The Preeminence of Christ
Lesson 8, 1st Quarter, February 14–February 20, 2026
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Sabbath Afternoon February 14
Memory Text:
“Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. KJV — Colossians 1:15-17
“O what great privileges belong to those who are believers and doers of the words of Christ! It is a knowledge of Christ as the sin bearer, as the propitiation for our iniquities, that enables us to live a life of holiness. This knowledge is the safeguard for the happiness of the human family. Satan knows that without this knowledge we should be thrown into confusion and divested of our strength. Our faith in God would be gone, and we should be left a prey to every artifice of the enemy. He has laid subtle plans by which to destroy man. It is his purpose to cast his hellish shadow, like the pall of death, between God and man, in order that he may hide Jesus from our view, so that he may cause us to forget the ministry of love and mercy, cut us off from further knowledge of God's great love and power to usward, and intercept every ray of light from heaven. 1SM 264.1
“Christ alone was able to represent the Deity. He who had been in the presence of the Father from the beginning, He who was the express image of the invisible God, was alone sufficient to accomplish this work. No verbal description could reveal God to the world. Through a life of purity, a life of perfect trust and submission to the will of God, a life of humiliation such as even the highest seraph in heaven would have shrunk from, God Himself must be revealed to humanity. In order to do this, our Saviour clothed His divinity with humanity. He employed the human faculties, for only by adopting these could He be comprehended by humanity. Only humanity could reach humanity. He lived out the character of God through the human body which God had prepared for Him. He blessed the world by living out in human flesh the life of God, thus showing that He had the power to unite humanity to divinity.” 1SM 264.2
Sunday February 15
The Image of the Invisible God
Read Genesis 1:26, 27; Genesis 5:3; 1 Corinthians 15:49; 2 Corinthians 3:18; and Hebrews 10:1. Summarize the various meanings of “image” in these passages. How might they differ from the description of Jesus as the image of God?
“Taking humanity upon Him, Christ came to be one with humanity, and at the same time to reveal our heavenly Father to sinful human beings. He who had been in the presence of the Father from the beginning, He who was the express image of the invisible God, was alone able to reveal the character of the Deity to mankind. He was in all things made like unto His brethren. He became flesh even as we are. He was hungry and thirsty and weary. He was sustained by food and refreshed by sleep. He shared the lot of men; yet He was the blameless Son of God. He was a stranger and sojourner on the earth—in the world, but not of the world; tempted and tried as men and women today are tempted and tried, yet living a life free from sin. Tender, compassionate, sympathetic, ever considerate of others, He represented the character of God, and was constantly engaged in service for God and man.” MH 422.2
Read Matthew 11:27 and John 1:1, 2, 14, 18. Why is Jesus uniquely able to reveal the Father?
“Said the Saviour: “This is life eternal, that they might know Thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom Thou hast sent.” And God declared by the prophet: “Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches: but let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth Me, that I am the Lord which exercise loving-kindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the Lord.” 5T 737.1
“No man, without divine aid, can attain to this knowledge of God. The apostle says that “the world by wisdom knew not God.” Christ “was in the world, and the world was made by Him, and the world knew Him not.” Jesus declared to His disciples: “No man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal Him.” In that last prayer for His followers, before entering the shadows of Gethsemane, the Saviour lifted His eyes to heaven, and in pity for the ignorance of fallen men He said: ‘O righteous Father, the world hath not known Thee: but I have known Thee.’ ‘I have manifested Thy name unto the men which Thou gavest Me out of the world.’” 5T 737.2
Monday February 16
Firstborn Over All Creation
Read Colossians 1:15–17. What reasons does Paul give for Jesus being called “the firstborn over all creation”?
