Hebrews 1
5 Outlines
Hebrews 1
COMMUNICATION FROM GOD
God wants you and I to hear
from Him. In this text we see God giving the greatest communication of all, the
message of His wonderful Son, The Lord Jesus Christ.
GOD HAS SPOKEN THROUGH HIS SON Vss. 1-3
CHRIST IS
ANGELS ARE SERVANTS OF GOD FOR THE SAINTS Vss. 7,14
***************************************************************************
Hebrews 1:1-3
SOMETHING BETTER
We are constantly looking and striving for something
better.
·
A better job
·
A better home
·
A better grade
·
A better behavior from our children
·
A better relationship with our spouses, children, family
and friends
·
A better sound system, computer, or car
There are times when it would do us well to be content
with what we have. 1 Timothy 6:6, Hebrews 13:5
There are other times however, when it is good to seek
something better. Philippians 3:13-14
I should be striving for a better knowledge of God, a
better understanding of God’s Word, a closer walk with God, and better
fruitfulness in the service of God.
The Book of Hebrews is a book that is constantly
showing us something better. The Word better is used thirteen times in this
book. It is a book written to Jewish
Christians who were tempted to bail out on Christianity and go back to Judaism.
In this book we find lessons that show us that because Jesus Christ is better,
there is a better way for us to live now.
You might even be like the Hebrews to whom this letter
was written. You may be considering
bailing out on your traditional faith and going back to something you once
knew, or leaving your traditional faith for something more modern or trendy.
You shouldn’t do this, because Christ is better and the true Christian life is
better than anything anyone else can offer.
The Book of Hebrews shows us this.
According to these first three verses:
WE HAVE A BETTER MESSAGE
WE HAVE A BETTER MESSENGER
Because we have a better messenger and a better
message, we have a better life and a better hope.
WE HAVE A BETTER MESSAGE
Since the first word of Scripture was written down
there has always been a good message.
We had a good message because God has spoken!
God spoke in the Old Testament. Hebrews 1:1
God did not speak his message all at once in the Old
Testament. His message came over the
course of hundreds of years through 39 Old Testament books. From time to time he spoke.
Also God’s message came in various ways.
As good as the Old Testament is there is a problem.
It is an incomplete message.
God had more to say to us.
The Old Testament speaks of promises which were yet to
be fulfilled.
That’s why there is a New Testament besides the Old
Testament.
God spoke in past times to the “fathers”, the Jewish
ancestors. Today He has spoken to us through His Son. We now have a completed
message with the addition of the New Testament.
We now have the “Good News” of Christ in the Gospels.
We now have the theology of Christ in the Epistles.
And we have a description of Christ’s culmination of
all things in the future in the Book of Revelation.
We now we have a completed Scriptures. Revelation
22:18-19
WE HAVE A BETTER MESSENGER
Hebrews 1:1 - God,
who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers
by the prophets,
In the Old Testament, God spoke through good men, His
servants, the prophets. Men like Moses,
Ezra, David, Isaiah, Jeremiah and Daniel received messages from God and wrote
them down.
2 Peter 1:21
These were good, godly men who under the direction of
the Holy Spirit wrote. And in the New
Testament, good and godly men also wrote down the Word of God under the direction
of the Holy Spirit.
What is the difference?
Hebrews 1:2 – God has in these last days spoken unto us by his Son,
God sent a special envoy from Heaven to speak to
us. This is who the New Testament
writers speak of. This special envoy is
the better messenger that the Old Testament did not have.
HE IS A BETTER MESSENGER BECAUSE OF HIS PERSON
Who is Jesus Christ?
He is the eternal Son of God. Mark 1:1, John 1:1-2
Jesus Christ is God in the flesh.
When God chose to save a sinful, rebellious world…
When God chose to communicate what He is like…
When God chose to show us Himself…
He sent His Son!
One of the great prophecies of Christmas is Isaiah
9:6.
In this verse God shows us just how great the person
is whom He sent to us. Isaiah 9:6
HE IS A BETTER MESSENGER BECAUSE OF HIS PERFORMANCE
The Lord Jesus has done more than any prophet or any
other person.
