23rd November 2025

In a world filled with competing voices and values, it is vital for us as believers to centre our lives on the One who stands above all – The Lord Jesus Christ. To be pre-eminent is to be utterly superior, to surpass all others, to hold first place in every respect. Supremacy, pre-eminence, and lordship are not mere titles attributed to Jesus: they are core realities that are to shape our faith and the way we live.

Jesus is pre-eminent in at least the following ways:

He is supreme over creation – Paul states that ‘by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible…’ (Colossians 1:16 ESVUK). Jesus is not simply a teacher or a prophet: he is the Creator. Through him, the universe was spoken into existence, and in him, all things hold together (v.17). This means that when we look at the beauty of nature, the complexity of life, and the order of the cosmos, we are to marvel at the handiwork of Jesus.

He is supreme in redemption – He has reconciled all things that are alienated through his death on the cross, in order to make us holy and blameless (vv.20-22). He is also the one who conquered death through his resurrection (v.18). No other person, no other religion or philosophy, no other power (v.16) can offer and deliver what Jesus has achieved: forgiveness of sins, reconciliation with God, and eternal life. This means we can be set free of guilt and condemnation, enter a new relationship with God, and have hope for the future.    

He is supreme in the church – Paul describes Jesus as ‘the head of the body, the church’ (v. 18). The church is not sustained by human strength, wisdom, or tradition, but by the living Christ who calls, empowers, and equips his people for every good work. This means we, as members of his body, are called to recognise his authority, follow his teachings, and depend on his guidance.

He is supreme as king and judge – Jesus is the king of the kingdom (v.13). He is described as ‘King of Kings and Lord of Lords’ (Revelation 19:16), and as king he will judge the living and the dead (Acts 10:42). This means we are ‘…to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God’ (Colossians 1:10), knowing that we are to give account to Jesus (1 Peter 4:5).

If Jesus is truly pre-eminent in these ways, then he deserves our utmost devotion, obedience, and honour. We must all ask ourselves: Is he pre-eminent in our lives? Do our priorities, decisions, and relationships reflect his lordship? When we place Jesus above all, our lives will be transformed, and we will bear witness to his glory.

Local congregation:
Grace Communion West Hampstead 
Sidings Community Centre
150 Brassey Road
West Hampstead
London
NW6 2BA

Meeting time:
Sunday 12.30 pm

Local congregational contact:
Gordon Brown
gordon.brown@gracecom.church

Word of Life contact:  
wordoflife@gracecom.church