Jesus is Greater Than Angels (Hebrews 1:5–14)

Big Idea: Jesus is greater than angels; he is the Son we worship, the Creator we trust, and the King we follow.

Introduction

We’re continuing our series in the book of Hebrews. Today, we’re going to discuss Jesus as greater than angels.

People speculate a lot about angels and God. It’s interesting that when humans start to imagine ideas about God, ignoring what he has said about himself, they always tend to make God less than who he is. Humans never make more of God. They always make less of God.

God has spoken to humans through his Word and ultimately through Jesus Christ. Humans want God to speak to them through a grilled cheese sandwich.

Yes, in 1994, a Florida woman prepared a grilled cheese sandwich and, after taking a bite, she noticed that the remaining portion appeared to display an image resembling the Virgin Mary. She believed it was a sign and preserved the sandwich in a plastic container for a decade. In 2004, she listed the sandwich on eBay. An online casino ultimately purchased the 10-year-old grilled cheese sandwich for $28,000. The casino stated they intended to take the sandwich on a world tour before selling it and donating the proceeds to charity. True story. (1)

When humans imagine something in the world as a sign from God, they always make less of him. If you want a sign, open the Scriptures and look to Jesus.

People go to extremes to try and understand God according to their terms, but there are more subtle ways in which our understanding of who Jesus is can be thrown off. We must be careful to let God shape how we understand him through his Word and not according to our ideas about him. How can we keep our eyes focused on Jesus? The answer from Hebrews is that Jesus is greater.

Today, we’ll see Jesus as greater than angels. Please turn to Hebrews 1:5-14.

Scripture Reading

Hebrews 1:5–14 CSB

For to which of the angels did he ever say, You are my Son; today I have become your Father, or again, I will be his Father, and he will be my Son? Again, when he brings his firstborn into the world, he says, And let all God’s angels worship him. And about the angels he says: He makes his angels winds, and his servants a fiery flame, but to the Son: Your throne, God, is forever and ever, and the scepter of your kingdom is a scepter of justice. You have loved righteousness and hated lawlessness; this is why God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of joy beyond your companions. And: In the beginning, Lord, you established the earth, and the heavens are the works of your hands; they will perish, but you remain. They will all wear out like clothing; you will roll them up like a cloak, and they will be changed like clothing. But you are the same, and your years will never end. Now to which of the angels has he ever said: Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies your footstool? Are they not all ministering spirits sent out to serve those who are going to inherit salvation?

Pray

The book of Hebrew starts us off by speaking about creation and angels. Hebrews 1 starts immediately with the divinity of Jesus Christ, and since Jesus is God in the flesh, it makes sense to begin with creation. After all, that’s how the Hebrew Scriptures start: Genesis 1:1, “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.”

Now, the author of Hebrews has a theme running throughout the letter. The theme is “Jesus is greater,” and the continual running argument he will make in this letter is to identify all the things that the Jewish people would consider significant and say, “Jesus is greater than that because Jesus is God in the flesh.”

As the author focuses in on creation, saying in Hebrews 1:2 that God “made the universe through (Jesus),” he will demonstrate that Jesus is far superior to all created things because, as God in the flesh, he is superior to his creation. One of the most powerful beings in the Jewish worldview is angels. The message in Hebrews 1:5–14 is that “Jesus is greater than even them.”

Angels in the Bible

The study of angels in the Bible is fascinating. As part of my doctrinal statement in seminary, I had to write a chapter on Angelology. I wasn't sure if I would enjoy writing the chapter, but it was interesting.

The word for angel in the Bible comes from the Greek word ἄγγελος, and it’s an interesting word because it does not always refer to a supernatural spiritual creature. The word means “messenger.” Whether you see the word in your English Bible as “angel” or “messenger” depends on the context. In Genesis 32:3, when “Jacob sent messengers ahead of him to his brother Esau,” we understand in the context that the author is referring to human messengers.

However, in Genesis 22:11 when “the angel of the Lord called to him from heaven and said, “Abraham, Abraham!” we understand from the context that the author is describing someone more than human, a supernatural being. So, in your English Bible, that word is translated as angel because it describes a supernatural being for which we don’t have another word.

People are fascinated with supernatural beings. On May 17, 2022, the House of Representatives had their first public hearing on UFOs [which are now called UAPs (Unidentified Aerial Phenomena] in over 50 years. They held another hearing in 2023 and 2024. There’s one interesting video called the “Tic Tac video,” where this white, oval-shaped object is flying and accelerating in the air in crazy ways.

People are fascinated by this topic because they want to know if other creatures exist in the universe. Does the Bible talk about aliens? If by the term “alien,” you mean a created being with intelligence that is from outside of this world, the Bible does talk about them, except it doesn’t use the word “alien.” It uses the word “angel.”

There are several types of angels described in the Bible.