In Hebrews 11:2 we are told that it is by the
Lord Jesus that God made the worlds. I owe my existence to the Son of God.
It says here that He created the worlds and the word
here means “the ages”.
That is quite a performance, but there is more!
Hebrews 11:3 tells us that He is upholding all things by the word of His power.
Colossians 1:17 - And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.
You and I can count on order in the natural world
around us simply because Lord Jesus holds it together!
Creating everything and holding them together are
certainly great performances. But there is
one more thing that He did that is absolutely amazing. Hebrews 11:3 tells us that He has by Himself purged our sins.
Our sins are dirty. Isaiah 64:6
Our sins are dirty, so Jesus purged or purified them.
He washed them. And He did it by
Himself.
He is the only one that would ever qualify to wash
away our sins because he is the only one that was sinless Himself.
2 Corinthians
1 Peter 1:18-19 - Forasmuch
as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and
gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; [19]
But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without
spot:
So Jesus died to purge our sins, to wash us
clean. So how do we take that bath? How do we make sure that His blood has washed
our sins away?
How do we apply
His blood to our account?
Ephesians 2:8-9 - For
by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift
of God: [9] Not of works, lest any man should boast.
By faith tell Jesus that you are apply
His blood to your account if you haven’t already. Trust Him as your
Savior.
HE IS A BETTER MESSENGER BECAUSE OF HIS POSITION
Look at Vs. 2 –
God has appointed Jesus “heir of all things”.
God has appointed Jesus as his Heir. Not that God is
going to die, but that God has appointed that all that is rightfully His
belongs to Christ, His Son.
Being heir will include on day inheriting the nations
of the earth to rule over them. See Psalm 2.
Being heir will mean that every single person that
ever lived will bow the knee to the Son of God. See Philippians 2:9-11
Being heir will include living and reigning with God
for all eternity in the new Heaven and new earth.
See 1 Corinthians 15:25-28
Being heir will include us as being joint-heirs with
Christ. See Romans 8:16-17
As heir where is Jesus?
Hebrews 1:3 tells us that He …sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;
Right now Jesus sits in a place of honor, authority,
and power. He is just waiting until the
Father says that it is time to act. Then
He will return. Psalm 110:1
So there should be no doubt in your mind.
WE HAVE A BETTER MESSAGE
WE HAVE A BETTER MESSENGER
HE IS A BETTER MESSENGER BECAUSE OF HIS PERSON
HE IS A BETTER MESSENGER BECAUSE OF HIS PERFORMANCE
HE IS A BETTER MESSENGER BECAUSE OF HIS POSITION
***************************************************************************
Hebrews 1:1-4
GOD'S FINAL WORD
God's last or final Word
to man is the Lord Jesus Christ.
JESUS IS HEIR OF ALL
THINGS - "... whom he hath appointed heir of all things..."
JESUS IS CREATOR OF THE
WORLD - "...
by whom also he made the worlds;"
JESUS IS GOD HIMSELF -
" Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his
person..."
JESUS IS UPHOLDER OF ALL
THINGS - "and upholding all things by the word of his power..."
JESUS IS THE PURGER OF OUR SINS - "... when he had by himself
purged our sins..."
JESUS IS SEATED AT THE
RIGHT HAND OF GOD - "...sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on
high;"
JESUS IS BETTER THAN THE
ANGELS - "Being made so much better than the angels, as he hath by
inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they."
***************************************************************************
Hebrews 1:4-14
BE THANKFUL
Our text for this morning Hebrews 1:4-14 is not what
you would normally think of as a “Thanksgiving Text”. It is actually a comparison of Jesus with the
angels and showing that Jesus is actually better than the angels.
Of course the principle subject of the Book of Hebrews
is the Lord Jesus Christ Himself. And if
there is anyone we should be thankful for at Thanksgiving or any other time of
the year it is the Lord Jesus. As I
examined Hebrews 1:4-14 I found at lead 5 reasons that
we should be thankful for the Lord Jesus. WE SHOULD BE:
THANKFUL FOR HIS SONSHIP –
Vss. 4-7
THANKFUL FOR HIS SCEPTER – Vss. 8-9
THANKFUL FOR HIS STROKE – Vs. 10
THANKFUL FOR HIS STABILITY – Vss. 11-12
THANKFUL FOR HIS SUPERIORITY – Vss. 13-14
BE THANKFUL FOR HIS SONSHIP
– Vss. 4-7
Like many people in
Angels are indeed special.
