Christ Is Greater

Hebrews 1:1-4

Introduction

In 1963, Andy Williams stepped into a recording studio and sang one of the most treasured Christmas songs of all time. Using rich melodies, he described all the things that make this time of the year special: The parties for hosting, the marshmallows for toasting, and caroling out in the snow. As we listen to Andy Williams croon about mistletoeing and hearts glowing, we can’t help but join in the chorus and sing, “It’s the most wonderful time of the year.”

The song makes a powerful assertion, that this is the most wonderful time of the year. That implies that there are other wonderful times of the year, but when we compare this season with others, it’s placed on a different level. Isn’t it interesting how we do that? People love to compare things and determine what is best.

It’s been interesting to me how my kids don’t know how to read or write, but if you ask them what their favorite color is, they can tell you without hesitation. If you ask them where they want to eat, they can run through all the restaurants we eat at and choose one that they determine to be better than the others.

Even as adults, we are constantly comparing the value of different things. We all have favorite foods, favorite movies, favorite songs, and even favorite people. Why do we do this? Because we were created to recognize value and exalt things that are precious. At this time of the year, life becomes full of things with great value, like friends, family, food, treasures, and entertainment. I think Andy makes a strong argument for this being the most wonderful time of the year.

But just like Charlie Brown, our search for what is most wonderful often leaves us confused and disillusioned. We have this tendency to place too much value on the wrong things, and even if we discern what is truly good, we face this problem of living in a temporary world. My daughter was born just a little over a week ago, and in that short time, she is already starting to change. When I look at her, I can’t help but look at the other three who run around speaking full sentences and remember a time when they were her size. Even the most precious things in life change and fade. Pretty soon, we’ll be saying Happy New Year instead of Merry Christmas and wondering where on earth the time went.

The Bible actually calls us to enjoy the blessings God gives, so I’m not discouraging you from going all in on your Christmas celebration, but if we’re assigning value, I need you to understanding that there is something greater than the sweetest moments of life.

We turned to Hebrews this morning because this book was written to a group of people who were having a hard time assigning proper values. As Christianity began to spread, many Jews believed the Gospel and turned to Christ. They saw His value and they worshiped Him, but persecution began to increase from the Jewish community, and many of these early adopters started counting the cost of their investment in Christ. Believers started turning back to their Jewish traditions, which included an excessive interest in angels, an idolatrous exaltation of Moses and the prophets, and a desire to return to Old Testament sacrifices and priestly worship. When their faith was put to the test, they placed a higher value on the wrong things.

So, the author of Hebrews wrote to these Jewish converts with one message: Christ is greater. He wanted to show them that Christ is greater than the angels; He’s greater than Moses, the prophets, the priesthood, and even the law itself. Christ is intrinsically more valuable than anything else in this world. Today, we need to be reminded of this truth. We need to remember this truth all year long, but especially at this time of the year, which is full of wonderful distractions, we must constantly preach the truth to ourselves that Christ is greater.

That’s why the author began this epistle by reminding His readers how God, in times past, spoke to the forefathers (the Jews) in many different ways and at various times. He spoke to them through dreams and visions, through burning bushes and pillars of clouds, and all of these divine messages were glorious; but these messages were partial and temporary. The messages had to be interpreted, and sometimes the prophets themselves confessed that the visions were a mystery to them.

In contrast to all those other ways, the author says that in these last days, God has spoken to us through His Son, Jesus Christ. This shows that the message of Christ has completed and superseded the previous messages from God. He is God’s final and perfect communication with the human race until His Son returns to establish His eternal Kingdom.

As we spend this season celebrating the baby who laid in a manger, we need to realize that He was more than just a baby; He was a message from God, and a message that exceeds the glory of every other message that God has given throughout all of history. He’s more glorious than any tradition that’s been handed down to us. He’s more glorious than any season or celebration. Jesus Christ is greater than everything else.

This morning, I’m going to give you four clear reasons from text that Christ stands above all else. I hope that these reasons will lead you to see Christ’s true worth and ascribe to Him the value that He deserves.

Christ Has A Greater Name

The first reason the writer gives us is that Christ has a greater name than all others. Notice how he describes Christ in verse 2. He says, “whom he [God] hath appointed heir of all things.” The language that the writer is using here is very intentional. Notice that He doesn’t refer to Jesus as the Christ, but he calls Him “God’s Son.” Then, He points out how Christ has been made the heir of all things.

All of these things are used to show that Christ stands in a position that is above all others.

Christ Has A Greater Power

Christ Has A Greater Image

Christ Has A Greater Salvation

Conclusion

Exalt Christ above all else

Glorify Christ above all else

Seek Christ above all else