THE HOUSE OF CHRIST. As Moses had his house, so Christ, as the Son of God is head of His house. We are that house, IF we retain our confidence {outspokenness, frankness or assurance. Strong}, in Him. There can be no wavering or vacillating in our rejoicing or glorying in Him. There must be a strong Spiritual emphases maintained constantly, unto the end. Heb. 3:6 Those who are a part of this house are citizens of the heavenly. They live in full agreement one with another. There are no second class citizens found here. They are saints and true members of the household of God. Eph. 2:19 They are <built> by the carpenters son. Eph. 2:20 They are His workmanship, the labor and product of His hands. Created to be a people of good works which God has determined that we should walk in them. Exemplifying the Life of Christ. Eph. 2:10 We are also the field of God as well as being the building of God. The true church is the results of His labor and is the building that He is building for His occupancy. 1 Cor. 3:9
THE CHURCH OF THE FIRSTBORN. A select group throughout the Word of God. The Church (Heb. 12:23), like Israel (Ex.4:22), called the firstborn therefore they were to receive special treatment and be released from Egypt. Most certainly the church is to be free from all that Egypt portrays. The firstborn were to be a special, set apart, segment of Israel for the Lord said: <it is mine>. Whether animal or mankind the first born male was that which the Lord claimed. Ex. 13:2 The firstborn son of the Israelite was to inherit a double portion of the riches of his Father. Spiritually, the double portion represents the fullness of the blessing of the Lord on the church of the last days. We are to receive of His fullness. John 1:16 The completeness of the Godhead dwells in Christ and the believer reaches fullness of maturity in Christ. Col. 2: 9-10 The destiny of the church is to be conformed to the very image and likeness of the Lord Jesus. In order that Jesus might be the first of the firstborn. The first one of many of His brethren who would be like Him. Rom. 8:29
CHRIST IS THE FIRSTBORN OF EVERY CREATURE. Christ is foremost, over all, greater than all. He is the supreme creature, the head and leadership over and above all creation. Col. 1:15 His position, predetermined by God was to be higher than all the kings of the earth. Ps. 89:27 It is well that we remember that He is superior to and rules the angelic realm. They are to praise and worship Him, for He is above them. Heb. 1:6 Christ Jesus is the head of the church. He is also the beginning of that eternal race which the Lord will raise up in the first resurrection. He is the firstborn from the dead, the example, the leader. In all things the first place, the leadership, the preeminence is His. Christ is all and in all. Col. 1:18
HIS CHURCH IS TO SHARE EQUAL RIGHTS WITH HIM. Because the Spirit of the Lord witnesses in our spirit that we have been born of Him and are His children we therefore are heirs. Heirs of all that the Lord is and likewise, though of less significance, heirs of all that He possesses. Possessions are insignificant when compared to gaining Christ. All that the Lord is, all that heaven and eternity will be is to be shared and shared alike with those who are His children. We are to be coheirs with the Lord Jesus. In His amazing generosity it is His intent and purpose He will make us to be like Himself. We are to inherit the fullness of the Lord. Rom. 8:16-17 Let us not lose sight of the fact that in Christ both Jew and Gentile are to be mad one in Christ. There are no differences in the work that the Lord accomplishes in the heart of mankind. We are all new creatures in Christ, regardless of our origins. Eph. 3:6 The Lord looks upon all of mankind as sinners needing a savior and is rich toward all with His salvation. The only item of value in Christ is to be a new creature. The Lord is not willing that any should perish but that all men would come to a knowledge of sins forgiven and the power of the new birth,