Logos Sermon Starter Guide — digest, Col 1:15–20

The raw Logos export (../expansion/Sermon Starter Guide | Colossians 1:15–20.txt, ~12,000 lines, 200KB) is auto-generated and not human-readable in one sitting. This file is the digestible version. I've preserved the short verbatim sections that are useful as-is (the commentary excerpts, the parallel-passage tables, the figurative-language analysis, the Logos theme tags) and selected the most directly Col 1:15–20–relevant entries from the 75+ thematic outlines. The remaining themes, illustration references, and sermon-outline pointers are summarized at the end as a navigation aid back to the raw file.

1. Theme tags (Logos auto-assigned)

Foreground themes:

• Creation — the creation of the world
• Jesus' Divinity — anything that refers to Jesus' divinity
• Church — body of Christ collectively / a designated place of worship
• Reconciliation — the practice of resolving differences; mending broken social relationships

Background themes (verbatim list): Adoption, Angels, Blessing, Character, Fellowship, Ecclesiology, Discipleship, Forgiveness, God the Father, Omnipotence, Sovereignty, Works, Guidance, Heaven, Thanksgiving Day, Image of God, Jesus' Death, Jesus' Humanity, Jesus' Resurrection, Joy, The Kingdom of God, Mission, Patience, Perseverance, Power, Intercession, Redemption, Revelation (Oracle), Salvation, Satan, Sin, Spiritual Warfare, Thanksgiving, Wisdom, Atonement, Evangelism, Evil, Faith, Gospel, Holiness, Hope, Peace, Purity.

2. Commentary excerpts (the opening line/paragraph Logos surfaces for each)

These are the lead-paragraph snippets from Logos's commentary library for Col 1:15–20. They're brief by design — Logos shows the entry-point of each commentary so you know whether to open the full one. The four "assembled" commentaries you already have in this directory (McKnight NICNT, Wright TNTC, Barclay, Brown Lexham) cover this material at length; the others below are alternative voices.

NICNT (McKnight) — already in mcknight_colossians.md

"b. The Preeminence of the Messiah (1:15–20). This so-called introduction to Colossians from 1:1 to 2:5 moves onward, even if its movement is sometimes backward and other times sideways. After the salutation of 1:1–2, Paul and Timothy express their thanks to God for the gift of the Colossians' faith and love (1:3–8), and they declare their commitment to pray for them (1:9–12), which is followed up with two subtle sideways glances at the God of redemption and the source (Christ) of that redemption (1:13–14), which gives Paul and Timothy the opportunity to explore Christology in what we will call a [...]"

TNTC (Wright) — already in wright_colossians_philemon.md

"b. Creation and new creation in Christ (1:15–20). The next six verses of the letter are generally, and rightly, reckoned among the most important Christological passages in the New Testament. It is perhaps inevitable, therefore, that they should have been the subject of considerable discussion. [...] Most scholars agree that the passage is skilfully worded and rhythmically balanced, deserving to be called a poem."

JFB (Jamieson, Fausset, Brown) — 19th c. evangelical commentary

"They who have experienced in themselves 'redemption' (Col 1:14) know Christ in the glorious character here described, as above the highest angels to whom the false teachers (Col 2:18) taught worship was to be paid. Paul describes Him: (1) in relation to God and creation (Col 1:15–17); (2) in relation to the Church (Col 1:18–20). As the former regards Him as the Creator (Col 1:15, 16) and the Sustainer (Col 1:17) of the natural world; so the latter, as the source and stay of the new moral creation. 'Image' — exact likeness and perfect Representative. Adam was made 'in the [image of God]'..."

HNTC (Holman New Testament Commentary)

"When Paul wrote to the Colossians, he was countering a clever company of false teachers who sought to replace the Colossians' enthusiastic devotion to Christ with only a mild approval of him. They didn't encourage anyone to forget Jesus altogether; they just said he wasn't the only show in town. According to these false teachers, Jesus got equal billing with a vast number of emanating spirits flowing out of God. They said Jesus could be prominent, but he certainly wasn't preeminent."

