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Introduction

Now we begin our study through the Baptist Catechism. We begin at a logical place, the beginning. We begin with question and answer number one. It starts with one of the most fundamental and basic truths of the Christian faith as it is presented in the Holy Bible, namely God’s priority and supremacy over all things outside Himself. In this lesson, I will state the question and answer. Then I will break down the answer into two main propositions and expounds these propositions with Holy Scripture. I will derive some applications throughout.

Question and Answer:

Q. 1. Who is the first and greatest of beings?

A. 1. God is the first and greatest of beings.

1. God is the first of beings.

A. Exposition:

i. He is the first of beings period: Isaiah 44:6; 48:12.

Before all other things that exist came into being, there was the one true and Triune God of the Bible. He was, is, and will be forever. He is the first.

ii. He is the first cause of all other beings: 1 Corinthians 8:6.

All other things that exist outside of God are created by God. All things that exist come from God the Father through God the Son by the Holy Spirit. God the Holy Trinity, who has no beginning, is the beginning of all things outside of Himself.

iii. He is the first cause, and all other causes are subject to Him: Isaiah 10:5; Lamentations 3:37-38; Genesis 50:20.

God is the first cause, yes, but He is not the only cause. The things He has made can be causes of other things too. For example, Assyria defeated and destroyed the northern tribes of Israel. The same can be said of Babylon for the southern tribes.

The armies of these ancient superpowers were the cause of the destruction, suffering, and exile of God’s people. However, these causes were tools in God’s hands to execute judgment upon His wayward people. The nations of Assyria and Babylon had their own sinful motivations for destroying Israel. God, however, had just and righteous reasons for doing so.

As a craftsman uses a hammer to pound in a nail, God used Assyria and Babylon to judge His sinful people. However, unlike a hammer, the people of Assyria and Babylon had intellects, affections, and wills. They had motivations that belonged to them and not God to destroy Israel. It was for these sinful motivations and their sinful excesses that God, in turn, brought judgment upon them.

The same can be said of God respecting Joseph being sold into slavery. When Joseph’s brother sold him into slavery, they did it because of jealousy and hate. They had wicked intentions in their action. In the same event, God had good and gracious motivations, namely to set Joseph on a path to lead Egypt to save many people from famine, including Jacob and his sons. If God had not done this, then the Messiah who was promised to come from Judah’s line would not come.

For this reason, Paul could say, “God works all things work together for good for those who love God.” Even lessor or second causes like the evil acts of men or demons are under the primary or first cause God.

iv. He is the first in respect to creation: Psalm 33:9; Genesis 1:1-2:3.

This should be somewhat obvious from the point that God is the first cause of all things. He created all things that exist, including you and me.

v. He is the first in respect to providence: Acts 17:28.

All things owe not only their creation to God but also their continued existence. He not only creates but also sustains what He has created. He upholds and governs it to His good and perfect ends.

vi. He is the first in respect to sovereignty: Psalm 93:2; 103:19.

Sovereignty and providence are related. God is the first King. His reign is not limited to geographical location. It is universal and total. It contains both good and bad. It includes the heavens and the earth.

vii. He is the first in respect to grace: 2 Corinthians 5:16-19; Ephesians 2:1-10; Romans 1:18-3:31.

God’s grace towards undeserving creatures is not initiated by their request of it. It comes from His own eternal and unchangeable nature. God the Father sent God the Son to become man and redeem sinful men not because some people asked Him to do it. He did it out of His own good, wise, and perfect will towards His creatures despite their rebellion.

viii. He is the first in respect to love: John 3:16; 1 John 4:19; Psalm 136.

Like His grace, God’s love is not initiated by something outside of Himself. It is eternal and shared between the members of the Trinity. God extends this love to His creatures and brings them into the mutual love of the Holy Trinity. Not because the first loved Him, but because He first loved them.

viv. He is the first, and we are not: Genesis 1:26-28; 2:7.

We are creatures. We are humans made in God’s image by God Himself. We cannot possibly be first because there was a time in which we had no existence.

B. Uses:

i. Make God first in your thoughts and affections: Matthew 22:37; Psalm 73:25; 139:17-18; Matthew 15:8; Revelation 2:4.

