Hebrews 1:1-3
Notes
Transcript
Alright so we are going to kick off our sermon series on the book of Hebrews. It’s such a blessing to open the Word of God with you all this evening. We will focus on the first 3 verses but before we get to that lets get a running start.
So the first thing we need to do is establish a timeline. Jesus’s birth is in about 4-6 BC. In about AD 7 Jesus visits the temple for the first time. Jesus’s 3 years of ministry would have started sometime around AD 27. Of course Jesus does so many amazing signs and wonders during those 3 years. All of that was leading to the moment when He would take the full weight of sin upon Himself on a cross. He will of course come back from death defeating it once and for all in about AD 30. 40 days after his resurrection He ascends up into Heaven with a command for His disciples. You will be filled with power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you and you will be my Witnesses from Jerusalem to the ends of the earth. There is 10 days between Jesus’s ascension and Pentecost when the Holy Spirit will be poured out. During these 10 days the Disciples will replace Judas with Matthias. In AD 31 we see Stephen get stoned at the hands of Saul of Tarsus, and Phillip the Evangelist bring the Gospel to Samaria and Ethiopia Acts 6-8. Fast forward to about AD 34 and Saul will have his conversion on the road to Damascus in Acts 9. Another 3 years go by in about AD 37 and Peter will bring the Gospel to the Gentiles Acts 10-11. Paul’s first missionary journey begins in 48 AD in Acts 13. Second journey was AD 49 Acts 15:36. Paul will die in about AD 64. Scholars are divided but most maintain that Hebrews was written sometime in the 60-70 AD range. Now we have our when how about who wrote this. This is one of the more controversial debates out of just about any in regards to the authorship of a book. There are 5 main guys we see talked about. Paul, Luke, Barnabas, Apollos, or Priscilla. Something we need to understand is what writing style is used in Hebrews? Well this book is almost like a collection of Sermons and ended with a letter. It feels most likely this was either one or multiple sermons given by either one or multiple people to the Jewish converts to Christianity. There are warnings about not straying into false teachings or legalism. There are repeated reminders to Hold Fast to our faith, the importance of endurance, and how we need to put sin off and be sanctified. Here is an amazing quote I found on a theme of the book.
A major theme in Hebrews is that Christians are the people of God who, like the generation in the desert, experience the tensions of an interim existence between redemption and rest, between promise and fulfillment.
William L. Lane
This book uses amazing Greek literature and is the most stylistically polished book. The author, whoever it is, is a master of imagery and metaphor. So while we might not know all of the details about this book, what we do know is that this is Holy Spirit inspired and written by someone who was important to the early church. And the style is intriguing so it will be an amazing study for us. So without further ado lets dive into the book of Hebrews!
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,
Just based on the first couple of verses we can immediately see how this is different from the other letters in the new testament. The majority of them start with a greeting from the author and an introduction. But with Hebrews we get thrown in right into the deep end. We are going to start with the first half of verse one. Long ago at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets. We can go through the old testament and see time after time how God spoke to His people. At first He spoke directly to them with Adam and Eve, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. With Moses God shows himself and speaks to Him repeatedly. But Moses also acted as a prophet by telling the people what God told Him. Fast forward to Samuel with David and Saul. Even further and we see Elijah and Elisha, Ezekiel and Daniel. God would raise these people up to allow His people to hear from Him. Now instead of making decisions without consulting God, they are able to consult God through a prophet. The prophets would also deliver Gods judgement on sin. We see this with David and Bathsheba. The prophet Nathan comes to David and tells him what would happen for his direct sin. But they also bring God’s judgement on the people as a whole’s sin and rebellion. We know Jeremiah foretold that Babylon would capture Israel because of their repeatedly turning away from God. So these prophets of the old times had a very important job. But lets not look past all of the prophets foretelling about a coming messiah. Isaiah who wrote time and time again about Jesus’s coming would most likely be martyred. This reminds me of something Stephen says while he was being stoned to death.
English Standard Version Chapter 7
51 “You stiff-necked people, uncircumcised in heart and ears, you always resist the Holy Spirit. As your fathers did, so do you. 52 Which of the prophets did your fathers not persecute? And they killed those who announced beforehand the coming of the Righteous One, whom you have now betrayed and murdered, 53 you who received the law as delivered by angels and did not keep it.”
Notice he talks about the prophets of the past generations as well here. But notice that Stephen calls out that these people resisted the Holy Spirit and that the people used to Persecute, and kill those prophets God sent to speak to them. They announced the coming of this Righteous One. The people than betrayed and murdered this Righteous One who came to save them and set them free. Also I think it is interesting that Stephen mentions angels in verse 53 but we will have more on that in the coming verses. So verse 1 of Hebrews one kicks off and we get told about these prophets. The author wants us to remember what they did. Basically they gave people access to hear from God. SO in verse to we see this conjunction but.