A.T. Robertson, Word Pictures in the New Testament

"The image (εἰκων / eikōn). In predicate and no article. [...] Jesus is the very stamp of God the Father as he was before the Incarnation (John 17:5) and is now (Phil. 2:5–11; Heb. 1:3). Of the invisible God (του θεου του ἀορατου / tou theou tou aoratou). But the one who sees Jesus has seen God (John 14:9). [...] The firstborn (πρωτοτοκος / prōtotokos). Predicate adjective again and anarthrous. This passage is parallel to the Λογος [Logos] [passage]..."

Marvin Vincent, Word Studies in the New Testament

"The image (εἰκών). [...] For the Logos (Word) underlying the passage, see on John 1:1. Image is more than likeness — which may be superficial and incidental. It implies a prototype, and embodies the essential verity of its prototype. Compare 'in the form of God,' Phil. 2:6, and 'the effulgence of the Father's glory,' Heb. 1:3. Also 1 John 1:1. Of the invisible God (τοῦ Θεοῦ τοῦ ἀοράτου). Lit., 'of the God, the invisible.' Thus is brought out the idea of manifestation which lies in image."

LTNB (Lexham Textual Notes on the Bible) — on Col 1:20

"διʼ αὐτοῦ. The textual witnesses are split on whether 'through him' is included. If included, it reiterates that the method of making peace is through 'the blood of his cross.'"

LCC (Logos Commentary on Colossians)

"Preeminence Over Creation (1:15–16). Paul begins his argument for the preeminence of Christ by establishing his position in relation to creation. This first section in the hymn emphasizes Jesus' nature (1:15) and role in creation (1:16). 1:15 This verse emphasizes Christ's preeminence by declaring two aspects of his nature: (1) his being in God's image and (2) his being the firstborn of creation. The idea of being firstborn does not relate to literal birth but to primacy over creation, similar to 1:18, where Jesus is the firstborn from the dead."

BST (Bible Speaks Today, Lucas)

"Christ, supreme Lord and sufficient Saviour — Col 1:15–20. Introductions are now over. The customary thanksgivings and prayers are done. As we have seen they were not mere formalities, for they are filled with evidences of Paul's acute understanding of the situation in Colossae. However, it is time now to come to the main purpose of the letter. We might expect the apostle to begin with an appeal to the Colossian church to avoid the approaching dangers, which should be as obvious to them as they are to him. This, for instance, was his method when writing first to [the Corinthians/Galatians] [...]"

BKC (Bible Knowledge Commentary)

"D. Exaltation of Christ (1:15–20). From Paul's petition that the Colossians be enlightened about God's redemptive working in their lives, he moved naturally into his epistle's main emphasis — the exaltation and preeminence of Christ. In this paragraph (vv. 15–20) Paul mentioned seven unique characteristics of Christ, which fittingly qualify Him to have 'the supremacy' (v. 18). Christ is: (1) the image of God, (2) the Firstborn over Creation, (3) Creator of the universe, (4) Head of the church, (5) Firstborn from the dead, (6) the fullness of God, and (7) the Reconciler of all things. No comparable listing of so [many attributes appears elsewhere]."

3. Parallel-passage tables (Pauline letters)

Logos's Parallel Passages in the Pauline Letters index groups Col 1:15–20 with these clusters:

