Greater Than
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Greater Than
Greater Than
Good morning. It is so good to see all your beautiful faces and we are so glad you chose to hang out with us this morning.
For everyone watching online please like, share, subscribe, and leave any comments or prayer requests in the comment boxes.
Today we are beginning a new series entitled “Greater Than”through the book of Hebrews.
Please open your Bibles, phones, tablets, VR goggles to Hebrews chapter 1.
As your doing that, have ever known or have you ever been the person that just must have the newest, most up to date thing or gadget?
Every year phone companies come out with the latest greatest phone that it is sure to out process and perform the one you just bought 3 months ago.
Every year car companies roll out the latest improved models that now come in more colors and have more options.
Technology is growing at a rapid pace and everything is better.
Think about this:
Until 1900 basic human knowledge doubled roughly every 100 years, tech advances etc.
In 1945 and post WWII - knowledge doubled every 25 years.
In early 2000s - estimated to double every 12-13 months.
Some are saying it could be every 12 hours due to growth of AI.
THat means if you want the lates you may need to buy a phone every day.
It’s exhausting.
When it comes to faith, are we acting that much different.
People are look ing for the best answer to the hardest questions.
We bounce from church to church because of programs, music, or facilities.
I am not saying those things are wrong, but should that be our focus?
We do not even need to leave our house cause we watch church online and switch channels if we do not like what is being said.
I understand the appeal, I would love to preach in my pajamas, and I am going to tell you are welcome to come in person in your pajamas.
The search for something better is never ending.
What if I were to tell you that there is one thing that will never need an upgrade?
Jesus Christ is greater than anything we could invent, dream up, or ever put our trust in. He is the:
The Ultimate Upgrade
The Ultimate Upgrade
Alexander MacLaren once said:
In Christ, as a great storehouse, lie all the riches of spiritual wisdom, the massive ingots of solid gold which when coined into creeds and doctrines are the wealth of the Church. All which we can know concerning God and man, concerning sin and righteousness and duty, concerning another life, is in Him Who is the home and deep mine where truth is stored… The central fact of the universe and the perfect encyclopedia of all moral and spiritual truth is in Christ, the Incarnate Word, the Lamb slain, the ascended King.
The Ultimate Upgrade
The Ultimate Upgrade
That is what I want us to dive into today.
The supremacy of Christ and that there is non great.
Please stand with me as we read the only words that matter today.
1 Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, 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.
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,
4 having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs.
5 For to which of the angels did God ever say, “You are my Son, today I have begotten you”? Or again, “I will be to him a father, and he shall be to me a son”? 6 And again, when he brings the firstborn into the world, he says, “Let all God’s angels worship him.”
7 Of the angels he says, “He makes his angels winds, and his ministers a flame of fire.” 8 But of the Son he says, “Your throne, O God, is forever and ever, the scepter of uprightness is the scepter of your kingdom.
9 You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness beyond your companions.”
10 And, “You, Lord, laid the foundation of the earth in the beginning, and the heavens are the work of your hands; 11 they will perish, but you remain; they will all wear out like a garment, 12 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.”
13 And to which of the angels has he ever said, “Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet”? 14 Are they not all ministering spirits sent out to serve for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation?
Let’s Pray
The Ultimate Upgrade
The Ultimate Upgrade
Hebrews was written roughly between 60-70 AD. We do not know by who
Probably just years before the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple by the Romans.
It came as a letter of encouragement to as of the time, 2nd generation Christians coming form the Jewish faith.
THey were struggling, and being persecuted, a lot of false teaching was working its way into the church and they were asking is this faith worth it.
Hebrews answers that by building the case that Christ is supreme and sufficient.
It shows us that no matter what we have come from or have held onto Christ is greater.
Christ is greater than what you think you know.
1 Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, 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.
Christ is greater than what you think you know.
Before Jesu entered the world, we would understand and God through prophets, visions, events, angelic visits.
None of these were a complete picture. They were fragments and pieces.
The clearest picture we have of God is in Jesus. That’s not opinion, that si fact.
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,
Christ is greater than what you think you know.
In every way Christ represents the Father.
Christ reveals His words, ways, and exactly what God is like.
He reveals His power every day. Look around.
Not only did He speak the world into existence, He holds it together.
17 And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.
Christ is greater than what you think you know.
Science still struggles with how DNA comes together in exact order and how it is all held together.
He is the only one who could satisfy the cost of our sin.
The Creator, sustainer, became the sin-bearer.
No other can save
Christ is greater than who you think you know.
For many Jews, angels were held in high regard as the ultimate messenger outside of God Himself.
Even today, so many look for spirit guides in the name of being spiritual.
We look to the knowledgeable, powerful, influential.
4 having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs.
Christ is greater than who you think you know.
Christ is the son . That is the name.
9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name,
Christ is greater than who you think you know.
It goes on:
5 For to which of the angels did God ever say, “You are my Son, today I have begotten you”? Or again, “I will be to him a father, and he shall be to me a son”? 6 And again, when he brings the firstborn into the world, he says, “Let all God’s angels worship him.” 7 Of the angels he says, “He makes his angels winds, and his ministers a flame of fire.”
Christ is greater than who you think you know.
There is no question in the authors mind who is greater.
There none greater in position or authority.
8 But of the Son he says, “Your throne, O God, is forever and ever, the scepter of uprightness is the scepter of your kingdom. 9 You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness beyond your companions.”
Christ is greater than who you think you know.
Christ’s rule is eternal.
He was the only to perfectly love righteousness and hate wickedness.
Christ is greater than what you think will last.
10 And, “You, Lord, laid the foundation of the earth in the beginning, and the heavens are the work of your hands; 11 they will perish, but you remain; they will all wear out like a garment, 12 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.”
Christ is greater than what you think will last.
Everything changes in this world.
Only one thing is changeless. Jesus Christ.
All of this will go away. As sturdy as we think everything is. It is temporary.
Christ remains and stays the same.
Just to be clear it says:
13 And to which of the angels has he ever said, “Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet”? 14 Are they not all ministering spirits sent out to serve for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation?
Christ is greater than what you think will last.
Christ is the ruler.
No government or empire will outlast Him.
The angels themselves serve Him and bring Him worship.
The Ultimate Upgrade
The Ultimate Upgrade
Our world and our culture is constantly changing.
What was right at one time is now wrong and what was wrong is now right.
People who were heroes on day became villains the next.
We put our trust in people and institutions, and they fail us.
We need somone bigger than just us and our issues.
David Platt said:
We realize that He is not merely a personal Lord and Savior who is worthy of individual approval. Ultimately, Jesus is the cosmic Lord and Savior who is worthy of everyone’s eternal praise.
The Ultimate Upgrade
The Ultimate Upgrade
8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.
Who is greater for you or me to put our trust in?
Let’s pray.
