Press on to Maturity

heb 1:1-

Hebrews 1:1–14 NLT

Long ago God spoke many times and in many ways to our ancestors through the prophets. And now in these final days, he has spoken to us through his Son. God promised everything to the Son as an inheritance, and through the Son he created the universe. The Son radiates God’s own glory and expresses the very character of God, and he sustains everything by the mighty power of his command. When he had cleansed us from our sins, he sat down in the place of honor at the right hand of the majestic God in heaven. This shows that the Son is far greater than the angels, just as the name God gave him is greater than their names. For God never said to any angel what he said to Jesus: “You are my Son. Today I have become your Father.” God also said, “I will be his Father, and he will be my Son.” And when he brought his supreme Son into the world, God said, “Let all of God’s angels worship him.” Regarding the angels, he says, “He sends his angels like the winds, his servants like flames of fire.” But to the Son he says, “Your throne, O God, endures forever and ever. You rule with a scepter of justice. You love justice and hate evil. Therefore, O God, your God has anointed you, pouring out the oil of joy on you more than on anyone else.” He also says to the Son, “In the beginning, Lord, you laid the foundation of the earth and made the heavens with your hands. They will perish, but you remain forever. They will wear out like old clothing. You will fold them up like a cloak and discard them like old clothing. But you are always the same; you will live forever.” And God never said to any of the angels, “Sit in the place of honor at my right hand until I humble your enemies, making them a footstool under your feet.” Therefore, angels are only servants—spirits sent to care for people who will inherit salvation.

Hebrews 1:1–7 NLT

Long ago God spoke many times and in many ways to our ancestors through the prophets. And now in these final days, he has spoken to us through his Son. God promised everything to the Son as an inheritance, and through the Son he created the universe. The Son radiates God’s own glory and expresses the very character of God, and he sustains everything by the mighty power of his command. When he had cleansed us from our sins, he sat down in the place of honor at the right hand of the majestic God in heaven. This shows that the Son is far greater than the angels, just as the name God gave him is greater than their names. For God never said to any angel what he said to Jesus: “You are my Son. Today I have become your Father.” God also said, “I will be his Father, and he will be my Son.” And when he brought his supreme Son into the world, God said, “Let all of God’s angels worship him.” Regarding the angels, he says, “He sends his angels like the winds, his servants like flames of fire.”

Hebrews 1:8–14 NLT

But to the Son he says, “Your throne, O God, endures forever and ever. You rule with a scepter of justice. You love justice and hate evil. Therefore, O God, your God has anointed you, pouring out the oil of joy on you more than on anyone else.” He also says to the Son, “In the beginning, Lord, you laid the foundation of the earth and made the heavens with your hands. They will perish, but you remain forever. They will wear out like old clothing. You will fold them up like a cloak and discard them like old clothing. But you are always the same; you will live forever.” And God never said to any of the angels, “Sit in the place of honor at my right hand until I humble your enemies, making them a footstool under your feet.” Therefore, angels are only servants—spirits sent to care for people who will inherit salvation.

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IS ANYBODY LISTENING?

HEB 1

Hebrews 1:1–3 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,

The Bible Exposition Commentary Chapter One: Is Anybody Listening? (Hebrews 1:1–3)

A man from Leeds, England visited his doctor to have his hearing checked. The doctor removed the man’s hearing aid, and the patient’s hearing immediately improved! He had been wearing the device in the wrong ear for over 20 years!

The Preacher’s Commentary Series, Volume 33: Hebrews Chapter One: God Has Spoken to Us by a Son

GOD HAS SPOKEN TO US BY A SON

Hebrews 1:1–2 NLT

Long ago God spoke many times and in many ways to our ancestors through the prophets. And now in these final days, he has spoken to us through his Son. God promised everything to the Son as an inheritance, and through the Son he created the universe.

The Preacher’s Commentary Series, Volume 33: Hebrews Chapter One: God Has Spoken to Us by a Son

Our author wastes no time in launching into his purpose of nurturing the lives of his readers to mature discipleship.

