Hebrews 1:1-2:4

MAP

Mr X: Why do we find it so hard to listen to God’s word?

Jesus: Because we fail to grasp the magnitude of the one who is speaking.

The one who is speaking is....

1. The Eternal Son who became the Davidic Son

2. The Son who is superior to the angels

Joel: Pay close attention to Jesus words

Come for Lunchtime talk

Orientate your entire life around Jesus’ words

PREAMBLE

INTRODUCTION (Relevance Persuasion | Resonate)

(A) Ask friend to read bible. Response?

“Bible? Oh yes. I do read. often. Whenever I have trouble sleeping.”

may you understand - bible = yawn. eyes droop.

Why do we find it so hard to listen to God’s word?

Sometimes. Hands up. Preacher’s fault.

Dull. I apologise in advance.

If I put you to sleep. You’re not the first. I won’t be offended.

Sometimes. Life is busy.

300 unread message in your in box.

301th comes from your boss. asking for help to realign some boxes on your ppt.

reading the bible? furthest thing on your mind.

Sometimes. to be honest… just… boring.…

Complicated and complex.

Unfamiliar and strange.

or sometimes

too familiar and same old message.

It is sometimes… Hard to keep listening to God’s word.

CONTEXT (Orientate | Situate)

Hebrews 5:11 “About this we have much to say, and it is hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing.”

(A) Listeners of Hebrews. When it came to God’s word… Hand over ears. Hard of hearing.

Listening to God’s word.… is hard.

So what is the solution?

Beginning of his speech. Preacher offers a solution.

In one sense, the solution is something they already. It is to known who is speaking whenever the scripture is speaking.

Who is speaking? ____ come on. Answer to every Sunday school question.

Jesus is speaking.

But in another sense, he is telling them something MORE than they know.

Because the one who is speaking is far bigger than we think

He wants to expand our view

He wants to awaken our senses to one who speaks

He wants to shatter our pre-existing categories

Because the one who is speaking is the…

ETERNAL SON.. THE ETERNAL SON WHO BECAME THE ENTHRONED SON

ARGUMENT (Texture | Unity | Coherence | Development)

THE ETERNAL SON WHO BECAME THE ENTHRONED SON

Hebrews 1:1–2 “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"

Long ago God spoke through vision, dreams to the Prophets.

Deuteronomy 18:19 “And whoever will not listen to my words that the prophet shall speak in my name, I myself will hold him accountable”

(A) Ancient Israelite:

Prophet or his linkedin news feed? Prophet

Prophet or the latest career Guru? Prophet.

Always the prophet.

(L) But now, something more final.

Hebrews 1:2 “but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son”

Did you hear the decisiveness in those words?

“but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son”

^ Two ages of God speaking

Long ago via the prophets.

But in the last days, today, the Son.

V - Want to hear God speak? Listen to the Son

Want to understand God? Listen to the Son

The Son is the fullest and final revelation of the Father.

He is the final word.

If you hear about someone else claiming to have additional words from God

A certain Joseph Smith.

A certain Muhammed.

Or any self-proclaimed prophet.

You say “NO.” The Son is the final word from the Father.

(PAUSE)

(L) but there’s more.

Hebrews 1:3

“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,”

There is so much to unpack in these verses. Get your help. Verse 3, the author highlights two different aspects of the Son.

With the person next to you, in 30 sec. Can you identify the two different aspects of the Son?

Always true. Timeless descriptions of the Eternal Son.

In history. Specific acts in history.

(i) Always true about the Son

Radiance of the glory of God - visible manifestation of the glory of God

Exact imprint of his nature - perfect representation of God

upholds the universe by the word of his power - his words always keeps the sun and moon in place.

Attributes always attached to the Eternal Son

Permanent truths about him

The Eternal Son

(ii) In history. Specific acts by the Son

After making purification for sins.

Then He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high.

This phrase “sat down at the right hand” - we’ll see. key phrase.

Comes from Psalm 110:1 “The Lord says to my Lord: “Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies your footstool.”

Mentioned last week - most quote OT text in the NT.

The KEY OT text in Hebrews. One sense.. Hebrews an exposition of Ps 110. 1:3, 1:13, 5:6, 10, 6:20, 7:17, 21, 8:1, 10:12, 12:2

Sit down at God’s right hand? Ears should prick up.

It is a verse to describe the Davidic king. God’s enthroned king

The Son. Died. Rose again. Offered himself as a purification offering.

But after that, he was enthroned. Given the seat of honor. At God’s right hand.

The Enthroned Son.

Always true: Eternal Son. In history: became the Enthroned Son.

(A) last week. Zipline. Eternal Son. Edge of heaven. Clipped in. Jumped off. ZZZzzzz. Big U-shaped journey. D -> R -> A -> Enthroned Son.

(A) Ukraine’s President Zelensky.

Not just figure head -> army uniform.

Offered evacuation by US: “I don’t need a ride, I need ammunition.”

Part of mess. Earns the respect.

^- Jesus. Creator. Owner. Upholder of universe -> DEMANDS respect.

Yet doesn’t stay there. Comes down. Part of our mess.

EARNS the respect. Enthroned on high.

This is the Son who is speaking.

Not JUST the ETERNAL SON, though that would be enough.

But ALSO the ENTHRONED Son.

V - so do you know who is speaking? Do you really grasp the MAGNITUDE of the one who is speaking?

The ETERNAL Son who became the ENTHRONED Son.

(Pause)

Conscious in crowd. At the LT. There will be individuals who are looking into the Christian faith. Understand who is this Jesus?

Very welcome.

You may need more convincing.. That’s fine. But here’s a thought:

If this were true. That the one who you’re making your mind up, is indeed the one who is the Eternal son.

very voice upholds the universe.

now enthroned in heaven.