Now I dont know about you guys but it feels like when someone tells you something and uses that conjunction we dont typically like what comes next. There are entire religions who when they hear this next point from the author immediately start cringing. Lets see what it says. 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.
Jehovah witnesses hate this passage, Jews hate this passage, atheist hate this passage, and so many other false religions. Look what we have. First of all we have God the father speaking to us through His son. There is no need for a priest of prophet to hear from God anymore. We also see that creation happened through Jesus. Much like John 1:3
All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made.
Where is says everything was created through the Word which is Jesus Christ. What an amazing way to start a sermon. He just goes all in. But this is such good news for us believers is it not? We get to have direct access to the Father through what His Son did on the cross. No longer do we have to go to some other person to hear from God. No longer do we have to give all these sacrifices. Jesus paid it all and is now our great high priest. Hebrews talks about this idea a few times. Hebrews 4:14-16
Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
Therefore he is the mediator of a new covenant, so that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance, since a death has occurred that redeems them from the transgressions committed under the first covenant.
This is incredible news. This something I wish every soul in this city would realize. That we can hear God through His Word, Through prayer, and connection with Him is now possible because of what Jesus did for us. That because of what Jesus did we now have literally every single tool we could need to walk a life that honors God through our everything. We dont need a pastor to tell us what God says, we dont need to do x,y, and z to hear from God. Literally all we need is to use the tools he has given us. Its amazing! It’s unbelievable how many people still live in religion and legalism when Jesus died to set us free from that.
Verse 3
English Standard Version Chapter 1
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,
The start of the verse really is giving us a description of the father/son side of the trinity. I dont want to focus on this too much but basically we have Jesus who is the physical form of God. So when we see God show up any time in person it is actually Jesus. They have the same nature. Notice how Gods glory is radiant. It cannot be matched and it is spectacular. He being Jesus upholds the universe by the word of His power. I find this reassuring. I dont have to worry about anything because Jesus the very one who conquered sin and death and is seated at the right hand of God is holding up the universe. We live in a time with a lot to worry about wouldnt you agree? Every time we open our phone we see headlines of terrible things. Every time we go out we see stuff that makes us wish we didnt step out of our houses. From politics, to crime, to entertainment. So much to cause us to worry and so much stuff is designed to take our eyes off of God and put them elsewhere. But when we read a verse like this one it should bring us believers peace. Knowing that despite Satan being crafty and making a mess of so many things, he cant do anything unless he is first allowed by Jesus who is upholding the entire universe that we live in. This same Jesus who in dying on the cross defeated satan. God is all knowing, all powerful, and everywhere. Satan can only be one place at a time. He cannot read our minds. He doesnt know the future. He cant hold a candle to the power of our God. I mean look at what God did in His genius. He literally wrote down His plan from the very beginning all the way until the end of this earth. He told satan everything that he was going to do and how he was going to defeat him. I think of this in terms of chess. This would be like me playing against Magnus Carlsen and him literally telling me every move he was going to play in the game and still destroying me. Because that what would happen. Satan despite being told every single thing that was going to happen is powerless to do anything against it. And not only that but God uses satan to achieve his plan! Think of the devil entering Judas to betray Jesus… But the plan all along was for Judas to betray Jesus so Jesus could get the ultimate victory! It is incredible! It should also reassure us to know that even when we make a decision that might not be the exact perfect one, God can still use it to set up our future for Him! I think it takes a lot of pressure off knowing that I just need to take steps of faith and trusting that God will take care of the rest.
We close as we read the last part of verse 3.
And there he sat down (something no high priest had ever done!) because his atoning work was finished. He remains at God’s right hand, making intercession for us.
R. Kent Hughes
But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God … For by one offering he hath perfected forever them that are sanctified”
John G. Butler
Jesus did what He came to earth to do. He paid for sin fully once and for all. He ascends into Heaven where he is at the right hand of God. And I can imagine
as He sat down He said it is finished! I did what I came to do. But with Him doing what He came to do we must respond. We first must accept the free gift of God that is salvation from our sins. Romans 10:9-10
because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.
And for those of you who haven’t done that this is an amazing opportunity. But for those of you who have already done this which I believe to be most everyone in this room it comes with a mission. That mission is to honor God with our entire life. That mission is the very mission that Jesus gave us in Acts 1 as He ascended. Right we will be filled with the type of power that cannot be contained so we must share that. To be His witnesses wherever He has you. This week that place is Jimani. So as we go out, share the Gospel using the fruit of the Sprit that indwells us. We share out of a mindset of Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, goodness, faithfulness, Gentleness, and self control. And when we go home our mission does not stop. We get to share the Gospel in our Jerusalem, or Tampa in your case. Wherever God has you. Whether that be your place of work, or whatever that is we are His witnesses. Sharing the good news of Jesus who saved us from the pit we once found ourselves in.
Only one life, ’twill soon be past; only what’s done for Christ will last.
C. T. Studd, “Only One Life”
Charles Thomas Studd (Missionary)