• #25 — Reconciliation with God: Rom 5:1–11 ‖ 2 Cor 5:11–21 ‖ Eph 2:15–16 ‖ Col 1:13–23
• #28 — Message of Reconciliation: Rom 5:10–11 ‖ Rom 8:19–22 ‖ 2 Cor 5:17–21 ‖ Gal 2:15–17 ‖ Eph 2:11–22 ‖ Col 1:19–20
• #30 — Christ's Humbling and Exaltation: Acts 17:22–28 ‖ Rom 5:18–19 ‖ Rom 8:3 ‖ Rom 14:9–11 ‖ 1 Cor 15:3–4 ‖ 2 Cor 8:9 ‖ Eph 1:20–23 ‖ Eph 4:7–10 ‖ Phil 2:5–11 ‖ Col 1:15–20 ‖ 1 Tim 3:16 ‖ Titus 2:13–14
• #102 — Head and Body: 1 Cor 6:15 ‖ Eph 1:22–23 ‖ Eph 4:15–16 ‖ Eph 5:21–28 ‖ Col 1:18 ‖ Col 1:24 ‖ Col 2:18–19 ‖ Col 3:15
• #114 — Christ's Triumph: 1 Cor 15:21–28 ‖ 2 Cor 5:16–19 ‖ Phil 3:17–21 ‖ Col 1:15–20 ‖ 2 Thess 2:5–12
• #115 — Thanksgiving: 1 Cor 15:23–28 ‖ 2 Cor 1:3–4 ‖ Eph 1:15–23 ‖ Col 1:9–18 ‖ Phlm 4–7

Phil 2:5–11 is the single highest-density parallel — it appears alongside Col 1:15–20 in #30 (humbling/exaltation), and the eikōn / hymn / cosmic-scope shape across the two passages is the strongest NT cross-reference for the hymn.

4. Figurative language by verse (Logos's discourse-conceptual analysis)

Logos tagged the following metaphorical structures in the passage:

• Conduit as Jesus (v.16, v.20) — Jesus as the channel through which creation comes and reconciliation flows
• Container as Jesus (v.17, v.19) — "in him all things hold together" / "in him all the fullness was pleased to dwell"
• Blood of Cross as Death of Jesus (v.20) — metonymy
• Church as Believers (v.18) — "he is the head of the body, the church"
• Conduit as Death of Jesus (v.20) — "making peace through his blood, shed on the cross"
• Firstborn From Dead as Jesus (v.18)
• Head as Authority (v.18) — "head of the body, the church"
• To Be Firstborn as To Be Highly Honored (v.15)
• To Bear Image as To Resemble (v.15)

Two structural metaphor-classes dominate the passage: Conduit (vv. 16, 20 — Christ as the medium through which creation and reconciliation happen) and Container (vv. 17, 19 — Christ as the space within which all things and all the fullness reside). The Pauline grammar is almost entirely prepositional: en autō / di' autou / eis auton / en autō / en autō.

5. Thematic outlines — selected (12 of the 75+, most directly relevant to Col 1:15–20)

For each, the verbatim synopsis from Logos plus the primary biblical scaffolding (skipping the extensive "See also" lists). Each entry has its full sub-tree in the raw file if you want more depth.

Image of God

"Humanity is created in the image or likeness of God. This image of God, given in creation, was damaged in the fall, but may be restored through Jesus Christ."

• Humanity created in God's image — Gen 1:26–27 ("image and likeness are probably synonymous terms in Hebrew parallelism; no physical likeness between God and humanity is intended")
• The divine image disfigured, though not totally destroyed, in the fall — Rom 3:23
• Jesus Christ the image of God — Phil 2:6; Col 1:15; 2 Cor 4:4
  • He is the exact representation of God — Heb 1:3
  • He reveals God — John 1:18
• Restoration of the divine image through Jesus Christ — Rom 8:29; 2 Cor 3:18; Eph 4:22–24; Col 3:9–10
• The Christian life as a process of transformation — 2 Cor 3:18

Beginning

"The starting point of a process or significant event." (Logos's gloss; full synopsis is longer)

For Col 1:18 — "he is the beginning" (Greek archē):

• Logos lists: Beginning as the starting point / The beginning: before the creation / The beginning: the creation / Beginnings of significant events / The beginning and the end / Satan as sinful from the beginning
• Cross-reference Rev 3:14 — where archē applied to Christ is contested between "ruler" and "beginning/first in rank"

Hymn (meta-relevant — IS Col 1:15–20 a hymn?)

