Messages from Malachi

SERMON NOTES

Sunday, November 7, 2004

Firstborn!
Passage: Matthew 1:25

Name Above All Names, 7 of an 8-Part Series

Rev. Jimmy Painter

Cresthill Baptist Church

“And (Joseph) knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called His name JESUS.” (KJV) These words recorded in the Gospel of Matthew, the first chapter, verse 25, tell us about the birth of the Lord Jesus Christ. As the days of Autumn bring with them cooler temperatures and turning leaves, our thoughts turn toward Christmas. Christmas! Already? While it may come as a surprise to some, ask any wide-eyed child you happen to see, how many days there are ‘till Christmas, and faster than my dog can eat Fritos that fall on the floor, they’ll tell you “48: there are 48 days ‘till Christmas!”

The Bible tells us that Jesus was Mary’s “FIRST-BORN” son. “Firstborn.” PROTOTOKOS in the Greek New Testament. The Pre-eminent one. The Prominent One. The Pre-existent One taking on human flesh and becoming one of us. Jesus is the ‘FIRSTBORN”.

In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days He has spoken to us by His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, and through whom He made the universe. The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of His being, sustaining all things by His powerful word. After He had provided purification for sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven. So He became as much superior to the angels as the name He has inherited is superior to theirs. For to which of the angels did God ever say, "You are my Son; today I have become your Father"? Or again, "I will be His Father, and He will be my Son"? And again, when God brings His firstborn into the world, He says, "Let all God's angels worship Him." (NIV)

Hebrews 1:1-6 is a summary of the history of salvation. Hebrews 1:1-6 tells us salvation’s story of God speaking, acting, and finally becoming one of us, to live for us, die for us, and then to live again. The Bible calls Christ God’s “firstborn” son (v.6), and God’s angels worship Him (v.6), for He is higher than any angel, for He Himself is God.

Psalm 89, verses 27-29 records this Divine Declaration from Almighty God: I will also appoint Him my firstborn, the most exalted of the kings of the earth. 28 I will maintain my love to Him forever, and my covenant with Him will never fail. I will establish His line forever, His throne as long as the heavens endure. (NIV)

Jesus, God’s “firstborn” is “the first of the royal line” (v.27, MSG). Psalm 89:29 records this promise of God: “I will establish His line forever …” (NIV)

If Jesus is God’s “firstborn”, then that also means that there is a line that comes directly after Christ of other sons and daughters who are also born of God. Who are they “sons” and “daughters” of God? You are! You are when you’ve been born-again, born of God, faithful followers of God’s “firstborn”. Jesus is God’s firstborn.

Colossians Chapter One, Verse 15 declares that, “He (Jesus) is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.” (NIV)

“Firstborn over all creation”? What does that mean? I believe the meaning of this text becomes abundantly clear when we read it in the Contemporary English Version of the Bible. In the CEV, Colossians 1:15 says that, "Christ is exactly like God, who cannot be seen. He is the first-born Son, superior to all creation." (CEV)

When we look at Christ, we look at God! When we look to Christ, we look to God! When we come to Christ, we come to God! And when we look at, look to, and come to Christ, we come to someone who is vastly superior to anything or anyone we will ever meet. That is why the Apostle Paul, in Romans Chapter 8, could say:

For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (NIV)

No-one and No-thing can ever take us away from Christ! Why? It is because Jesus is the firstborn Son of God, superior over all of God’s creation!

