Exodus Institues: Hebrews 1.1-4
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Hebrews presents us with a HUGE Christ.
We so often struggle with worshiping a small Jesus
We fail to trust him because we don’t think much of him
The central theme of the book of Hebrews
Theme: Christ is supreme over all
Purpose: Do not fall away from the faith (Christ).
Pray
is a single sentence in Greek.
1 Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets,
Divine Speech
How would you describe God’s speech in the bible?
Creator
Law giver (ps 147.19)
Sustains (deut 8.3)
Directs (1 k 19.9-13)
Curses (dan 4.31)
The Effects of God’s Word
It accomplishes God’s purposes (isa 55.10-11)
Its a lamp (ps 119.105)
It destroys ()
It judges ()
The Character of Divine speech
They are pure (ps 12.6)
They are true (ps 18.30)
Ps 19.7-11
Speech as a synonym for revelation
See also ; ,; ; ,;
Different modes of divine speech
The voice of nature See also ; God’s voice is depicted as thunder, the most awesome sound in nature;
A literal, audible voice pp pp See also ; ; ;
Visions See also ; ; ; ;
Dreams See also ; ; ; ; ;
Divine speech through human messengers
Jesus Christ See also ; ; ;
Prophets See also ; ; ; ; ;
Apostles See also ; ;
Divine speech through angels
Dictionary of Bible Themes 5548 speech, divine
Scripture assumes and affirms that God has spoken to many different people throughout the ages in a variety of ways.
Speech as a synonym for revelation
Heb 1:1-2 See also Dt 8:3; 1Sa 3:1,7; Ps 147:19; Jn 17:6-8,14; 1Co 2:6-10
Different modes of divine speech
The voice of nature Isa 30:30-31 See also Ps 29:3-9; Job 37:1-5 God’s voice is depicted as thunder, the most awesome sound in nature; Isa 33:3
A literal, audible voice Mt 17:5 pp Mk 9:7 pp Lk 9:34 See also 1Ki 19:9-13; Da 4:31; Jn 12:28-29; Ac 9:3-7
Visions Ge 46:2 See also Isa 6:8-13; Jer 1:11-14; Eze 1:28-2:1; Ac 18:9-10; 22:17-18
Dreams Ge 31:24 See also Ge 20:3-7; 1Ki 3:5-14; Job 33:15-18; Mt 1:20-21; 2:13; 1:19-20
Divine speech through human messengers
Jesus Christ Jn 14:10 See also Jn 7:16; 8:28; 12:49-50; 14:24
Prophets 2Pe 1:21 See also 1Sa 8:7-9; 1Ki 17:24; 2Ch 36:15; Isa 38:4-8; Eze 3:10-11; Zec 7:4-12
Apostles 1Th 2:13 See also Gal 1:11-12; 2Pe 3:2; 1Jn 1:1-3
Divine speech through angels
Ac 8:26 See also Da 9:20-23; Lk 1:11-20,26-38
Examples of divine communication
Dialogues between individuals and God Ge 4:9-15 See also Ge 18:16-33; Ex 3:3-4:17 ; Ac 9:10-16
Messages received by people Ge 35:1 See also Ge 12:1-3; Jos 1:1-9; 2Sa 7:4-16; 1Ki 6:11-13
Descriptions of divine speech
The sound of God’s voice Eze 43:1-2 See also 1Ki 19:12; Rev 1:15
The effect of God’s word Isa 55:10-11 See also Ps 119:105; Jer 23:29; Zec 1:13; Heb 4:12; Rev 19:15
The character of divine speech Ps 12:6 See also Ps 18:30; 19:7-11; 119:89,160; 1Pe 1:24-25; Isa 40:6-8
God’s word is recognised and loved by his people
Ps 119:103 See also Eze 3:1-3; Jn 10:3-5,27; Ac 13:48
God’s word is supremely revealed in Jesus Christ
Jn 1:14 See also Heb 1:2
See also ; ,
Examples of divine communication
Dialogues between individuals and God See also ; ;
Messages received by people See also ; ; ;
Descriptions of divine speech
The sound of God’s voice See also ;
The effect of God’s word See also ; ; ; ;
The character of divine speech See also ; ; ,; ;
God’s word is recognised and loved by his people
See also ; ,;
God’s word is supremely revealed in Jesus Christ
See also
Who were the fathers?
