Better than the Angels
Notes
Transcript
Handout
Hebrews 1:4-14
As we continue into Hebrews, we began last week by seeing that the author of Hebrews shows us how Jesus is better than the prophets.
He is God’s perfect revelation to us.
The author then moves to the Angels.
Through the millennium there have been a few men who have had encounters with angels, and because of their awe inspiring experience with these beings men tend to fall into a worship of these incredible beings.
This is not right, of course, they are created beings just like we are.
There is no doubt, according to Scripture, that angels are real!
They are magnificent and glorious order of beings who have been created to be the messengers and servants of God.
They are spiritual beings who live in another dimension than we live…a spiritual dimension.
It would seem that they are able to take on bodily form, or at least reveal themselves to man.
They are able to eat what different humans have fed them, according to Genesis 18 and 19.
Angels have an incredible privilege, that is to live in God’s presence and serve him day and night.
Angels are created beings, superior to men.
Angels are numerous
17 The chariots of God are twenty thousand, even thousands of angels: The Lord is among them, as in Sinai, in the holy place.
Angels are extremely superior to men in intelligence and knowledge.
In speaking to King David, a woman said...
20 To fetch about this form of speech hath thy servant Joab done this thing: and my lord is wise, according to the wisdom of an angel of God, to know all things that are in the earth.
The intelligence and knowledge of angels was well known to people.
Angels have great power.
35 And it came to pass that night, that the angel of the Lord went out, and smote in the camp of the Assyrians an hundred fourscore and five thousand: and when they arose early in the morning, behold, they were all dead corpses.
Some angels have fallen with Satan from their original state.
I wonder if they have lost their ability to take on a physical form to do the work God has sent them to do, and maybe that is why they desire so strongly to possess humans.
Angels are created in various ranks for specific functions.
The Archangel Michael is above all other angels.
There is the angel Gabriel who is God’s messenger of mercy, often sent to people of Israel.
Scripture also give su various titles of other angelic orders:
seraphim - function seems to be to praise God
cherubim whose function seems to be to proclaim the glory of God.
But other angels have various functions
to worship God
to rejoice in the repentance of a single sinner
to accompany Christ at His Second Coming
To execute the judgments of God.
Angels have very important functions in dealing with believers.
14 Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?
They protect and deliver us through trials
7 The angel of the Lord encampeth Round about them that fear him, and delivereth them.
They guide and lead believer in their ministry
26 And the angel of the Lord spake unto Philip, saying, Arise, and go toward the south unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza, which is desert.
They escort believers into heaven
22 And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham’s bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried;
They encourage believers
23 For there stood by me this night the angel of God, whose I am, and whom I serve,
24 Saying, Fear not, Paul; thou must be brought before Caesar: and, lo, God hath given thee all them that sail with thee.
25 Wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer: for I believe God, that it shall be even as it was told me.
As amazing as all of this is, we must remember they are inferior to God.
Many people want to study angels and their appearances more than they do Christ.
This has been true for many, many years, and it still happens today.
We want to be careful, when we study angels that we do not take the glory and attention that is due to Christ and give it to angels.
For some it seems that they think of angels as the go between between God and us.
But we do not need another go-between - we have Jesus Christ.
These feelings may be because we feel unworthy to approach God.
Some, who do not understand what the Bible teaches about our access to God may want an angel to
communicate with God for him
present his needs and desires to God
to protect him
to secure God’s blessings and care for him.
But all of these things are provided through Christ.
Another person may feel is so far above us that we could never reach Him.
Or that he must be too busy to listen to him.
So he begins to look to an angel to look after and protect him.
Some people seek and pray for experiences with angels face to face of through visions.
They feel that this experience would strengthen them and make them more spiritual.
And yet others do not believe Christ, that He is the Son of God.
That He is the only mediator between God and man, so they try to communicate with the spiritual world.
This is especially dangerous, as some believe they are talking to God’s angels, but instead are conversing with demons.
Yes Angels are exalted and glorious and magnificent beings - And yes in days of old, before Christ, they often would be the messenger and go between God and men.
But it was never to be a mediator, or to gain forgiveness through them.
God sends angels with a message for Man.
But when we emphasize angels over Christ, His Spirit and His Word we remove Christ from involvement in our lives.
We replace a less worthy being as mediator to our true Mediator that we have in Christ.
It puts Christ in a lower position than angels.
I believe angels are real, and active today around us.
I believe that I have known a few people who have encountered angels.
This passage is not denying angels exist, it is not denying the glory and magnificence of angels, they are amazing creatures.
It is not denying the ministry and service they perform.
This message just emphasizes peoples tendency to to exalt angels by seeing experiences with them and by focusing their thoughts, attentions and even prayers upon them.
It is only through Christ we have access to the Father.
It is only through Christ we can have our prayers heard.
God does use angels to guide, protect and encourage us.
But the angels serve Christ, the angel is not the focus of our attention or thoughts.
Why is Jesus superior to the Angels?
I. Jesus Has a Superior Name
I. Jesus Has a Superior Name
Names were important in the Bible.
I believe they are still important!
But Angels have a inferior name than Christ.
He is much better — far superior—to angels because there is no name higher than the name of Jesus Christ.
4 Being made so much better than the angels, as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.
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?
6 And again, when he bringeth in the firstbegotten into the world, he saith, And let all the angels of God worship him.
A. Jesus is the Son of God
A. Jesus is the Son of God
He is the begotten son - gegennaka - that is born or sent into the world by God.
God did not send the angels to be born into the World.
He sent His only begotten Son.