"Poetry sung to the praise of God and for the mutual encouragement of believers. Hymns and songs are not clearly distinguished in Scripture, but the NT contains examples of possible early Christian hymns."

• Hymns sung to the praise of God's name — Ps 40:3; Rom 15:8–11
• Christians are to sing hymns together for mutual encouragement — 1 Cor 14:26; Eph 5:19; Col 3:16
• Examples of singing hymns — Jesus & disciples (Matt 26:30); Paul & Silas in prison (Acts 16:25)
• Examples of hymns:
  • Benedictus — Zechariah's song (Luke 1:68–79)
  • Magnificat — Mary's song (Luke 1:46–55)
  • Nunc Dimittis — Simeon's song (Luke 2:29–32)
  • Other possible early Christian hymns: Rom 11:33–36; Eph 5:14; Phil 2:6–11; Col 1:15–20; 1 Tim 3:16

So Logos's own scholarly index treats Col 1:15–20 as a candidate early Christian hymn, alongside Phil 2:6–11.

Body of Christ

"The term refers both to the physical body of Jesus Christ, which was broken on the cross in order that redemption might be accomplished through him, and to the church."

Top sub-points:

• His physical suffering (the cross)
• The church as the body of Christ — Eph 1:22–23; Col 1:18; 1 Cor 12:12–27
• Life in the body of Christ — the ethical/communal implications

Headship

"The quality of being in a position of leadership or guidance. [...] Headship among human beings does not necessarily signify superior status, but rather a role of leadership and care. Scripture sees it as involving servanthood, and views Jesus Christ as the supreme model of this."

• God as head over all things — 1 Chr 29:11
• Headship within the Godhead — Father's eternal headship (1 Cor 11:3); Father's headship in Son's earthly life (John 6:38)
• Jesus Christ as head of all creation:
  • Head of the created order — Col 1:15–17 ("the description of Jesus Christ as the firstborn does not imply he is part of creation, but rather stresses his rights of inheritance over it")
  • Head of all earthly and spiritual powers — Eph 1:20–22; Col 2:10; Col 1:15–18
  • Head of the church — Eph 4:15–16; Col 1:18; Eph 5:23; Col 2:19
  • Head over all things at the end — Eph 1:9–10
• Delegated headship: humanity over creation (Gen 1:28); rulers over nations; chiefs over tribes & families

Blood of Jesus Christ

"The shedding of the blood of Jesus Christ is seen as representing the giving of his life as an atoning sacrifice for the sins of humanity."

• As part of his humanity — John 19:33–34
• As a sacrifice — Heb 9:12–14, 23–26; 10:3–14; 13:11–12
• As a symbol of atonement — Rom 3:25; Eph 1:7; Rev 7:14
• Effects:
  • Institution of the new covenant — 1 Cor 11:25; Heb 13:20; 12:24; 9:11–15
  • Redemption — Acts 20:28; 1 Pet 1:18–19
  • Forgiveness and justification — Rom 5:9; 3:25–26; Matt 26:28
  • Victory over evil and Satan — Rev 7:14–17; 12:10–11
  • Liberation from sin — Rev 1:5–6
  • The promise of total restoration — Col 1:19–20
• Believers cleansed from all sin — Heb 9:14; 10:22; 1 John 1:6–9
• Believers have new confidence before God — Eph 2:13; Col 1:19–22

Centrality of cross

"The death of Jesus Christ on the cross is central to the Christian faith. Through the cross and resurrection of Christ, God achieved the redemption of believers and brought hope to the world."

