TEXT: Romans 8:29
READING: Hebrews 2:1-18
SUBJ: Seeing the purpose of God in Christ being the firstborn.
AIM: That we might enjoy the relationship with Christ as His “brethren.”
INTR: This text is much more than a proof text for the sovereignty of God and His electing grace
1. Christ our Lord is more than a fleshly brother (a friend that sticketh closer than a brother) in that He is the pattern to whom all must be conformed.
2. His birth must be taken in the context of all that He would accomplish, but especially the relationship He would know with His people – brethren.
3. He people were always in view as He went about the task of providing our salvation and He would confirm the special ways in which He would relate.
THESIS: It was essential that He be the firstborn among us and that we might truly be constituted as His brethren.
I. The prestigious position of the firstborn.
1. Was considered to belong to the Lord and had to be redeemed – thus he was held in high esteem and greatly valued.
2. His birthright included a double portion of his father’s estate and headship of the family – he was responsible for sisters, etc.
3. Christ is the:
1) firstborn of the Father: (Heb 1:6 KJV) And again, when he bringeth in the first begotten into the world, he saith, And let all the angels of God worship him.
2) firstborn among many brethren (see the text).
3) Of all creation: (Col 1:15 KJV) Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: (NASB – of all creation)
4) Even seen as the firstborn of the dead: (Rev 1:5 6 KJV) And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, {6} And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
II. The image of the Son
1. The image of the Father: (Heb 1:3 KJV) Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;
2. The Son of God and the Son of Man!
3. Manifests the perfect holiness of God and thus complete satisfaction.
4. (Psa 89:27 KJV) Also I will make him my firstborn, higher than the kings of the earth.
5. Is the only image acceptable to the Father.
III. Among many brethren (Heb 12:23 KJV) To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect,
1. Consider the distinguishing characteristics of brethren according to the flesh as an illustration of those of our Lord and His brethren – appearance, countenance, culture, conversation, etc.
2. Consider: (Heb 2:11 15 KJV) For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren, {12} Saying, I will declare thy name unto my brethren, in the midst of the church will I sing praise unto thee. {13} And again, I will put my trust in him. And again, Behold I and the children which God hath given me. {14} Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; {15} And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.
1) All of one – v 11 thus brethren
2) The commitment of the Son to declare God’s name to the brethren
3) The presentation: “I and the Children”
4) Identity with them that we might be identified with Him.
5) That He might deliver us from bondage – released brethren!
3. (Mat 12:50 KJV) For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.
4. And consider the familial concern in: (Mat 25:40 KJV) And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.
5. A statement of equality: (John 20:17 KJV) Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God.
6. How it begins and ends: (Eph 1:4 KJV) According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:
