Christ Exalted Above Angels
Notes
Transcript
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Intro:
Intro:
We are studying the book of Hebrews
Our author began the book with discussing the Supremacy of Christ over everything
Today, we continue with verse 4 where we see this:
having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs.
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”?
And again, when he brings the firstborn into the world, he says, “Let all God’s angels worship him.”
Of the angels he says, “He makes his angels winds, and his ministers a flame of fire.”
But of the Son he says, “Your throne, O God, is forever and ever, the scepter of uprightness is the scepter of your kingdom.
You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness beyond your companions.”
And, “You, Lord, laid the foundation of the earth in the beginning, and the heavens are the work of your hands;
they will perish, but you remain; they will all wear out like a garment,
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.”
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”?
Are they not all ministering spirits sent out to serve for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation?
That passage might have seemed a little convoluted for you, so let me break it down.
The writer quotes seven passages from the Old Testament and applies them to Jesus. You may know that the Old Testament was originally written in Hebrew, but about 150 years before Jesus was born, the Greek rulers wanted to be able to read the Old Testament in their own language so seventy scholars were commissioned to translate the entire Old Testament into Greek. Because there seventy translators, it is called the Septuagint, and is designated by the Roman numeral for seventy, which is LXX.
This was a very important document, because Greek was the language spoken by most of the people during the 1st Century. And all of these seven quotations from the Old Testament we just read are from the Septuagint, not the Hebrew Old Testament.
Like a good attorney, the writer is going to lay out a solid case for WHY Jesus is greater than the angels.
He presents a series of arguments to make his point.
You may be thinking, “What’s the big deal? Of course, Jesus is greater than angels. Why even argue the point?”
It’s because when this letter was written, there were Hebrew believers who were slipping away from their faith. They were thinking about sliding back into Judaism and angels play prominent roles in Judaism.
Today, many need this reminder of Jesus’ superiority.
Why is Christ exalted above angels?
His unique relationship
His unique relationship
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”?
angels
Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan also came among them.
believers
But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God,
Notice again
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”?
Today I have begotten you!
Angels were created
We were “recreated” through faith
Jesus was BORN (in the flesh)
Notice Gabriel’s announcement to Mary
And the angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy—the Son of God.
it seemed good to me also, having followed all things closely for some time past, to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus,
Jesus was 100% God and 100% man.
this is a mystery
In the flesh, GOD worked a miracle in Mary so He was conceived.
Jesus is God’s Son (in the flesh)
His Unique Position
His Unique Position
And again, when he brings the firstborn into the world, he says, “Let all God’s angels worship him.”
Of the angels he says, “He makes his angels winds, and his ministers a flame of fire.”
And again, when he brings the firstborn into the world, he says, “Let all God’s angels worship him.”
Heb 1:6-
God Himself declares that even angels are to worship Christ!
That makes Him unique!
Since only God is to be worshipped
Jesus MUST be GOD
And Jesus answered him, “It is written, “ ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and him only shall you serve.’ ”
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.
And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.
This is a quote from the OT.
Worship is reserved for God
Ps
There were times which people began to worship an angel, and they were told to stop. Only GOD was worthy and they were fellow servants.
They are servants
ministering spirits
His Unique Nature
His Unique Nature
They carry out God’s will
a. messengers
directly carried God’s word to the Prophet Daniel
b. carry out judgment
Angel of Death and the Passover
c. Care for God’s People
“At that time shall arise Michael, the great prince who has charge of your people. And there shall be a time of trouble, such as never has been since there was a nation till that time. But at that time your people shall be delivered, everyone whose name shall be found written in the book.
Michael has charge of God’s people
Children
“See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that in heaven their angels always see the face of my Father who is in heaven.
What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them has gone astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountains and go in search of the one that went astray?
Mt
This is a verse which gives rise to the thought that we have guardian angels
There is a special relationship between God and the “little ones”
Whether we have a one to one assignment or they come in our time of need, angels are there to minister to God’s people.
His Unique Nature
His Unique Nature
Heb 1:8-
But of the Son he says, “Your throne, O God, is forever and ever, the scepter of uprightness is the scepter of your kingdom.
You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness beyond your companions.”
And, “You, Lord, laid the foundation of the earth in the beginning, and the heavens are the work of your hands;
they will perish, but you remain; they will all wear out like a garment,
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.”
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”?
Are they not all ministering spirits sent out to serve for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation?
Eternal-
throne is forever and ever
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
The foundations of the earth were laid by Him
foundations of the earth were laid by Him
After they wear out and He destroys in judgment, He will endure
foundations of the earth were laid by Him
Bible promises a new heaven and new Earth.
Authority
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.”
Throne
Heb 1:
He is sovereign!
He is King
He has all authority
Enduring
There is no end to His Kingdom!
CONTRAST:
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”?
Are they not all ministering spirits sent out to serve for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation?
Jesus is on the throne angels are servants
The author again reminds us of the work of angels.
Angels are not Son’s, nor are they on the throne receiving worship.
They are servants
ministering spirits
They carry out God’s will
a. messengers
directly carried God’s word to the Prophet Daniel
b. carry out judgment
Angel of Death and the Passover
c. Care for God’s People
“At that time shall arise Michael, the great prince who has charge of your people. And there shall be a time of trouble, such as never has been since there was a nation till that time. But at that time your people shall be delivered, everyone whose name shall be found written in the book.
Michael has charge of God’s people
Children
“See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that in heaven their angels always see the face of my Father who is in heaven.
This is a verse which gives rise to the thought that we have guardian angels
There is a special relationship between God and the “little ones”
Whether we have a one to one assignment or they come in our time of need, angels are there to minister to God’s people.
Christ’s destiny is to reign and the angels’ destiny is to serve the redeemed.
Conclusion:
Conclusion:
Jesus is God’s Son and the eternal God. He is worthy of our worship and praise! He is worthy of our loyalty.