Post by arete on Feb 7, 2014 21:44:07 GMT
Introduction:
Some sermons are given to prompt direct action based on truth. Some sermons focus on the necessary, fundamental truths that underlie all righteousness of action and belief. This is one of the latter. I will never be able to speak of Jesus Christ as highly and perfectly and wonderfully as he deserves. You will never be able to dwell & meditate enough on the glories and perfections of Jesus Christ as he deserves. Our cure of both these failings will come in heaven. Until then, we will have to do the best we can as we turn our eyes to the Scriptures. Let’s turn to Hebrews 1…
Context:
Preparing for this series, I have read a lot of pages of opinion about the book of Hebrews that are based on assumptions. That is not a very safe place in Bible study. A very human desire to know and understand can make leaps of imagination and forget that our faith is founded on the bedrock of revelation of God. The word revelation means something once not known now made clear. So let’s consider the book of Hebrews based in the known that God has revealed.
The author of Hebrews:
The author is unknown. A personal pronoun in 11:32 tells us the author was male. Anything else has been called “wise conjecture” but I might drop “wise” from that phrase. Likely the author is Jewish due to his knowledge of Temple ritual and his deep concern for the Jewish nation, but this too is simple an educated guess. “Who was the writer of Hebrews? For me the question is idle, for we have no data by which to determine it, but only inference and conjecture, which can lead only to mere opinion” G.H. Lang
The date:
The latest date for this book is 95 A.D. That is the date of the first extra-biblical record. An early church father named Clement of Rome quotes from Hebrews. Likely the letter was written before 70 A.D. since it references Temple and Tabernacle worship without speaking of the destruction of the Temple by Rome.
The intended audience:
The book’s name is given due to an early manuscript with this title and because the content is riddled with references to the Old Testament and Temple rituals. Further, the author seems to suggest that the audience was comprised of gifted and learned individuals who should be teachers. However, the author speaks of things important for all Christians to know whether Jew or Gentile, teacher or student.
Themes:
Several major ideas are found in this book. Such as: the uniqueness of Christ; his atoning work on the cross; his glorious ascension; the superiority of Christ is stated in various ways 13 times.
A final thought via quote before the text: Why is this book in the Bible? It answers the most important question facing man: “How can we approach God?” – Donald Guthrie
Body – Hebrews 1:1-4 (This is one sentence in its original language.)
The Supremacy of God's Son
1 Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, 2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. 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, 4 having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs.
The Son is God’s revelation vv. 1-2
The author of Hebrews skips any personal introduction. This makes the book not quite a letter or epistle, even though it is included amongst the letters. The book reads more like a sermon which is borne out by the author referring to exhorting his audience. Instead of mincing over niceties…
The letter launches directly into the person and nature of God. God himself is the foundation of all we know and believe. He is the fundamental reality. The author assumes the reality of God and assumes that his audience does as well. This is similar to the opening of Genesis – God exists and…
God has spoken… God’s nature requires that he reveal himself to his creation. He is the greatest good and greatest gift his creation can receive and so he speaks.
…from ancient times. God spoke creation into existence.
…"to and through various means. He spoke to Moses in the burning bush (Exod 3:2 ff.), to Elijah in a still, small voice (1 Kings 19:12 ff.), to Isaiah in a vision in the temple (Isa 6:1 ff.), to Hosea in his family circumstances (Hos 1:2), and to Amos in a basket of summer fruit (Amos 8:1). God might convey his message through visions and dreams, through angels, through Urim and Thummim, through symbols, natural events, ecstasy, a pillar of fire, smoke, or other means. He could appear in Ur of the Chaldees, in Haran, in Canaan, in Egypt, in Babylon. There is no lack of variety, for revelation is not a monotonous activity that must always take place in the same way. God used variety." (Expositor’s Commentary)
…to and through men. God spoke to the forefathers of Israel and the forebears of every believer. He spoke through prophets – which in our time is a title limited to the writers of prophetic books of the Bible. In Judaism, Abraham and others were equally prophets – those who received a word from God that was shared with others.
But…now God has spoken to man by the Son. This phrase stresses the eternal Sonship of the Son. The idea is that while earthly prophets were adequate ambassadors to speak God’s will, the Son of God would be superior in every way. His message would be the acme, the pinnacle, the fulfillment of every other message.
The Son has been appointed as heir to all things. What does this mean, “appointed heir”? The original language is very clear. The Son shares in the authority of God. The Son has this from eternity past and has never not been the heir. This is similar to ancient Eastern practices of a father and son being co-rulers of a nation.
The Son was instrumental in all of Creation. The Son is the Creator. He operated under the authority of God and as creator owns everything in creation.
