p></li><li><p>John 14:16–17</p></li><li><p>Acts 1:5</p></li><li><p>Ephesians 1:13</p></li><li><p>Matthew 16:16–18a</p></li><li><p>Ephesians 4:4–6</p></li><li><p>John 10:11</p></li><li><p>Colossians 1:18–19</p></li><li><p>Colossians 2:9–10</p></li><li><p>Colossians 1:18–19</p></li></ol></li><li><p><strong>He is the Lord Period. v.20-23</strong></p><ol><li><p>Colossians 1:20–23</p></li><li><p>Ephesians 2:12</p></li><li><p>Colossians 1:20–23</p></li><li><p>1 John 4:2</p></li><li><p>Hebrews 2:17</p></li><li><p>Colossians 1:20–23</p></li><li><p>1 John 2:1</p></li><li><p>Colossians 1:20–23</p></li></ol></li></ol><p><br></p><p><strong>Application:</strong></p><ol><li><p>Trust Him (He Reveals God to us, He is Creator, He is Head of church, He is Lord)</p><ol><li><p>Matthew 4:19</p></li><li><p>Luke 14:27</p></li></ol></li><li><p>Follow Him (What He says and does) </p><ol><li><p>Galatians 5:19–21</p></li><li><p>&quot;Few would deny the importance of Jesus.  They would simply dethrone Him.  They would give Him prominence but not preeminence.&quot; - Warren Wiersbe</p></li></ol></li></ol>