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[0:00] Lord will help me from the last part of the 18th verse of the first chapter of the Epitality of Kovashim.

[0:17] That in all things he might have the preeminent. The first chapter of the Epitality of Kovashim, the last part of the 18th verse.

[0:39] That in all things he might have the preeminent. Now friends, we don't think enough of Jesus Christ.

[0:57] For all our profession, and all our religion, and all our worshipping, and all our preaching, we really don't think enough of Jesus Christ.

[1:10] I'm sure of it. It's a great thing if we know enough of Jesus Christ to feel some desire towards him, to perceive how worthy he is of honour, and praise, and glory, and esteem.

[1:34] But I pray for the most part, our thoughts of Jesus Christ, and our feelings towards him, are sadly dull and dim. We really don't think enough of Jesus Christ.

[1:53] But really, it should be the desire and concern of all true Christians to know more of Jesus Christ, to believe in him with a stronger faith, to love him with warmer affection, and to follow him with more constant desire, and to obey him with more implicit obedience.

[2:25] That's how it should be. And you see, it isn't only that it should be so, but he is so worthy of this.

[2:37] He is so worthy. There's everything about Jesus Christ that is worthy of our esteem, and everything in him that is worthy of our desires.

[2:54] He is so preeminent. He is preeminent. But I wish he was more preeminent in our hearts' affections.

[3:09] And I wish that verse of Gatsby, which we often sing, and I think I perhaps quote as much as any verse I ever do, I wish it was more true.

[3:21] Oh, that my soul could love and praise him more. His beauty's trace, His majesty adore, Live near his heart, Upon his bosom lean, Obey his voice, and all his willest, and all his willest, and all his willest, and all his willest, Well, I've come to a part of the chapter, a few words in it, that I must say are very attractive to me.

[3:59] And if it were given to me this day, to exalt Jesus Christ, if he might have the preeminence today, I would be very thankful if our thoughts and our feelings in meditation and desire, could be attracted more to him.

[4:24] For to know Jesus Christ is life. To experience Jesus Christ is peace, and holiness, and joy, and love in the soul.

[4:42] And to be united to Jesus Christ, in faith and love, is to possess everything, in time, and in eternity, that can enrich, and fill, and satisfy, our souls.

[5:02] Everything is in Jesus Christ. Everything, and apart from him, it's darkness, and sin, and confusion, and death.

[5:19] And, it is the purpose of God, that it should be so. That is to say, that everything, for us, and all who believe, should be in Jesus Christ.

[5:34] It is the purpose of the Father, that his Son, should be honored above all others. This is the will of God, that men should honor the Son, even as they honor the Father.

[5:51] For he that honoreth the Son, honoreth the Father also. So my text puts this before us this morning.

[6:03] This is the purpose of God, the Father, that Jesus Christ, in all things, might have the preeminence.

[6:15] Everything is so appointed, and so ordered, to this end. Even that there should be sin, in us, is permitted, that Jesus Christ, might have the preeminence, as a Savior, that there is such emptiness, in us spiritually, is all to this end, that he might have the preeminence, because, it has pleased the Father, that in him, should all fullness dwell.

[6:48] we ought to seek, to honor Jesus Christ, on every consideration. If we think of who he is, God's only begotten Son, Emmanuel, God with us, how holy, he is, how loving, how blessed, we ought to honor, such a person, as Jesus Christ is, because, there is no one like him, he is the preeminent person, there is not, as I think Bunyan, I think Bunyan, puts it, this man, hath not his like, in heaven or on earth, there is no one like him, and, if we realize more, and I wish we did, how much we owe to him, and what he has done for us, especially, in that, he is atoned for our sin, by his precious blood, who believe in him, put away our iniquity, by bearing it, himself, that he came into this world, for our sake, that he walked this world, of sin and sorrow, for our sake, that his whole life, was a perfect obedience, to God's law, to be a righteousness, for us, and that he died, at Calvary, that just, for the unjust, that we might live, through him, who died for us, and if we consider that, in his resurrection, is our resurrection, in his life, is our life, when we consider, what we owe, to Jesus Christ, it should make us, feel ashamed, that we don't honour, and esteem, and think more of him, than we do, well now, if the Lord, may help me, this morning, to speak, just a few words, along these lines, in all things, he must have, the preeminence, it is so appointed, and there are, different ways, in which,

