Hebrews 1:1-4

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Sweethearts Bake Off - Friday, February 13 at the Stadler home

COMMUNION

1 Corinthians 11:23–28 ESV

For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, “This is my body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes. Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty concerning the body and blood of the Lord. Let a person examine himself, then, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup.

FIGHTER VERSE

Hebrews 12:1 NIV84

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.

SERMON

SCRIPTURE READING

LISTEN TO THE PASSAGE

As I was preparing the message, the Lord put something on my heart. I will try to make it a habit to read the entire section of Scripture that I’ll be preaching on.

When I’m reading the entirety of the text, I won’t put up slides, and I encourage you NOT to follow along in your Bible, Simply listen to Word being proclaimed.

I think this will do two things:

First, it will help us see how the verses tie together and perhaps give us a better idea of the flow of thought

It will sharpen our sense of hearing and our ability to to be attentive to the Word of our Lord.

After all, Paul writes to the Romans…

Romans 10:17 ESV

So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.

When the kids were younger, I got tired of telling them to do something, but just being ignored. Did that ever happen to any other parents?

I needed to train them to listen. So I began telling them, “When I start talking, you start listening.” Or more specifically, “When Dad (or Mom) starts talking, you start listening.”

It reminds me of the old slogan: When EF Hutton speaks, people listen.

Of course this helped my sanity, but the greater lesson was for them to apply that same instruction to the Lord and his Word: When God starts talking, you start listening.

Jesus told his disciples in John 10...

John 10:1–5 ESV

“Truly, truly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door but climbs in by another way, that man is a thief and a robber. But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To him the gatekeeper opens. The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. A stranger they will not follow, but they will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.”

So, let’s do this. The passage I’ll be preaching on this morning is Hebrews 1:1-4. Close your Bibles and close your eyes and listen to the Word of God.

Hebrews 1:1–4 ESV

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.

INTRODUCTION

No author or audience is named, so some have suggested that Hebrews is more of a sermon than a letter, although there are some personal greetings at the end.

The late Dr. Walter Martin, founder of the Christian Research Institute and writer of the best-selling book Kingdom of the Cults, once joked that the Book of Hebrews was written by a Hebrew to other Hebrews telling the Hebrews to stop acting like Hebrews.

In truth, many of the early Jewish believers were slipping back into the rites and rituals of Judaism in order to escape the growing persecution. This letter, then, is an exhortation for those persecuted believers to continue in the grace of Jesus Christ.

When it comes to theology, scholars generally regard the book of Hebrews to be second in importance only to Paul’s letter to the Romans in the New Testament.

Perhaps nowhere in the New Testament does the Old Testament come into focus more than in the Book of Hebrews, which has as its foundation the Levitical priesthood.

The writer to the Hebrews constantly compares the inadequacies of the Old Testament sacrificial system to the perfection and completion in Christ.

Hebrews has 29 quotations and 53 allusions to the Old Testament, for a total of 82 references.

Some of things we’ll encounter in this book:

Jesus is the only mediator between sinful man and holy God

Jesus’ sacrifice for our sins was perfect and complete

Faith in Jesus is necessary to receive the promises of God

The Christian walk is challenging and requires discipline and perseverance

Above all, the book of Hebrews shows that Jesus is superior, greater than the angels, the priests, old testament leaders, and the old covenant.

For the Hebrew who may have been considering Christianity or the Hebrew Christian who may have been homesick for Judaism, this book makes a thorough and compelling argument for anyone and everyone wondering why they should follow Jesus.

Where the Old Covenant required continual sacrifices and a once-a-year atonement for sin offered by a human priest, the New Covenant provides a once-for-all sacrifice through Christ ( Hebrews 10:10 ) and direct access to the throne of God for all who are in Him.

And this book is not just for the Jew. Even us Gentiles today can be transformed by its contents regarding the person and work of Jesus.

My desire is that by the end of our study of this book, we will be in greater awe of Jesus and be more attentive to his voice in our daily lives.

Pray.

EXPOSITION

1-2 GOD HAS SPOKEN

There are so many voices vying for our attention. In simpler times, our forefathers had a few voices that spoke to them: a parent, a grandparent, a preacher, a teacher. And most of those voices were speaking the same values based on the word of God.

Compare that to today. As technology has advanced, the voices have increased. Our world has opened up, which in many ways is a good thing, but it also adds voices and the more voices you add, the more confusion there is.

What voices have your attention today? Is it a voice pointing you to God and eternal life or pointing you away from God and towards eternal separation?

In the Garden, there was one voice that Adam and Eve listened to, the voice of their Creator. Then came another voice, a voice that put doubts in their heads about God and His Word. It was the voice of Satan. It’s clear to see that by listening to the voice of Satan, Adam and Eve were drawn away from God, not toward him.

We need to understand that this is one of the devil’s ploys - it’s not so much to encourage us to listen to only his voice, but to ADD voices in our lives in order to bring confusion to our minds and ultimately, drown out the voice of God.

Today, we’re bombarded with the voices of pop musicians, movie characters, political commentators. Not only that, we’ve even created platforms where potentially every single voice in the world can be heard: Facebook, Instagram, Tic Tok, etc.

More voices, more confusion. Who should I be listening to?

On the Mount of Transfiguration...

Mark 9:7 ESV

And a cloud overshadowed them, and a voice came out of the cloud, “This is my beloved Son; listen to him.”

And this is affirmed in the first two verses of the book of Hebrews…

Hebrews 1:1–2 ESV

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...

For any first century Hebrew looking into this Jesus person, this opening sentence would have grabbed their attention.

