The greatest Gift in History
Notes
Transcript
1 God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, 2 has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds; 3 who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, 4 having become so much better than the angels, as He has by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they. 5 For to which of the angels did He ever say: “You are My Son, Today I have begotten You”? And again: “I will be to Him a Father, And He shall be to Me a Son”? 6 But when He again brings the firstborn into the world, He says: “Let all the angels of God worship Him.”
This time of year many people are spending countless hours either online or in stores looking for gifts to give to their loved ones. The amount of pressure, hustle, emphasis, and focus put into this time of year is quite exhausting. Thanksgiving day is often times cut short to begin searching, scrounging, and purchasing the perfect gifts. I often have wondered why a homemade pare of wool socks for everyone wouldn't be enough, or a family trip to the mountains… cut back on the mental stress, convey the message of warmth and avoid taking on the additional stress and gas money! What is it about gift giving?!?! Is it about the reaction we are looking for when we give the gift? Is it the “woah” when the receiver realizes the great gift you gave; that really only enhances your greatness rather than giving for the right reasons? This time of year can present so many challenges, and I am burdened to remind us of the greatest gift ever given in History.
We must recount the context of this book. It is said to have been written to believing Jews who were facing hardship and persecution somewhere between AD 50-60 which is approximately 25-30 years after the ascension of Christ . Many scholars hold to the belief that this was considered the early church. The purpose in writing to them was to encourage them to not fall away through the circumstances around them, but to press on (Hebrews 2:1). This may remind us of similar later writings by Peter from Babylon closer to AD 60-64 who is writing to dispersed believing Jews throughout Asia Minor who are facing deep persecution for their beliefs. Peter starts out his letter similarly reminding the hearers and readers of the incorruptible and imperishable inheritance they have through Christ, and to not lose sight of that truth regardless of the circumstances around them. Christ is either a cornerstone or stumbling block.
Take a look how the passage of this book written to the Jews begins. “God”. Much like we know in the book of Genesis, it all begins with God! Who at certain times and in various ways “spoke”. We will see this word used twice in our text today. The Greek word used here is λαλέω, which is used to say “speak in various ways or portions” which is different from the Hebrew word that was translated through the Septuagint Greek which was “Rhema” which meant “spoke into existence” like what we read in Genesis. God spoke in various means: Dreams, prophets, and angels.
The writer notes that in the past God has communicated through various means and now in recent days is now communicating through the revelation of Jesus Christ. There are a few things here that I believe should be highlighted that often times, especially this time of year, are overlooked. I am not sure if your family is like mine, but part of my extended family enjoyed unwrapping each gift, and then unravelling each gift. A story for the why, and story of the how/when…They dissect and anazyze the gift and why it was just right for the individual. I want to do that this morning.
1) First we see the very action where God appoints His son as the heir of all things. As one scholar said, “Jesus is God’s final Word” (Hughes). In the Greek for “in Son” is actually means, “that the Son contains everything”. He is the ultimate means of communication!
Heir- Romans 11:36
36 For of Him and through Him and to Him are all things, to whom be glory forever. Amen.
3 All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made.
Heir: Matt 28:18-20
18 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.
2) He is Creator
*Our eyes get lazy on things we see everyday”- New perspective, refocus, (IE Flying, sunrise, 10 point buck on route 2).
We can see His handy work all around us as a reminder throughout our circumstances.
3) He is the radiance of the Father
John 14:9
9 Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you so long, and yet you have not known Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father; so how can you say, ‘Show us the Father’?
I wonder what it was like to look Jesus in the face… Could you look eye to eye?
4) He is the representation (image)
He is the exact “imprint”
5) He is the Sustainer
6) He is the Purifier
At the completion of purification, He then sits down at the right hand of the Father where He is now. It goes on to explain how He is greater than angels.
Story of my relative with Angels in the home.
7) Superior to Angels
7 “I will declare the decree: The Lord has said to Me, ‘You are My Son, Today I have begotten You.
God never referred to an Angel as His son. “Begotten” is used to convey an equality between God and His Son.
14 I will be his Father, and he shall be My son. If he commits iniquity, I will chasten him with the rod of men and with the blows of the sons of men.
I find it intriguing that 2 Samuel 7 is connected to the writings here. If you take a quick look at that passage you will quickly note that it is the popular passage covering the Davidic Covenant and we all know that the Jesus was born through the line and lineage of David!
Come with me to Luke 2.
Flip back to Hebrews 1:6
6 But when He again brings the firstborn into the world, He says: “Let all the angels of God worship Him.”
Now back to Luke 2:13-14
13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: 14 “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”
Shepherds came, wise men came, Angels came, and all arrived in awe, and all left praising and telling of this great Gift!
So for us today:
We must recall and resound the greatest gift in History, and join in harmony to our broken world so that we may sing:
Joy to the World The Lord is Come! Let earth receiver her King!
Let every heart prepare Him room… repeat the sounding joy!
Angels we have heard on high, sweetly singing oer the plains, and the mountains in reply, Echoing their joyous strains:
Gloria in Excelsis Deo (Glory be to God on high).
Oh Come let us adore Him, Christ the Lord!
Oh that we may take this gift so much more serious and realize just like all the other disciples did, that this Messiah is God Himself and we have everything we need in the Son whom God sent us to be a intercessory atonement for us! When we seek to see the Son we see the Father more clearly. When looking to give your gifts this year, don't forget to focus and give the message of the greatest gift in History. Lord us pay more emphasis on the eternal rather than the temporal.
C.S Lewis once wrote these words:
“Welcome child”, he said,
“Aslan,” said Lucy, “you're bigger”
“That is because you are older, little one” answered he.
“not because you are?”
“I am not. But every year you grow, you will find me bigger.”
Lets Pray.