Illustration:
Christ is not valued at all unless he be valued above all. Augustine
Application:
How highly prized and adored is Christ in our heart? No matter how we answer, the best answer is, “Not enough!” Jesus Christ is worthy of worship. He is the eternal Son. He is the heir of all things. He is our Creator. He is the revelation of God to man which brings us to the next point…
The Son reveals God himself to man v. 3a
The Son is the radiance of God’s glory. The wording here is nuanced. The term “radiance” can mean either, the outshining of glory (meaning that it is radiating from within or the accurate reflection of that glory. Here it means both. Jesus perfectly represents the glory – the very nature of God – to us
The son is the exact imprint of God’s nature. The author emphasizes what he has said similar to the emphasis found in the Psalms. Here, we find that the Son has the same nature or substance as God. We might say that they are cast from the same mold if we used a modern figure of speech.
The Son upholds the universe by the word of his power. The idea here is contrary to the idea of a God who set Creation in motion and takes no part in running it. Here, we find the Son sustains and carries the universe along. How? He has divine power himself. Like God, he speaks and it is so…
Illustrations:
I and the Father are one.” (John 10:30 ESV);
He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 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. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. (Colossians 1:15-17 ESV)
Application:
How can we know God? We know God by looking to Jesus Christ. He is the fullness of God revealed to man. He is the superior and perfect representative of God to man. Thankfully, he is also our representative to God if we have been saved by him. He is the Mediator. The one who goes before God on our behalf both fully God and fully man.
The Son bridges the gulf between man and God vv. 3b-4
The Son has accomplished the purification of sins. The wording here makes some things clear. Sin is filthy. Sin must be cleansed. The Son has already accomplished everything necessary for the cleansing of sin. He has carried the sins away. Nothing can be added or subtracted from what the Son did, or there is no salvation.
The Son is seated at the right hand of Majesty on high. This emphasizes the complete work of purification & the honor and glory the Son has to sit in the most prized position to God. While the Son has been spoken of in glorious & worshipful awe, the name given to God conveys the same adoration
The Son has become superior to angels. This sounds unusual. In light of what has already been said, the Son is eternally superior to the angels. However, in light of what he has accomplished concerning sin, his superiority is showcased by his seating at God’s right hand.
The Son has inherited a name more excellent than any angel’s. Again, this may sound strange. The Son is the eternal heir. A name means more than we might think. Names for God bear his character and nature in a word or phrase. Here, the whole character, nature, personality and accomplished work of the Son infinitely surpass the angels. No matter how glorious an angel might appear to us, the Son is infinitely more glorious.
Illustration:
…what God has done in Christ exhausts all that God has to do for us. R.C. Lucas
Application:
What can we add to what Jesus Christ has accomplished? Asked that way, we would likely jump to say “Nothing!” But then why do we act as if we can contribute to the good work Jesus has done, is doing, and will complete in us? Positionally, we are saved. Practically, the Holy Spirit has been sent to constantly work in us to make us holy. Finally, God will perfect our holiness and righteousness in heaven. Do not take this as an excuse to cease acts of righteousness – just remember to give thanks to God that he is working that righteousness in you. There is nothing you bring before God in salvation except the sin you must be saved from. Any attempt to earn or contribute to your salvation is laying filthy hands on the beautiful and completed work and ministry of the Savior.
So What? What do we do with these precious truths?
I highly doubt you have heard anything new here. My goal today is not to tell you something new, but to minister this portion of Scripture to fan the flame of adoration and worship for our Savior. As the preacher S.M. Lockridge said, “[Jesus Christ] is the fundamental doctrine of true theology.”
The Son is the final word. The revelation of Jesus Christ recorded and expounded upon in the New Testament is the supreme and superior Word of God – God himself revealed to man. In Christ, every doctrine finds its loftiest manifestation. He is the fulfillment of every revelation of God through the ages.
The Son is the radiance of God’s glory. The brilliance of God’s glory is a frightening thing by itself. It threatens to fully expose us and every evil thing about us. It blasts away every pretense and excuse. Jesus tempers that fear by providing in himself the answer to the problem of evil. What he exposes, he has the power to forgive and make holy before God.
The Son is superior. This is a statement of a high Christology. What is that? The belief that Jesus Christ must be worshiped adored and held in highest respect as truly God.
The supremacy of Jesus Christ is the opening lines of this book to lay the groundwork as it answers the question, “How can I approach God?” You can approach God through Jesus Christ. If he is your blessed Savior and glorious Lord, then the next question ought to be, “How can I know him better?” One of the ways to know him better will be our time together in Hebrews…
May our knowledge of this passage drive us to pure adoration and heartfelt worship of the Savior of our souls, the Lord of all creation, the radiance of the Father’s glory. May God be gracious to hear our worship and be pleased with our love for his beloved Son.
