The Forgotten Psalm

Sermon Manuscript: Week 5 — "The Crown of the Creed"

Series: The Forgotten Psalm: Recovering the Reigning Christ of Psalm 110 Date: Sunday, November 9, 2025 Text: Hebrews 1:1–13 (LSB) Big Idea: The confession of the Church has always crowned Jesus as reigning King—not just Savior, but Sovereign.

Reading — Hebrews 1:1–13 (LSB)

God, having spoken long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways, in these last days spoke to us in His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds, who is the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature, and upholds all things by the word of His power. Who, having accomplished cleansing for sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, having become so much better than the angels, as He has inherited a more excellent name than they.

For to which of the angels did He ever say, "YOU ARE MY SON, TODAY I HAVE BEGOTTEN YOU" (Psalm 2:7)?

And again, "I WILL BE A FATHER TO HIM AND HE SHALL BE A SON TO ME" (2 Samuel 7:14; 1 Chronicles 17:13)?

And when He again brings the firstborn into the world, He says, "AND LET ALL THE ANGELS OF GOD WORSHIP HIM" (Deuteronomy 32:43 LXX).

And of the angels He says, "WHO MAKES HIS ANGELS WINDS, AND HIS MINISTERS FLAME OF FIRE" (Psalm 104:4).

But of the Son He says, "YOUR THRONE, O GOD, IS FOREVER AND EVER, AND THE SCEPTER OF RIGHTEOUSNESS IS THE SCEPTER OF HIS KINGDOM. YOU HAVE LOVED RIGHTEOUSNESS AND HATED LAWLESSNESS; THEREFORE GOD, YOUR GOD, HAS ANOINTED YOU WITH THE OIL OF GLADNESS ABOVE YOUR COMPANIONS" (Psalm 45:6–7).

And, "YOU, LORD, IN THE BEGINNING FOUNDED THE EARTH, AND THE HEAVENS ARE THE WORKS OF YOUR HANDS; THEY WILL PERISH, BUT YOU REMAIN; AND THEY ALL WILL WEAR OUT LIKE A GARMENT, AND LIKE A MANTLE YOU WILL ROLL THEM UP; LIKE A GARMENT THEY WILL ALSO BE CHANGED. BUT YOU ARE THE SAME, AND YOUR YEARS WILL NOT COME TO AN END" (Psalm 102:25–27).

But to which of the angels has He ever said, "SIT AT MY RIGHT HAND, UNTIL I PUT YOUR ENEMIES AS A FOOTSTOOL FOR YOUR FEET" (Psalm 110:1)

Context & Background

Hebrews was written to Jewish Christians under pressure. They were tempted to retreat—to go back to the old covenant, to the familiarity of the temple system, to angels, to Moses, to rituals. The letter is a clarion call: Do not drift. Do not shrink. Christ is better. Christ is everything.

And how does the letter begin? Not with sentiment or surface theology—but with a throne. Hebrews 1 explodes with exaltation. Seven Old Testament quotes are rapid-fired to show that Jesus is not just higher than angels—He is the radiance of God’s glory, the creator and sustainer of all, and the enthroned Son at the right hand of the Majesty on high. The final and most emphatic quotation? Psalm 110:1.

This psalm is not peripheral. It is the crescendo. The Father’s own words seal the point: Sit at My right hand until I put Your enemies under Your feet.

Exposition

The Final Word of God (vv.1–2) God’s past speech was fragmented, delivered through many prophets in diverse ways. But in these last days, He has spoken in full—in one final, unified voice—through His Son. Jesus is not merely another prophet; He is the fulfillment and embodiment of all prophetic speech. He is the heir of all things and the one through whom the world was made. His Sonship, His authority, and His agency in creation make Him the final and fullest revelation of God’s will to man.

We don’t just study what He said—we submit to who He is. He is the message.

The Majesty of the Son (v.3) Jesus is the radiance—the blazing glory—of God Himself. Not a reflection like the moon to the sun, but the very outshining of divine glory. He is the exact representation of the Father’s nature. Every attribute of God is fully present in Him. And He doesn’t just shine—He sustains. He holds the cosmos together by the power of His Word.

