The Firstborn From the Dead

Text: Colossians 1
1 April 2018

THE FEAR OF DEATH

1. Distress felt

“The sorrows of Sheol surrounded me;
The snares of death confronted me.”   Psalm 18:5

2. Delivered from fears

“He heard my voice from His temple
And my cry came before Him, even to His ears.”   Psalm 18:6

THE FIRSTBORN FROM THE DEAD   (Colossians 1:18)

1. Jesus is called the firstborn from the dead

a) It may be understood as a title
b) Mankind is made of flesh and blood  (Hebrews 2:14)
c) But we see Jesus   (Hebrews 2:9)
i) He was made a little lower than the angels
ii) For the suffering of death
iii) Crowned with glory and honour
iv) That He might taste death for everyone

2. He is the Captain of our salvation   (Hebrews 2:10-11)

a) He brings many sons to glory
b) He was made perfect through suffering
c) He sanctifies all who believe in Him and they are One with Him

THE VICTORY OVER DEATH   (Hebrews 2:14-15)

1. He has destroyed the power of the devil

2. His power over man is the fear of death

3. We need not fear death because of Christ’s Resurrection from the dead

THE SIGNIFICANCE OF EASTER

1. To be celebrated as Victory

a) Over sin
b) Over Satan
c) Over death

2. To be shared

a) The message of Salvation
b) The Promise of a Victorious Life in Christ Jesus