“‘And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He might have the preeminence. Colossians 1:18. FH 342.1
“Christ “loved the church, and gave himself for it; that he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, that he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.” FH 342.2
“When God gave His Son to the world, He made it possible for men and women to be perfect by the use of every capability of their beings to the glory of God. In Christ He gave to them the riches of His grace and a knowledge of His will.... FH 342.3
“The church is yet militant in a world that is apparently in midnight darkness, and growing worse and worse. While the requirements of a plain “Thus saith the Lord” remain unheeded by the worldly element in the church, the voices of God’s faithful servants are to be strengthened to give the solemn message of warning. The works that should characterize the church militant and the works of the church that has had the light of truth for this time do not correspond. The Lord calls upon church members to clothe themselves with the beautiful garments of Christ’s righteousness.... FH 342.4
“God needs men and women who will work in the simplicity of Christ to bring the knowledge of truth before those who need its converting power. The message of Christ’s righteousness must be proclaimed from one end of the earth to the other. Our people are to be aroused to prepare the way of the Lord. The third angel’s message—the last message of mercy to a perishing world—is so sacred, so glorious. Let the truth go forth as a lamp that burneth. Mysteries into which angels desired to look, which prophets and kings and the righteous desired to know, the church of God is to make known. FH 342.5
“Christ’s wonderful sacrifice for the world testifies to the fact that men and women may be rescued from iniquity. If they will break with Satan and confess their sins, there is hope for them. People—sinful, blinded, wretched—may repent and be converted and day by day be forming a character like the character of Christ. Human beings may be reclaimed, regenerated, and may learn to live before the world precious, Christlike lives.—The Review and Herald, April 22, 1909.” FH 342.6
Tuesday February 17
Head of the Body of Christ
Read Ephesians 1:22 and Colossians 2:10. What does “head” mean in these passages? What does Paul mean when he calls Jesus the “head of the church” (Eph. 5:23)?
“‘The head of every man is Christ.” God, who put all things under the Saviour's feet, “gave Him to be the head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him that filleth all in all.’ 1 Corinthians 11:3; Ephesians 1:22, 23. The church is built upon Christ as its foundation; it is to obey Christ as its head. It is not to depend upon man, or be controlled by man. Many claim that a position of trust in the church gives them authority to dictate what other men shall believe and what they shall do. This claim God does not sanction. The Saviour declares, “All ye are brethren.” All are exposed to temptation, and are liable to error. Upon no finite being can we depend for guidance. The Rock of faith is the living presence of Christ in the church. Upon this the weakest may depend, and those who think themselves the strongest will prove to be the weakest, unless they make Christ their efficiency. ‘Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm.’ The Lord ‘is the Rock, His work is perfect.’ ‘Blessed are all they that put their trust in Him.’ Jeremiah 17:5; Deuteronomy 32:4; Psalm 2:12.” DA 414.3
“A warning against false teaching is found in Paul's letter to the Colossians… GW 305.3
“‘…Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. For in Him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. And ye are complete in Him, which is the head of all principality and power.’ [Colossians 2:2-10.] GW 305.4
“I am instructed to say to our people, Let us follow Christ. Do not forget that He is to be our pattern in all things. We may safely discard those ideas that are not found in His teaching. I appeal to our ministers to be sure that their feet are planted on the platform of eternal truth. Beware how you follow impulse, calling it the Holy Spirit. Some are in danger of doing this. The word of God urges us to be sound in the faith, able to give to every one who asks, a reason of the hope that is in us.” GW 306.1
Read 1 Corinthians 12:12–27. Here also Paul describes the church as a “body.” What other aspects of the church are conveyed by this metaphor?
“What a lesson this Scripture teaches! There is to be an active exercise of the various gifts in one body, the head of which is Jesus Christ. Let no member of Christ’s body entertain a spirit of self-sufficiency. Because two members do not act the same part, let not one member say to another member, I have no need of thee. Among the members of the body there is to be no crowding, no judging, no measuring of one gift by another. Many gifts are called for, yet all are members of one body.” 16LtMs, Ms 128, 1901, par. 9
Wednesday February 18
The “Beginning” (and Initiator)
Read Colossians 1:18. What is the connection between the idea of Christ as the head and Him as the “beginning”?