They are Spirit beings. Psalm 104:4
They are often God’s messengers. Throughout the Old Testament and even into
the New Testament, angels delivered messages from God.
The angels, in some special way, were involved with
the giving of the law. Acts 7:52-53
In spite of how special angels may be, the Lord Jesus
is better than they are.
Hebrews 1:4 - Being
made so much better than the angels, as he hath by inheritance obtained a more
excellent name than they.
Names in the Bible were more important than they are
today. Often names reflected a person’s
character.
When Jesus had purged our sins, that is died on the
cross, was buried and rose again, he went back to Heaven and sat down on “the
right hand of the majesty on high.” No angel ever sat at God’s right hand. That position was reserved for the One who
God called “Son”.
Hebrews 1:5 - For unto which of the angels said he at any time, Thou art my Son, this
day have I begotten thee? And again, I will be to him a Father, and he shall be
to me a Son?
This portion of Hebrews contains many quotes from the
Old Testament. Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee is a quote from
Psalm 2:7.
Jesus has always been God, the Son.
But there was a time of special declaration that Jesus
is God the Son. That took place at the
resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. Acts 13:33, Romans 1:3-4
The second quote in Hebrews 1:5, I will be to him a Father, and he shall be
to me a Son, is a quote from 2 Samuel 7:14. This quote, though it partially
refers to Solomon, looks ahead to David’s Greater Son or descendent, the Lord
Jesus Christ. There is a tremendous
father/son relationship within the Trinity.
Hebrews 1:6 - And again, when he bringeth in the firstbegotten
into the world, he saith, And let all the angels of God worship him.
Jesus is called “the firstbegotten”
or “first born”.
According to Warren Wiersbe “The title is one of rank
and honor, for the firstborn receives the inheritance and the special blessing.
Christ is the “Fristborn of all creation (Col. 1:15
NASB) because He created all things; and He is the highest of all who came back
from the dead (Col. 1:18).”
Warren W. Wiersbe, The Bible Exposition Commentary, Volume 2, (Victor Books, A division
of Scripture Press, Wheaton, Ill., 1989) p. 281
When Jesus came into the world, the angels worshipped
Him, showing His superiority.
Now you may be asking, “So Jesus is the Son of God,
why should I be so thankful?”
You should be thankful if you know Jesus as your
Savior, if you’ve been born again. This
means that as the Son Jesus sits at the right hand of God. As the Son Jesus has special access to the
Father.
Be thankful because the Lord Jesus is at the right
hand of God interceding for you! Hebrews 4:14-16, Hebrews 7:24-25, 1 John 2:1-2
BE THANKFUL FOR HIS SCEPTER – Vss. 8-9
Hebrews 1:8 - But unto the Son he
saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre
of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom.
(A quote of Psalm 45:6)
What is a scepter?
A scepter is a staff held by a ruler.
It is an emblem of authority.
Our Lord Jesus has an emblem of authority. His scepter
is a scepter of righteousness. He rules and will rule in righteousness. Isaiah
11:1-5
Be thankful! There is coming a day when nobody will be
able to legitimately say that there is any unrighteousness anywhere. And what’s neat about this is that we, as
Christians, are going reign with Christ in His kingdom!
Hebrews 1:9 - Thou hast loved righteousness, and
hated iniquity; therefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of
gladness above thy fellows. (Ps. 45:7)
We are again reminded of Christ’s superiority because
of His love for righteousness and hatred of iniquity.
If we know Jesus as Savior, we should love
righteousness and hate iniquity also! We
carry His name as Christians and should act accordingly. 1 John 2:6
BE THANKFUL FOR HIS STROKE – Vs. 10
Hebrews 1:10 - And, Thou, Lord, in the beginning hast laid the foundation of the earth;
and the heavens are the works of thine hands: (A quote of Psalm 102:25)
Why does the universe exist?