• The gospel as the "message of the cross" — 1 Cor 2:2; 1:17–18, 23; Gal 3:1
• The cross redeems from the curse of the law — Gal 3:13; Eph 1:7; 2 Cor 5:21; Col 2:13–14
• The cross brings reconciliation and justification — Rom 4:25; 1 Cor 15:3–4; Eph 2:16; Col 1:20–22
• The cross destroys the power of Satan — Col 2:13–15; John 12:31; Heb 2:14–15
• The cross as a stumbling-block or offence — 1 Cor 1:22–24; Gal 5:11
• The cross unites believers with Christ — Rom 6:4–7; Eph 2:14–16; Gal 2:20
• The cross as a symbol of discipleship — Matt 16:24; Phil 2:5–8

Fulness (Greek plērōma — directly Col 1:19)

"The totality of something, as it is brought to completion by being filled. Jesus Christ is seen as expressing the full nature and purposes of God, so that believers may rest assured that, through Christ, they know God as he really is. Believers are also being brought to fulness through the gospel, although the final fulness of joy and understanding will take place only in the future kingdom of God."

• Jesus Christ, the fulness of God's nature — Col 2:9–10; Col 1:19
• Jesus Christ, the fulness of God's attributes — John 1:14, 16
• Christians and the church enjoy fulness through Christ — Eph 4:11–13; John 10:10; Eph 1:22–23; Eph 3:14–19; Col 2:9–10
• Fulness of joy — 1 Pet 1:8–9; Ps 16:11; John 17:13; Rom 15:13
• Fulness of understanding through Christ — Col 2:2–3; Col 1:9
• Believers should be constantly filled with the Holy Spirit — Eph 5:18; Acts 13:52; 4:31; 2:1–4
• Fulness of God's love through Christ — 1 John 4:12, 16–18
• The fulness of time — Eph 1:9–10; Gal 4:1–5

Jesus Christ as creator

"Scripture identifies the pre-existent Jesus Christ as involved in the work of creation, and relates this to his work in redemption, by which a new creation is brought out of the ruins of the old."

• Jesus Christ created all things — John 1:3; 1 Cor 8:6; Heb 1:2; John 1:10; Col 1:15–16
• Jesus Christ sustains the created universe — Heb 1:3; 1 Cor 8:6; Col 1:17; Rev 3:14 ("the word translated 'ruler' can mean either 'beginning' or 'first in rank'")
• Jesus Christ will bring the entire work of creation to perfection — Eph 1:9–10; Col 1:20; Rom 8:19–22
• Jesus Christ makes a new creation possible — 2 Cor 5:17; Jas 1:18; John 1:12–13; Gal 6:15; John 3:5–6

Incarnation

"The assuming by God of human nature in the person of Jesus Christ. The incarnation is the fixed and permanent physical dwelling of God in his world, as opposed to the temporary manifestation of the divine presence and power in a theophany."

• God the Son assumed human nature — John 1:14, 9; 1 John 4:2; 1 Tim 3:16
• Supernatural conception — Luke 1:35; Col 1:19; Rom 1:4; Isa 9:6; Col 1:15; Matt 1:18; John 14:9 ("the incarnation was such that the Son was the exact representation of the Father"); Heb 1:2–3
• Virgin birth — Matt 1:22–23; Heb 2:14; Gal 4:4; Isa 7:14; Phil 2:8
• The cost of the incarnation — Phil 2:6–7; 2 Cor 8:9; Heb 2:10
• The necessity of the incarnation — Rom 8:3; Col 1:22; 2 Cor 5:19; Heb 2:17–18; 4:15; 1 Tim 2:5 ("only a person who is fully human and fully divine can be the effective mediator between God and humanity")

Reconciliation of the world to God

"On account of sin, people are alienated from God and cut off from fellowship with him. Through Jesus Christ, God reconciles the world to himself, breaking down the barriers of hostility and estrangement."