In Jude 1:9, the angel Michael is described as an archangel. In Rev. 12:7-9, Michael brings his angels to fight the devil and his angels.

The devil and his angels are fallen angels (2 Peter 2:4), which we know as demons.

There are seraphim, which we see in Isaiah 6:2–3. These angels have six wings, with two covering their faces, two covering their feet, and two which they fly with.

There are cherubim, which we see in Genesis 3:24, Exodus 25:18-22, Ezekiel 1:4-28, 10:1-22. These have multiple faces, wings, and a radiant appearance.

There are more angels to speak about. Some are just described as living creatures. There is the angel Gabriel, who gave messages in Daniel and the gospels. You could keep going.

The point is that angels are powerful creatures. Jesus is recognized as incredibly powerful, someone the winds and the waves obey. As the Jewish Christians are trying to wrap their minds around Jesus, some may have wondered if he belonged in the angelic category.

The author of Hebrews is going to say no emphatically. Jesus is greater than angels. Angels are part of the created order. Jesus is sovereign over creation.

The first point that the author of Hebrews will address in Hebrews 1:5-6 is this,

Transition

I. Jesus is the Son We Worship

Text: Hebrews 1:5–6

Now, much of the verses in Hebrews 1:5-14 are quotations of Old Testament Scripture, which would simply be the Scriptures for these first-century Jewish Christians. Last week, we spoke about the seven glories of the Son in Hebrews 1:1-4. This week, the author lists seven quotations from the Old Testament to describe Jesus as greater than angels. (2) We’re going to look at several of the quotations.

A. Jesus’ Unique Sonship

The first argument the author will make to describe Jesus as greater than angels is his unique position as the Son of God. He does this by quoting Psalm 2:7 and asks, what angel has ever been described this way? Psalm 2:7 says,

Psalm 2:7 CSB

I will declare the Lord’s decree. He said to me, “You are my Son; today I have become your Father.

This verse is quoted or alluded to multiple times in the New Testament. At the baptism of Jesus, God declares in Matthew 3:17 “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well-pleased” (also Mark 1:11, Luke 3:22). At the transfiguration of Jesus, God speaks again from a cloud and says, in Matthew 17:5 “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well-pleased. Listen to him!” (also Mark 9:7, Luke 9:35). Paul quotes the verse in Acts 13:33 and the author of Hebrews will quote it again in Hebrews 5:5.

Hebrews 1:5 also quotes 2 Samuel 7:14. In 2 Samuel 7, the Lord sends the prophet Nathan to King David, and God makes a covenant with him. God says to David in 2 Samuel 7:12 “I will raise up after you your descendant, who will come from your body, and I will establish his kingdom.” Then go to 2 Samuel 7:14 “I will be his father, and he will be my son.”

The point is that Jesus’ position as the Son of God is unique to him. As John describes him in John 1:14, Jesus is “the one and only Son from the Father.” According to Romans 1:4 he was,

Romans 1:4 CSB

and was appointed to be the powerful Son of God according to the Spirit of holiness by the resurrection of the dead.

No angel has ever been resurrected from the dead. No angel has ever had the unique relationship with God that Jesus does. Jesus is the one and only Son of God.

Second,

B. Angels Worship Jesus

It says in Hebrews 1:6

Hebrews 1:6 CSB

Again, when he brings his firstborn into the world, he says, And let all God’s angels worship him.

This quote is based on a translation from the Septuagint of Deuteronomy 32:43 or Psalm 97:7. There is Scriptural support for angels worshipping Jesus in the New Testament. The Son of God was worthy of angelic praise in the proclamation of his birth in Luke 2:13-14.

You see the angels worshipping Jesus in Revelation 5:11–12. It says there,

Revelation 5:11–12 CSB

Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels around the throne, and also of the living creatures and of the elders. Their number was countless thousands, plus thousands of thousands. They said with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb who was slaughtered to receive power and riches and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and blessing!

Here is the point: If all the creatures in heaven worship the Lamb, how much more should we?

C. Our Call to Worship

Christians have a call on their life to worship Jesus Christ. Jesus says this in John 5:22–23,

John 5:22–23 CSB

The Father, in fact, judges no one but has given all judgment to the Son, so that all people may honor the Son just as they honor the Father. Anyone who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent him.

If you find yourself worshipping the Lamb that was slaughtered, you are on the right track! To worship Jesus is to honor him, for he “was slaughtered to receive power and riches and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and blessing!” Honor Jesus through worship.

My wife and I visited the Grand Canyon a couple of years ago. The Grand Canyon is one of my favorite places. We all carry cellphones with us, and have you ever noticed that the pictures you take with your cellphone, whether it’s at a beach at sunset or standing at the Grand Canyon, never compare with the real thing? I was trying to take pictures at the Grand Canyon, and it does not compare to majesty of the real thing.