Benediction
"Grace, mercy, and peace will be with us from God the Father and from Jesus Christ, the Father's Son, in truth and love." (2 John 1:3 NRSV)
Some sermons are given to prompt direct action based on truth. Some sermons focus on the necessary, fundamental truths that underlie all righteousness of action and belief. This is one of the latter. I will never be able to speak of Jesus Christ as highly and perfectly and wonderfully as he deserves. You will never be able to dwell & meditate enough on the glories and perfections of Jesus Christ as he deserves. Our cure of both these failings will come in heaven. Until then, we will have to do the best we can as we turn our eyes to the Scriptures. Let’s turn to Hebrews 1…
Context:
Preparing for this series, I have read a lot of pages of opinion about the book of Hebrews that are based on assumptions. That is not a very safe place in Bible study. A very human desire to know and understand can make leaps of imagination and forget that our faith is founded on the bedrock of revelation of God. The word revelation means something once not known now made clear. So let’s consider the book of Hebrews based in the known that God has revealed.
The author of Hebrews:
The author is unknown. A personal pronoun in 11:32 tells us the author was male. Anything else has been called “wise conjecture” but I might drop “wise” from that phrase. Likely the author is Jewish due to his knowledge of Temple ritual and his deep concern for the Jewish nation, but this too is simple an educated guess. “Who was the writer of Hebrews? For me the question is idle, for we have no data by which to determine it, but only inference and conjecture, which can lead only to mere opinion” G.H. Lang
The date:
The latest date for this book is 95 A.D. That is the date of the first extra-biblical record. An early church father named Clement of Rome quotes from Hebrews. Likely the letter was written before 70 A.D. since it references Temple and Tabernacle worship without speaking of the destruction of the Temple by Rome.
The intended audience:
The book’s name is given due to an early manuscript with this title and because the content is riddled with references to the Old Testament and Temple rituals. Further, the author seems to suggest that the audience was comprised of gifted and learned individuals who should be teachers. However, the author speaks of things important for all Christians to know whether Jew or Gentile, teacher or student.
Themes:
Several major ideas are found in this book. Such as: the uniqueness of Christ; his atoning work on the cross; his glorious ascension; the superiority of Christ is stated in various ways 13 times.
A final thought via quote before the text: Why is this book in the Bible? It answers the most important question facing man: “How can we approach God?” – Donald Guthrie
Body – Hebrews 1:1-4 (This is one sentence in its original language.)
The Supremacy of God's Son
1 Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, 2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. 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, 4 having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs.
The Son is God’s revelation vv. 1-2
The author of Hebrews skips any personal introduction. This makes the book not quite a letter or epistle, even though it is included amongst the letters. The book reads more like a sermon which is borne out by the author referring to exhorting his audience. Instead of mincing over niceties…
The letter launches directly into the person and nature of God. God himself is the foundation of all we know and believe. He is the fundamental reality. The author assumes the reality of God and assumes that his audience does as well. This is similar to the opening of Genesis – God exists and…
God has spoken… God’s nature requires that he reveal himself to his creation. He is the greatest good and greatest gift his creation can receive and so he speaks.
…from ancient times. God spoke creation into existence.
…"to and through various means. He spoke to Moses in the burning bush (Exod 3:2 ff.), to Elijah in a still, small voice (1 Kings 19:12 ff.), to Isaiah in a vision in the temple (Isa 6:1 ff.), to Hosea in his family circumstances (Hos 1:2), and to Amos in a basket of summer fruit (Amos 8:1). God might convey his message through visions and dreams, through angels, through Urim and Thummim, through symbols, natural events, ecstasy, a pillar of fire, smoke, or other means. He could appear in Ur of the Chaldees, in Haran, in Canaan, in Egypt, in Babylon. There is no lack of variety, for revelation is not a monotonous activity that must always take place in the same way. God used variety." (Expositor’s Commentary)
…to and through men. God spoke to the forefathers of Israel and the forebears of every believer. He spoke through prophets – which in our time is a title limited to the writers of prophetic books of the Bible. In Judaism, Abraham and others were equally prophets – those who received a word from God that was shared with others.
But…now God has spoken to man by the Son. This phrase stresses the eternal Sonship of the Son. The idea is that while earthly prophets were adequate ambassadors to speak God’s will, the Son of God would be superior in every way. His message would be the acme, the pinnacle, the fulfillment of every other message.
The Son has been appointed as heir to all things. What does this mean, “appointed heir”? The original language is very clear. The Son shares in the authority of God. The Son has this from eternity past and has never not been the heir. This is similar to ancient Eastern practices of a father and son being co-rulers of a nation.
The Son was instrumental in all of Creation. The Son is the Creator. He operated under the authority of God and as creator owns everything in creation.