Why does the world exist?
Why do we have beautiful scenery?
Why do the wonders of nature exist?
Why do you exist?
IT IS BECAUSE OF THE STROKE OF HAND!
BE THANKFUL FOR HIS STABILITY – Vss. 11-12
Vs. 8 - But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O
God, is for ever and ever:
The Lord’s reign is forever and ever. That’s
stability!
Governments are not always stable.
Economies and jobs are not always stable.
Marriages and other relationships are not always
stable.
Our minds are not always stable.
But Jesus is always stable.
He has always existed and he always will.
Hebrews 1:10-12 - And,
Thou, Lord, in the beginning hast laid the foundation of the earth; and the
heavens are the works of thine hands: [11] They shall perish; but thou remainest; and they all shall wax old as doth a garment;
[12] And as a vesture shalt thou fold them up, and they shall be changed: but
thou art the same, and thy years shall not fail. (A quote of Psalm
102:25-27)
Why this world is not even stable.
There is coming a day when this old world will be
taken off and discarded like an old garment.
It shall be replaced with something new. 2 Peter 3:10,
Revelation 21:1-2
Through this Christ will continue to exist but thou art the same, and thy years shall
not fail.
Hebrews 13:8 - Jesus
Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.
Now why should you and I be thankful for this
stability of our Lord?
What has He promised to those that believe on Him for
forgiveness and salvation?
He has promised eternal life! John 10:27-28
Jesus would not be able to give us eternal life unless
He himself is eternal. He will never
die. He is stable! Be thankful!
BE THANKFUL FOR HIS SUPERIORITY – Vss. 13-14
Hebrews 1:13 - But
to which of the angels said he at any times, Sit on my right hand, until I make
thine enemies thy footstool? See Psalm 110:1
Jesus is superior to the angels.
Jesus is waiting for His enemies to be made His
footstool and He will reign for all eternity.
The angels, however, are not waiting to reign.
The angels, are serving now
and will serve in the future.
In fact, we are and will be served by angels.
I can think of three ways angels serve.
1. ANGELS PRONOUNCE
It was an angel that told Zeharias
that his wife would have a baby, John the Baptist.
It was an angel that told Mary she’d be the Mother of
Jesus.
It was an angel that announced the birth of Jesus to
the shepherds.
2. ANGELS PROTECT
One day the city that Elisha the Prophet was residing
in was besieged by an enemy army.
Elisha’s servant was scared. 2 Kings 6:15-17
3. ANGELS PROVIDE
One day the prophet Elijah, after fighting a great
battle for the Lord was threatened by Queen Jezebel. He panicked and ran. I personally think that he was worn out from
praying down fire from Heaven, praying for rain and outrunning King Ahab’s
chariot. Jezebel caught Elijah with a threat at a weak moment. He ran. An angel provided for him. 1 Kings 19:4-6
Be thankful.
Angels are servants.
God will use them to pronounce, protect and provide.
But there is better news than this.
Be thankful because Jesus is superior to the angels.
It is Jesus who sits at the right hand of God.
It is Jesus who is to be thanked and worshipped.
If it weren’t for Jesus, the angels wouldn’t even
exist!
***************************************************************************
Hebrews 1:4-2:4
THE
CONCERNING THE SON
His Name - 1:4-5, Psalm
2:7, 2 Samuel 7:14
His Position - 1:6
His Righteous Reign
1:8-9, Psalm 45:6-7
His Joy - 1:9
His Creative Acts -
1:10, Psalm 102:25-27
His Permanence - 1:11-12
CONCERNING HIS SERVANTS
(THE ANGELS)
Their Song (worship)
1:6, Psalm 97:7
Their Service
To Chrirst - 1:7
For Saints -
Their Subordination -
1:13, Psalm 110:1
CONCERNING SAINTS AND
SINNERS
Conduct - 2:1 - Saints
and Sinners alike are to "take heed".
Caution - 2:2-3 - Saints
and Sinners alike are not to "neglect so great salvation".
Confirmation - 2:3-4 - The message to Saints and
Sinners was confirmed by signs, wonders, and miracles.
RETURN TO HEBREWS – PHILEMON INDEX