It may not be true, but if it is.. does that perhaps change the way you approach him?

Something to consider..

(Pause)

(L) (A) Few days ago. Sofa. Long day. Bum. Sink - dishes to wash. Pretending to ignore.

“gosh” something amazing happened.

Dazzling bright flash. So bright I had to cover. You would not believe what appeared In front of me?

An Angel.

Loud voice. Like a mighty trumpet

“Go! Wash the dishes! Now!

What did I do? Like anyone sensible. Immediately got off. Wash.

Not entirely true

There was no Angel

But I was indeed bumming on the couch with the dishes unwashed.

Point? If you were visited by an angel, would you listen?

I bet you would.

^Angles, God’s messengers. like the wind. like flames of fire.

If an Angel were to command such attention.. how much more the Son

2. THE SON WHO IS SUPERIOR TO ANGELS

Hebrews 1:7–9 “Of the angels he says, “He makes his angels winds, and his ministers a flame of fire.” But of the Son he says, “Your throne, O God, is forever and ever, the scepter of uprightness is the scepter of your kingdom.

Angels are no doubt exalted figures.

v7 - made by God. his ministers. with flames of fire.

(L) But the Son is of a different league.

Hebrews 1:8–9 “But of the Son he says, “Your throne, O God, is forever and ever, the scepter of uprightness is the scepter of your kingdom.”

Have you ever wonder God the Father says to his Son?

God the Father, calls the Son… “God”

The Son is God. Who sits on the throne. Who holds the scepter of uprightness.

(L) not only is he God, he is also the LORD. He bears the Divine Name. YAHWEH.

Hebrews 1:10–12 “And, “You, LORD, laid the foundation of the earth in the beginning, and the heavens are the work of your hands; they will perish, but you remain; they will all wear out like a garment, 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.””

The Son is not only God, but also the LORD. The Divine Name.

He is the Beginning - laid the foundation in the beginning.

He is the End - they will perish, but you remain

He is the Creator - the heavens are the work of your hands

He is the Everlasting - your years will have no end.

(^) The Son is God, the King, bearer of the Divine Name. Beginning and the end. Only Creator. Final Judge. Everlasting.

There is no comparison. Between the Angel and the Son.

(Pause)

(^) Don’t hear me wrong. It’s not that Angels aren’t significant. or that their words have no impact.

The Preacher wants us to be clear that Angels are not to be trifled with.

Archaeological and historical evidence confirms the efficacy of the message delivered by the angels

(A) Does anyone know what is in Room 10b of the British Museum?

Relief titled “ The Siege of Lachish”

Where Sennacherib, King of Assyria, swept down from the north, taking the people of Israel into exile. The fall of the city of Lachish.

This was message declared by the Angels.

Hebrews 2:2 “For since the message declared by angels proved to be reliable, and every transgression or disobedience received a just retribution”

The message declared by angels refers to the law. Mosaic law. (gal 3:19, Acts 7:53)

Consequences of breaking the law -> Exile.

Siege of Lachish is proof of that.

The message declared by angels, proved reliable. Their transgression received a just retribution.

Angels are not to be trifled with.

But for all the exalted status of Angel. There is no comparison, between the Angel and the Son.

The Son made them. They are his messengers.

(A) Preacher want us to imagine.

The Divine Courtroom. Angels, the ministers of God. Elevated creatures. Standing in a circle in the Divine Courtroom.

But the door to the court room opens.

And in walks the Son.

But he doesn’t stop there but walks through the courtroom

And takes a seat next to God. He outranks them all.

(PAUSE)

Summarise: The One who is speaking… is the Son.

The Eternal Son who became the Enthroned Son.

The Son who is superior to the angels.

LAND (Worldview | Us)

Started by considering why we find it hard to listen to God’s word.

Suggest: It really comes down to who we think is speaking.

(A) Imagine we had a few of the Head honchos of the companies in Canary Wharf with us here.

Jon Holt - KPMG. Sitting there.

Jane Fraser - Citi.

Jamie Dimon - JP.

Venkat - Barclays

Charles Adams - Clifford Chance

Anna Anthony - EY

George Elhedery - HSBC

Rob Fauber - Moody’s

Shobi Khan - Canary Wharf group

When they speak

We listen.

We lean in.

We take note

But if the Son walks into the room. The Beginning and The End. The Only creator. Everlasting God. Final Judge.

When the Son speaks

They listen

They lean in

They take note.

(Pause)

If we’re struggling to listen, the preacher elevates our view of the Son.

He makes us reckon with the voice from God’s right hand

And this is what we have been hearing as we read these word from scripture.

We were not dealing with technicalities of the text

We were not spotting interesting observations

We were not listening to a pep talk

We were listening to Jesus.

So again, it’s worth making Wed LT a priority.

Obviously there are many good reason why you might not be able to make LT.

We are all adult. we can decide for ourselves.

Free to prioritise

But don’t forget who we get to listen to each wednesday…

Here’s a suggestion..

If your manager pings you on teams,

“Wednesday lunch, CEO is going to be speaking on the direction of the company. I’ll like you to be there.”

Could you say..

“That’s great. I’d love to be there. But during that time, the voice that upholds the universe is going to be speaking. So unfortunately I can’t make it.”

(Pause)

Don’t blame me if you lose your job. But it’s just a thought. Do we really get who is speaking.

Ultimately, it’s not about coming to the Barge talks.

It’s about our entire direction in life.

Are we orientating our lives around his words?

Who’s voice are we most listening to? admist the cacophony of voices. Telling us to live this way or that.

Who are you ultimately listening to?

Are we paying attention to the Son?

(pause)

pray