The Supreme Revelation: Application Focus

The Reading/ Hook

My hope is that you came to church this morning in desperate need of Jesus and excited to get into the Word with your brothers and sister. To be transformed by the washing of the Word. We will have two different passages we will read in preparation for our time of worship. Worshipping our great King through singing and also through the study of His Word.

2 Timothy 3:16-17 & Psalm 119:89-105.

Introduction:

This morning we are finishing our first part of six sections of Hebrews: The Greater Revelation. This is going to be a slightly different service then what we are use too.

Today we are going to do a giant review, followed by an exam. The goal is for us to be reminded of what we have gone over, along with the major application of our studies in Hebrews so far.

We start the second section next week entitled, “The Greater High Priest”: Hebrews 4:14-7:28.

3. The Greater Minister: Hebrews 8:1-10:18.

4. The Greater Author of Faith: Hebrews 10:19-11:40.

5. The Greater Example: Hebrews 12:1-29.

We will likely spend the most time in this section. As we take our time looking at each person in the hall of faith.

6. The Greater Christian Life: Hebrews 13:1-25.

We would all agree that Scripture is important. This is why this morning we are going to read our section in it’s entirety. The purpose for this is twofold.

The first is because it’s important to read large sections of Scripture as the body of Christ. The early church and Christians throughout the ages have done that very thing.

The second reason is that as a church we have spent nine Sunday mornings so far in Hebrews and it is important to see how the passage flows together from verse 1:1-4:13.

To alleviate you guys from hearing me read the whole time, I got some helpers.

[[Call them up and have them wait in order of who is reading.]]

Family reading Scripture is exciting, be mindful of what we are going to read. Because God has something for you this morning. We need to engage the text and to allow it to transform our minds and lives.

It isn’t good enough to merely read the word, but we need to study it. But that isn’t the finality that God desires, we must act upon the word of God. Which will lead us to sharing it with others.

The Reading:

Hebrews 1:1-3: Thomas

Hebrews 1:4-14: Bailey

Hebrews 2:1-4: Steven

Hebrews 2:5-13: Ed

Hebrews 2:14-18: Kyle

Hebrews 3:1-6: Ken

Hebrews 3:7-19: Kyle

Hebrews 4:1-13: Thomas

Christ is > the Prophets: 1:1-3

What makes the opening of this particular book of the bible so beautiful for me is this notion that God has spoken. That He isn’t a watchmaker god, creating everything then leaving it to its own devices.

God is involved with His creation. Concerned with our lives, and the trials and troubles that come along with it. Along with the good things too.

God has spoken to us. He has told us exactly how to overcome temptations, and how to rely on Him to get us through difficulties of life.

The beautiful truth is that God really loves you. He has not abandoned you to try and figure out life on your own. He answers the questions of:

Where did we come from?

Why are we here?

Where are we going?

How can we have victory over trials and sin?

We find these answers in His Word, and the full revelation that came through His Son Jesus Christ. This is one of the main reasons that Jesus is Greater than the prophets.

The implications of this point, “Christ is > the prophets” are numerous. But the major take away could be found in: Hebrews 1:3

Hebrews 1:3 ESV

3 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,

Jesus is the image of God. The Sustainer of all things. Your Redeemer and your Mediator.

Jesus is the solution.

Hebrews 7:25–26 ESV

25 Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them. 26 For it was indeed fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, innocent, unstained, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens.

Christ is > the Angels 1:4-14

Important facts about angels:

Angels are created begins, superior to men.

Numerous.

Angels are extremely superior to men in intelligence and knowledge. (2 Sam 14:20; Ps 103:20; 104:4.)

Great power: A single angel killed 185,000 Assyrians.

They observe men.

1/3 fell with Satan from their original state. Never allowed a chance for salvation.

Their purpose:

Hebrews 1:14 ESV

14 Are they not all ministering spirits sent out to serve for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation?

When people emphasize angels above Christ it has some dangerous consequences:

It removes Christ’s involvement in a person’s life.

IT places another mediator between God and men.

It relegates and lowers Christ to a lesser position than angels.

Angels serve Christ; therefore they cannot be the focus of our attention, thoughts, honor or worship. That is for Jesus alone.

