Introduction: Hebrews

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Recap:

Last week we finished up Ecclesiastes, that depressing and yet wonderful book that God gave us. The big takeaway is... understanding that there is no meaning to life apart from God. That satisfaction can only be found in a relationship with Jesus Christ. So do not look to the world to solve your problem, look above the sun.

Introduction:

This morning we are starting our sermon series through the book of Hebrews entitled: Greater. We will go into why it is titled “Greater” in a little bit.
You are going to notice as we study through this book that it is a lot different then your typical NT epistles and other books. For one there isn’t a normal greeting the book just kinda starts. Hebrews also doesn’t start with who is talking and to whom they are talking too, neither at the beginning or the end. The book actually reads less like a letter and more like a sermon in ancient times it would be called a homily. I find this verse pretty funny, : Heb 13:22
Hebrews 13:22 ESV
22 I appeal to you, brothers, bear with my word of exhortation, for I have written to you briefly.
There are 13 chapters. That not short, but to each his own.

Author, Audience, Title:

Now the question arises who wrote this book? This has been a question that has been debated and sought out over the ages. The author’s identity has mystified many and there are many different opinions on who it might be. Some think that it is Paul, Barnabas, Luke, Aquila, Priscilla, Silas, Philip, Apollos, or Clement of Rome.
It is so easy for us to assume that it is Paul because we read so much of Paul’s writings, and it is in line with Pauline literature. However it is very different from Paul’s other epistles.There are actually some really good indicators that the author isn’t Paul.
Paul would sign his letters even when he was dictating them. He would also address who he was writing too, that doesn’t happen here.
Whenever the author quotes from an OT text they would quote from the Greek translation of the OT called the Septuagint text, which was considered a more modern version, translated down in Alexandria Egypt. Where as whenever Paul quotes from the OT, he most often quotes from the Hebrew text of the OT.
The style of Hebrews is completely different than the style Paul uses. What I mean by that is the Greek is a higher form of Greek. Introduction students to Greek will typically study through John’s epistles (1,2,3 John, Gospel of John). It is easy to parse and translate. Paul’s letters on the other hand are a lot more difficult as he uses Greek participles where he hangs thoughts on participles. When you get to the book of Hebrews it is a higher level still, very polished, very precise.
So who wrote Hebrews? We don’t know.
Origen in 254 AD gave some good advice on the authorship of Hebrews stating, “Who actually wrote the epistle, only God knows.” I will give you my opinion in a minute, but know that it is an opinion and not fact. There are some important facts to note about the author:
The author clearly knew his audience and longed to be reunited with them: Heb 13:19
Hebrews 13:19 ESV
19 I urge you the more earnestly to do this in order that I may be restored to you the sooner.
The author was a friend of Timothy: Heb 13:23. Notice that it doesn’t say my son in the faith but, “our brother Timothy.”
Hebrews 13:23 ESV
23 You should know that our brother Timothy has been released, with whom I shall see you if he comes soon.
The author is presumably a male, because he refers to himself using a masculine participle.
They likely wrote this letter from Rome or somewhere else in Italy: Hebrews 13:24
Hebrews 13:24 ESV
24 Greet all your leaders and all the saints. Those who come from Italy send you greetings.
Also the author received the Gospel came, not first-hand but second-hand. They didn’t hear it directly from the Lord but from someone who had heard it directly from the Lord. Heb 2:3
Hebrews 2:3 ESV
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,
If I was forced to give an educated guess on who the author of this book was, and based on the information we have been given. I would say that it would probably be Apollos as he hits the criteria best.
He would know Timothy, and was from Alexandria where the Septuagint translation originated: Acts 18:24.
Acts 18:24 ESV
24 Now a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, came to Ephesus. He was an eloquent man, competent in the Scriptures.
He is described as a Greek speaking Jew, born in Alexandria. An eloquent man and mighty in the Scriptures. This man had been instructed in the way of the Lord, be fervent in spirit. He spoke and taught accurately the things of the Lord.
Ultimately though we cannot be dogmatic on who the author is, however we know that the Holy Spirit inspired this text.

