Christ is > the Angels
Notes
Transcript
Hook:
Hook:
Angels are fascinating beings. According to the Scriptures they are truly magnificent and glorious order of beings who have been created by God to be His messengers and servants.
Recap:
Recap:
Last week we studied verse 1-3 and saw 8 different reasons why Jesus the Christ was greater than the prophets:
He is the great spokesman. The prophets were only given a portion of the entire revelation. The whole revelation culminates around Jesus and He is the fulfillment of it too.
He is the Heir of all things. We will get back to this point later in the sermon.
The Creator and Maker of the entire universe.
Jesus is the very glory of God. All the brilliance, radiance, splendor, and light of God’s Being.
The Image of God: meaning Jesus is the perfect imprint of the very image of God’s nature.
The Sustainer: Jesus holds all thing together.
Jesus is the Redeemer...
Jesus is the Mediator...
Introduction:
Introduction:
Deeper Study: Angels
Deeper Study: Angels
Angels are spiritual beings that have not alway existed. They are very much apart of the universe that God created. Paul does tell us: Col 1:16
Colossians 1:16 (ESV)
16 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.
It is important to understand that angels slo exercise moral judgement. After all 1/3 of the angels rebelled against God their creator. Angels are “Spirits” as verse 14 of our text points out. Being spiritual creatures seems to imply that they do not have physical bodies ordinarily. They are usually invisible. However, from time to time angels took on a bodily form to appear to various people in Scripture.
5 But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified.
2 Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.
Some of their duties include, guarding and protecting God’s people, including us. Also they also join in with us in the worship of God.
22 But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable angels in festal gathering,
It is important to note that the word angel (angelos) simply means messenger and the word is used at least five different ways in Scipture:
It’s used of men: Luke 7:24
24 When John’s messengers had gone, Jesus began to speak to the crowds concerning John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind?
25 And in the same way was not also Rahab the prostitute justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out by another way?
I also think in Revelation chapter 1-3 that the angels of the seven churches mentioned are in fact talking about men too. The pastors to be specific.
It’s used of Christ: Revelation:8:3-5
3 And another angel came and stood at the altar with a golden censer, and he was given much incense to offer with the prayers of all the saints on the golden altar before the throne, 4 and the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, rose before God from the hand of the angel. 5 Then the angel took the censer and filled it with fire from the altar and threw it on the earth, and there were peals of thunder, rumblings, flashes of lightning, and an earthquake.
It’s used of the “angel of the Lord” or “angle of God,” meaning the presence of deity in angelic form:
(Genesis 16:1-13; 21:17-19; 22:11-16; 31:11-13; Judges 2:1; 6:12-16; 13:3-22)
2 And the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush. He looked, and behold, the bush was burning, yet it was not consumed. 3 And Moses said, “I will turn aside to see this great sight, why the bush is not burned.” 4 When the Lord saw that he turned aside to see, God called to him out of the bush, “Moses, Moses!” And he said, “Here I am.”
It’s used of prophets:
13 Then Haggai, the messenger of the Lord, spoke to the people with the Lord’s message, “I am with you, declares the Lord.”
It is used of spiritual beings who serve God:
4 he makes his messengers winds,
his ministers a flaming fire.
Lets recap some important facts about angels:
Angels are created begins, superior to men.
Angels are numerous.
Angels are extremely superior to me in intelligence and knowledge. (2 Sam 14:20 Ps 103:20; 104:4)
Angels have great power. A single angel killed 185,000 Assyrians.
Angels observe men.
1/3 of the angels fell with Satan from their original state.
There appears to be levels to angels as well or different classes of angels.
Angel seems to be a general term for the spiritual being created to worship God and be ministering spirits.
The potential hierarchy to angels are as following: Seraphim>Cherubim>angel
The important thing is not to understand the purpose or if there is a hierarchy to angels but that they serve a very important function in God’s dealings with believers.
Look with me at verse 14:
14 Are they not all ministering spirits sent out to serve for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation?
This would mean:
They protect and deliver believers either through or from trials: Ps 91:11
11 For he will command his angels concerning you
to guard you in all your ways.
