The Preeminence of the King
Advent 2023 • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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As we consider the Candle of the Way, we are reminded of a fundamental truth of the King: He is preeminent. Preeminent is defined as, “having paramount rank, dignity, or importance.” (Merriam-Webster)
Although we normally see this idea of the Candle of the Way from the perspective of salvation, hence the reading, “Christians are lost in sin and Christ is the Light sent into the world to show them he way our of darkness.”
But this idea is an extension, an off-shoot, if you will, of that fundamental truth of which we just spoke: the Preeminence of the King.
We will use this threefold definition of preeminent to help us gain a deeper appreciation for, and a practical outworking of, the preeminence of the King.
Exclusively acknowledge the Preeminence of the King
Now, I use the words “exclusively acknowledge” His preeminence, and I want to take a moment to explain this choice of words. Preeminence necessarily implies exclusivity, so it is not used for explanation, rather for emphasis for the acknowledgement of His preeminence. He is preeminent, whether we acknowledge it or not. However, our acknowledgement of it demonstrates that He is our King, ruling our lives. We exclusively acknowledge Him…in everything.
I. The King is Preeminent in Everything—His paramount rank
I. The King is Preeminent in Everything—His paramount rank
One of the constant themes in Scripture is the fact that God reigns. Psalm 115:3 “Our God is in the heavens; he does all that he pleases.” He sits confidently, ruling His creation with His omnipotence and omniscience. None can thwart His plan. He is preeminent—He has paramount rank. Why?
A. He is preeminent as Creator-Gen. 1–2; John 1:1–3, Col. 1:18
A. He is preeminent as Creator-Gen. 1–2; John 1:1–3, Col. 1:18
He is the Creator. We marvel at some of the creations of humanity. The Sears Tower, the Biltmore Estate, London Bridge, these and many more creations of humanity are astounding. We have technology, the ability to make limbs for people who have lost them, hearing aids, glasses, we could go on.
The difference between us (the creatures) and the Creator is that He spoke everything we use to build our “achievements” out of nothing!
We work with what we have, He spoke everything into existence. We strive with all our might, failing and reworking designs. He spoke.
He is preeminent as Creator. We must remember the Trinity, God the Father, God the Son, and God the Spirit, all working as Creator. The Scriptures definitively teach that God the Son, of who’s birth we celebrate, is the Creator. As Creator, He is preeminent.
B. He is preeminent in Worth- Matt. 13:44–46
B. He is preeminent in Worth- Matt. 13:44–46
His paramount rank is above all. In fact, such is His pre-eminency that nothing comes close to rivaling His value.
He is worth more than gold- Psalm 19:10 (He is His Word)
He is sweeter than honey- Psalm 19:10.
His love is better than wine- SoS 1:2
There are many other people and things to which we could compare the King’s worth—and in every single one of them He would remain unchallenged in His preeminence in worth!
This is why Jonathan Edwards could say,
“That whatever changes a godly man passes through, he is happy, because God, who is unchangeable, is his chosen portion. Though he meet with temporal losses, and be deprived of many, yea, of all his temporal enjoyments; yet God, whom he prefers above all, still remains, and cannot be lost.”—Jonathan Edwards
C. He is preeminent in His Word- Psalm 1; 119
C. He is preeminent in His Word- Psalm 1; 119
We will not dwell long on this point, but it is important to at least remind ourselves. The Bible is not primarily about living rightly. The Bible is not primarily about doctrine. The Bible is not primarily about self-help, or the way to do church, or proper parenting, or any other similar issue.
Although all of those are important and discussed in the Sacred Scriptures, that is not what the Bible is primarily about. It is about God—Who He is and what He does. He is the star, from beginning to end, though there are certainly other characters and various plots.
As we read the Scriptures and find truths to live our lives—a blessing of God’s Word among many—let us never forget they reveal to us a King Who is Preeminent in Everything—or, His paramount rank.
