"OVERVIEW OF HEBREWS"

Background info –

Author – Unknown (We do know that it is inspired by God)

Date – 67-69 AD

Audience – Jewish Audience (Includes believers, and unbelievers)

Theme – “The Superiority of Christ”

Talk Thru The Bible – “Many Jewish believers, having stepped out of Judaism into Christianity, want to reverse their course in order to escape persecution by their countrymen. The writer of Hebrews exhorts them to “go on to perfection” (6:1). His appeal is based on the superiority of Christ over the Judaic system. Christ is better than the angels, for they worship Him. He is better than Moses, for He created him. He is better than the Law, for He mediates a better covenant. In short, there is more to be gained in Christ than to be lost in Judaism. Pressing on in Christ produces tested faith, self-disciplined, and a visible love seen in good works.”

This book provides us with very specific information about Jesus Christ. This morning we are going to be answering two questions then we will see how the theme “Superiority of Christ” is seen throughout the entirety of Hebrews.

A man by the name of “ Dever” does very well with asking a couple of questions as it relates to the book of Hebrews – I would like us to think about both of those questions this morning -

Who is Jesus as it relates to the book of Hebrews?

Read – 1:1-4 - Son of God

In the past God spoke through Prophets In the last days he spoke through His Son

Heir of all things (Acquired/obtained) He created the world Radiance of the Glory of God – “Perfectly reflects the majesty of God” Exact Imprint – He (Christ) is God He upholds the universe by His power

The point is twofold –

He is the Son of God He is God

Read – 7:23-25 - Eternal – “unbroken age, perpetuity of time”

Former priests – “ones who offer sacrifices for sin” They eventually pass on – Why do they die? (5:1-3) Christ holds a permanent priesthood – “Eternal”

Read – 4:15 - Perfect – “Without Defect”

High Priest is referring to Christ Christ can sympathize with our weaknesses b/c He was tempted in all things yet without sin. Without sin – “Perfection”

Hebrews declares Christ to be the Eternal Son of God without Sin. Now these truths are not only taught in the book of Hebrews rather, they are taught throughout the entirety of Scripture.

What has Jesus Done according to the book of Hebrews?

It is essential that we understand the role of a priest.

What did a priest do? (Read 10:1-4)

They offered bulls and goats repeatedly to cover sin They were repeated b/c imperfect priest can only offer imperfect sacrifices. (Quote from Dever) (5:1-3)

Read 7:26-28 - Permanent Sacrifice

Holy, innocent, unstained, separated from sinners Perfection therefore, no need to offer repeatedly Once for all – this is a onetime event and it did not cover the sins of humans. Rather it atoned for our sins.

Read 9:11-14 - Effective Sacrifice

This is a onetime event and it did not cover the sins of humans. Rather it atoned for our sins securing eternal redemption. Animal sacrifices purify the flesh Christ‘s work on the cross purifies our conscience from dead works to serve the living God.

Jesus has given Himself as a permanent and effective sacrifice for us as believers in Christ. This is seen throughout the book of Hebrews as well as throughout Scripture as a whole.

Let us understand what the Jewish Audience is going through at the time Hebrews was written –

MacArthur – “The High Priest Ananias was especially hard and unrelenting. He had all Christian Jews automatically banished from the holy places. That was tough. All their lives they had had access to these sacred places. Now they could have no part in the God-ordained services. They were now considered unclean. They could not go to the synagogue, much less the Temple; they could not offer any sacrifices; they could not communicate with the priests. They could have nothing to do with their own people. They were cut off from their own society. For clinging to the Jesus as the Messiah, they were banished from almost every sacred thing they had ever known.”

The Jewish believers are having a hard time staying faithful to the Lord b/c of the persecution that they are encountering. They are contemplating apostasy. That is forsaking what they believe in and following something else. That is the issue that is addressed in the book of Hebrews.

The theme of Hebrews is the Superiority of Christ.

We see that Christ is superior over three specific things let’s look at each one very quickly.

Christ’s Superiority over –

Angels – 1:4,7-8

Read 1:4, 7-8

The point that the author of Hebrews is making is that Jesus is better than Angels. That is He is over angelic beings.

Moses – 3:1-6

Read 3:1-6

About Moses –

Faithful in God’s house as a servant Testified about things that would be spoken later

About Christ –

As you embrace Christ you are part of a heavenly calling Jesus was an apostle and priest of our confession Jesus is faithful to God Counted worthy of more glory than Moses Christ is faithful over God’s house as a Son You are part of God’s house if you embrace Christ

Again the point that the Author of Hebrews making is that Christ is better than Moses.

Priesthood of Aaron – 5:1-10

Read 5:1-4 – Priesthood of Aaron –

Aaron was appointed priest by God He offered sacrifices to cover the people’s sin as well as his own I believe the point that the author is making is that the sacrifices of Aaron only covered sins it did not atone for sin.

Read 5:5-10 – Priesthood of Christ –

Christ did not make Himself a priest; He was appointed one by His Father. The phrase you are a priest forever indicates two things –

1. Christ was a permanent Sacrifice

2. Christ was an effective Sacrifice

The point is that the priesthood of Christ is over the priesthood of Aaron.

The question is how can we apply all of this to our lives?

I am talking to believers –

Be encouraged with two things –

Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God who is without sin. Jesus’ work on the cross was both permanent and effective.

What is one of your most favorite things in this world? (Christ is so much better than that)

Honestly where do you find your comfort?

The Jewish believers are contemplating seeking comfort from something other than Christ. The point of the book is that nothing is better than Christ.

I leave you with this question –

Do you realize that nothing is better than knowing Christ as your Lord and Savior?