“These words present a wonderful opening for every member of the church. Here, brethren, is specified your work. Christ is your head. His Spirit controlling your actions will lead you to manifest that pity, tenderness, and love, that patience, kindness, and long-forbearance, which will reveal to others that Christ dwells within. 17LtMs, Ms 18, 1902, par. 15
“Shall we reach the expectations of Christ in our behalf? He has reserved a heaven of blessings for all who come into working order with Him. Brethren, sisters, what is our showing?” 17LtMs, Ms 18, 1902, par. 16
“After creating us, Christ loved us so much that He gave His own life in order that He might bear our sins. How, then, can we help loving Him in return? Throughout His life of toil and suffering, He bore the strokes of divine retribution which in justice we should bear. After having paid so great a price for our redemption, will He not give us the help and grace and power necessary for victory? 16LtMs, Ms 102, 1901, par. 26
“He who gave us Christ has placed at our demand all the resources of heaven. By living faith we should grasp the hand of infinite power, which is able to keep us from falling. We have a right to claim the blessing of God. We have a right to ask of Him the things we need. He is honored when we commit the keeping of our souls unto Him as unto a faithful Creator. It is our privilege to be free in Christ; for He has given His life to make us free. 16LtMs, Ms 102, 1901, par. 27
“I desire to show you the importance of having the Holy Spirit of God to help you in every emergency. I have chosen to be under the blood-stained banner of Prince Emmanuel. I have chosen to keep the commandments of God, and live, and to keep His law as the apple of the eye. I have chosen to obey all the requirements of God. If Christ gave His life for me, why should not I give my life to Him? Is my life more precious than His? Oh, I have only a finite life, and yet He promises that He will work for the salvation of that life!” 16LtMs, Ms 102, 1901, par. 28
Thursday February 19
To Reconcile All Things
Read Colossians 1:19, 20. What is this reconciliation that comes through the Cross, and how comprehensive is it?
“We have been taught by God concerning the great plan of redemption. This should be to us a matter of earnest thanksgiving. God’s promises will never fail if we constantly watch unto prayer. Having learned the excellent way, we are to be sanctified, body, soul, and spirit. We are to be purified and cleansed through the washing of the Word. It is the privilege of every one to be grounded and settled in the faith. No one who exercises that faith which works by love and purifies the soul will be moved away from the hope of the Gospel. ST September 4, 1901, par. 7
“Cherishing goodness in the heart is a work which many have strangely neglected. Those whose hearts are sanctified and cleansed will follow no sharp practises. But evil passions fill the heart that is actuated by selfishness. Selfishness leads to oppression, and as acts of oppression are repeated, the mind is corrupted, and fails to make correct decisions. ST September 4, 1901, par. 8
“In no case will Christ serve with unfair, unfaithful dealing. “You, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath He reconciled in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in His sight.” God calls for intelligent Christians, for men and women who are filled with the knowledge of His will. He calls for men and women who by their good works show that the truth has brought about a change in their lives. ST September 4, 1901, par. 9
“God’s servants should daily gain more knowledge of Him, and this knowledge should give spirituality to the understanding. The Lord is pleased when those connected with Him are filled with a knowledge of His will. Daily they should grow in grace and in spiritual understanding, strengthened with might according to His glorious power. They are to increase in spiritual efficiency, that they may give strength to those for whom they labor.” ST September 4, 1901, par. 10
Friday February 20
Further Thought
“Since His ascension Christ has carried forward His work on the earth by chosen ambassadors, through whom He speaks to the children of men and ministers to their needs. The great Head of the church superintends His work through the instrumentality of men ordained by God to act as His representatives. LHU 288.2
“The position of those who have been called of God to labor in word and doctrine for the upbuilding of His church is one of grave responsibility. In Christ’s stead they are to beseech men and women to be reconciled to God, and they can fulfill their mission only as they receive wisdom and power from above. LHU 288.3
“Christ’s ministers are the spiritual guardians of the people entrusted to their care. Their work has been likened to that of watchmen. In ancient times sentinels were often stationed on the walls of cities, where, from points of vantage, they could overlook important posts to be guarded, and give warning of the approach of an enemy. Upon their faithfulness depended the safety of all within. At stated intervals they were required to call to one another, to make sure that all were awake and that no harm had befallen any. The cry of good cheer or of warning was borne from one to another, each repeating the call till it echoed round the city....” LHU 288.4