Abraham? Isaac? Jacob?
The Fathers were all those who came before who were faithful to receive the words of God
Who were the prophets?
The prophets were the mouthpiece of God.
The prophets stood before God in his divine council and brought the words of God to the people of God.
Moses is the first great prophet. God spoke to Israel through Moses
Yet, Moses promised that one day there would come a prophet who is greater than he (.15)
What are the “many ways”?
Visions, dreams, inspiration, revelation etc.
All the writings of the OT looked forward to the coming of Christ.
Abraham rejoiced to see the day of Christ
They were fragmented, not until Christ has God given a definitive revelation of himself.
Everything we know about God is found in Christ.
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.
When are the last days? (lit. at the end of these days)
After the Christ comes back? or Before AD 70?
***Sketch timeline***
Latter days in the OT
Isa 2.2, , ,
Last Days in the NT:
, tim 3.1, , ,
Last days: prior to AD 70
The World to come: After AD 70
5 For it was not to angels that God subjected the world to come, of which we are speaking.
Hebews 2 5
In these last days he has spoken to us by his son.
So why should we listen to the words of this Son?
QUESTION**
is the author saying the words of the Son should be
taken over the words of the prophets?
replaces the words of the prophets?
are they more authoritative than the words of the prophets?
Answer, he fulfills the words of the prophets - they are signs pointing to the son, the final word of God! Therefore his is a better word spoken. They are not in competition, rather they dance with each other, one leading the other.
So the author wants us to take the words of the son as being God’s definitive and final word/revelation to his people.
He then goes on to introduce this Son, and give 8 christological statements as to why we should listen to him.
When introducing a speaker you first give their qualifications.
This is what author does as he introduces us to Jesus.
And if this introduction is true, we need no other reason to worship and serve Christ.
Eight Christological statements - Can you find them?
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.
Heir of all things
Heir of all things
We want to anchor our text in the rest of the bible as much as possible -
Are there other passages where we see God or Christ being an heir?
What is he the heir of?
What is included in all things?
8 Ask of me, and I will make the nations your heritage, and the ends of the earth your possession.
This is a Messianic psalm which talks about the reign of the Lord’s anointed.
is also applied to Jesus in acts 4:24-28.
Where else do we see this sort
8 All the day my enemies taunt me; those who deride me use my name for a curse.
5 No longer shall your name be called Abram, but your name shall be Abraham, for I have made you the father of a multitude of nations.
8 May he have dominion from sea to sea, and from the River to the ends of the earth!
Ps 102:8
One of the most important passages in the bible concerning the ruling reigning of Christ and him being the heir of all things is found in daniel 7
13 “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.
14 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.
14 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.
So what does it mean that Christ is the heir of all things?
Missions?
Work?
poletics?
Church?
Creator of the World
Creator of the World
Not only does the whole world belong to Jesus by right of him being the heir of all things. But he is also in charge because he is the creator of the world.
3 All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made.
16 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.
If Jesus is the one who created the world, how does help us understand ?
3 And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light.
Genesis
Radiance of the glory of God
Radiance of the glory of God
Reflection of God’s glory
Moses saw the backside of God and his face was radiant with the glory of God.
Jesus on the mount of transfiguration.
EXAMPLE - headlights
The OT saints saw the light of God without ever seeing the source of the light
driving and seeing lights coming over a hill
When Christ came, all creation was blasted by the bright light of God’s glory.
Exact imprint of his nature
Exact imprint of his nature
Upholds the universe by the world of his power
Upholds the universe by the world of his power
Without Christ the you and I and the whole universe would dissolve into nothingness
Made purification for sins
Made purification for sins
Atonement
Sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high
Sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high
1 The Lord says to my Lord: “Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies your footstool.”
Psam 110:1
13 “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.
14 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.
Superior to the angles
Superior to the angles
Next week