He Spoke in a Way We Could Understand
Notes
Transcript
Context
Context
Anytime we approach a book of the Bible it is very important to establish some basics about the book
We should ask questions like
What kind of book is it? Letter, Gospel, Historical narrative, poetry
When was it written and what was going on at that time? what was the state of the church, politics, affairs...
Who wrote it? God is the ultimate author of every book of the Bible, but he used human writers and preserved their unique personalities. If we know who wrote it we can study their other works to get a fuller picture of what the writer is getting at.
Who was it intended for? Yes the Bible is for us but it has a context that it was written in and an audience that needed to first hear it, knowing this can help us to rightly apply it to our unique situation.
We are going to look at answering some of that before we get into our series through Hebrews; see sermon notes
Authorship
-Unlike most of the other NT books we are unsure of who exactly wrote the book of Hebrews
Church tradition ascribes it to the Apostle Paul
However, modern scholarship seriously doubt that Paul wrote it
They say it is not written like Paul writes; it’s Greek is very precise closer to Luke
Also Paul signed his letters so that the early church would not wonder if the letter was really from him; Hebrews doesn’t have anyone taking credit for it
Even though we are not sure who wrote it, it is clear that it is a treasure trove of Christian doctrine
Original Audience
This letter begins like a sermon and ends like a letter
Some scholars think that this is because it was originally a series of sermons that was delivered orally and then recorded for church use
The original audience is made up of both Jews and non Jews
Because Hebrews clarifies Hebraic teaching that was influencing the early church it was called the epistle (letter) to the Hebrews
During this early formation of the church the known world was being hellenized; that is Greek culture, thought, and philosophy ruled the day
The author of Hebrews addresses both the Jew and non-Jew alike
Purpose
The purpose of Hebrews is to exhort his hearers to reject Jewish teaching and remain faithful to Jesus Christ
It is full of sound argumentation as to why Jesus is who he claimed to be
He connects the dots for the people so that they may believe that Jesus is, in fact, the Messiah that their prophets had foretold would come and save the world
He wants his audience to mature in their faith
Not just believe cause that is what is right, but believe because you know it is right
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,
God spoke; that is he has revealed himself in many ways throughout human history
He talked to Adam, Noah, and Abraham
Through Abraham, he made his promise clear to redeem the world through the bloodline of Abraham
In His providence He, made the evils ment for Joseph turn out for His glory
He revealed himself to the Hebrew people and the world when he led the Hebrew people from their captivity in Egypt
He was a pillar of cloud during the day and a pillar of fire by night
God used prophets that spoke for God when the foretold of how a Messiah would come and save them and the world
But in these last days; that is a season; today we are in that season
God has spoken through His Son Jesus Christ
Jesus who is God and upholds the universe by the word of His power
People that have claimed to have been given special revelation after Jesus’ death burial and resurrection include
Muhammad - He started Islam
Joseph Smith -He started Mormonism
Ellen G White - She started 7th day Adventist
Countless TV evangelists that claim God wants you to send them money
I am not saying God cannot talk to you directly; He can do whatever He wants, but He does not contradict Himself
The writer of Hebrews is saying here that God has SPOKEN (Past tense) through Jesus
That is his teachings and life as it has been recorded in His Word; the Bible
And the writer of Hebrews wants us to know just how great Jesus is
The only thing he can attempt to compare him to is angles and he is far superior to angles
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.”
The writer is speaking of the incarnation
Christmas time
When God himself stepped into his creation as a man and lived a life a life we could not, died a death we deserve, and redeemed those who confess him as savior
That is why Jesus is so great
Just so we are not confused the writer of Hebrews goes on to remind his hearers that Jesus was and is and will forever be
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?
Spurgeon
A call to believers to trust in Jesus
The writer of Hebrews has given us every reason to trust in Jesus
He has removed our sins as far as east is from the west
A call to sinners to trust in Jesus
Those of you struggling to trust in Jesus
What other name will you call upon?
What other name is there?
All other names are inferior to Jesus
God has revealed Himself most clearly by becoming a man that you may believe in him
Amen! Amen!
Amen! Amen!