Greater than the Angels
Notes
Transcript
Who do you look up to?
Who do you look up to?
Where have bad examples lead you in your life?
Where have bad examples lead you in your life?
Where have good examples helped you in your life?
Where have good examples helped you in your life?
Today’s message focuses on looking to the best example, Jesus.
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?
For which of the angels did God ever say . . .
For which of the angels did God ever say . . .
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.”
. . . You are my Son
. . . You are my Son
7 I will tell of the decree: The Lord said to me, “You are my Son; today I have begotten you.
. . . I Am Your Father
. . . I Am Your Father
14 I will be to him a father, and he shall be to me a son. When he commits iniquity, I will discipline him with the rod of men, with the stripes of the sons of men,
The author appeals to two different Messianic passages in support of his declaration that Jesus holds a position higher than the angels.
We are reminded of the baptism of Jesus and His transfiguration in the same moment.
Jesus Baptism
Jesus Baptism
16 And when Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him;
17 and behold, a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.”
Jesus Transfiguration
Jesus Transfiguration
1 And after six days Jesus took with him Peter and James, and John his brother, and led them up a high mountain by themselves.
2 And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became white as light.
3 And behold, there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him.
4 And Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good that we are here. If you wish, I will make three tents here, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah.”
5 He was still speaking when, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.”
6 When the disciples heard this, they fell on their faces and were terrified.
7 But Jesus came and touched them, saying, “Rise, and have no fear.”
8 And when they lifted up their eyes, they saw no one but Jesus only.
This issue of Sonship is very important as we consider the idea of kingship and Inheritance.
Jesus appointed Heir
Jesus appointed Heir
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.
Jesus given an Inheritance
Jesus given an Inheritance
4 having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs.
What does God say of the angels?
What does God say of the angels?
7 Of the angels he says, “He makes his angels winds, and his ministers a flame of fire.”
What does God say about the Son?
What does God say about the Son?
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.”
The Son is a king with companions
The Son is a king with companions
Who are the companions of the Son?
Who are the companions of the Son?
14 For we have come to share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original confidence firm to the end.
The Son is the eternal creator and Lord of all things.
The Son is the eternal creator and Lord of all things.
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.”
Jesus is not like a wind that passes or a fire that flares and then ends.
Peter writes
10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed.
11 Since all these things are thus to be dissolved, what sort of people ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness,
12 waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be set on fire and dissolved, and the heavenly bodies will melt as they burn!
13 But according to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.
The Conquering King is greater than ministering spirits
The Conquering King is greater than ministering spirits
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?
Both are good but one is far superior.
Why is the writer of Hebrews giving us this comparison?
Why is the writer of Hebrews giving us this comparison?
People are tempted to worship what is mysterious and powerful.
People are tempted to worship what is mysterious and powerful.
The Dead Sea sect
The Dead Sea sect
Believed that they communed with angels
Believed one of their leaders ascended to be angelic
Relationship with angels threatened to overshadow their relationship with God
John fell down in worship and was corrected
John fell down in worship and was corrected
10 Then I fell down at his feet to worship him, but he said to me, “You must not do that! I am a fellow servant with you and your brothers who hold to the testimony of Jesus. Worship God.” For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.
How should we view angels?
How should we view angels?
14 Are they not all ministering spirits sent out to serve for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation?
9 Because you have made the Lord your dwelling place— the Most High, who is my refuge—
10 no evil shall be allowed to befall you, no plague come near your tent.
11 For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways.
12 On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone.
We look to Jesus instead of angels
We look to Jesus instead of angels
17 And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near.
18 For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father.
19 So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God,
20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone,
21 in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord.
22 In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.
1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,
2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
