Baptist Catechism Q1

Introduction

Body

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

2. God is the greatest of beings.

A. Exposition:

i. God is the greatest of beings period: Exodus 15:11; Jeremiah 10:6; Psalm 56:2

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

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

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

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

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

B. Uses:

i. Show God greatest love: Luke 10:27

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

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. 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.