Our God has been revealing himself throughout history:

Dreams

Burning bush

Thunder and the law

Still small voice

Visions, poetry, laments

Prophesies

Paul speaks of this truth...

Romans 1:19 ESV

For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them.

God is not silent. He is not hidden. He is not indifferent. He has been revealing himself to mankind in bits and pieces through the prophets. Their prophesies were true, but fragmented. They were accurate, but unfinished.

And then, after 400 years of silence, God sent his own Son.

The prophets said: Thus says the Lord.

Jesus said: Truly, truly I say to you.

Jesus is part of the Godhead - Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Jesus’ existence didn’t begin in Mary’s womb, he has no beginning and will have no end.

John 1:1–2 ESV

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God.

2-3 THE SUPREMACY OF THE SON

Next, the author unleashes what has been called one of the most Christ-rich passages in Scripture. In just a verse and a half, we are given seven truths about who Jesus is.

Hebrews 1:2–3 ESV

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,

HE IS THE HEIR OF ALL THINGS

In this messianic psalm, we read...

Psalm 2:8 ESV

Ask of me, and I will make the nations your heritage, and the ends of the earth your possession.

Listen to the prophesy from Daniel...

Daniel 7:13 ESV

“I saw in the night visions, and behold, with the clouds of heaven there came one like a son of man, and he came to the Ancient of Days and was presented before him.

Daniel 7:14 ESV

And to him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him; his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom one that shall not be destroyed.

And Paul writes...

Romans 8:17 ESV

and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.

HE IS THE CREATOR OF THE WORLD

John 1:3 ESV

All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made.

We read in Colossians...

Colossians 1:16 ESV

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 later in Hebrews...

Hebrews 11:3 ESV

By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible.

God spoke the world into existence. Jesus is the Word of God.

HE IS THE RADIANCE OF GOD’S GLORY

John 1:14 ESV

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.

2 Corinthians 4:6 ESV

For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

HE IS THE EXACT IMPRINT OF OF GOD’S NATURE

[MacArthur] The term translated “exact imprint” or "express image" is used only here in the NT. In extrabiblical literature, it was employed for an engraving on wood, an etching in metal, a brand on animal hide, an impression in clay, and a stamped image on coins. Person is a word conveying nature, being, or essence. The Son is the perfect imprint, the exact representation of the nature and essence of God in time and space.

Colossians 2:9 ESV

For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily,

Philippians 2:5–7 ESV

Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.

NIV: being in very nature God.

Jesus is not similar to God; he is fully God.

HE UPHOLDS THE UNIVERSE BY THE WORD OF HIS POWER

Colossians 1:17 ESV

And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.

Every atom holds together because Christ wills it. Every heartbeat continues by his sustaining word.

We think of the universe as a machine. Hebrews says it is more like a poem or song (the word of his power)—and Jesus keeps singing it.

HE MADE PURIFICATION FOR SINS

1 John 1:7 ESV

But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.

This is the heart of the gospel: the purification of our sins. And this is what we celebrated in communion this morning.

Titus 2:14 ESV

who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.

And from Revelation...

Revelation 1:5 ESV

and from Jesus Christ the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood

Angels don’t purify us. Priests don’t purify us. No rituals purify us. Only the blood of Jesus cleanses us from all sin.

HE IS SEATED AT THE RIGHT HAND OF THE MAJESTY ON HIGH

Priests stood daily because their work was never done as we read in Hebrews 10...

Hebrews 10:11 ESV

And every priest stands daily at his service, offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins.

Jesus sat down—because redemption is complete. He declared on the cross: It is finished.

Psalm 110:1 ESV

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

Romans 8:34 ESV

Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us.

The God who made us, the one holding his creation together is also the God who redeemed us by offering himself as the sacrifice for our sins, thereby satisfying the justice of God.

This Jesus is now seated at the right hand of God, the Majesty on high.

And now, just to make sure that the Jews understood the place that Jesus held, the author compares him to the high beings of creation known as angels.

4 SUPERIORITY OF THE SON

Hebrews 1:4 ESV

having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs.

Verse four begins the writer’s comparison of Jesus to angels. Why angels?

The Jews held angels in very high regard as the highest beings next to God. The sect of Judaism which had established a community at Qumran taught that the archangel Michael's authority rivaled or surpassed that of the Messiah.

Humans have always been enamored with angels. There are countless books written about them, television shows and movies made about them.

We know that the worship of angels was a problem in the first century (like today) because Paul warns against it in his letter to the Colossians...

Colossians 2:18 ESV

Let no one disqualify you, insisting on asceticism and worship of angels, going on in detail about visions, puffed up without reason by his sensuous mind,

Jesus is more superior to anything else in all creation, even the angels.

We’ll study more about this in the coming weeks.

APPLICATION

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…

Are we listening?

My assignment for you is to do an audit of the voices in your life. Who are you listening to? Make a list. Mom, Dad, pastor, elder, teacher, mentor. What musicians are you listening to? What social and political commentators have your ear?

You may be surprised how many voices are clamoring for your attention. Compare that list with the voice of Jesus. How often do you hear His voice each day or week?

John 10:4–5 ESV

When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. A stranger they will not follow, but they will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.”

John 10:27 ESV

My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.

Do you hear the voice of your Shepherd or is it drowned out by the many other voices in your life?

Amid all the voices screaming for our attention, there is only one that can and will lead us safely home.

If your goal is eternity with the Father, there’s only one voice to listen to, Jesus.

When He starts talking, let’s start listening!

REFLECTION

CLOSING SONG

How Great Thou Art

BENEDICTION