Life Following the Superior Son
Notes
Transcript
Introduction
Introduction
Time to land the plane
The Supremacy of the Son and Our Relationships
The Supremacy of the Son and Our Relationships
The theological basis of relationships
The theological basis of relationships
The “withness” of God
Trinity
Garden
Covenant
Tabernacle/Temple
Indwelling
Eternity
If God is a God of “being with” his people ought also be people of relationship
Relationship with Saints
Relationship with Saints
1 Keep on loving one another as brothers and sisters.
Brothers and sisters
AH has emphasized the fatherhood of God and our position as brothers and sisters of Jesus
11 Both the one who makes people holy and those who are made holy are of the same family. So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers and sisters.
7 Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children. For what children are not disciplined by their father? 8 If you are not disciplined—and everyone undergoes discipline—then you are not legitimate, not true sons and daughters at all.
The Supremacy of Christ
The Supremacy of Christ
It is in Christ that the nature of our relationships has radically shifted
What does it mean to be brother and sister?
Mutual dependence
Shared experience
Orchestra tuned to the same not
Collective success – particularly in culture of inheritance
Unending commitment
Relationship with Strangers
Relationship with Strangers
2 Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it.
Though relationships within the church family are particularly emphasized, they are not exclusively emphasized
Just like loving one another is grounded in a reason – we’re brother and sisters, hospitality is grounded in a reason – some have entertained angels
The emphasis of this text is not on finding angels!
Some not “some of you”
This is probably a reference to Abraham in Gen 18
Abraham practices hospitality – even to strangers – and through that hospitality comes divine blessing
Abraham’s hospitality in Gen 18 is contrasted with Sodom’s hospitality in Gen 19
What does hospitality to strangers look like in our society?
Welcoming generosity towards outsiders
Helping your neighbors
Caring for co-workers
What about immigration?
We cannot view modern America and OT Israel as 1:1, but there are principles in the OT law
The Old Testament Law balanced two tensions
A welcoming, hospitable attitude towards outsiders.
33 “ ‘When a foreigner resides among you in your land, do not mistreat them. 34 The foreigner residing among you must be treated as your native-born. Love them as yourself, for you were foreigners in Egypt. I am the Lord your God.
Preservation of the ethical framework of God’s people
3 Do not intermarry with them. Do not give your daughters to their sons or take their daughters for your sons, 4 for they will turn your children away from following me to serve other gods, and the Lord’s anger will burn against you and will quickly destroy you.
Be careful of allowing your faith to be manipulated by those who seek power
As Christians we will often live in tension between the poles of societal debates
Not enlightened centrism
Instead – this world is not my home
The Supremacy of Christ
The Supremacy of Christ
Out hospitality flows from the hospitality we receive in Christ
Relationship with Sufferers
Relationship with Sufferers
3 Continue to remember those in prison as if you were together with them in prison, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering.
AH has already complimented them on their care for prisoners
34 You suffered along with those in prison and joyfully accepted the confiscation of your property, because you knew that you yourselves had better and lasting possessions.
This seems to be specifically focused on Christians in prison
It is a reminder that distance and suffering do not negate the call of vs. 1
The Supremacy of Christ
The Supremacy of Christ
Christ rewards those who suffer for him we must value what he values
10 Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you life as your victor’s crown.
10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
With Our Spouses
With Our Spouses
4 Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral.
All are called to honor marriage
Both the single and the married
The motivation is certain judgement
Hebrews has warned us countless times to not forsake Jesus, here we are shown one of the major distractions which people choose over Jesus
The Supremacy of Christ
The Supremacy of Christ
Marriage is a picture of Christ, Christ is not a picture of marriage.
Therefore, sexual impurity preaches a lie about Jesus
The Supremacy of the Son and Money
The Supremacy of the Son and Money
5 Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” 6 So we say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?”
When it comes to money the Bible consistently declares a few things
Loving and serving money is destructive
10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.
13 I have seen a grievous evil under the sun: wealth hoarded to the harm of its owners,
Money will never satisfy
10 Whoever loves money never has enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with their income. This too is meaningless.
You can’t take it with you
4 Wealth is worthless in the day of wrath, but righteousness delivers from death.
Money should be directed to honoring the Lord
9 Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops; 10 then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine.
Money can be enjoyed
18 This is what I have observed to be good: that it is appropriate for a person to eat, to drink and to find satisfaction in their toilsome labor under the sun during the few days of life God has given them—for this is their lot. 19 Moreover, when God gives someone wealth and possessions, and the ability to enjoy them, to accept their lot and be happy in their toil—this is a gift of God.
The Supremacy of Christ
The Supremacy of Christ
Our text uses OT allusions to make the point clear
Quote 1
In a continuation of the Abrahamic blessing delivered to Jacob
15 I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.”
In promises to Joshua
6 Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”
5 No one will be able to stand against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you.
In promises of God’s blessing on Solomon
20 David also said to Solomon his son, “Be strong and courageous, and do the work. Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you or forsake you until all the work for the service of the temple of the Lord is finished.
Quote 2
6 The Lord is with me; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?
It is the presence of God with us that gives us our hope and assurance, not our money
Conclusion
Conclusion
The Supremacy of Christ is rich doctrine with practical implications
With the saints
With strangers
With suffers
With spouses
With money