14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
Jesus is far superior to the angels, because God has declared his name to be higher than any other, as the Son of God.
B. Jesus Has a Relationship with the Father
B. Jesus Has a Relationship with the Father
5 I will be to Him a Father, and he shall be to me a Son.
Jesus obeyed the Father and honored the Father.
God the Father exalted His Son.
In this Father/Son relationship Jesus sits beside God and mediates for us.
Only through Christ are we able to be called the Sons of God.
He has opened the way to God for man.
He and He alone provides a relationship with Christ.
10 For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.
C. Jesus Is Worshiped by Angels
C. Jesus Is Worshiped by Angels
They are not worshipped by Him.
6 And again, when he bringeth in the firstbegotten into the world, he saith, And let all the angels of God worship him.
firstbegotten - first in the sense of priority and superiority, or above someone else.
Shows the dignity and honor and worth that Jesus deserves.
The angels attended Jesus’ birth and praised God
The angels attended and worshipped Christ at His resurrection and ascension
10 And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel;
11 Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.
When Jesus returns to earth again, he will be attended and worshiped by angels.
27 For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.
II. Jesus Is God’s Heir
II. Jesus Is God’s Heir
Angels are only created subjects of God.
7 And of the angels he saith, Who maketh his angels spirits, and his ministers a flame of fire.
Notice the Bible says God maketh his angels - they were created and controlled by God.
They serve God.
Notice two things here in these verses:
A. Jesus Is God
A. Jesus Is God
He is the Sovereign Majesty who sits upon the throne of God.
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.
The Son is addressed as God, by God the Father.
He is declaring to us that He has the same nature, being and character that the Father has.
Not only that, but He has a throne that is eternal, forever and ever.
There will be no end to His reign.
This kingdom will be ruled by the scepter of righteousness.
This is clear: The Son of God, Jesus Christ, is not a created servant of God or to God.
He is the Sovereign Majesty of the universe.
He is God Himself who rules and reigns over the universe.
Angels are created beings who serve God.
22 Who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him.
Secondly in this passage we see that...
B. Jesus Has Been Anointed
B. Jesus Has Been Anointed
9 Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.
7 Thou lovest righteousness, and hatest wickedness: Therefore God, thy God, hath anointed thee With the oil of gladness above thy fellows.
8 All thy garments smell of myrrh, and aloes, and cassia, Out of the ivory palaces, whereby they have made thee glad.
Who is the fellows?
It speaks of all creatures both in heaven and in earth.
No being is equal to Him.
He is anointed above all angels
He is anointed above all prophets, priests and kings.
He is anointed above all believers, living and dead.
Why is He so highly exalted - Because He is God
And as God he loves righteousness and hates iniquity.
Angels have not been placed in this position.
Only Jesus is exalted and anointed as God.
III. Jesus Is the Creator and Sovereign
III. Jesus Is the Creator and Sovereign
10 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.
13 But to which of the angels said he at any time, Sit on my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool?
14 Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?
Angels are created subjects and ministering spirits, but...
A. Jesus is the Creator
A. Jesus is the Creator
25 Of old hast thou laid the foundation of the earth: And the heavens are the work of thy hands.
26 They shall perish, but thou shalt endure: Yea, all of them shall wax old like a garment; As a vesture shalt thou change them, and they shall be changed:
27 But thou art the same, And thy years shall have no end.
Jesus created the universe, angels did not.
The universe is ever changing, but Jesus never changes.
The earth will perish, but Jesus Christ will remain the same.
He is above and beyond changing.
He is the Creator and as such He is sovereign over all of creations destiny.
As creator and sovereign ruler, he is far superior to the angels.
3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.
B. Jesus is the Exalted and Sovereign Lord
B. Jesus is the Exalted and Sovereign Lord
Angels are not.
13 But to which of the angels said he at any time, Sit on my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool?
Like we may see a King exalt his spouse to a position next to him as sovereign.
Queen Elizabeth was advised not to exalt her husband to king, so that the natural authority of husband would not take away from her sovereignty.
King Charles has exalted his wife as Queen, and is viewed as having authority as Queen.
Jesus has been exalted to God’s right hand, which is a position of
love and joy
honor and dignity
rule and authority
power and sovereignty
responsibility and duty
God has highly exalted Christ to His right hand.
And Christ will sit there until He is ready to return in judgment and to subject his enemies.
There has never been a time when God ever told an angel to sit on His right hand.
Christ is much better than the angels.
C. Angels are Ministering Spirits of Christ
C. Angels are Ministering Spirits of Christ
14 Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?
The heirs of salvation are those who believe in Jesus Christ.
The angels are not lords, but servants.
They are the servants of Christ.
They carry out the will of Christ.
His will is that they minister to believers—to minister to men and women for whom Christ has done so much.
The point being - Angels are servants not lords.
Christ and Christ alone is the Lord to whom men go to for salvation.
Conclusion
Conclusion
We are surrounded tonight by many forces both good and evil.
the evil want us destroyed and fallen into sin and will set every snare and trap they can to get you to fall.
But God has sent His angels to fight for us -
11 For he shall give his angels charge over thee, To keep thee in all thy ways.
They help us in ways we may never know.
When we are tempted it may just be that there is a demonic force tempting us and angel is waiting for us to call out to God for help, and immediately they take charge.
We don’t know for sure how it all works …but this much I know.
God is far superior than any angel
God has created the angels to minister and serve Him.
God has sent his angels to help us.
As wonderful as these angels are, we cannot turn our attention to them…we must keep our eyes on Him that is far superior - Jesus Christ.