Behold Our King | Hebrews 1:4-2:4

The author of Hebrews quotes 7 OT passages to show how Jesus is superior to angels. I would like to tell you three reasons why Jesus superior to anything and anyone you would ever encounter.

Our worship services will never be boring if we grasp these realities.

Pray!

The first reason why Jesus is superior to anything or anyone you would ever encounter is because of...

1. The greatness of his name

In the Bible, names are very important. A name reveals a person’s character and identity.

Hebrews 1:4 states that Jesus has inherited a more excellent name, “the Son of God.”

The name Son of God does not mean that Jesus was created for He is in substance and in essence God (Hebrews 1:3).

While the name Son of God speaks of Jesus divinity, our passage speaks of Jesus as the one in a position of power and authority, even angels.

The author of Hebrews quotes 2 OT passages: Psalm 2:7 & 2 Samuel 7:14. These are two passages pointing to a future descendent of David who would sit on his throne and be crowned king forever.

Psalm 2 was used whenever a new king was crowned.

Listen to Paul in Acts 13:32-33 “32 And we bring you the good news that what God promised to the fathers, 33 this he has fulfilled to us their children by raising Jesus, as also it is written in the second Psalm, “ ‘You are my Son, today I have begotten you.’”

Romans 1:4 “[Jesus] was declared to be the Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by his resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord,”

The name “Son of God” here is a name of victory! Through the resurrection of the dead, Jesus is victorious over sin and death.

John Piper, Now he reigns as the God-man Jesus Christ—the Son of God not only by his eternal right, but now by the right of his victory over sin and death. He is Son of God in manifest power by the resurrection.

The letter to the Hebrews was written to a group of Christians who were in the midst of great trials?

Anyone here facing trials lately? Jesus is far better and greater than the trials and uncertainty you are going through.

The second reason why Jesus is superior to anything or anyone you would ever encounter is because of...

2. The greatness of his majesty

The whole premise of chapter 1: Jesus is greater than the angels (7 OT passages)

Angels are amazing creatures.

They are messengers from God (angelos, messenger). “Fear not.”

They are powerful “flames of fire” who serve before the throne of God (Heb 1:7) quoting Psalm 104:4

They revealed the Law of Moses in Mount Sinai (Heb 2:2)

The are sent to protect and serve God’s people (Heb. 1:14). i.e. Elisha’s servant when surrounded by Syrian army (2 Kings 6:16-17)

Despite their amazing presence and power, it does not compare to the greatness of the majesty of Jesus.

Angels are servants but the Son sovereign.

Because of the greatness of his majesty V.6 states, “Let all God’s angels worship him.” This is an allusion to Deuteronomy 32:43 where the call is for the angels to worship God the Father but now Hebrews is applied to Jesus the Son of God because he is God. Angels never worship anyone but God.

What sets Christianity apart from world religions and cults? What makes us different from Islam, Judaism, Hinduism, Buddhism, Mormons and Jehovah Witnesses?

We worship Jesus as God because of the greatness of his majesty. Because he is sitting down at the right hand of the Majesty on high.

Confession: God forgive us for being blind to your glory.

A third and final reason why Jesus is superior to anything or anyone you would ever encounter is because of...

3. The greatness of his throne and kingdom

Brothers and sisters, I would like for us to behold the greatness of our king’s throne and kingdom. According to vv. 7-13:

His throne is forever and ever. That is his rule will never end. We worry what’s going to happen to our country. You don’t have to worry what’s going to happen to our heavenly country.

He rules with a scepter of justice. That is his authority marked by the presence of righteousness and the absence of evil.

He is anointed with the oil of gladness. That is a kingdom marked by joy.

He is the same forever and his years will have no end. In a world filled with uncertainty, we have the a secure foundation: Jesus remains the same.

He sits at the right hand of God. That is, 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.

His enemies are a footstool for his feet. One day, all things will be under the feet of the Messiah. The early church to whom Hebrews was written was facing overwhelming opposition that was out of their control. “No enemy is greater than Jesus.”

I have shared with you three reasons why Jesus superior to anything and anyone you would ever encounter.

Before we go, I must share with you a warning as a way of application.

Hebrews 2:1 “1 Therefore we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it.”

We must be on guard against drifting from Christ.

To drift away is like a boat that is gradually slipping away from its mooring.

Drifting away from Christ doesn’t happen overnight. It takes over a period of time as we neglect to pay attention to the gospel.

Drifting away is not intentional, but comes from not paying attention and carelessness.

Why do we drift away from Christ?

We drift away from Christ when we neglect to treasure him as our greatest source of satisfaction.

How drifting takes place:

Wordliness. (Joel Beeke, Getting Back to the race: The Cure for Backsliding, p. 31)

Money becomes your love rather than your servant in your love for Christ

Politics becomes your basis for hope (or despair) when you should work for justice, hoping in Christ’s appearing rather than in the results of the next election.

Music and the arts capture your mind with sensual stimulation, steal your time with worthless entertainment, or corrupt your heart with wicked content instead of serving as creative media for God’s glory.

Friends and relationships become your heaven rather than helping you along to heaven. (*Influence over you. *Who you date matters)

Clothing ceases to serve as modest covering, protection, and adornment of your body and instead consumes your money in a bid to impress your neighbors, display your sophistication, gain attention, or express sensuality.

Discouragement

Neglecting spending time with God in His Word and prayer.

Compromise by trying to be accepted by the world. “what’s wrong with sleeping with my boyfriend? Everybody is doing it.”

Fear of man. We care more about what others think such as family pressure.

Apathy & complacency

Bitternes

Neglecting the gathering with other believers on Sunday.

The problem with drifting is that you can’t tell you are drifting away. Ask the Holy Spirit to show you. “search my heart oh God.”

Hebrews 2:3 “3 how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? It was declared at first by the Lord, and it was attested to us by those who heard,”

Revelation 2:4 “4 But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first.”

Wake up! The warning is real. You are in a dangerous position please wake up!

Hebrews 2:3 “3 how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? It was declared at first by the Lord, and it was attested to us by those who heard,”

The remedy for drifting away is by anchoring yourself in Jesus.

“One of the most courageous things you will ever do is to turn away from shame and return to the face of God where you will find oceans of mercy.” Steve Wiens, Whole