When we speak of the King, we need to Exclusively acknowledge the Preeminence of the King in everything.
II. The King is Preeminent in Salvation—Our dignity
II. The King is Preeminent in Salvation—Our dignity
Although the work dignity would normally apply to the thing or person of preeminence, I am connecting it to us in for the reminder that He is preeminent in salvation which gives us our dignity (or, restores or enhances it?).
A. He is preeminent as Our Savior- Matt. 1:21; 1 Tim. 2:5
A. He is preeminent as Our Savior- Matt. 1:21; 1 Tim. 2:5
The King is preeminent in salvation—He is our savior. We could not be saved unless God the Son took on human nature, lived life perfectly, died sacrificially, and rose victoriously.
Question 24 of the Baptist Catechism asks,
“Who is the Redeemer of God’s elect?”
“The only Redeemer of God’s elect is the Lord Jesus Christ; who, being the eternal Son of God, became man and so was and continueth to be God an man in two distinct natures, and one person for ever.”
Question 24, Baptist Catechism
He saves us, we who were dead in trespasses and sins. O Holy Night captures this beautifully,
Long lay the world in sin and error pining
'Til He appears and the soul felt its worth
A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn
He is preeminent in our salvation, and along with that salvation comes a change in identity—changing our dignity.
B. He is preeminent as Our Identity- 2 Cor. 5:17; Rom. 8:14–17
B. He is preeminent as Our Identity- 2 Cor. 5:17; Rom. 8:14–17
Our identify is so wrapped up in the saving work of Christ, He is preeminent in it. We are no longer Jews or Gentiles, slaves or free, men or women, we are the children of God!
A good indication of your self-understanding of identity is—when people ask you questions, is the first thing that comes to mind, “I am a follower of Jesus”?
When we speak of the King, we need to Exclusively acknowledge the Preeminence of the King in our salvation.
III. The King is Preeminent in Daily Life—His importance
III. The King is Preeminent in Daily Life—His importance
We are moving from the big picture to the smallest—our daily lives. The King should have preeminence in your life, which reflects His importance on a personal level. Or, we could phrase the progression, remembering the Candle of the Way, like this: Since God is preeminent in everything, and since God is preeminent in salvation, He should be preeminent in daily life.
A. He is preeminent over all relationships—Matt. 10:34–39; 22:37
A. He is preeminent over all relationships—Matt. 10:34–39; 22:37
More than any relationship period, but particular with human relationships, the King who shows us the way is to have preeminence.
We should be husbands who love God first, and then love our wives (or, vice versa).
We should love God first, and then be good parents to our children (or, grandchildren, or great-grandchildren!)
We should be workers who love God first, and then work.
Any relationship with another human being should be under the relationship with our King—even our relationships to ourselves.
How can we tell if the King is preeminent in our daily lives? Relatively easy, actually.
How do we steward our time? What amount of time do we devote to the King? Are we eager in reading and studying His Word to us? Do we faithfully worship Him with His children? Do we sing joyfully for the glory of God?
Do I sin in my responses to others? Do I perform my marital duties with a focus on their good, rather than my desires? Do I parent with eternity in mind?
These are good measuring tools to determine whether or not the King, who shows us the way, is preeminent in our relationships.
B. He is preeminent over all responsibilities
B. He is preeminent over all responsibilities
Our lives should be structured by His preeminence. Every decision we make should fall under the kingship of Jesus. God’s Word, and our knowledge of Gods, can be applied to every decision we will ever make.
We see this truth in 2 Peter 1:3 “His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence,”
This does not mean that God’s Word speaks of everything, but that the principles He gives us in His Word inform every responsibility of our lives!
Exclusively acknowledge the Preeminence of the King in daily life
“Christians are lost in sin and Christ is the Light sent into the world to show them he way our of darkness.”
Because Christ is the light, we should
Exclusively acknowledge the Preeminence of the King—in everything, in our salvation, and in our daily lives.