Hebrews: Greater Than Week 2: Jesus is Above All
Hebrews: Greater Than • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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Announcements:
Youth is on Wednesday from 7PM-8:15PM
2. Bread for free
3. Offering box in back
4. March reading plan is on the back table
Worship:
Yes I will
2. What He’s done
3. King of kings
4. Oceans
Introduction:
A "life hack" is a simple trick or strategy people use to make everyday tasks easier and improve their overall quality of life.
I asked on social media for people to share their life hacks. Thank you for those of you who responded. Here are a few of what was shared:
-making my lunch for the next day the night before
-doing one load of laundry each day so it’s not so much to do at once
-on makeup, once it is opened put the date on the bottom of it with a sharpie (especially for mascara) so you know when it’s time to switch it out
-adding humor to tasks to create laughs and relief along the way
-pray first
-creating a weekly menu
-creating a list before going shopping
Interesting hacks I found:
-fold and store bedding inside a pillowcase
-spray a diluted mix of water and peppermint oil around doors and windows to deter spiders from coming in
-put a wooden spoon across a boiling pot of water to keep it from boiling over
-use nail polish to identify different keys
-put a damp paper towel next to an onion will help your eyes not to water
-dead batteries bounce when dropped on a hard surface; good batteries don’t
-serve your food on a smaller plate and your brain will think it’s getting a larger portion
-wrap some broccoli rubber bands around a lid you cannot open and it will give you more grip
-If you get wood stain in your hands, rub any kind of kitchen oil on it then wash your hands with warm water and dish soap!
-If you ever have to put a screw/bolt into wood where it already has a hole that is too large for the diameter of the screw. Simply hammer a golf tee into the hole and snap/cut it off. Now your screw will bite and have holding power.
-Rubbing a metal spoon (or any stainless steel object) gets rid of most, if not all, of the scent of garlic or onions on your fingers
Just like we are always looking for ways to do things better, we hopefully know that Jesus is better than anything we have in our life. He is above all our best option. He is better than the best thing going on in our life!
Last week we talked about how Jesus is the ultimate champion [He is trustworthy, He is our King (not just our Savior) and He is our great high priest].
This week, the writer of Hebrews is going further as to help the recipients of this letter (experiencing persecution) to know going back to their previous faith (Judaism) or leaving the faith altogether is not better and not an option!
We know this because of the two examples he chooses to compare to Jesus.
Let’s check out what he is telling the recipients of this letter and what he is telling us today!
This week we are diving a little deeper over a larger portion of Scripture (Hebrews 1:4-3:19) (which I encourage you to read later on in your quiet time).
Body:
I. Jesus is above the angels
The recipients were immersed in the OT stories of angels (angel defined: a supernatural being created by God to serve Him; often functions as a messenger)
Many believed Michael the Archangel was a more powerful being and better sacrifice than Jesus (or anyone else) – kind of like Jesus is a second option (what does your life look like? Is Jesus your second, third, fourth option?)
But Jesus is above everything (jobs, spouse, relationships that will help us get forward in life/career, etc). He is the best option above all others!
4 So he became superior to the angels, just as the name he inherited is more excellent than theirs.
5 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?
A. Jesus is called “Son” - which is the more excellent name reference in verse 4 and no other angel was given that name individually although they were called “sons of God” in Job 1:6
B. He is called begotten (become your Father) which speaks of he equality of substance and essential nature between the Father and the Son. This shows they share the same being.
C. He is the firstborn (v6)
1. “Firstborn” is the term used as the oldest child or “first in line” which is the one who will received honor and favor (inheritance).
2. It can also refer to someone of high position and honor
a. David was not the first born but was referred to as firstborn in Ps 89:27
27 I will also make him my firstborn, greatest of the kings of the earth.
b. Ephraim in Jer 31:9
9 They will come weeping, but I will bring them back with consolation. I will lead them to wadis filled with water, by a smooth way where they will not stumble, for I am Israel’s Father, and Ephraim is my firstborn.
3. Rabbis use the term first born as a specific messianic title: Firstborn of the World
D. Angels worship Jesus; Jesus doesn’t worship among them (Rev 5)
E. The angels are Jesus’ and they are Jesus’ ministers
F. God the Father calls Jesus God and Lord (Ps 45:6-7; 102:25-27)
6 Your throne, God, is forever and ever; the scepter of your kingdom is a scepter of justice.
7 You love righteousness and hate wickedness; therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of joy more than your companions.
25 Long ago you established the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands.
26 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.
27 But you are the same, and your years will never end.
1. He is Lord over the foundation of the earth (Is. 45:12,18)
2. He will remain (Ps. 102:25-27)
3. Sovereign and has authority over all creation (Ps. 102:25-27)
G. He sits at the right hand of God the Father (Ps 110:1)
1 This is the declaration of the Lord to my Lord: “Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies your footstool.”
1. No seats for the angels as they are constantly busy praising God and serving Him
1 For this reason, we must pay attention all the more to what we have heard, so that we will not drift away.
2 For if the message spoken through angels was legally binding and every transgression and disobedience received a just punishment,
3 how will we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? This salvation had its beginning when it was spoken of by the Lord, and it was confirmed to us by those who heard him.