Context:

It is actually much easier to date this letter despite not knowing the author. It was quoted by Clement of Rome in 95 AD. Knowing that the writer is a second generation Christian, it wouldn’t have been written as early as James or 1 Thessalonians. There is no mention of the Jewish Wars 66 A.D. that would collimate with the destruction of the temple in 70 A.D. Hebrews references the priesthood and the temple both still standing. That would date this book between 64-67 A.D.
Why is this book titled Hebrews if we do not know the audience, as they are not named. It is clear that because of the content covered by the author that the audience was of Jewish background. These Hebrews had heard the gospel preached by the apostles and others during the early days fo the church, and had seen the mighty miracles of the Holy Spirit which confirmed the message.
They had responded to the good news in one of three ways:
Some believed on the Lord Jesus Christ and were genuinely converted.
Some professed to become Christians, were baptized, and took their place in the local assemblies. However, they had never been born again by the Holy Spirit.
Other flatly rejected the message of salvation.
This Epistle deals with the first two classes- truly saved Hebrews and those who had nothing but an outward veneer of Christianity.
Now when a Jew left the faith of his forefathers, he was looked on as a traitor and an apostate, and was often punished with one or more of the following:
Disinherited by their family
Excommunicated from the synagogue
Loss of employment
Dispossession
Harassment physically and mentally
Public shame
Imprisonment
Martyrdom
There was a way out though, renouncing Jesus and turning back to Judaism, they would be spared from further persecution.

Theme:

Theme for Hebrews can be summed up with:
“Christ is greater than any angel, priest, or old covenant institution; thus each reader, rather than leaving such a great salvation, is summoned to hold on by faith to the true rest found in Christ and encouraged others in the church to persevere.”
Hebrews is the book of the Supreme Revelation of God. Showing us that Jesus is fully God and Fully man in the first couple chapters, and also revealing that Jesus the Son of God is the agent of creation and sustains all creation. What the author does is show the supremacy “the better things” of Christ over a religion of ritual and formalism, in particular over judaism. To stress the point, the writer uses the word better or superior over and over again stating that Christ is greater than all things.
Hebrews 1:4 ESV
4 having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs.
Hebrews 6:9 ESV
9 Though we speak in this way, yet in your case, beloved, we feel sure of better things—things that belong to salvation.
Hebrews 7:7 ESV
7 It is beyond dispute that the inferior is blessed by the superior.
Hebrews 7:19 ESV
19 (for the law made nothing perfect); but on the other hand, a better hope is introduced, through which we draw near to God.
Hebrews 7:22 ESV
22 This makes Jesus the guarantor of a better covenant.
Hebrews 8:6 ESV
6 But as it is, Christ has obtained a ministry that is as much more excellent than the old as the covenant he mediates is better, since it is enacted on better promises.
Hebrews 9:23 ESV
23 Thus it was necessary for the copies of the heavenly things to be purified with these rites, but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these.
Hebrews 10:34 ESV
34 For you had compassion on those in prison, and you joyfully accepted the plundering of your property, since you knew that you yourselves had a better possession and an abiding one.
Hebrews 11:16 ESV
16 But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared for them a city.
Hebrews 11:35 ESV
35 Women received back their dead by resurrection. Some were tortured, refusing to accept release, so that they might rise again to a better life.
Hebrews 12:24 ESV
24 and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.
Hebrews will teach us of the High Priesthood of Christ. Throughout the NT very little is said about the present ministry of Christ in the presence of God. but hIs high priestly office is a major point of Hebrews. Jesus serves as the eternal high priest. Able to sympathize with human weakness, and yet who offered himself as the perfect sacrifice for sin.
Hebrews explains the how superior the New Covenant is to the Old. The old covenant required an animal sacrifice for sin and a high priest to offer the blood of the sacrifice to God. But as many of you know an animal is not a man, and the high priest is not the ideal and perfect Man whose ideal perfection can cover or stand for man. Meaning the blood of animals can never take away sins of man. The same is true of a human priest. What is needed is the perfect and eternal sacrifice and the perfect and eternal priest. It’s Jesus folks. The Old Covenant was only a type, a pattern or picture of the new eternal and perfect covenant that was brought through Jesus the Messiah.
This is a book of exhortation. He 13:22
Hebrews 13:22 ESV
22 I appeal to you, brothers, bear with my word of exhortation, for I have written to you briefly.
The author exhorts the readers to “hold fast,”
to “go on to perfection or maturity,”
to “consider the Apostle and High Priest or our profession”
to “consider Him that endured”
And the exhortation to “let us...”
fear
labor
come boldly
go on
draw near
hold fast
consider one another
lay aside every weight
have grace
go forth
offer the sacrifice of praise.
There are severe warnings in this book as well.
Warning about:
Danger of neglecting salvation
Danger of apostasy
Danger of missing out of God’s rest
Danger of falling away
Danger of refusing to submit to Christ.
Judgement is the consequence of rejecting Christ. And we will see how the author of Hebrews will address these dangers and how to avoid God’s judgement. Judgement is not something that should be glossed over or scoffed at. God is also not temperamental dishing out punishment on a whim, everything He does is perfect and righteous.
Hebrews reveals God’s hall of fame/ hall of faith!
I am most excited to get into this. We will be spending a lot of time when we get to this chapter. Because if the Lord allows us the opportunity to go get to it we will look at each person mentioned in the hall of faith and see what their faith accomplished.
Hebrews is really an answer to the question, “What do you have?” In a word the answer is Christ. In Him we have something Greater then the world could offer, something greater than what religion could offer too. You see that is why we have called this sermon series through Hebrews greater. Jesus is greater then everything and everyone. Ecclesiastes showed us a life without Jesus. Hebrews is going to show us that Jesus is worthy of our adoration, worship, and devotion.
There are a few other things to be mindful of as we study through this book. Faith, and how it is necessary to please God and to participate in salvation. That we as believers are going to have a responsibility to persevere in the Christian life, part of that means attending church. Also we are going to see that God’s promises are trustworthy and one of the greatest truths… we are awaiting for Jesus’ second coming… so do not waste your life.