Then comes the declaration of His finished priestly work: “He made purification for sins.” This is the cross. But what follows is coronation: “He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high.” This is the throne. The priest who cleanses is now the King who reigns. The ascended Christ is not idle—He is enthroned.

Superior to Angels (vv.4–7) Jesus is not just better than angels—He is in a category entirely above them. Angels were impressive to the Jewish mind—heavenly beings, divine messengers. But the writer of Hebrews demolishes any confusion: Christ is not a servant in God’s court. He is the Son to be worshiped by the angels themselves.

The Father never said to any angel, “You are My Son” (Psalm 2:7), nor did He promise to be a Father in the way He did to Christ (2 Samuel 7:14). Angels worship Him (Deuteronomy 32:43). They serve as winds and flames (Psalm 104:4), but Jesus rules. Worship belongs to Him. Glory belongs to Him. Reign belongs to Him.

The Throne of the Son (vv.8–12) Here the Father addresses the Son directly with Scripture. “Your throne, O God, is forever and ever” (Psalm 45:6–7). This is the Father calling the Son God—affirming His eternal dominion and love for righteousness. The reign of Christ is not temporary or symbolic. It is eternal, just, and joyful.

More than that, He is unchanging. While creation itself will be folded up like a garment, Christ will remain (Psalm 102:25–27). His throne doesn’t rust. His years do not run out. His dominion doesn’t waver.

This passage reveals that the Son’s Kingship is not a future hope—it is a present, cosmic reality rooted in His divine nature. He reigns because He is God. He rules because He is righteous.

Psalm 110:1 — The Final Seal (v.13) To settle it once and for all, the writer brings forth Psalm 110:1—the verse that undergirds this entire series. “Sit at My right hand until I make Your enemies a footstool” (Psalm 110:1). The Father said this to no angel, no prophet, no priest—only to the Son.

This is not a waiting room. It is a royal chamber. The King is seated. The footstool is forming. This is the summary verse of redemptive history: Christ reigns until every enemy is brought under submission—not merely by force, but by grace, truth, justice, and final judgment.

The early church understood this as the key to the gospel: the crucified Christ is now the enthroned Christ. The confession of the Church was never merely, “Jesus saves.” It was, “Jesus reigns.” That’s the crown of our creed.

Application

Recalibrate your gospel. If your understanding of Jesus stops at the cross or the empty tomb, you’ve missed the throne. The good news is not just that Jesus died for sins—it’s that the crucified One now reigns forever.

Worship the enthroned Christ. Angels worship Him. The Father exalts Him. The early Church preached Him. Let your prayers, your songs, your daily obedience reflect His present majesty.

Stop waiting for what’s already begun. The reign of Christ is not delayed. He sits now at the right hand of the Father. Live, serve, and speak as citizens of a Kingdom already underway.

Rest in His unshakable dominion. Your world may shake. Your plans may crumble. But the throne of Christ is fixed and eternal. He holds the cosmos—and you—together by His word.

Join the footstool mission. God is actively placing all enemies under the feet of Jesus. Join that mission—by proclaiming the gospel, discipling others, resisting sin, and pursuing justice.

Crown Him with your life. Psalm 110 says His people will volunteer freely in the day of His power. That day is now. Offer your time, energy, and gifts not for comfort or applause—but for your King.

Gospel Call & Summary

Jesus is not waiting to reign. He reigns now. The early Church didn’t preach an idea—they preached a King. Hebrews opens not with comfort, but with coronation. Not with vague hope, but with present glory.

This is the crown of our creed: Christ is seated. Christ is sovereign. Christ is supreme.

So repent—not just from sin, but from small thoughts of Jesus. From delayed obedience. From domesticated Christianity that waits for a throne already occupied.

Come to the throne—and see it rightly. Not only as the seat of mercy, but as the scepter of power. Come to the King—not only as Savior, but as Sovereign.

Bow. Believe. Rise. Serve. Reign with Him.

He is crowned. And He is calling.