Knowing Jesus
Following Jesus: The Letter to the Hebrews • Sermon • Submitted
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· 39 viewsFollowing Jesus as a disciple begins with understanding who Jesus is.
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Transcript
Text: Hebrews 1:1- 3
1 Long ago God spoke many times and in many ways to our ancestors through the prophets.
2 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.
3 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.
Introduction:
Who is Jesus Christ? If you'd ask people at random as you meet them on the street, you would be surprised at the different answers you would receive. To some Jesus Christ is only a historical figure; a Jewish rabbi who taught many years ago. To some he is a demagogue, a little God. To some he was the greatest teacher who ever lived.
What does the Bible say about Jesus Christ? The New Testament Book of Hebrews presents a very clear picture of just who Jesus is. As we begin our study of this fascinating book of the New Testament, we will gain a new understanding of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Turn if you will, to Hebrews chapter one, vs. one
T.S.: Notice several facts that will help us understand just who Jesus is …
I. He is God's son. (Hebrews 1:1-2a)
I. He is God's son. (Hebrews 1:1-2a)
1 Long ago God spoke many times and in many ways to our ancestors through the prophets.
2 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.
A. He is unique.
A. He is unique.
1. He is the eternal God the Son.
1. He is the eternal God the Son.
(John 1:1)
1 In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God.
B. God has chosen to speak through Him.
B. God has chosen to speak through Him.
1. We had better listen to Him.
1. We had better listen to Him.
( Matthew 17:5)
5 But even as he spoke, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my dearly loved Son, who brings me great joy. Listen to him.”
II. He is the Creator of everything. (Hebrews 1:2b)
II. He is the Creator of everything. (Hebrews 1:2b)
2 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.
A. Nothing came into existence without his creative hand.
A. Nothing came into existence without his creative hand.
(John 1:3)
3 God created everything through him, and nothing was created except through him.
1. Everything we see
1. Everything we see
(Col. 1:16)
16 for through him God created everything in the heavenly realms and on earth. He made the things we can see and the things we can’t see— such as thrones, kingdoms, rulers, and authorities in the unseen world. Everything was created through him and for him.
2. Everything we don’t see
2. Everything we don’t see
B. He created everything for a purpose.
B. He created everything for a purpose.
(Eph. 1:11-12)
11 Furthermore, because we are united with Christ, we have received an inheritance from God, for he chose us in advance, and he makes everything work out according to his plan.
12 God’s purpose was that we Jews who were the first to trust in Christ would bring praise and glory to God.
1. That purpose is His glory.
1. That purpose is His glory.
III. He is the owner of everything. (Hebrews 1:2c )
III. He is the owner of everything. (Hebrews 1:2c )
2 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.
A. All things were made by Him and for Him
A. All things were made by Him and for Him
(Col.1:16)
16 for through him God created everything in the heavenly realms and on earth. He made the things we can see and the things we can’t see— such as thrones, kingdoms, rulers, and authorities in the unseen world. Everything was created through him and for him.
1. You were created for Him.
1. You were created for Him.
IV. He is the exact image of God the Father. (Hebrews 1:3)
IV. He is the exact image of God the Father. (Hebrews 1:3)
3 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.
A. Jesus is the perfect revelation of the Father
A. Jesus is the perfect revelation of the Father
(John 14:9)
9 Jesus replied, “Have I been with you all this time, Philip, and yet you still don’t know who I am? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father! So why are you asking me to show him to you?
1. Do you want to know the Father? Get to know Jesus!
1. Do you want to know the Father? Get to know Jesus!
a) How? Spend time with Him in His Word and prayer.
a) How? Spend time with Him in His Word and prayer.
V. He is the Sustainer of everything. (Hebrews 1:3 )
V. He is the Sustainer of everything. (Hebrews 1:3 )
3 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.
A. He sustains all things
A. He sustains all things
(Col. 1:17)
17 He existed before anything else, and he holds all creation together.
1. συνιστάω= to place together, to set in the same place, to bring or band together.
1. συνιστάω= to place together, to set in the same place, to bring or band together.
VI. He is the Savior of all who will believe. (Hebrews 1:3b)
VI. He is the Savior of all who will believe. (Hebrews 1:3b)
3 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.
A. He is the only Savior
A. He is the only Savior
(John 14:6)
6 Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.
(Acts 4:12)
12 There is salvation in no one else! God has given no other name under heaven by which we must be saved.”
VII. He is Lord of all. (Hebrews 1:3)
VII. He is Lord of all. (Hebrews 1:3)
3 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.
A. Jesus Christ is Lord.
A. Jesus Christ is Lord.
(Phil. 2:9-11)
9 Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor and gave him the name above all other names,
10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11 and every tongue declare that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
1. He is Lord of all creation, but is He your Lord?
1. He is Lord of all creation, but is He your Lord?
CONCLUSION:
The following illustration is by J. R. Miller and it deals with the subject of surrendering one's self to Christ:
"An architect complains that many of his clients come and ask him to design a house for them, only for him to discover that they have already designed it for themselves. What they really want is his sanction of their own plan, and the satisfaction of seeing him draw on paper what they have exactly in mind.
It is in very much the same fashion that we often go to the Great Architect with our lives. We ask Him for wisdom and guidance, but we have already planned how we will build our fortunes and shape our course; and it is not His way we are seeking, but His approval of our way."