Application:

Why replace the Creator for the creation, as Romans 1 states. Jesus has been exalted to God’s right hand. Meaning He alone is worthy of worship.

1st Danger: Neglecting Salvation: 2:1-4

The author comes to their first danger, that of neglecting salvation. As believers our call here is to listen more closely and to pay more attention to the gospel than ever.

The gospel being:

We are created by God and accountable to Him. God.

Our problem is that we sinned against Him. Bad News.

The solution only comes through God’s Son Jesus Christ. Through His death and resurrection. Good News.

We can only come to that solution through faith and repentance. Repentance being a choice you must make as the individual. Our Response.

Family we can live for ourselves, drifting through life neglecting this great salvation that God has granted us.

We must examine ourselves to make sure that we are truly living for God and not for anything else, including us.

Christ Secures Supremacy for Mankind: 2:5-13

God made Christ a little lower than the angels to suffer and taste death for the sins of the world. Christ died as our representative and as our substitute. He bore in His body on the cross all God’s judgement against sin so that those who believe on Him will never have to bear it.

Now Jesus has been crowned the glory and honor as He is seated at the right hand of the Father with all authority and power given to Him.

Because of what God accomplished through His Son, we too have reaped the benefit. We too were made lower than the angels to one day rule over them. Only those in Christ.

Application:

Hebrews 2:12 ESV

12 saying, “I will tell of your name to my brothers; in the midst of the congregation I will sing your praise.”

This verse pictures Jesus identifying with us. Looking forward to the day when He would lead the ransomed in praise to God the Father. Be in awe of Him. We should echo Paul in:

Philippians 3:7–11 ESV

7 But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. 8 Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith— 10 that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11 that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.

Christ Secures Victory: 2:14-18

I believe our culture is aware that something is not right with the human race. That not everything is as it should be.

19 million self-help books. 85,000 books are written each year. The solution isn’t going to be found in those books merely a band-aid on a corpse. The only solution is Jesus.

This Jesus is the great deliverer of mankind:

By becoming a man.

By dying for us.

By destroying the power of the devil, sin, and death.

Because of His deliverance from the fear of death.

Lastly, by delivering us from the bondage of the flesh.

Becoming our High Priest. Being our mediator between God. He lived a human life so that He could secure victory for us.

Colossians 1:21–22 ESV

21 And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, 22 he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him,

We serve a God who can not only sympathize with what we are going though but can also provide real help, lasting help, lasting change.

There is never going to be anyone greater than Jesus.

Christ is > Moses: 3:1-6

Our author anticipates the argument that no one is greater than Christ. For the Hebrew Moses is revered.

Moses was an incredibly great man. But was still man. He was faithful, but Christ was more so. He was faithful minister in the house of God, Jesus was the Son of the house and the builder. Meaning Jesus had infinite more honor than Moses.

2nd Danger (Part 1): Unbelief: 3:7-19

For the reader it was clear that the point about Jesus being greater than Moses might lead them to be hardened towards the gospel. They were encouraged not to be.

The author giving the example that Israel in the wilderness hardened their hearts towards God and His anointed:

disbelieving God

Complaining and grumbling against God

Started to regret that they left Egypt.

We are to take heed:

Hebrews 3:12 ESV

12 Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God.

Meaning not all who proclaim to be Christians are.

Matthew 7:21–23 ESV

21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ 23 And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’

So what are we to do?

We are to encourage and exhort one another daily. Because we are in this together as a family.

2nd Danger (Part 2): Fear of Missing Out: 4:1-13

For the Christian and unbeliever that chose not to live for Christ will miss out on God’s rest.

Rest meaning: peace with God, freedom to worship according to the gospel, and enjoying the rest that God enjoys.

We are also confronted with the fact that hearing God’s Word isn’t enough. Israel heard the word but it didn’t benefit them because they chose not to believe.

We must go from reading, to studying, to applying, to sharing. This is impossible if you do not a Christian. Because this is a work done through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Family the Bible is not boring… [[love letters]].

The bible is so much more than to increase your knowledge. It is powerful and active ready to change your life if you would only open it and allow God to speak to you.

Hebrews 4:12–13 ESV

12 For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. 13 And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account.

Closing remarks:

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.