God Who Speaks

This morning we begin our summer series, Anchored in the book Hebrews…

What we are tied to matters.

A ship can survive fierce winds, pounding waves, and violent storms if it is anchored to something secure.

But if the anchor fails, the ship will drift wherever the currents take it.

The same is true spiritually.

Every one of us is anchored to something. The question is:

 What are we anchored to?

The book of Hebrews was written to Jewish believers living in and around Judea and Jerusalem..

These Christians were facing tremendous pressure..

Following Christ carried a cost. As the pressure mounted, many Jewish believers were tempted to drift back into the familiarity and safety of Judaism..

One of the key words in Hebrews is better.

Jesus is better than the prophets. Better than the angels. Better than Moses. Better than the priesthood. Better than the sacrifices. Better than the old covenant.

The message of Hebrews is simple: Whatever you are tempted to go back to, whatever you are tempted to trust instead of Christ, Jesus is better.

And Hebrews begins with a bold declaration about how God speaks.

1. THE VOICE THAT GUIDES US (vv. 1-2a)

When I went to India — in 2007 - One things that caught my attention was all the temples and thousand god that they worship— Sense of empty -

One of the blessing of being a Christians is knowing that we have God who speaks…

This a theme that fllows right the letter of Hebrews..

Christianity is about God Divine Revelation (message ) that has been give to us and made known… At the very heart of Christianity is this idea of Revelation… making something known..

What makes Christianity powerful is that We can Know God… both through our knowledge but also through experiencing his grace…

God has always been speaking…

Hebrews 1:1–4 ESV

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.

Now, Hebrews starts off strong…

First things to point out is that Like Genesis, Hebrews doesn't stop to argue for God's existence.

Genesis begins, "In the beginning, God..."

Hebrews begins In the past "God spoke..."

Now The book Hebrews doesn’t begin with specific known Author… It dosn’t start with any greetings.. this Paul the apostle or Apollos — Peter… but starts off with —- God Spoke…

The author assumes his readers already believe that God exists. But he also assumes something else: God is not silent.

The opening words of Hebrews are not about the existence of God but about the communication of God.

The God of Scripture is a speaking God.

He is not distant, unknowable, or disconnected from His creation. He reveals Himself. He communicates. He makes Himself known.…

Not only has God been Speaking but at many times..

The phrase "at many times" comes from a Greek word that carries the idea of many parts,

God's revelation in the OT did not come all at once. Instead, He unfolded His truth progressively throughout history…in intallmentss and modes..

Primarily through the prophets…

The prophets were faithful guides. Through them, God spoke His will in installments of truth.

To Abraham He revealed a promise.

To Moses He revealed the Law.

Through David He spoke of a coming King.

Through Isaiah He foretold a suffering Servant.

Through Jeremiah He promised a new covenant.

Each man God raised up spoke the words of God… these words painted and added to the canvas, that revealed who God was and purposes in creation…

And God spoke in many ways. He spoke through visions and dreams. He spoke through miracles and signs. He spoke through poetry, prophecy, history, symbols, ceremonies, and even through the events of Israel's national life.

What is remarkable is that through all these centuries and all these different messengers, God was telling one story.

Every prophet, every promise, every sacrifice, every ceremony was ultimately pointing forward to Jesus Christ.

Hebrews 1:2 ESV

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.

In Hebrew thought there were periods of time the present time.. and the age to come or the golden age…

The writer of Hebrews is saying God spoke in the p

This is one of the most significant statements in all of Scripture.

The writer is not saying that the prophets were wrong or unimportant.

Quite the opposite. The prophets faithfully delivered God's message. But their message was always leading somewhere.

Everything God said in the past was pointing toward this moment—the arrival of His Son.

What was anticipated in the Old Testament is fulfilled in Christ.

As many have said:

"The New Testament is in the Old concealed; the Old Testament is in the New revealed."

The revelation of the Old Testament is ultimately the person of Jesus Christ.

The Old Testament was not a collection of disconnected stories. It was God steadily preparing the world for the arrival of His Son.

We are told that

Jesus is not merely another messenger; He is God's final and fullest revelation.

Last Sunday I went to visit my Son Ryan in Roseville. I forgot to charge my phone before I left, so by the time I was heading home, my battery was almost dead and I had very little GPS left.

So I decided to use the GPS built into my car.

The problem is that my car was build 2010, 16 years ago… and the maps were installed when the car was new.

As I drove down the highway, I glanced at the screen and, according to the GPS, I wasn't even on a road. I was driving through a field!

The GPS was confidently telling me where I was, but its information was badly out of date. The road I was on didn't even exist when that map was created…

In the same way Hebrews say… Everything Changed with Christ..

Everything changed after the coming of Christ… these Hebrew Christians facing persecution were tempted to go back to the Old System…

Writer of Hebrews… Is that passionate Voice — that speaks to these Hebrews Chrsitans.. Don’t go back to the Old system of Judaism..

Stay Anchored in Faith…

God no longer speaks like he did under the OT… He now speaks through Christ.

Application:

What does it mean that God speaks to us today?

2. THE SAVIOR WHO SECURES US (vv. 2b-3)

I recently watch a clip of these two car enthuisists..

Hebrews 1:2–3 ESV

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,

These are descriptions that reveal who Jesus is.. and why He is worthy of our trust:

Jesus son has been been appointed to be the Hier of all things.. Which he himself created…

Jesus is the Radiance of the glory of God… the glory God is light.. He shares equality with father- in that he exact imprint of his nature.. the share same finger print…

— upon holds the universe by the power of his word..

Jesus bore upon his shoulders the sins of the whole world — by making purification for our sins… The cross was finished work of Redemption… nothing else to be accomplished.. He sat down next to the father.. is now seated in the highest part of heaven above the angels themselves..

Three things that are important that confirm Christ as lord and king..

The Father bestowed on Jesus the title of Son…

He Father relates to Jesus as part of his very nature (being God)

The father instructed the angel to worship the son..

—

The One guiding us knows the destination because He created the universe and rules it.

Application: Christ is not merely showing the way; He is the One who made the way.

3. THE KING WHO REIGNS OVER US (vv. 4-14)

The author compares Jesus with angels.

Angels are servants.

Jesus is the Son.

Angels worship Him.

Angels serve His purposes.

Jesus reigns forever.

The point isn't really about angels. The point is that nothing in creation compares to Christ.

The reason is He is the creator of all creation

he made the angels winds — He desgned them as flaming fier.

Application: Whatever competes for first place in our lives must yield to the supremacy of Jesus.

The Father set Jesus as King forever…

Conclusion: Stay Anchored