If God is the first period, then it only makes sense that He should be first in our thoughts and affections. We are to love Him with our whole person, body and soul, intellect, affections, and will. He should be our greatest desire and our highest love.

ii. Make God first with your actions: Exodus 20:3; 1 Corinthians 10:31; Matthew 5:33; Matthew 10:37-39.

The very first commandment requires that God be first. He alone is worthy of worship and praise. No other gods shall be placed alongside or before Him.   From our worship to our eating, every one of our actions are to be done to His glory. We should strive to do what He commands regardless of consequences.

iii. Make God first in your relationships: Matthew 10:37-39.

God should take priority over other important relationships that we have, even over our earthly father, mother, siblings, friends, spouse, children, or countrymen. God is to be first in your relationships and guide the way you act in all other relationships.

iv. Make God first in your giving: 2 Corinthians 8:1-5; Proverbs 3:9; 1 Timothy 5:17-18; Galatians 6:6; 1 Corinthians 9:13; Ephesians 4:28; Romans 12:13; Galatians 2:10.

If we make God first, it will show in both how we spend our time and money. We should strive to declare the gospel and provide for those who do so. This means churches should strive in so far as they are able to provide livable wages for their pastors. This means more wealthy churches should eagerly help those of like faith and order supply for their pastors. It also means that qualified missionaries and church planters should be compensated for their labors in spreading the gospel.

2. God is the greatest of beings.

A. Exposition:

i. God is the greatest of beings period: Exodus 15:11; Jeremiah 10:6; Psalm 89:6-8; 97:9.

God is the incomparable one. Nothing and no one can be compared to Him.

ii. God is the greatest above pretenders: Psalm 95:3; 1 Chronicles 16:25.

The idols fashioned by men or the men who fashion themselves to be gods are sad and worthless counterfeits. They do not measure up to the God of the Bible, who alone is Holy, Holy, Holy (Isaiah 6:3). It is God who humbled both Pharoah and the God’s of Egypt (Exodus 7-15). It is God that made the idol of Dagon bow and God who took off the head and hands of the worthless idol (1 Samuel 5:1-5). It is God who humbled Nebuchadnezzar (Daniel 4:28-37). He alone is God, and all pretenders quake before Him.

iii. God is the greatest in heaven: Psalm 89:6; Matthew 28:18-20; Philippians 2:5-11.

Angels and demons do not compare in greatness to the one who made them and orders them to and fro. They should not be feared as God is to be feared. They are not as mighty as Him.

iv. God is the greatest on earth: Psalm 97:9; Matthew 28:18-20; Philippians 2:5-11.

Christ, who is God the Son incarnate, has been given all authority in heaven and on earth. God the Father gave it to Him for the completion of His work. To Him, every knee shall bow to the glory of God the Father. All other human beings are completely below God and subject to Him. The smartest man is dumber than God. The strongest man is weaker than God. The same is true of all other creatures.

v. God is the greatest forever: Psalm 92:8.

God’s greatness is not changing anytime soon. It is eternal. It never grows or shrinks. It is infinite.

vi. God is the greatest joy: Psalm 144:15; 16:11.

There is no greater joy than the joy of the Lord. There is no greater joy for the creature than to be united with his creator. Blessed is the one who has the LORD as His God, who knows and communes with one in whose presence there is fullness of joy and at whose right hand there are pleasures forevermore.

B. Uses:

i. Show God the greatest love: Luke 10:27.

Your greatest devotion should be to God. Your greatest desire should be God. Your greatest love should be God.

ii. Show God the greatest fear: Matthew 10:28; Psalm 96:4.

Who should you fear more than the one who is the greatest of all beings? No one. You should not fear demons, death, governments, or individual men more than you fear the God who made and sustains all of them and is able to both kill the body and judge the soul forever. He is to be feared above all.

Conclusion

What if you fail to believe and treat God as the first and greatest of beings? You are sinning. Who can save you from sin, teach you, and help you to believe God is the first and greatest of beings? Jesus can. Jesus is God the Son Incarnate. As God the Son, He is the first and greatest of beings. He alone can bring you back into communion with the Triune God. As God the Son Incarnate, He is true man and can redeem sinful people like you and me. Those who trust in Him are given renewed minds and hearts. Therefore, to honor God as the first and greatest of beings, you must trust in Jesus.