Hebrews (W. 1) - Hebrews 1

Jesus is Better.

Good morning Upstate Church Laurens!

I’m very excited and grateful to be here with you this morning as we begin a series through the book of Hebrews. I hope you have your Bible with you!

This book is both engaging and essential in the New Testament. It’s engaging because unlike the other letters in the New Testament, it’s author and intended audience are not specifically identified. Even the format of the book of Hebrews is interesting… it begins as a sermon and ends as a letter.

A lot of debate surrounds the question of “who wrote this?” and “to whom is this written for?”

Was it Paul, Luke, Apollos, or someone else?

Is this for believers in Rome, Jerusalem, or somewhere else?

While those questions receive much attention, the actual purpose of this book can be summed up in three words: JESUS IS BETTER.

The writer (who is uncertain) says this to an audience (who is undetermined) with absolute clarity: Jesus is better

What we will unpack in the coming weeks is that Jesus is better. He is:

Jesus is better than the prophets

Jesus is better than the angels

Jesus is better than Moses

Jesus is better than the Old Testament customs

Jesus is a better hope than anything else in times of discouragement.

Jesus is a better High Priest

Jesus offers better access to God.

Jesus is a better sacrifice

Jesus is a better rest.

Jesus is a better builder.

Jesus’ kingdom is better.

Jesus is better.

This series… this book will explain how Jesus really is better.

Now that we understand the theme of this book, I want to explain a little further on what the audience is probably going through. While we don’t know who is was written to, we do assume that these believers are likely Jewish converts who are now discouraged in the faith. They are under such persecution, it seems as though the writer of Hebrews is waving his arms in the air” as though to say, “Don’t run back to the old customs, familiar religion! Jesus is better and He is enough.”

Now, that’s easier said than put into practice. These believers would have found comfort in the words of the “forefathers” or the prophets. They would have found comfort in the familiarity of temple worship, the sacrificial system, and maybe even remembering their favorite Old Testament verse.

However, the point the writer is trying to make is this: Everything I’ve spoken in the past points to Jesus. Everything I said through the prophets, through the forefathers, and that is recorded in the Old Testament points to my Son. He is the subject of it all. He is the Messiah. In other words, everything I have to say, I said in Jesus! t

Everything God had to say, He said in Jesus.

One of the good graces of God that I thank Him for each day is the family I grew up in. Godly parents, incredible siblings, and amazing formation and memories.

One of the fun family vacation memories I have is a time when my parents and I went to the mountains in Tennessee. It was a beautiful time of year. Leaves had fallen, it was the dead of winter, and there was snow on the ground. Perfect time to get away, have some fun, and relax in a cabin.

We journeyed up the mountains in a Green Nissan Armada.

We are all excited… especially as we got to the mountain and saw that there was plenty of snow on the ground.

However, my excitement ended when the gps brought us to this long, skinny road that (I guarantee you) was at a 85 degree angle. I’m talking we were about to drive completely vertical. And remember, we were going to drive up this long, skinny driveway that had a sheet of ice on it.

Our family was unsure and I’ll be honest, I literally told my dad, “It’s not worth it… let’s go back home.”

Right after I said that, my dad assured us that we were fine and that we would make it up the mountain. (He also had sweat pouring down his face, but he said we would make it).

In my mind, the fear of slipping off the road and literally falling down the mountain seemed to speak louder than the voice of my dad.

“We got this man.” “This thing is green and it has a V8, four wheel driiiiive.”

Determined, my dad put it in four-wheel drive, and made it to the top of this summit. The lesson I learned is two fold: (1) a green nissan armada with a v8 is a beast of a vehicle. (2) All I had to do was trust in what my dad said. That’s it.

In a similar way, our God has spoken to us. Everything He had to say was in Jesus.

So instead of turning back and going to what seems comfortable or safe, let’s press forward and listen to what God said to us through Jesus!