They guide and lead believers in their ministry: 1 Kings 19:5
5 And he lay down and slept under a broom tree. And behold, an angel touched him and said to him, “Arise and eat.”
They escort believers to heaven: Luke 16:22
22 The poor man died and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried,
They encourage believers at least the Apostles.
vv 4-6) Jesus’ name is superior
vv 4-6) Jesus’ name is superior
Like the Catholic church it has always been a temptation of religious people to have a mediator when it comes to conversing with God.
Angels have highly exalted positions, and for some people they have tended to look to angels instead of Christ. For the Jews they had a lot of superstition pertaining to angels too, after all angel are in the presence of God.
Human beings tend to take the thought and attention that is due Christ and give it to angels. They tend to consider angels as their go-between between them and God.
There are four things that usually cause this:
Feelings of worthlessness: There are times when we feel unworthy to approach God. Feeling the need for someone to approach God for us, someone to serve as an intermediary. Hoping to be able to communicate with God on our behalf, to present our needs and desires to God, to also protect us, and to secure God’s blessings and care for our well being.
Another may feel that God is just too far away for us to reach. God is just too inhuman or too big or vast. Thinking that God is too busy with things much bigger then our problems. Leading to the unfortunate conclusion that they should look to angels for protection and that they may plead our case before God.
Some people are looking for an experiences with angels either face to face or through visions or dreams. Looking for the spiritual experience. In that particular mindset what could be more spiritual then meeting one of God’s ministering spirits?
The last group doesn’t believe that Jesus is the Christ, the son of God. Therefore not believing that Jesus is the only Mediator between God and man. Having to seek to communicate with the spiritual world through angels.
Most of us probably find this list and find it ridiculous. But know what happens when men emphasize angels about Christ and above the Holy Spirit and the Word:
It removes Christ from involvement in a person’s life.
It places another mediator or intermediary between men and God-someone other than Christ and the Holy Spirit.
It relegates and lowers Christ to a lesser position than angels.
So what is the author tryin to get across?
All angels are bad? No!
Denying angels? No they do exist!
Denying their glory and magnificence? No.
Denying their ministry and service to God? No.
What the author is attacking is the emphasis of some people who exalt angels by seeking experiences with them and by focusing thoughts, attention, and prayers upon them.
Listen closely family, angels are not God’s mediator. Jesus is. Christ is the only Person who can approach God for us. he is the only Person who can hear and answer our prayers and look after and care for us. This doesn’t mean that that Jesus cannot use angels then.
Angels serve Christ; and therefore cannot be the focus of our attention, thoughts, honor or worship. It is Jesus alone.
What this means for us as we study this passage this morning means that Jesus’ name is greater than angels. And that angels have an inferior name.
vv 4-6: 3 reasons why Jesus is greater
vv 4-6: 3 reasons why Jesus is greater
[5a]Jesus is the Son of God; angels are not sons of God. What I mean by that before you get on my case about Genesis hear me out. What I mean by this is Jesus Christ is the Son of God, He and He alone has been “begotten” (gegenneka), that is, born or sent into the world by God.
Jesus is the only begotten Son of God who was sent into the world: John 1:14
14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.
16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.
Jesus is the only begotten Son of God who declared to be the Son of God by the resurrection from the dead.
4 and 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,
You might think well of course pastor we know this already. This is an important reminder that Christ and Christ alone is God’s begotten Son… He and He alone can save us and keep us from perishing. No angel can do this, meaning we need to look to Christ and Him alone.
[5b]Jesus has a Father-Son relationship with God the Father. This is uniquely found only between Jesus Christ and God the Father.
The thought here is that Jesus has opened the way to God for man; He and He alone provides a relationship with God; He and He alone was perfectly righteous and obedient to God; He and He alone provides perfection and righteousness for man. Again no angel can do this. Meaning we must look to Christ to bring us to God.
21 For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.
Our last point for these verses are a pretty simple truth: Jesus Christ is worshipped by angels; they are not worshipped by Him.
Firstborn (prototokos): it means first in the sense of priority and superiority, of being above someone else. It is a word that shows dignity, honor, worth.
What it’s telling us is that this “firstborn” is deserving of praise and worship. Jesus is worthy, not angels.
Jesus is the Person who entered the world as Man, to save man. He is the Person who was raised from the dead and who ascended into heaven to conquer death forever.
He is the Person who is to return and take us home to heaven to be with God for eternity. No angel did that for you, meaning they are not worthy of worship- our hope and attention and praise- is to be upon Christ.
