Greater than the Angels
Notes
Transcript
Introduction
E.W. Scripps- A general is not a man who can do the work better than his men, but a man who can get his men to do the work better than he can.
CONNECTION
Therefore we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it.
TAKE HOME
Although angels have a high position in the presence of God the Father and are ministers of His will, they are inferior to Jesus in position, might, and work.
Scripture Introduction
Yahweh has revealed Himself through the Old Testament prophets, yet they offer only a partial glimpse of God’s revelation. The complete revelation of Yahweh is found in Jesus.
Who is the heir of all things, the creator of the universe, the radiance of God’s glory, the exact imprint of His nature, the sustainer of all creation, our deliverer, exalted above all, and superior to angels.
He is Deity 1:4-14
He is Deity 1:4-14
1. Son
1. Son
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”?
Inherited a more excellent name than theirs Heb 1:4
Collectively “sons of God” but not individually, like Jesus.
Pharisees said that it was blasphemy
Matthew 26:63–65 “But Jesus remained silent. And the high priest said to him, “I adjure you by the living God, tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of God.” Jesus said to him, “You have said so. But I tell you, from now on you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power and coming on the clouds of heaven.” Then the high priest tore his robes and said, “He has uttered blasphemy. What further witnesses do we need? You have now heard his blasphemy.”
What “Son” means is fleshed out in the following verses. In short, Jesus embodies and performs what God is and does. He holds the status of heir to all things.
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”?
Figuratively- bring forth without birth 2 Tim 2:23
Paul uses begotten in reference to Jesus’ resurrection Ac 13:33f
And again, when he brings the firstborn into the world, he says,
“Let all God’s angels worship him.”
Synonymous parallelism,
And I will make him the firstborn,
the highest of the kings of the earth.
Firstborn can mean in position. Manasseh is the first born of Joseph Gen 41:51f but Yahweh calls Ephraim his first born in Jer 31:9 because of his priority in blessing.
2. Worship
2. Worship
And again, when he brings the firstborn into the world, he says, “Let all God’s angels worship him.”
3. Throne
3. Throne
But of the Son he says, “Your throne, O God, is forever and ever, the scepter of uprightness is the scepter of your kingdom.
Scepter of uprightness (of your kingdom) Heb 1:8
4. Creator
4. Creator
And, “You, Lord, laid the foundation of the earth in the beginning, and the heavens are the work of your hands;
5. Unchanging
5. Unchanging
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.”
6. Everlasting
6. Everlasting
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.”
7. Honor
7. Honor
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”?
8. Sovereignty
8. Sovereignty
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”?
He is Ruler 2:5-9
He is Ruler 2:5-9
8. Sovereignty
For it was not to angels that God subjected the world to come, of which we are speaking.
Under His feet Heb 2:8
Everything Heb 2:8
At present, we do not yet see Heb 2:8
7. Honor
Crowned with glory and honor Heb 2:7
He is Savior 2:10-18
He is Savior 2:10-18
For it was fitting that he, for whom and by whom all things exist, in bringing many sons to glory, should make the founder of their salvation perfect through suffering.
Make fully adequate for the task
9. Substitution
9. Substitution
But we see him who for a little while was made lower than the angels, namely Jesus, crowned with glory and honor because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.
10. Glory
10. Glory
For it was fitting that he, for whom and by whom all things exist, in bringing many sons to glory, should make the founder of their salvation perfect through suffering.
11. Incarnation
11. Incarnation
Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil,
Had to be made like his brothers in every respect Heb 2:17
He who sanctifies and those who are sanctified all have one source Heb 2:11
Merciful
Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people.
A person who is perfectly physically fit has no conception of the weariness of the person who is easily tired
Concern for us
Because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted Heb 2:18
Also helps before sins are committed when the temptation comes
Faithful
Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people.
Worthy of trust
Propitiation
Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people.
Satisfaction of God’s justice and righteousness vindicated.
12. Deliverance
12. Deliverance
For it was fitting that he, for whom and by whom all things exist, in bringing many sons to glory, should make the founder of their salvation perfect through suffering.
Destroy
Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil,
Power of death
Jesus’ resurrection allows for the resurrection of all
The Devil
Death resulted in judgment before a holy God
For Christians, there no longer remains a fear of death
No Spiritual damage to us
Romans 8:31–39 “What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. 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. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? As it is written, “For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.” No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Deliver all
and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery.
Through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery
Uncertainty
End of all dear
No guarantees
Jesus brings a living hope
For surely it is not angels that he helps, but he helps the offspring of Abraham.
*APPLICATION
Jesus surpasses the angels in every way—by virtue of His divine power, His supreme authority over all creation, and His redemptive work as the Savior of humanity.
*IMPLEMENTATION
Matthew 11:28 “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”
Warning 2:1-4
Warning 2:1-4
Therefore we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it.
Can mean to tether a ship
Lest we drift away from it Heb 2:1
Slip past harbour
Message Declared by Angels
Proved Reliable
The message declared by angels proved to be reliable Heb 2:2
Received just Retribution
Every transgression or disobedience received a just retribution Heb 2:2
Stepping across the line
Unwillingness to hear
Great Salvation
how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? It was declared at first by the Lord, and it was attested to us by those who heard, while God also bore witness by signs and wonders and various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will.
Declared by Jesus
It was declared at first by the Lord Heb 2:3
Attested by Eyewitnesses
Attested to us by those who heard Heb 2:3
Yahweh Bore Witness
God also bore witness by . . . Heb 2:4
Signs
Wonders
Miracles
Holy Spirit Distributed Gifts
By gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will Heb 2:4
*APPLICATION
Pay closer attention to Jesus and the authors of Scripture, the authenticating work of wonders, and the gifts of the Holy Spirit, so you stay anchored to the truth.
*IMPLEMENTATION
Accept the claims of Jesus. Believe in the inerrancy of Scripture. Trust in the possibility of miracles. Submit to the gifts of the Holy Spirit.
Denied by someone Christians through unwellness to trust or yield.
Summary
Although angels have a high position in the presence of God the Father and are ministers of His will, they are inferior to Jesus in position, might and work.