• Sin brings alienation from God — Isa 59:2; Eph 4:18; Rom 5:10; Jas 4:4; Col 1:21; Gen 3:23–24 (expulsion from Eden); Gen 4:13–14 (Cain's alienation); Luke 18:13 (the tax collector's prayer)
• God takes the initiative — 2 Cor 5:18–19; Eph 2:4–5; 1 John 4:10; Gal 4:4–5; Rom 5:6–8
• The means of reconciliation is the death of Christ — Rom 5:6; 2 Cor 5:21; Col 1:20; Eph 2:16
• The results — personal and universal:
  • Peace with God — Rom 5:1; Col 1:21–22; Acts 10:36–46; Eph 2:14–19
  • Access to God — Rom 5:2; Heb 10:19–22; Eph 2:18; 3:12
  • Adoption as God's children — Rom 8:15–16; Gal 3:26; 4:4–6; 1 John 3:1–2
  • Peacemaking throughout the universe — Col 1:20; Eph 1:22–23; Rom 11:15; Eph 1:7–10
• Believers as ambassadors of reconciliation — 2 Cor 5:18–20

Peace, divine in NT (directly relevant to v.20, eirēnopoiēsas)

"God's ultimate provision of peace is discovered in the person and work of Jesus Christ. It is only through Christ that peace with God can be achieved and maintained."

• Through the Father — Rom 5:1; 8:1, 31–39; 1 Cor 1:2–3
• Through Jesus Christ's coming — Luke 2:10–14; Isa 9:6–7; Mic 5:2–5; Zech 9:9–10; Luke 2:25–32; Eph 2:17
• Through Christ's teaching — John 16:33; 15:3; 14:23–27
• Through Christ's ministry — Acts 10:36; Mark 4:35–41 (calming the storm)
• Through Christ's death — Col 1:19–20; Isa 53:5; Matt 26:26–28; Gal 6:14–16; Eph 2:13–17
• Through Christ's resurrection — Luke 24:36
• Through Christ's ascension — Rom 8:34
• Through the Holy Spirit's inner witness — 2 Cor 1:21–22

6. Other thematic outlines available in the raw file

For completeness — Logos's full theme list under THEMATIC OUTLINES (~75 entries). Each has its own synopsis + scripture tree in the raw file. Themes I selected above are bolded; the rest are listed here as bookmarks if you want to dig further.

Activity of God · Authority in the church · Authority of Jesus Christ · Beginning · Birthright · Blood of Jesus Christ · Body of Christ · Centrality of cross · Chaos · Character · Christians · Communication · Completion · Cost of discipleship · Creation and God · Cross of Jesus Christ · Divinity of Jesus Christ · Essence of gospel · Faith as a body of beliefs · Fellowship in the gospel · Fellowship, with God · Fulness · God as Spirit · God the Creator · God's goal of unity · Headship · History · Human race and redemption · Hymn · Image of God · Incarnation · Jesus Christ as Saviour · Jesus Christ as creator · Jesus Christ the Lord · Jesus Christ, head of the church · Jesus Christ's authority over demons · Kingdom of Jesus Christ · Knowledge of Jesus Christ · Leadership of church · Likeness · Lordship of Jesus Christ · Majesty of Jesus Christ · Mediation · Mission of Jesus Christ · Nature · Nature and foundations of church · Nature of knowing God · Necessity of revelation · Origin of creation · Peace, divine in NT · Perfection of God · Perfection of Jesus Christ · Perfection, divine · Philosophy · Pleasing God · Power of Jesus Christ · Power, human · Providence · Reconciliation of the world to God · Removal of guilt · Rest, spiritual · Revelation in NT · Revelation of God · Rulers · Seeing God · Sin, God's deliverance from · Sinlessness of Jesus Christ · Sovereignty of God · Submission · Teaching · The earth · Titles and names of Jesus Christ · Transcendence of God · Trinity, mission of the persons · Trinity, relationships between the persons · Uniqueness · Uniqueness of God · Unity of God · Universe.

