The Bible Series Hebrews
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Notes
Transcript
BETTER… a more excellent or effective type or quality.
Better is an adjective that describes something as being superior
Better as an adverb that means something is done to a higher degree or more completely.
As a verb, better means to improve
Today we will be looking at the SUPERIORITY of Jesus Christ. In order to recognize this in such a way that it impacts our MINDS, HEARTS & LIVES we have to see a COMPARISON…
To state that something or someone is BETTER there must be a contrast… God has done this in a beautiful and powerful way for us in the book of Hebrews that He has placed in His Word.
Letter Info
Letter Info
Hebrews is a unique book in our New Testament…
We know this was intended to be circulated as a letter and the closing chapter gives it this feel somewhat
It’s original title “to Hebrews” indicates it was to Jewish Believers
We know from what is written that they were in danger of drifting from their faith and moving back placing themselves under law
HOWEVER… we do not know who the writer is.
Speculations go to Paul, Luke, Barnabas, or someone else.
Regardless as we read through this in-depth letter we see the authorship of God
I tend to think this may have been a group effort of sorts
It is written with exceptional Greek like Luke and Acts, and exclusively references the Septuagint (Greek OT Writings)
It has the feel of a theological work vs a letter like we have been accustomed
This book as it contrast through the Old Testament… EXPLAINS OT TYPOLOGY vividly!!!
Since we do not know the exact author, or the exact intended recipients it is difficult to put a date… many land around 64-68 AD
Regardless of when this letter was initially written it holds timeless truths and teaching for all through the ages…
Hebrews Overview
Hebrews Overview
The book of Hebrews flows in a very logical manner… The opening verses in Hebrews 1:1-4 act as a thesis statement for the whole book… THE SUPREMACY OF CHRIST!
God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways, in these last days has spoken to us in His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the world. And He is the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature, and upholds all things by the word of His power. When He had made purification of sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, having become as much better than the angels, as He has inherited a more excellent name than they.
God had a plan from the beginning
God has communicated with man (prophets OT scripture)
Now… He speaks through His Son Jesus Christ
Heir… inheritance, ownership, authority and power
Creator… He is eternal, He is God, He is sustainer
He did work of purification, and is now seated (it is finished)
The last statement… summed up He is BETTER and we now enter into a flow of chapters and verses contrasting and comparing WHAT WAS… WITH CHRIST (HE IS BETTER!!!)
Angels
Angels
Because He is God Superior
Angels worship Him
… and because he became human not handing off to angels. He came, was victorious and now ALL things are subject to Christ
He came as man and understands… Hebrews 2:14-18
Therefore, since the children share in flesh and blood, He Himself likewise also partook of the same, that through death He might render powerless him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and might free those who through fear of death were subject to slavery all their lives. For assuredly He does not give help to angels, but He gives help to the descendant of Abraham. Therefore, He had to be made like His brethren in all things, so that He might become a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. For since He Himself was tempted in that which He has suffered, He is able to come to the aid of those who are tempted.
Christ is BETTER than angels…
Moses
Moses
The writer now addresses the readers as “brothers”… because of Christ work and goes back to Moses!
Moses was a servant of God and faithful in God’s house
But Christ is SON in the house of God doing a far greater work
Before Moses was Christ!
Rest
Rest
The writer addresses the unbelief of the people led by Moses and Joshua… Not entering into the REST of the promise land
In this section we find the familiar passage concerning God’s Word and how it works in us Hebrews 4:12
For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
This rest from the wilderness, wandering, and captivity in Egypt was welcomed for those who listened to the Word of the Lord
Yet the REST we have in Christ Jesus is far more superior, this REST is possessed by Faith in Christ
We then continue to contrast with the work Christ did… it was better than even that of the Priestly line of Aaron...
High Priest
High Priest
The typology of the priesthood and Christ is deep, fascinating and beautiful all at once! Look at what it says in Hebrews 4:15
For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin.
This was not a priestly position from the line of Levi but greater!
He qualified for a higher priesthood according to the order of Melchizedek. The superiority of Melchizedek to Levi is seen in the fact that Levi, in effect, paid tithes through Abraham to Melchizedek!… who was in fact both a King and Priest
The writer goes into some detail pertaining to this then stops short chastising them Hebrews 5:11-14
Concerning him we have much to say, and it is hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing. For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you have need again for someone to teach you the elementary principles of the oracles of God, and you have come to need milk and not solid food. For everyone who partakes only of milk is not accustomed to the word of righteousness, for he is an infant. But solid food is for the mature, who because of practice have their senses trained to discern good and evil.
Move past the basics of salvation!!!
You and I are called to be mature, growing, learning… we so often prefer pre-chewed bible rather than think on what God is directing us to do and how to live! This verse leads to a harsh tone of warning not to drift away back to the old covenant rather to grasp the new firmly…
Old & New Covenant
Old & New Covenant
The old covenant given at Mt Sinai… God’s Law, a temporary system looking ahead to Christ… Leviticus read with Hebrews is a fascinating contrast… where the Old Covenant was weak the New Covenant is BETTER!!!
Old - Reminded of Sin New-Removed Sin
Old- Was repeated constantly New- Once for all
Old- Anticipated God’s promise New- Fulfilled God’s Word
Old- Blood of Animals New- Blood of God’s Son (perfect Lamb)
Old-was involuntary sacrifice New- Voluntary sacrifice
Old- Written on tablets New- Written on Hearts
To summarize the new covenant the writer of Hebrews states this Hebrews 10:11-15
Every priest stands daily ministering and offering time after time the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins; but He, having offered one sacrifice for sins for all time, sat down at the right hand of God, waiting from that time onward until His enemies be made a footstool for His feet. For by one offering He has perfected for all time those who are sanctified. And the Holy Spirit also testifies to us; for after saying,
In light of Christ SUPERIORITY they are now challenged NOT to discard all Christ has done and offers that is FAR BETTER… and walk in faith! Hebrews 11:1-3 defines this faith...
Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. For by it the men of old gained approval. By faith we understand that the worlds were prepared by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things which are visible.
Faith Assurance
Faith Assurance
We are given numerous examples of this faith of those in the Old Testament and it begins with CREATION and
It goes through so many individuals men and women alike who lived looking ahead to the promise of Jesus Christ…
They obeyed God’s Word in faith
These that went ahead are watching and cheering!… Hebrews 12:1-2
Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Endurance
Endurance
We are called to an ENDURANCE!…
You and I are called to live out our faith!
We are called to ACTION…
There are things that hinder… “cast them off”
Have the proper perspective… “look to Christ”
The final two chapters deliver a beautiful symphony of practical life examples of how to live as a believer
The CONTRAST that has been presented declaring CHRIST IS BETTER
The CONCEPT of the SUPERIORITY of what Christ offers in the New Covenant and that we receive it by FAITH!
These things are just knowledge and information unless we place our FAITH in what God has stated in His Word
God has had a plan from the beginning
Hebrews has laid it out for us… Christ is superior, Christ’s work is complete, and He extends to you and I the offer of what is MORE BETTER!
Through faith we enter into this New Covenant… we endure like those of old and His Word becomes CONVICTION!!! Hebrews 10:19-25
Therefore, brethren, since we have confidence to enter the holy place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He inaugurated for us through the veil, that is, His flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful; and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.