[9:27] I feel this is applicable, I mean I want to speak, of some of the, all things, in which, he has the preeminence, as far as I'm able, this morning, I've already said, of course, that, he has the preeminence, in regard of his, personality, he stands above all, of us, all, there are some men, of course, who for various reasons, are eminent, above others, naturally they are, eminent in ability, and usefulness, and many benefit, by them, and some are more eminent, graciously, than others, there's no question, about that, some manifest, more kindness, tenderness, love, than others, but who is to be, compared to the Lord, in this, who amongst, the sons, and the mighty, can be compared, to Jesus Christ, whatever, you can, fix your mind upon, that, is to you, worthy of honour, and esteem, any of his people, and, there is that, of course, in the Lord's people, that is worthy, of esteem, and we ought, to esteem, one another, better than, ourselves, but if you see, love in any, and you esteem it, well, what is that, compared to the love, of Jesus Christ, if there's anyone, who is eminent, in love,

[11:13] Jesus Christ, is preeminent, above that person, God, whatever you can, see and feel, in any, that appears, to you, in a gracious sense, to be worthy, of your esteem, and honour, then think, Jesus Christ, is preeminent, in that, eminent, as the word, really means, eminent, above all others, his name, shall be called, wonderful, because, he is wonderful, and, the more, we, are brought, to see, of Jesus Christ, in the night, of the word, and by the teaching, of the Holy Spirit, the more, one's mind, and heart, is affected, by, the sense, of the, wonderful nature, of Jesus Christ, for, there's no one, else, who is both,

[12:18] God, and man, in one, except, Jesus Christ, he is our, Emmanuel, he is God, with us, in our very nature, it is wonderful, that it could, be so, God is so, great, so, infinite, so, majestic, so, incomprehensible, so, eternal, that it would seem, impossible, he could be a man, that Jesus Christ, is that, he is the God, man, I said, I think, the other evening, that, if the mind, is led, into a contemplation, of the greatness, of the divine nature, it seems, impossible, that Jesus Christ, could be that, and a man, that he could be a man, and if our minds, are led into, the consideration, of his humanity, how exactly, like us, he was, without our sin, human, tender, kind, he walked, amongst men, talked amongst them, with very little, apparent, distinction, it seems, almost impossible, that Jesus, of Nazareth, could have been, the God of eternity, but now, that's the great, mystery of our faith, it is to be believed, that God, was manifest, in the flesh,

[14:02] Christ, now such a person, must be preeminent, mustn't he, because there's no one, to be compared, to Jesus Christ, and besides that, Jesus Christ, has a preeminent name, as it is written, that God, has given to him, a name, which is above, every name, it's preeminent, well, it is so, for what name, means the same, to us, as the name, of Jesus Christ, it means, of course, a saviour, they shall call, his name, Jesus, for he shall, save his people, from their sins, but it means, so much, the name, of Jesus, is rich, and it can be, very sweet, to our spirit, how sweet, the name, of Jesus, sounds, in the believers, ear, mind, it's only, in the believers, ear, and it isn't, always, in the believers, ear, but when, the Holy Spirit, suffuses,