Outline:

We have split the book up into 6 different sections:
The Greater Revelation. Hebrews 1:1-4:13
The Greater High Priest: Hebrews 4:14-7:28
The Greater Minister: Hebrews 8:1-10:18
The Greater Author of Faith: Hebrews 10:19-11:40
The Greater Example: Hebrews 12:1-29
The Greater Christian life: Hebrews 13:1-25

Application:

My prayer is that as we study God’s Word together that we grow in our understanding of our Great God. Falling in love with Him to a greater degree. If you are willing to put in the time necessary to the reading/studying/obeying God’s Word. I promise you that 2022 will be an incredible year. Full of joy and blessings, but probably a year that will have you leaning in.
Holding on to God for dear life. God never promised us an easy life. But you will have a rewarding life. I want to make something perfectly clear as well. We are a family here… And that means we live life together. If you do end up going through something, talk to us we want to rally around you in your time of need.
We also got some really fun things in store for this year too. So please be praying with us that we always remain in God’s perfect will.
So what is our be takeaway from our introduction to this incredible book? Family Jesus is truly greater then everything and everyone.
Hebrews 2:10–18 ESV
10 For it was fitting that he, for whom and by whom all things exist, in bringing many sons to glory, should make the founder of their salvation perfect through suffering. 11 For he who sanctifies and those who are sanctified all have one source. That is why he is not ashamed to call them brothers, 12 saying, “I will tell of your name to my brothers; in the midst of the congregation I will sing your praise.” 13 And again, “I will put my trust in him.” And again, “Behold, I and the children God has given me.” 14 Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, 15 and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery. 16 For surely it is not angels that he helps, but he helps the offspring of Abraham. 17 Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. 18 For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.
Isn’t this incredible? That if you place your trust in Jesus Christ. He is not ashamed to call you family, brothers and sisters. He would die on the cross for all the wicked, evil, and depraved things you have done and thought.
Why you might ask?
Because you were worth it to Him. He loves you more than you could possibly understand. That is why communion is so important and that we take communion with reverence and awe of our Great God and King.
1 Corinthians 11:23-26
1 Corinthians 11:23–26 ESV
23 For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, 24 and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, “This is my body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” 25 In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” 26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.
1 Corinthians 11:28 ESV
28 Let a person examine himself, then, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup.
Family examine yourself this morning, check to see if Jesus is in that Greater place in your life, if He isn’t humble yourself and submit. You might be tempted to think that because you messed up you are unworthy to partake this morning.
Please know that there isn’t a better time to take it:
James 5:16 ESV
16 Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.
confess and turn back to the Lord and rekindle your relationship with Him.
Pray for the bread and the cup.
Numbers 6:24–26 ESV
24 The Lord bless you and keep you; 25 the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; 26 the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.
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