Illustration:
Christ is not valued at all unless he be valued above all. Augustine
Application:
How highly prized and adored is Christ in our heart? No matter how we answer, the best answer is, “Not enough!” Jesus Christ is worthy of worship. He is the eternal Son. He is the heir of all things. He is our Creator. He is the revelation of God to man which brings us to the next point…
The Son reveals God himself to man v. 3a
The Son is the radiance of God’s glory. The wording here is nuanced. The term “radiance” can mean either, the outshining of glory (meaning that it is radiating from within or the accurate reflection of that glory. Here it means both. Jesus perfectly represents the glory – the very nature of God – to us
The son is the exact imprint of God’s nature. The author emphasizes what he has said similar to the emphasis found in the Psalms. Here, we find that the Son has the same nature or substance as God. We might say that they are cast from the same mold if we used a modern figure of speech.
The Son upholds the universe by the word of his power. The idea here is contrary to the idea of a God who set Creation in motion and takes no part in running it. Here, we find the Son sustains and carries the universe along. How? He has divine power himself. Like God, he speaks and it is so…
Illustrations:
I and the Father are one.” (John 10:30 ESV);
He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 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. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. (Colossians 1:15-17 ESV)
Application:
How can we know God? We know God by looking to Jesus Christ. He is the fullness of God revealed to man. He is the superior and perfect representative of God to man. Thankfully, he is also our representative to God if we have been saved by him. He is the Mediator. The one who goes before God on our behalf both fully God and fully man.
The Son bridges the gulf between man and God vv. 3b-4
The Son has accomplished the purification of sins. The wording here makes some things clear. Sin is filthy. Sin must be cleansed. The Son has already accomplished everything necessary for the cleansing of sin. He has carried the sins away. Nothing can be added or subtracted from what the Son did, or there is no salvation.
The Son is seated at the right hand of Majesty on high. This emphasizes the complete work of purification & the honor and glory the Son has to sit in the most prized position to God. While the Son has been spoken of in glorious & worshipful awe, the name given to God conveys the same adoration
The Son has become superior to angels. This sounds unusual. In light of what has already been said, the Son is eternally superior to the angels. However, in light of what he has accomplished concerning sin, his superiority is showcased by his seating at God’s right hand.
The Son has inherited a name more excellent than any angel’s. Again, this may sound strange. The Son is the eternal heir. A name means more than we might think. Names for God bear his character and nature in a word or phrase. Here, the whole character, nature, personality and accomplished work of the Son infinitely surpass the angels. No matter how glorious an angel might appear to us, the Son is infinitely more glorious.
Illustration:
…what God has done in Christ exhausts all that God has to do for us. R.C. Lucas
Application:
What can we add to what Jesus Christ has accomplished? Asked that way, we would likely jump to say “Nothing!” But then why do we act as if we can contribute to the good work Jesus has done, is doing, and will complete in us? Positionally, we are saved. Practically, the Holy Spirit has been sent to constantly work in us to make us holy. Finally, God will perfect our holiness and righteousness in heaven. Do not take this as an excuse to cease acts of righteousness – just remember to give thanks to God that he is working that righteousness in you. There is nothing you bring before God in salvation except the sin you must be saved from. Any attempt to earn or contribute to your salvation is laying filthy hands on the beautiful and completed work and ministry of the Savior.
So What? What do we do with these precious truths?
I highly doubt you have heard anything new here. My goal today is not to tell you something new, but to minister this portion of Scripture to fan the flame of adoration and worship for our Savior. As the preacher S.M. Lockridge said, “[Jesus Christ] is the fundamental doctrine of true theology.”
The Son is the final word. The revelation of Jesus Christ recorded and expounded upon in the New Testament is the supreme and superior Word of God – God himself revealed to man. In Christ, every doctrine finds its loftiest manifestation. He is the fulfillment of every revelation of God through the ages.
The Son is the radiance of God’s glory. The brilliance of God’s glory is a frightening thing by itself. It threatens to fully expose us and every evil thing about us. It blasts away every pretense and excuse. Jesus tempers that fear by providing in himself the answer to the problem of evil. What he exposes, he has the power to forgive and make holy before God.
The Son is superior. This is a statement of a high Christology. What is that? The belief that Jesus Christ must be worshiped adored and held in highest respect as truly God.
The supremacy of Jesus Christ is the opening lines of this book to lay the groundwork as it answers the question, “How can I approach God?” You can approach God through Jesus Christ. If he is your blessed Savior and glorious Lord, then the next question ought to be, “How can I know him better?” One of the ways to know him better will be our time together in Hebrews…
May our knowledge of this passage drive us to pure adoration and heartfelt worship of the Savior of our souls, the Lord of all creation, the radiance of the Father’s glory. May God be gracious to hear our worship and be pleased with our love for his beloved Son.
Benediction
"Grace, mercy, and peace will be with us from God the Father and from Jesus Christ, the Father's Son, in truth and love." (2 John 1:3 NRSV)