4 At the same time, God also testified by signs and wonders, various miracles, and distributions of gifts from the Holy Spirit according to his will.
H. Because Jesus is superior to the angels, we must take heed to what He says
1. Pay attention/take heed = hearing carefully and doing what we hear
2. If we aren’t anchored to Jesus, then we will drift with the currents of the world, the flesh and Satan.
3. To drift means to slip like snow slipping off a landscape or food slipping down a windpipe to cause choking
a. It happens easily and one doesn’t have to DO anything to drift away but drifting away can lead to backsliding
Illustration of ungodly farmer:
According to an old story, an ungodly farmer died and it was discovered in his will that he left his farm to the Devil. In the court, they didn’t quite know what to do with his bequest—how do you give a farm to the Devil? Finally, the judge decided: “The best way to carry out the wishes of the deceased is to allow the farm to grow weeds, the soil to erode, and the house and barn to rot. In our opinion, the best way to leave something to the Devil is to do nothing.” We can leave our lives to the Devil the same way—by doing nothing, by drifting wherever the current drive us.
Transition: So, the writer of Hebrews first chooses to compare Jesus and angels to prove to the discouraged believers that Jesus is better than the angels who some worship and there is no reason to go back to something that isn’t a great as Jesus. Lastly, the writer of Hebrews says:
II. Jesus is above Moses
A. (V2) The word through angels is referring to the Mosaic Law received by direction of angels (Acts 7:53; Deut 33:2; Gal 3:19)
53 You received the law under the direction of angels and yet have not kept it.”
2 He said: The Lord came from Sinai and appeared to them from Seir; he shone on them from Mount Paran and came with ten thousand holy ones, with lightning from his right hand for them.
19 Why, then, was the law given? It was added for the sake of transgressions until the Seed to whom the promise was made would come. The law was put into effect through angels by means of a mediator.
B. The Mosaic Law was steadfast and strict and every transgression/sin received a just reward; it demanded to be taken seriously
C. Words from the Son of God should be taken more seriously as He is greater than the angels
3 how will we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? This salvation had its beginning when it was spoken of by the Lord, and it was confirmed to us by those who heard him.
D. “Neglect” in the Greek means “to make light of” like in Matthew 22:5. It is to have the opportunity but ignore or disregard the opportunity
5 “But they paid no attention and went away, one to his own farm, another to his business,
1. Sports teams who win their championship usually get an invite to the White House to meet and get congratulated by the President of the US. There have been teams throughout the decades that have chosen to ignore or disregard the opportunity
2. We don’t neglect something that we consider to be great
E. Our salvation is great because:
1. We are saved by a great Savior
2. We are saved at a great cost
3. We are saved from a great penalty
4. There is definitely a difference if you view salvation as merely receiving a free gift and being rescued from something.
3 For Jesus is considered worthy of more glory than Moses, just as the builder has more honor than the house.
4 Now every house is built by someone, but the one who built everything is God.
5 Moses was faithful as a servant in all God’s household, as a testimony to what would be said in the future.
6 But Christ was faithful as a Son over his household. And we are that household if we hold on to our confidence and the hope in which we boast.
F. Moses received much glory from God
1. His face was shining after spending time with God (Ex. 34:29-35)
2. God justified Moses before Miriam and Aaron (Num 12:6-8)
3. God justified Moses before the sons of Korah (Num 16)
G. Jesus received more glory from God the Father
1. At His baptism (Matt 3:16-17) my beloved Son
2. Transfiguration (Mark 9:7) my beloved Son listen to Him
3. Resurrection (Acts 2:26-27, 31-33) exalted at the right hand of God
H. Moses was a member of the household of God while Jesus was the creator of that house!
I. 3:7-19 cf Psalm 95:7-11
1. If those who followed Moses were responsible to surrender, trust and persevere in following God’s leader, we are much more responsible to do the same with a greater leader in Jesus!
2. As the Holy Spirit speaks, we must hear His voice and not allow our hearts to harden
a. We hear the Spirit speak in the Scriptures, in the heart of His people, in those He draws to salvation, and by His works
3. We can harden our heart by:
a. Relapsing to their old indifference
b. Unbelief
c. Asking for more signs
d. Presuming upon the mercy of God (cheap grace)
J. Act on today!
K. Hebrews 3:12-15
12 Watch out, brothers and sisters, so that there won’t be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God.
13 But encourage each other daily, while it is still called today, so that none of you is hardened by sin’s deception.
14 For we have become participants in Christ if we hold firmly until the end the reality that we had at the start.
15 As it is said: Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion.
1. Unbelief is not the inability to understand but the unwillingness to trust. It is the will, not intelligence, that is involved.
Conclusion:
Jesus is the cure for sin! No one else and nothing else is better to save us from sin!
Know anyone dealing with cancer? If I were to say I have the cure for cancer, what would you do to get the cure? You would give anything to get it! You would also probably try to examine it and make more of it and promote it.
We promote the things that help us (life hacks).
Jesus is better than your best life hack! Jesus is better than the best thing you have going on in your life!
Jesus is above the angels
Jesus is above Moses
Jesus is above all!