Similarly, comparing Jesus to angels is like a photograph. Angels have aspects of the Creator but do not have the power of the original. You are in awe when you see Jesus in person; even the angels worship him.

The second thing we see in Hebrews 1:5-14 is that,

Transition

II. Jesus is the Creator We Trust

Text: Hebrews 1:7–12

The author of Hebrews will continue delineating the lines between the creation, angels, and the Creator, Jesus Christ.

A. Angels Are Servants

He makes the point in Hebrews 1:7 that angels are servants of God. They are powerful beings that God created for service. He quotes the Septuagint translation of Psalm 104:4 in Hebrews 1:7, where he says there,

Hebrews 1:7 CSB

And about the angels he says: He makes his angels winds, and his servants a fiery flame,

What he is describing is angels serving God. You continue to see pictures of angels powerfully serving God in the New Testament. The book of Revelation has many angels involved in serving God amidst the tribulation. Revelation 7:1 describes “four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, restraining the four winds of the earth.” Revelation 8:4 shows an angel serving God with the prayers of the saints.

In the same way the angels serve God in Scripture, the angels also serve Jesus Christ. You see this in several places. For instance, after the devil attempts to tempt Jesus in the wilderness, and Jesus defeats the temptation, it says in Matthew 4:11,

Matthew 4:11 CSB

Then the devil left him, and angels came and began to serve him.

Jesus says in Matthew 13:41 he will “send out his angels” to gather “all who cause sin and those guilty of lawlessness.” Jesus has authority over angels. He says his authority aligns with the Father’s authority over angels. You see this in Matthew 26:53,

Matthew 26:53 CSB

Or do you think that I cannot call on my Father, and he will provide me here and now with more than twelve legions of angels?

Jesus has authority over angels.

B. Jesus Is the Eternal Creator

He has authority over angels because he is the eternal Creator.

1. His Sovereignty

As the Holy Spirit inspired the writer of Hebrews, he tells us in Hebrews 1:8 that the writer of Psalm 45:6–7 was speaking about the Son of God as he wrote these words,

Psalm 45:6–7 CSB

Your throne, God, is forever and ever; the scepter of your kingdom is a scepter of justice. You love righteousness and hate wickedness; therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of joy more than your companions.

Jesus Christ has an eternal throne. His righteousness is pure. His kingdom is just. He is sovereign over all creation.

2. His Creative Power

Jesus Christ has creative power. Again, under the authority of the Holy Spirit, Hebrews 1:8 says that Psalm 102:25–27 speaks about Jesus when it says,

Psalm 102:25–27 CSB

Long ago you established the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands. They will perish, but you will endure; all of them will wear out like clothing. You will change them like a garment, and they will pass away. But you are the same, and your years will never end.

The same person who established the earth long ago is the same person who died on the cross for your sins. He is the same person who has the creative power to change and transform your life.

The created things in this world will perish, but Jesus is the same forever. His years will never end.

C. Our Call to Trust

Because Jesus is the same forever, Christians have a call on their life to trust him.

Trusting Jesus is like building your house on a rock. In Matthew 7:24-27, Jesus describes those who trust him as wise individuals who build their house on a rock. He says,

Matthew 7:24–27 CSB

“Therefore, everyone who hears these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain fell, the rivers rose, and the winds blew and pounded that house. Yet it didn’t collapse, because its foundation was on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and doesn’t act on them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. The rain fell, the rivers rose, the winds blew and pounded that house, and it collapsed. It collapsed with a great crash.”

Unfortunately, too many hear the words of Jesus and walk away. They would prefer to build their house on the shifting sands of what culture would tell you is the right thing to do. In the 47 years I've been alive, I'll let you know that culture will tell you one thing today and another tomorrow.

The world wants you to build your life on the lies of the enemy, but the truth is Jesus has never changed. A life in Jesus is a sure foundation, and there is a call on your life to trust him no matter what.

Jesus is the Son we worship, the Creator we trust, and also,

Transition

III. Jesus is the King We Follow

Text: Hebrews 1:13–14

We get to the crucial point in Hebrews 1:5-14, where the Bible says that no angel has ever been described as King.

A. Jesus Sits at God’s Right Hand

He says in Hebrews 1:13 that God has never spoken to an angel like he speaks to Jesus. The Creator never speaks to his creation as the Father speaks to the Son in Psalm 110:1, where it says,

Psalm 110:1 CSB

This is the declaration of the Lord to my Lord: “Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies your footstool.”

The Son of God sitting at the Father's right hand is an equivalency of authority. No creature in creation has the authority of God. Only God has the authority of God.

When a false religion attacks Jesus, the first thing they do is attack his deity. There are still religions that teach Jesus as an angel. One is Jehovah’s Witnesses and Hebrews 1:5-14 is a direct refutation of their heresy. Jehovah's Witnesses are not Christian if you’re unfamiliar with their theology. They teach that Jesus is the archangel Michael (3), a created being and the first of Jehovah’s creations. (4) They are a false religion.

