Part 1: A Superior Message

Part 1: A Superior Message

1 In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, 2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe. 3 The Son is the radiance of God s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. Hebrews 1:1-14

After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven. 4 So he became as much superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is superior to theirs. 5 For to which of the angels did God ever say, You are my Son; today I have become your Father? Or again, I will be his Father, and he will be my Son? Hebrews 1:1-14

6 And again, when God brings his firstborn into the world, he says, Let all God s angels worship him. 7 In speaking of the angels he says, He makes his angels spirits, and his servants flames of fire. 8 But about the Son he says, Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever; a scepter of justice will be the scepter of your kingdom. Hebrews 1:1-14

9 You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions by anointing you with the oil of joy. 10 He also says, In the beginning, Lord, you laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands. 11 They will perish, but you remain; they will all wear out like a garment. Hebrews 1:1-14

12 You will roll them up like a robe; like a garment they will be changed. But you remain the same, and your years will never end. 13 To which of the angels did God ever say, Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet? 14 Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation. Hebrews 1:1-14

Just because you do not easily see it, does not mean it does not exist

1) Who is Jesus? (Hebrews 1:1-4)

1 In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, 2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe. Hebrews 1:1-4

3 The Son is the radiance of God s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven. 4 So he became as much superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is superior to theirs. Hebrews 1:1-4

A) Jesus is the Creator (vs. 2)

And through whom also he made the universe. Hebrews 1:2

Docetism: Jesus is divine, not human (Jesus appeared to be human, but was not because divinity cannot suffer) Apollinarianism: Jesus is divine, but not fully human (Jesus cannot sin due to his divinity)

Arianism: Jesus is human, but not fully divine (Jesus is human because the Father s divinity cannot be split) Nestorianism: Jesus is both divine and human (Jesus is two separate people at two separate times)

To read backwards from Hebrews, Jesus is the Creator in Genesis

15 The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16 For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. (Colossians 1:15-18)

17 He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. (Colossians 1:15-18)

B) Jesus is the Sustainer (vs. 3)

Sustaining all things by his powerful word. Hebrews 1:3

Not only does everything start with Jesus, but everything climaxes and ends with Jesus

He existed before Creation, He created creation and creation exists for Him

2) Who are the Angels? (Hebrews 1:5-7 & 1:13-14)

The Bible teaches us that it is a normative experience for Christians, at some point of their life, to have an encounter with an angel

Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it. Hebrews 13:2

A) Angels are Worshippers (vs. 5-6)

5 For to which of the angels did God ever say, You are my Son; today I have become your Father? Or again, I will be his Father, and he will be my Son? 6 And again, when God brings his firstborn into the world, he says, Let all God s angels worship him. Hebrews 1:5-6

Angels had a choice to worship God or not worship God

And the angels who did not keep their positions of authority but abandoned their proper dwelling--these he has kept in darkness, bound with everlasting chains for judgment on the great Day. (Jude 1:6)

18 He replied, I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. 19 I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you. (Luke 10:18-19)

Angels are continually worshipping God

11 Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. They encircled the throne and the living creatures and the elders. (Revelation 5:11-12)

12 In a loud voice they were saying: Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honour and glory and praise! (Revelation 5:11-12)

Angels can become the false objects of our worship

At this I fell at his feet to worship him. But he said to me, "Don't do that! I am a fellow servant with you and with your brothers and sisters who hold to the testimony of Jesus. Worship God! (Revelation 19:10)

8 I, John, am the one who heard and saw these things. And when I had heard and seen them, I fell down to worship at the feet of the angel who had been showing them to me. (Revelation 22-8-9)

9 But he said to me, Don t do that! I am a fellow servant with you and with your fellow prophets and with all who keep the words of this scroll. Worship God! (Revelation 22:8-9)

The purpose of God sending angels down is in order to bring our attention up

B) Angels are Messengers and Ministers (vs. 7, 14)

7 In speaking of the angels he says, He makes his angels spirits, and his servants flames of fire. 14 Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation. Hebrews 1:7 & 1:14

Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels? (Matthew 26:53)

But how then would the Scriptures be fulfilled that say it must happen in this way?" (Matthew 26:54)

An angel spoke to Mary about Jesus name (Luke 1:28) An angel spoke to Joseph in a dream about Mary s virgin conception (Matt. 1:20) An angel warned Joseph in a dream to escape to Egypt (Matt. 2:13) An angel appeared in a dream to Joseph to return to Nazareth (Matt. 2:19) An angel speaks to the shepherds about Jesus arrival (Luke 2:9)

Angels attended to Jesus after He was tempted by Satan (Matt. 4:11) An angel ministered and strengthened Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane (Luke 22:43) An angel rolled the stone away and opened Jesus tomb (Matt. 28:2) Two angels confirmed Jesus resurrection to Mary Magdalene (John 20:12)

Application

Rest in the sufficiency of the gospel and the superiority of Jesus Christ

Fall in love with the Creator, not His creation