7. Other Logos resources surfaced for Col 1:15–20

Outlines

Logos pulled outlines from these resources (full content in the raw file):

• Bible Exposition Commentary — outline
• Bible Guide — outline
• Bible Knowledge Commentary — outline
• Colossians Bible Study Outlines
• Colossians (structure)
• Colossians and Philemon: An Introduction and Commentary (analysis)
• The Companion Bible (Bullinger) — Epistle structure + Chapter 1 structure + 198 appendixes
• CSB Study Bible — notes outline

Illustrations

Sources Logos found for Col 1:15–20 illustration material:

• 300 Illustrations for Preachers — ~7 entries under "God" (sample titles: Eating Snail Mucus for God; Makes Sense to Believe in God; Bank Error Wasn't Gift from God after All; The Kingdom of God: Worth More than $400,000; Leaving a Message for God)
• 300 Sermon Illustrations from Charles Spurgeon — ~30 entries on God (sample: God May Be Trusted with Small Sums (Ps 40:2; 63:7; Is 66:21–22; Rom 8:32); God Is at the Helm (Is 40:12; Rom 5:1); The Power and Responsibility of God; God Is the Believer's Native Element; Worship the God behind Nature)
• The Preacher's Notebook: The Collected Quotes, Illustrations, and Prayers of John Stott — ~60 entries (sample: God Dressed up as a Poor Man; People like Us Executed God; God Died for Man; God Wants Us to Enjoy His World; God in the Quad (Limericks by Ronald Knox); God Is like a Craftsman; Impossible to Control God; God Despoils Our Self-Reliance; God Likes to Barge In; God Is the Lord of History; God Generally Begins Small)

Each is a one-line title in the raw file (no body content) — they're pointers to the source books, not extracted illustrations. If you have those resources in Logos, the titles are the way in. Stott's Preacher's Notebook is probably the richest of the three for a Col 1:15–20 sermon.

Sermons (Logos sermon library)

• Why Hope? Gospel! — Sermons from John Piper (1980–1989)
• All Things Were Created through Him and for Him — Sermons from John Piper (2000–2014)

Sermon outlines

• A Full Salvation (Col 1:19) — Sermon Outlines on Worship Services
• The Pre-eminence of Christ (Col 1:15–19) — Handfuls on Purpose for Christian Workers and Bible Students, Series I–XIII

Proclaim Music (hymns/songs the Logos worship index suggests)

• I Must Needs Go Home (1906)
• I Sing the Mighty Power of God — Isaac Watts; George Frederick Root; Xavier Ludwig Hartig
• Jesus, Keep Me Near the Cross — Fanny Crosby; Alfred V. Fedak; William Howard Doane
• Jesus, Priceless Treasure — Catherine Winkworth; Johann Crüger; Johann Franck
• Jesus, Thy Blood and Righteousness — John Wesley (tr.); Nicolaus Ludwig von Zinzendorf

Media Resources / Logos Sermons Media

The MEDIA RESOURCES and LOGOS SERMONS MEDIA sections in the raw file are empty (Logos found no media entries for this passage).

What I excluded and why

• Full sub-trees of the thematic outlines — each of the 75+ themes in the raw file has 20–80 lines of nested scripture refs ("See also" lists, sub-bullets, alternative wording). Even for the themes I selected above, I kept only the synopsis and primary references — pulling all the "See also" lists would 5x the file without adding much beyond a scripture concordance.
• Themes outside the structural concerns of Col 1:15–20 — e.g., Communication, Cost of discipleship, Christians, Birthright, Authority in the church, Leadership of church are useful for other texts but tangential here.
• Generic illustration titles without content — they're pointers to source books, not extractions. The raw file lists ~100 titles but no extracted text.
• Empty sections — MEDIA RESOURCES and LOGOS SERMONS MEDIA were empty in the export.

If you want any of the excluded thematic outlines pulled in full, the raw file is at ../expansion/Sermon Starter Guide | Colossians 1:15–20.txt and each theme is searchable by name. The line numbers for the 12 I selected are roughly: Image of God (3966), Beginning (630), Hymn (3897), Body of Christ (1005), Headship (3528), Blood (891), Centrality of cross (1143), Fulness (3072), Jesus Christ as creator (4146), Incarnation (4092), Reconciliation (8145), Peace (6780).

Source

../expansion/Sermon Starter Guide | Colossians 1:15–20.txt — raw Logos export (11,877 lines, ~200KB). Generated 2026-05-11.