God has never told an archangel or any other created being that they have the same authority as he does. Jesus has the authority of God because he is God in the flesh, eternal without beginning or end, and King.

B. Angels Are Servants of the King

Hebrews 1:14 will end by telling us that angels are servants of King Jesus and do his will. It says,

Hebrews 1:14 CSB

Are they not all ministering spirits sent out to serve those who are going to inherit salvation?

As ministering spirits, angels serve to do the will of the King. They are created beings who serve God and God alone. They minister to his priorities.

Why are angels sent out to serve those who will inherit salvation? They are sent out to serve people in Christ because they serve at the will of King Jesus, who is God above all. They prioritize what Jesus prioritizes.

Christian, you are a priority of God. The Bible tells us in Ephesians 1:18 that the saints are his “glorious inheritance.” The Son of God will never lose his inheritance in the saints. Look at how angels protect the saints during one of the most difficult times on earth for people in Jesus. In Revelation 7:2–3, it says,

Revelation 7:2–3 CSB

Then I saw another angel rising up from the east, who had the seal of the living God. He cried out in a loud voice to the four angels who were allowed to harm the earth and the sea, “Don’t harm the earth or the sea or the trees until we seal the servants of our God on their foreheads.”

The voice of the angels says, “Don’t let the coming judgment harm the people of God.” Why is that? Because the priorities of Jesus are the priorities of his angels. You are a priority of King Jesus.

C. Our Call to Follow

Since you are a priority of King Jesus, there is a third call on the Christian life. We have a call to follow King Jesus wherever he leads.

There is a picture of King Jesus in Revelation 19:11–16 that I want you to see.

Revelation 19:11–16 CSB

Then I saw heaven opened, and there was a white horse. Its rider is called Faithful and True, and with justice he judges and makes war. His eyes were like a fiery flame, and many crowns were on his head. He had a name written that no one knows except himself. He wore a robe dipped in blood, and his name is called the Word of God. The armies that were in heaven followed him on white horses, wearing pure white linen. A sharp sword came from his mouth, so that he might strike the nations with it. He will rule them with an iron rod. He will also trample the winepress of the fierce anger of God, the Almighty. And he has a name written on his robe and on his thigh: King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

The call to follow King Jesus is not easy or popular. The call to follow King Jesus will turn your life upside down. It might cause you to be ridiculed or made fun of. The call to follow King Jesus might cause you to lose your job or career. You might lose friends. Family members might turn their back on you. In some places on earth, the call to follow King Jesus might cost you your life.

But there is coming a day when the heavens will open, and King Jesus will return in triumph and judgment. He will return because he is faithful and true. When he returns, he will come in judgment on this fallen world. He will strike the nations in judgment because he is King of kings and Lord of lords.

When Jesus returns, will you be standing on the sidelines waiting for judgment, or will you follow him in, wearing pure, white linen, saying, “Worthy is the Lamb that was slain?”

Conclusion

Jesus is the Son we worship: He is the unique Son of God, the one whom angels worship, and the one we are called to worship. When we see him, we are in awe of him.

Jesus is the Creator we trust: The same one who created the world long ago is the same person who died for your sins. He is the same person who will change your life today, and we are called to trust him.

Jesus is the King we follow: Following Jesus is not easy or popular, but he is the King of kings and Lord of lords. He will return, and he is worthy of us following him with everything we have.

Prayer

Last Song

Doxology

Numbers 6:24–26 CSB

24 “May the Lord bless you and protect you; 25 may the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; 26 may the Lord look with favor on you and give you peace.” ’

Jude 24–25 CSB

24 Now to him who is able to protect you from stumbling and to make you stand in the presence of his glory, without blemish and with great joy, 25 to the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, power, and authority before all time, now and forever. Amen.

You are dismissed. Have a great week in the Lord!

BBC News, ‘Virgin Mary’ toast fetches $28,000: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/4034787.stm

Seven OT Scriptures quoted: Psalm 2:7; 2 Samuel 7:14; Deuteronomy 32:43 (LXX) or Psalm 97:7; Psalm 104:4; Psalm 45:6–7; Psalm 102:25–27; Psalm 110:1.

The Watchtower, https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/2010250

JW.org, https://www.jw.org/en/library/books/bible-teach/who-is-jesus-christ

Sermon Reflection Questions

What is the central theme of the sermon regarding Jesus' relationship to angels?

According to the sermon, what are the calls for Christians in light of Jesus being the Son, Creator, and King?

What comparison does the sermon make between angels and Jesus regarding their power?

In what way does the sermon explain the significance of Jesus' authority over his creation?

What challenges does the sermon outline about following King Jesus in today's world?