The Book of Hebrews (2)

The Supremacy of Christ

Hebrews 1:1–4 “Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, 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. 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, having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs.”

(ASK) Think of all the religions and beliefs in the world; what is it that man is really seeking?

Purpose?

Meaning?

Belonging?

What about the inner need to search out to see if there’s a God and if so, how to please Him and gain His approval?

So much of the religions of the world and the pursuits of people revolve around this question

The tragedy comes, when people endlessly search and grasp for God—for purpose/acceptance/approval, though God has revealed Himself to us

(ASK): How is it that we can really “know” a person?

(Through creation)

Romans 1:19–20 “For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.”

Psalm 19:1–4 “The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork. Day to day pours out speech, and night to night reveals knowledge. There is no speech, nor are there words, whose voice is not heard. Their voice goes out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them he has set a tent for the sun,”

(Through conscience)

Mankind possesses an innate sense of right and wrong—indicating a reflection of God’s moral law

(Through His Word)

The Bible itself is God’s written Word/revelation of who He is, His purpose for man, and His plan of redemption

The reality is—man himself, apart from God revealing Himself to us—cannot know God—we cannot associate with God unless He firsts associates with us

(ASK) Wht is this?

(ASK) What was God’s ultimate way of revealing Himself to us? (Jesus Christ)

This is the point (one of them) of Hebrews—to exalt and lift up Jesus Christ: We see this exaltation in other books of the Bible as well.

John 1:1–3 “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made.”

1 John 1:1–5 “That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we looked upon and have touched with our hands, concerning the word of life— the life was made manifest, and we have seen it, and testify to it and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was made manifest to us— that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. And we are writing these things so that our joy may be complete. This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.”

Colossians 1:14–17 “in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.”

The simple truth I want us to understand about Hebrews 1:1-4 is this: JUST JESUS

VERSE by VERSE

I. Hebrews 1:1 “Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets,”

“Many times…” (various times): This refers to God’s communication with mankind throughout history—it suggests God’s revelation was not a one-time event but occurred repeatedly over time

Translated as “many portions” or many books—(i.e. the Old Testament; which is made up of 39 books

“Many ways…” (various ways): This refers to the diverse ways God spoke to man

Dreams

Visions

Direct speech, and

Symbolic actions

“..by the prophets…”

(ASK) Who were some of the Old Testament prophets?

Isaiah/Jeremiah/Jonah…

II. Hebrews 1:2 “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.”

“…last days…”: this is a shift from the previous ways God communicated with man (i.e. through the prophets)

The term “last days” refers to the era initiated by Christ’s first coming (fulfilling O/T prophecy) and the beginning of the end times (have you stopped to think about that?)

The period of “last days” is characterized by the revelation of God’s final plan for salvation through Jesus Christ

“…through His Son…” All of what God desired to tell us is found in Jesus Christ (His message was fragmented through the prophets/judges/and O/T writers—***All of what God wanted to tell us could not be contained in any one person, other than Jesus Christ***) The rest of Hebrews 1:1-4 teach us this

v.2—Jesus Christ is God’s only begotten Son—His beloved Son

v.2—Jesus Christ is God’s Word—His message (again John 1:1-3)—in completion

v.2—Jesus Christ is the fullness of God’s message—there will be no other message beyond Jesus

The O/T looks and points us ahead to Jesus; the writers wrote that Christ would come

The N/T looks and points us back to Christ; the writers wrote that Christ had come

v.2–Jesus Christ has been appointed heir of all things

“…been appointed…” the act of placing or setting something in a specific position or state; this act has intentionality and authority behind it

“…heir…” to possess; refers to a person who is set to inherit or is entitles to inherit

“…ALL…” every/whole/entire—universitality

v.2 Jesus Christ is the means by which all things where created

“…made…” to cause, to work, to manufacture

Creating and performing

Causing and working

(Genesis 1:1-27; Psalm 139; Colossians 1:15-17, Isaiah 33)

“…the worlds…” this means ages—or cycle of time

Serves as ages stretching to infinity or forever (everlasting)

v.3. Jesus Christ is brightness of God’s glory and express image of His person

“…brightness of God’s glory…”

This refers to radiance/reflection—in this case the divine radiance and reflection

Glory refers to God’s honor, splendor, and majesty—in this case that of God’s

“…express image of His person…”

Character—exact representation of God’s nature

(ASK) What are some characteristics of God’s nature?

***Jesus Christ is the guarantee that God, His nature, His character, His Word, His presence, His salvation, His holding you together, His creation of you, His hand over your life, His heart for you, His compassion for you and care for you are REAL.

***He’s the giving substance of God’s nature—the method by which God bestows these things (His nature)

***He’s the reality of God’s nature

***He’s the confidence of God’s nature

CLOSING

(ASK) What do think all of this teaches us?

God is not as most people think. (ASK) How do you think most people think about God—if they do at all?

God is concerned about our lives—about every aspect of our lives; He’s concerned about our trials/tribulations—our hardships and difficult circumstances—He’s concerned about our sin and how effects us and the Bible teaches us that we can cast our cares on Him b/c He cares for us

1 Peter 5:6–7 “Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.”

God, therefore, b/c of HIs great care and love for us, spoke to us—reached out to us—extended His Word of redemption, restoration, and salvation to us

Through creation—the law—the judges—the prophets—the writes of the New Testament—but ultimately through His Son Jesus Christ