Message Notes

(I) THE IDEA OF THE FIRSTBORN

1. An appreciation of the idea of “sonship”

a) You are My Son, today I have begotten You (Hebrews 1:5a)

b) I will be to Him a Father, and He shall be to Me a Son (Hebrews 1:5b)

c) Symbolic imagery

i) Christ’s birth as the Son of Abraham

ii) He was also the Son of Adam

iii) He was further the Son of Man

iv) He was in addition the Son of David

v) He was always eternally the Son of God

vi) His Sonship was exalted by God at His baptism

2. An appreciation of the idea of Jesus as the Regal Firstborn

a) Jesus is described as “the firstborn” (Hebrews 1:6)

i) He is head of all that God has created

ii) Even the mighty angels are to offer worship to Jesus

b) The honour of being made King

i) Part of the firstborn idea

ii) Jesus will have an eternal throne (Hebrews 1:8)

 iii) He will carry a scepter of righteousness (Hebrews 1:8-9)

iv) He will sit at the right hand of God (Hebrews 1:13)

(II) PAULINE APPRECIATION OF CHRIST AS THE FIRSTBORN

Colossians 1:13-18

1. Jesus is called “The Son of His love” (Colossians 1:13)

2. He is Ruler of a spiritual and eternal Kingdom (Colossians 1:13)

3. He is our Redeemer-Saviour (Colossians 1:14)

a) We have redemption

b) We have forgiveness of sins

4. He is the image of the invisible God (Colossians 1:15)

5. He is Co-Creator (Colossians 1:16-17)

6. He is the head of the church (Colossians 1:18)

7. He is the firstborn of the dead (Colossians 1:18) (1 Corinthians 15)

“That in all things He may have the pre-eminence” Colossians 1:18

(III) OUR RESPONSE

1. Giving greater attention

“Therefore we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away.” Hebrews 2:1

 2. Deepening our appreciation

“But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, for the suffering of death, crowned with honour and glory, that He, by the grace of God, might taste death for everyone.” Hebrews 2:9