Everything God had to say, He said in Jesus.

let’s read Hebrews 1 together. Y’all stand with me as we read and honor the Word of God:

Hebrews 1 ESV

1 Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, 2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. 3 He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, 4 having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs. 5 For to which of the angels did God ever say, “You are my Son, today I have begotten you”? Or again, “I will be to him a father, and he shall be to me a son”? 6 And again, when he brings the firstborn into the world, he says, “Let all God’s angels worship him.” 7 Of the angels he says, “He makes his angels winds, and his ministers a flame of fire.” 8 But of the Son he says, “Your throne, O God, is forever and ever, the scepter of uprightness is the scepter of your kingdom. 9 You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness beyond your companions.” 10 And, “You, Lord, laid the foundation of the earth in the beginning, and the heavens are the work of your hands; 11 they will perish, but you remain; they will all wear out like a garment, 12 like a robe you will roll them up, like a garment they will be changed. But you are the same, and your years will have no end.” 13 And to which of the angels has he ever said, “Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet”? 14 Are they not all ministering spirits sent out to serve for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation?

Similarly to my situation. I was able to trust my dad after the fact. In other words, I trusted my dad’s words based on the consequences of where he led my family.

I mean, it was easy for me to say, “I knew we’d get up that mountain all along. I told y’all!”

Similarly, listen to what God said to us through Jesus.

Through Jesus, God:

1. Reveals (Through Jesus, God Reveals)

Verses 1-2; 5-13

What does God reveal through Jesus?

God reveals His nature through Jesus.

Signature.

Electronic signatures are awesome. However, it wasn’t until the last few years that through technology were these signatures identical.

So think about this.

A long time ago you would try to reproduce the signatures and there would be a shadow or some evidence that the signature wasn’t authentic.

However, through technology, th

Wanna know who God is? Look at Jesus!

He is the radiance of the glory of God.

John 1:14 ESV

14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.

John 1:15–17 ESV

15 (John bore witness about him, and cried out, “This was he of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me ranks before me, because he was before me.’ ”) 16 For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. 17 For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.

He is full of Grace and truth

God did not need to say anything else after speaking through Jesus!

Jesus is the Word of God (Final Word)

Here’s something to consider. Don’t ask God to speak if you’re not willing to search all of His Word He’s already spoken.

A childhood accident caused poet Elizabeth Barrett to lead a life of semi-invalidism before she married Robert Browning in 1846.

There’s more to the story. In her youth, Elizabeth had been watched over by her tyrannical father. When she and Robert were married, their wedding was held in secret because of her father’s disapproval. After the wedding the Brownings sailed for Italy, where they lived for the rest of their lives. But even though her parents had disowned her, Elizabeth never gave up on the relationship. Almost weekly she wrote them letters. Not once did they reply.

After 10 years, she received a large box in the mail. Inside, Elizabeth found all of her letters; not one had been opened! Today those letters are among the most beautiful in classical English literature. Had her parents only read a few of them, their relationship with Elizabeth might have been restored.

I share that story with you because Elizabeth’s parents could have found restoration and could have had a relatioship with their daughter if they only read the words that she wrote.

So many people think, “I’m just wanting to go deeper with God.” or “I’m waiting to hear from God.”

“If only God would just speak to me.”

“If only God would just give me a word.”

That’s such a dangerous statement! Why? He has given us His Word. He has spoken plenty to us! Matter of fact, the ESV bible I’m reading from has:

756,846 words

Ole King Jimmy, yeah the KJV has - 783,137 words.

Everything that God needed to say, He said in Jesus. Don’t be arrogant and believe that you can move past what the Word of God says. In fact, it is impossible to exhaust this beautiful book. You don’t have enough time on this side of eternity to search the vastness, the beauty, the glory of Jesus and His Word.

God doesn’t just reveal His nature, He also:

God reveals the plan of salvation through Jesus.

Jesus is the Son of God/ Person of God

Jesus is the Salvation of God.

God reveals the supremacy of Jesus.

There is this essential comparison of Jesus and the angels here.

Angels are beings that we can often times fascinate over.

They can

The writer asks a few questions of the angels:

God said,

verse 5 - Did I ever say to the angels, “You are my Son, today I have begotten you?”

Verse 5 - Or did I ever tell an angel, “I will be your father and you will be my son?”