9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
16 On his robe and on his thigh he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords.
vv 7-9) Angels are created beings while Christ always was
vv 7-9) Angels are created beings while Christ always was
Last week we dived into the fact that Christ is the Heir of the Father. Meaning:
He has inherited all power in heaven and on earth.
Inherited the authority to dish out judgement upon men.
Inherited the Lordship over the living and the dead.
What this means for us this morning is that Jesus is God’s heir; angels are only created beings of God.
In verse 7 notice something important? Notice the word “make?” Angels are made, that is created and controlled by God. They are created spirits to serve God in the operations of the universe. Just as wind and fire are sued to serve God and men, so angels are used to serve God. but this is not the same with Christ:
Jesus Christ is God, the Sovereign Majesty who sits upon the throne of God:
The Son is addressed as “God” by God the Father, that is, God the Father calls Jesus God. God the Father is saying that Jesus the Messiah has the very same nature, being, and character that He has. Within heaven there is God the Father God and God the Son and God the Holy Spirit.
The Son has a throne that is eternal, forever and ever.
The Son has an eternal kingdom that is ruled by the sceptre of righteousness.
The author is making his point clear: The Son of God, Jesus Christ is not a created servant to God; He is the Sovereign Majesty of the universe.
31 He who comes from above is above all. He who is of the earth belongs to the earth and speaks in an earthly way. He who comes from heaven is above all.
22 who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers having been subjected to him.
Jesus has been anointed with the oil of gladness.
Verse 9 is interesting. What the author is means by fellows is all creatures both in heaven and earth, for no being or person nor group of beings or persons are equal to Him… He is anointed.
The take away from these few verses are profound: No angel has been anointed above others as God. No angel has come to earth and secured righteousness for me or you; only Jesus could do that.
Therefore, we must look to Jesus Christ for righteousness, not to angels.
1 Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.
vv 10-14) Jesus Christ is the Creator and Sovereign Lord
vv 10-14) Jesus Christ is the Creator and Sovereign Lord
As we come to our last couple verses this morning they are not any less important. Jesus is the Creator of all… Angels are not. As Creator, Jesus is above the world; He is the Sovereign Ruler of the world.
Family it is true that the world is changing and that is passes through many stages. It’s aging, deteriorating, dissolving, but not Christ. He is unchangeable. The earth will perish, but Jesus will remain eternally. He is above and beyond changing.
because of that, He rules over the world. He is sovereign over its destiny. This world will actually be destroyed by a holocaust of fire and recreated into a new heavens and earth. (2 Peter 3:10-13 and Revelation 21:2-3)
The point of this passage is simple... to show the Christ is superior to angels because He is the Creator Sovereign Ruler who is unchangeable. Which makes Him far superior to angels. They actually owe their existence and allegiance to Him as well as their destiny.
3 All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made.
6 yet for us there is one God, the Father, from whom are all things and for whom we exist, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things and through whom we exist.
Jesus has been exalted to God’s right hand, which is a position of:
love and joy
honor and dignity
triumph and victory
rule and authority
power and sovereignty
responsibility and duty
justice and judgement
Christ has finished His work upon earth as the faithful and obedient Son of God- perfectly faithful and obedient in dying for the sins of men. He has conquered and triumphed over the forces of sin and death for mankind and made it possible for them to be saved and to live eternally with God.
“What kind of love is this, friends? what kind of love is that, its so big, so without bounds, that He would come, He would want, He would want to do so much to do so much to rescue people who wanted nothing to do with Him? Who fought Him even when He came to cleave us from hell?
What kind of love is it that sees us in our filth, comes to rescue us, sees us resist that rescue, but continues to rescue us anyways? What foolishness is this? That He would come offer us rescue and we would say, “NO!” Why? what are we gaining by our resistance? Oh how glorious He is, that He saw you like that and didn’t give up!” -Wolves at the Gate
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.
I Have Decided to Follow Jesus
I Have Decided to Follow Jesus
Verse 1
I have decided to follow Jesus
I have decided to follow Jesus
I have decided to follow Jesus
No turning back no turning back
Verse 2
The world behind me the cross before me
The world behind me the cross before me
The world behind me the cross before me
No turning back no turning back
Verse 3
Though none go with me still I will follow
Though none go with me still I will follow
Though none go with me still I will follow
No turning back no turning back
(Ending)
No turning back
No turning back
No turning back
No turning back