[15:22] I can't, think of, any other, way, to put it, when the Holy Spirit, suffuses, the savour, the sweetness, of that name, in our spirit, in our feeling, then it really is, a name, that is sweet, to us, it's a name, above every name, is the name, of Jesus, there will never, be another name, like it, no need, to be, it is preeminent, in fullness, richness, sweetness, depth, of meaning, and power, just as we read, of that miracle, that his name, through faith, in his name, have made, this man, strong, so it is still, brethren, his name, through faith, in his name, makes us strong, heals our wounds, restores our spirit, nourishes our faith, his name, through faith, in his name, if you had faith, in his name, you would realize, that everything, that I'm saying, is perfectly true, is perfectly true, if you want, pardon, faith in his name, will bring, it, if you seek, peace, faith in his name, will bring, that peace, into your, spirit, if you seek, love, faith in his name, will bring, love into your, heart, if you seek, salvation, in all the extent, of it, faith in his name, will be salvation, to you, his name, through faith, in his name, makes, four souls, strong, but what I was going to, speak, more particularly of, was the things, or some of them, in which,

[17:43] Jesus Christ, has, the preeminence, the text says, all things, well it is so, I know not anything, in which he is not, preeminent, the apostle had been, writing about, the creation, for by him, were all things, created, that are in heaven, and the tower in earth, visible, visible, and invisible, whether they be, thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers, all things, were created, by him, and for him, I don't know, that I understand, altogether, for what the apostle, meant by thrones, and dominions, and principalities, and powers, and that doesn't, all that much matter, whatever he meant, Jesus Christ, was supreme, he was the creator, the upholder, and all things, that are created, are for his honor, and his glory, as the creator, for him, and by him, and for him, would I leave that, the first thing,

[19:02] I want to speak more, upon, is this, that, he has the, preeminence, in all things, concerning, the church of God, or perhaps, I might, put something, before that, he has the preeminence, in all things, pertaining, to the gospel, dispensation, now, in the old dispensation, to some extent, Moses and the prophets, had the preeminence, had the eminence anyway, and, Aaron, and the high priests, in that, dispensational, worship, but all that, was done away, when the gospel, dispensation, was established, now, in this dispensation, Jesus Christ, is preeminent,

[20:04] Moses, in that sense, is out on it, and Aaron, as a high priest, has no establishment, in it at all, it's Jesus Christ, only, for instance, preeminent, in this dispensation, Jesus Christ, is preeminent, as a prophet, a revealer, of truth, not that, no truth, was known, in the old dispensation, because it certainly, was, but it was, in a very, shadowy, kind of way, it was more, by prophecies, types, and shadows, that truth, was known, in that dispensation, for neither, Moses, nor Aaron, nor any, of the prophets, were capable, of really, being, the truth, now, the Lord Jesus Christ, is the preeminent, prophet, you know, that a prophet, really means, one, who speaks, in the name, of God, who speaks, for, his words, and his truth, he speaks, for God, that is the real, meaning, of the term, prophet, it is not, by any means, limited, to the idea, of foretelling, future things, to some extent, that is really, a minor, part of the meaning, of the term, prophet, the major, meaning, is one, who speaks, from, and for,

[21:52] God, and of course, there were such, prophets, who spoke, from God, and for God, in the old, dispensation, as we know, but in this, dispensation, there has come, God's only, begotten son, to speak, for God, and to speak, to men, Jesus Christ, is a prophet, above all others, all the old, testament, prophets, did, but foreshadow, him, all new, testament, prophets, for he has given, some, apostles, and some, prophets, and some, pastors, and teachers, they are, only, lights, that reflect, his, they only, speak, what he has, said, Jesus Christ, is, the prophet, to teach us, he is, preeminent, my friends, what a, dark, state, we should all, be in, if Jesus Christ, had never, come into the world, have you ever, thought about that, what a, dark, state, we should all, be in, how little, should we really, know, of God's, true nature, and character, and grace, and love, if Jesus Christ, hadn't come, to proclaim it, to us, and all that, the apostles, ever taught, as, apostles, and teachers, in this dispensation, and all that, ministers of the gospel, teach, is but, to set forth, and expound, what Jesus Christ, taught, whom we, preach,