The Preacher’s Commentary Series, Volume 33: Hebrews Chapter One: God Has Spoken to Us by a Son

He devotes his entire first chapter to proclaiming and clarifying the doctrine of Jesus Christ, in particular His superiority to all other beings through His nature as Son-Messiah.

The Preacher’s Commentary Series, Volume 33: Hebrews Chapter One: God Has Spoken to Us by a Son

God’s message through His Son expresses its superior significance in the relationship of the Speaker to the Author of the message.

The Preacher’s Commentary Series, Volume 33: Hebrews Chapter One: God Has Spoken to Us by a Son

The first three words of the epistle in Greek are Polumerōs kai polutropōs, “at various times and in various ways.”

The Preacher’s Commentary Series, Volume 33: Hebrews Chapter One: God Has Spoken to Us by a Son

God did not reveal all of Himself in any one time.

The Preacher’s Commentary Series, Volume 33: Hebrews Chapter One: God Has Spoken to Us by a Son

The process of revelation was a continuous one, in which the recipients received ever-increasing revelation of God. At no time in that older process did they have a complete idea of God.

THE BEAUTY OF THIS PROCESS WAS, NO SINGLE PERSON CAN MONOPOLIZED GOD’S EXPRESSION TO THE WORLD.

DO SEE THE GENIUS OF GOD’S PLAN?

NO ONE HAS A CLAIM TO FAME, EXCEPT GOD HIMSELF!

The Preacher’s Commentary Series, Volume 33: Hebrews Chapter One: God Has Spoken to Us by a Son

At first they began to understand His creative power.

The Preacher’s Commentary Series, Volume 33: Hebrews Chapter One: God Has Spoken to Us by a Son

Then they perceived something of His moral demands and His character as Judge as He sent the flood to destroy the evil in the world.

The Preacher’s Commentary Series, Volume 33: Hebrews Chapter One: God Has Spoken to Us by a Son

Soon they were to see Him as a covenant-making God taking the initiative in establishing a covenant with Noah by means of a rainbow;

The Bible Exposition Commentary Chapter One: Is Anybody Listening? (Hebrews 1:1–3)

This statement suggests that it takes more than physical ears to hear the voice of God. It also requires a receptive heart.

Hebrews 3:7–8 NASB95

Therefore, just as the Holy Spirit says, “Today if you hear His voice, Do not harden your hearts as when they provoked Me, As in the day of trial in the wilderness,

The Bible Exposition Commentary Chapter One: Is Anybody Listening? (Hebrews 1:1–3)

Many people have avoided the Epistle to the Hebrews and, consequently, have robbed themselves of practical spiritual help.

The Bible Exposition Commentary Chapter One: Is Anybody Listening? (Hebrews 1:1–3)

Some have avoided this book because they are “afraid of it.” The “warnings” in Hebrews have made them uneasy.

The Bible Exposition Commentary Chapter One: Is Anybody Listening? (Hebrews 1:1–3)

Others have avoided this book because they think it is “too difficult” for the average Bible student.

The Teacher’s Commentary 156: Heb. 1:1–4:13—Jesus, the Living Word

Yet there are questions about the Word. When we want guidance and help, how do we experience it as “living and active”? When we are uncertain, how do we tap its “penetrating” power?

The Teacher’s Commentary 156: Heb. 1:1–4:13—Jesus, the Living Word

And, does God speak to us only through His written Word? Or may Christ speak to us with another voice? Often when we want to know God’s will we become confused.

The Teacher’s Commentary 156: Heb. 1:1–4:13—Jesus, the Living Word

Jesus’ Superiority as a Revealer of God:

Hebrews 1:4–3:6

Jesus’ superiority to angels (Heb. 1:4–14). The writer now began an extended argument to prove that Jesus is superior to angels.

The Teacher’s Commentary 156: Heb. 1:1–4:13—Jesus, the Living Word

Why is this important? The answer is seen in 2:2. There the writer referred to “the message spoken by angels,” which was binding on Israel

The Teacher’s Commentary 156: Heb. 1:1–4:13—Jesus, the Living Word

Why is this important? The answer is seen in 2:2. There the writer referred to “the message spoken by angels,” which was binding on Israel