Verse 13 - Sit here at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet.”

Answer: No, he never said any of those things to the angels. In fact,

“For to which of the angels did God ever say, ‘You are my Son, today I have begotten you’? Or again, ‘I will be to him a father, and he shall be to me a son’? And again, when he brings the firstborn into the world, he says, ‘Let all of God’s angels worship Him.”

Hebrews 1:5-6

I love this comparison of Jesus and the angels. The writer of Hebrews give a rhetorical question: Did God ever say the angels are My Son?

Answer: NO SIR!

Then the writer of Hebrews says that God did say something to the angels… “Worship my Son.”

A couple of thoughts come to mind:

1. There was an angel, Lucifer, that wanted to be worshiped. He wanted the glory… yet, God reserved that for Jesus. Hallelujah!

2. The angels have worshiped Him and are still worshiping Him. They worshiped Him from the beginning. They worshiped Him in the sky after Jesus was born when they brought the news to the shepherds. They worshiped Him when the stone was rolled away… and they are up in heaven now worshiping with, “Holy Holy Holy is the Lord God Almighty, Who was and is and is to come!”

He is worthy to be pursued in what He has revealed.

but not only that… look what else God does:

2. Reigns (Through Jesus, God Reigns)

3b and 10

“… and He upholds the universe by the word of his power.”

The Result of His Divinity and power- Everlasting. Jesus sits at the right hand of the father, was there at creation, upholds the universe by the power of his Word.

He makes purification for sin.

Hebrews 1:8–13 ESV

8 But of the Son he says, “Your throne, O God, is forever and ever, the scepter of uprightness is the scepter of your kingdom. 9 You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness beyond your companions.” 10 And, “You, Lord, laid the foundation of the earth in the beginning, and the heavens are the work of your hands; 11 they will perish, but you remain; they will all wear out like a garment, 12 like a robe you will roll them up, like a garment they will be changed. But you are the same, and your years will have no end.” 13 And to which of the angels has he ever said, “Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet”?

His Throne is Forever

He will last.

The souls of man last forever

The Word of God lasts forever.

The Son of God remains king forever.

Hebrews 1:8 ESV

8 But of the Son he says, “Your throne, O God, is forever and ever, the scepter of uprightness is the scepter of your kingdom.

Hebrews 1:10–12 ESV

10 And, “You, Lord, laid the foundation of the earth in the beginning, and the heavens are the work of your hands; 11 they will perish, but you remain; they will all wear out like a garment, 12 like a robe you will roll them up, like a garment they will be changed. But you are the same, and your years will have no end.”

He Reigns in Righteousness

He love righteousness and Hates Wickedness

If Jesus loves righteousness, why would we ever expect Him to allow us to love wickedness?

“We tell our Lord plainly,” said Martin Luther, “that if He will have His Church then He must look to and maintain and defend it, for we can neither uphold nor protect it; and if we could, then we should become the proudest donkeys under heaven.” Since our Leader conducts His work in the power of an endless life—He is the same yesterday, today, and forever—changes in human leadership should not shake or dismay us.

If you’re still considering whether or not Jesus is worthy of following after hearing that He reveals and reigns… this is the should give you complete comfort and peace… He reconciles!

Through Jesus, God reconciles.

3. Reconciles (Through Jesus, God Reconciles)

3c; 14

Hebrews 1:3 ESV

3 He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high,

Summarize reconciliation in seven words: "After making purification for sins, He sat down."

After Making

Jesus alone did the work.

He made salvation available! He left heaven, was born of a virgin, took on a fleshly body

Purification

He paid the price.

He removes the stain of sin.

He shed His blood

For Sins

We did the sinning, He did the saving.

He sat down

His work was finished, and Jesus in His resurrection and ascension assummed a place of honor at God’s right hand. Today, He is Lord! He reconciles us to God.

Hebrews 1:14 ESV

14 Are they not all ministering spirits sent out to serve for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation?

Next Step Focus

Have you begun to walk back away from Jesus? - Don’t, trust what God said about and through Jesus.

Have you grown “bored” with Jesus? Search Him, seek Him, hear Him.