[23:52] Jesus Christ, is the preeminent, prophet, in this dispensation, he is the great, teacher, all truth, is in him, and, to know the truth, we need to do, in our way, spiritually, what Mary, was so glad to do, when she had the opportunity, to do it, and that is, to sit, at Jesus, feet, and learn, of him, the apostles, were eminent, teachers, it was given, given to them, by the Holy Spirit, to, expound, the doctrine, of Christ, and to, set forth, and enlarge, upon, his teaching, as the Holy Spirit, brought those things, to their remembrance, that he had said, to them, but they were not, preeminent, all was eminent, Jesus, is preeminent, he is above all, in this dispensation,

[25:02] Jesus Christ, is preeminent, as our one, great, high priest, Aaron was eminent, in that dispensation, and his successors, there were many priests, but only one, high priest, at one time, and he was eminent, by virtue of his, office, he performed, offices, that the ordinary priests, were not allowed, to do, and especially, the high priest, of that dispensation, performed, these two offices, alone, he offered, the sacrifice, of atonement, on the one, great day, of atonement, and he went, into the holiest, of all, on that day, once a year, not without, blood, he went, into the holiest, of all, no other priest, was ever, allowed, to do that, the high priest, was eminent, now, we have, we have, a high priest, preeminent, here, is not to be, compared, to Jesus Christ, except, to the tithe, we have, one priest, he has done, everything, and is still, doing everything, for which, we need, a priest, and that is, to offer, sacrifice, for our sin, to atone, for us, and to, enter, not, into the holy place, made with hands, with the blood, of others, but into heaven, itself, and there, to intercede, for us, before, the throne, of God,

[26:53] Jesus Christ, is a wonderful, priest, he offered, a sacrifice, of infinite, virtue, all the sacrifices, of old, were not, to be compared, to it, what was the blood, of bulls, and of goats, compared, to Calvary's, atoning blood, and he has, entered into heaven, Jesus Christ, is where, we need, a priest, we don't need, a priest, on earth, some years ago, a new, person, a young person, who had been, accustomed, to very high, Anglican worship, I suppose, near, bordering on, the, Roman Catholic, worship, but she was, brought out, of that, I believe, by the teaching, of the word, of God, and I hope, of the Holy Spirit, and, she, associated, herself, with one, of our, congregations, and eventually, was baptized, and, joined, to the church, there, well, the one, after that, she met, her old, clergyman, and, who asked, why she had, done all this, and so on, she said, well, she found, the truth, of the gospel, and that, attracted her, and satisfied her, and so on, but he said, but then, they've got, no priests, and she said, well, we don't, want a priest, we've got, a pastor, and he said, but a pastor, but, but, oh no, she said,

[28:46] Jesus Christ, is our priest, we've got, a pastor, but Jesus Christ, is our priest, but he said, Jesus Christ, doesn't come, down to heaven, to marry you, and baptize you, oh, she said, we don't need, a priest, to do that, we've got, a pastor, to do that, now, my friends, the flock, of God, on earth, needs, a pastor, a pastor, after God's, own heart, if God, gives them one, to feed them, with knowledge, and understanding, to guide, and instruct them, to be a means, of help, and grace, to them, but, our priest, is where we need him, and that is, within the veil, to intercede for us, he's done, his atoning work, that is, finished, finished, once for all, by one sacrifice, for sins, forever, he has, fulfilled, that part, of his priesthood, but he's a priest, continually, he died, but he rose, again, he abided, forever, he is in heaven, oh, what a wonderful, priest, we've got, in a secondary, sense, of course, all true believers, constitute, a universal, priesthood, we believe, fully, in what is, generally termed, the priesthood, of all believers, believers, but their priesthood, doesn't consist, in offering, a sacrifice, for sin, but in offering, the sacrifices, of praise, and worship, and thanksgiving, it doesn't consist, in interceding, in heaven, but praying, one for another, on earth, now Jesus, is our one, preeminent, priest, no priest, feet, compared, to him, no sacrifice, to his blood, no incense, in the holy place, compared, to his heavenly, presence, and his heavenly, intercession, for us, oh, blessed priest, is Jesus, he is preeminent, as our priest,