He also is the Head of [His] body, the church; seeing He is the Beginning, the Firstborn from among the dead, so that He alone in everything and in every respect might occupy the chief place [stand first and be preeminent]. (AMP)

I was taught, and I believe, that the best commentary on the Bible IS the Bible. If you want to know what the Word of God says in one passage, turn to another passage for explanation and clarification. And so, having said this, I believe that Colossians 1:18 can best be explained by turning to Revelation, Chapter One, the fifth verse. Revelation 1:5 declares:

And from Jesus Christ the faithful and trustworthy Witness, the Firstborn of the dead [first to be brought back to life] and the Prince (Ruler) of the kings of the earth. To Him Who ever loves us and has once [for all] loosed and freed us from our sins by His own blood, … (AMP)

We who have turned away from our sins and turned to Christ, we who have been born-again by, through, and because of Christ’s death and resurrection, we have experienced His love, His life-giving liberation from sin, death, shame, Hell and the grave. Jesus paved the way for us to never have to fear the pallid specter of death. Jesus paved the path from death to life when He left His footprints in the sand leading not into but rather away from His tomb. We can experience resurrection power and resurrection life because we have accepted and we have committed ourselves to our Resurrected Jesus. Jesus Christ IS THE firstborn from the Dead.

The 4th and final point to ponder this morning about Him whose name is above all names is this: Jesus is the …

For those whom He foreknew [of whom He was aware and loved beforehand], He also destined from the beginning [foreordaining them] to be molded into the image of His Son [and share inwardly His likeness], that He might become the firstborn among many brethren. (AMP)

God knew what He was doing from the very beginning. He decided from the outset to shape the lives of those who love Him along the same lines as the life of His Son. The Son stands first in the line of humanity He restored. We see the original and intended shape of our lives there in Him. (MSG)

God the Father wants you and me to be just like God the Son. God the Holy Spirit has taken up residence within us to enlighten, illuminate, and to control and anoint us to look like, think like, talk like, and act like Jesus! And ladies, the term “brethren” is not gender-specific. And so I suppose He would also be the firstborn great Elder Brother among many sisters! (Matthew 25:40, et al) Jesus is the firstborn!

Jesus Christ, the firstborn of God alone, is that name above all names. He is the First and Last, the Beginning and the End! He is the Keeper of creation and the Creator of all! He is the Architect of the universe and the Manager of all times.

He always was, He always is, and He always will be … unmoved, unchanged, undefeated, and never undone! He was bruised and brought healing! He was pierced and eased pain! He was persecuted and brought freedom! He was dead and brought life! He is risen and brings power! He reigns and brings peace! The world can't understand Him, the armies can't defeat Him, the schools can't explain Him, and the leaders can't ignore Him. Herod couldn't kill Him, the Pharisees couldn't confuse Him, and the people couldn't hold Him! Nero couldn't crush Him, Hitler couldn't silence Him, the New Age can't replace Him, and Oprah can't explain Him away!

He is light, love, longevity, and Lord. He is goodness, kindness, gentleness, and God. He is holy, righteous, mighty, powerful, and pure. His ways are right, His word is eternal, His will is unchanging, and His mind is on me. He is my Savior, He is my guide, and He is my peace! He is my Joy, He is my comfort, He is my Lord, and He rules my life! I serve Him because His bond is love, His burden is light, and His goal for me is abundant life. I follow Him because He is the wisdom of the wise, the power of the powerful, the ancient of days, the ruler of rulers, the leader of leaders, the overseer of the overcomers, and is to come.

And if that seems impressive to you, try this for size. His goal is a relationship with YOU! He will never leave you, never forsake you, never mislead you, never forget you, never overlook you and never cancel your appointment in His appointment book! When you fall, He’ll lift you up! When you fail, He’ll forgive! When you’re weak, He is strong! When you’re lost, He is the way! When you’re afraid, He is your courage! When you stumble, He’ll steady you! When you’re hurt, He’ll heal you! When you’re broken, He’ll mend you! When you’re blind, He’ll lead you! When you’re hungry, He’ll feed you! When you face trials, He’s with you! When you face persecution, He’ll shield you! When you face problems, He’ll comfort you! When you face loss, He’ll provide for you! When you face Death, He’ll carry you Home!

He is God! He is everything for everybody, everywhere, every time, and every way. He is God. He is faithful. And I don’t know about you, but I’m so glad that I am His, and He is mine! He is God. Jesus Christ is God! He is the Firstborn, and His Name is Above Every Name. If you claim His name, then praise Him! And if you don’t, then what are you waiting for?