[31:23] Jesus Christ, another thing, in this dispensation, Jesus Christ, is not only, our preeminent, prophet, above all others, our preeminent, priest, but he is, our preeminent, king, he is in this, dispensation, exactly, as apostle, John, saw, in the vision, of his glory, in the revelation, and he hath, upon his vesture, and upon his tie, a name written, king, of kings, and lord, of lords, Jesus Christ, is preeminent, in this, he is king, in Zion, his word, is law, his rule, is love, his appointments, constitute, all our obedience, in fulfilling them, there's only one king,

[32:35] Jesus, well now, in this dispensation, the lord, Jesus Christ, is preeminent, now, I'll touch another, thing, that comes within my, text, that in all, all things, actually, the word things, of course, is in italics, it's applied, to make sense, of the reading, that in all, all, concerning, the church, of God, he is preeminent, there is a church, a church, in this world, a spiritual, holy, redeemed, church, church, and, no one body, no one visible body, however, they may be organized, constitutes, that church, not, that one church, all believers, constitute, that, body, body, and, this church, in the, new testament, is, described, sometimes, as, the body, well,

[33:57] I spoke upon that, on, the first part, of this verse, he is the head, of the body, the church, now, it might, well be said, that, the head, is preeminent, among the members, of our bodies, the head guides, directs, all our thinking powers, are there, all the concentration, of all our nervous system, is there, now, spiritually, Jesus Christ, is preeminent, in the church, as, the head of the body, all members, are united, because, they are united, to him, there is no other head, there is no other head, all human claims, whether, Pope, or priest, or anyone else, to be the head, of the church, are entirely, unwarranted, and false, there is, one head,

[35:03] Jesus, he is preeminent, all gracious influences, flow through the body, from him, all spiritual life, animates the body, from him, all true love, flows through the body, from him, he is the head, he is preeminent, my friends, the church of God, is compared, to a family, the whole family, in heaven, and earth, is named, after him, in that, whole family, or what varieties, there have been, what differences, what different degrees, there have been, in the members, of that family, of grace, and love, and so on, but all, who are born again, belong to that family, and none, belong to it, or not, until they are born again, when they are born again, they become, sons of God, as the apostle John, said, beloved, now, behold what manner, of love, the father, hath bestowed, upon us, that we should be called, the sons of God, therefore, the world, knoweth us not, because it knew him not, beloved, now are we, the sons of God, all, sons of God, being born again, but there is no, son of God, to be compared, to Jesus Christ, he is the preeminent, son of God, he is a son of God, in a way, and manner, in which no one else is, he is the very, son of the father, the eternal, son of the everlasting, father, in the whole, family,

[37:23] Jesus Christ, stands, unique, supreme, preeminent, all of son, and daughter, and in that sense, his brethren, and he will not be ashamed, to own them, as he has said, that he will, own his, his people, as his brethren, here are my father, and the children, which thou hast given me, that he is preeminent, in the family of grace, the first born, son, of all the many, sons, that he will bring, to his eternal glory, just once more, in all things, he might have, the preeminence, there he has, the preeminence, in the church's, worship, who do we worship, we say, we worship God, yes, that's true, but do we worship,

[38:38] God in Jesus Christ, worship, is to bow down, to honor, to esteem, to praise, to submit ourselves, that's worship, now Jesus Christ, is preeminent, in the church, is worship, he is preeminent, too, in the church's, appointments, take the ordinances, of the gospel, now, what would they mean, apart from Jesus Christ, why are we baptized, we are baptized, because Jesus Christ, himself, has appointed, that ordinance, and himself, is our example, in it, what does baptism, mean, apart from this, therefore, we are buried, with him, by baptism, into death, that like, as Christ, was raised up, from the dead, by the glory, of the Father, we also, should walk, in the unit, of life,

[39:55]  Jesus Christ, God bless you, do you,