Hebrews 1:4-2:18

II. CHRIST IS SUPERIOR TO THE ANGELS 1:4 – 2:18

A.    Who/What are Angels and what is their purpose?

1.      Spiritual Beings created by God and under His authority – Col. 1:16

2.      Messengers (This is the literal meaning of the word) Luke 1:26

3.      Often used to protect God’s people – Daniel 6:22; Matt. 18:10

4.      Offer encouragement Gen. 16:7ff

5.      Give Guidance – Ex. 14:19

6.      Carry out punishment – II Sam. 24:16

7.      Patrolling the earth – Zech. 1:9-14

8.      Fighting forces of evil – Dan. 10:12-14

9.      Do not marry – Matt.22:30

10.  Jew during Jesus day believed that angels carried prayers to God, so they were highly honored.

11.  False teachers taught that God could only be approached through angels – others that Jesus was just a superior angel.

12.  SEE: Col. 2:16-18

13.  Note: There are times in the OT when it is hard to distinguish between the Angel of the Lord and Christ himself at this Angel.

B.     Superior to the Angels 1:4-14

1.            Superior Name: He is the Son of God 1:4, 5

a.       V:4 is the “result” of what is said about Him in previous verses…”he became”…”he has inherited” result of His finished work.

b.      Psa. 2:7 is a “Coronation” Psalm

c.       Jesus is called Son at his Baptism, Transfiguration, different since here.

d.      Eph. 1:18-23 “I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, 19 and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength, 20 which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, 21 far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. 22 And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, 23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.”

e.       This proclamation is made at His Resurrection:

                                    Acts 13:33 “We tell you the good news: What God promised our                                       fathers 33he has fulfilled for us, their children, by raising up Jesus.                                      As it is written in the second Psalm: “ ‘You are my Son; today I                                               have become your Father.”

f.       II Sam. 7:14 (first applied to Solomon, now Jesus) “I will be his father, and he will be my son. When he does wrong, I will punish him with the rod of men, with floggings inflicted by men.”

g.      The titles of “Father” and “Son” reveal a distinction between these two members of the Godhead. They also reveal the unique relationship of the Son to the Father. Although a unity exists in the Trinity, a distinction between the members exists, too. The lesson is that no Angel can claim such a relationship.

h. CAN YOU IMAGINE WHAT HIS HOMECOMING WAS LIKE?

2.   Superior as “firstborn” deserving of worship 1:6

a.   In English conveys the idea of eldest child, but in Greek “prototokos” signifies “preeminence over”

b.   Quoted from the Septuagint…all quotes in Hebrews are.

c.   Col. 1:15-16 “He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16 For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him.

d.   . J. B. Lightfoot pointed out that patristic writers, (patristic literature:body of literature that comprises those works, excluding the New Testament, written by Christians before the 8^th century AD.), distinguished between protoktistos (first-created) and prototokos    (“first-born”)…first born of creation must be interpreted in such a way that it is not inconsistent with His other title of (one of a kind) alone of His kind and therefore distinct from created things. (J.B. Lightfoot as quoted on page 67 “Jesus Christ Today”, by Neil R. Lightfoot”.

3. Superior because He is served by Angels 1:7

a.       After the temptation: Matt. 4:11; during the agony of the Garden Luke 22:43

b.      “Wind” = speed, “fire” power – metaphors for what they do. They are messengers.

4. Jesus is God: Enthroned and Anointed 1:8-9 (Psa. 45:6,7)

a.       Angels minister before the throne; they do not sit upon it.

b.      “your” throne “oh God”

c.       Reign “forever”

d.      Scepter = Righteousness

e.       Psa. 110:1 “The Lord says to my Lord “Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for you feet.”

            . Quoted 33 times in N.T.

            . Mark. 12:35-37 & Acts 2:29-36

            . It was through Mary that the Jewish blood line came (David), but                         it was through the Holy Spirit that the incarnation took place = Jesus is God!

f.       Anointed with oil of Joy Heb. 12:2 “for the joy set before him” The Joy of the reward kept Him going!

g.      Joy as our motivation: imagine a life absent from the pressures and effects of sin.

5. Superior as the Eternal Creator 1:10-12

a.       The creation is wearing out, but not the creator – He is eternal

b.      He remains the same, never changing 13:8

c.       He is their only security and ours as well.

d.      “My hope is built on nothing less”

6. Jesus is superior as Ruler over ALL; Angels are servants for us 1:13-14

a.       Angels are created to serve:

b.      “The angel answered, “I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to tell you this good news.” Luke 1:19

c.       “footstool” Defeated kings would kiss the feet of the King who had conquered them. The victor would place his foot on the neck of the defeated king.

d.      One day, “Every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.”

 SO WHAT? 

1.      What are some misconceptions and perceptions about Angels?

2.      In what way is Jesus the “first born of creation”?

3.      What is the Septuagint?

                        C. WARNING! DON’T DRIFT FROM THE WORD 2:1-4 

1.      Drifting away from the Gospel is a process that is imperceptible, but real 2:1 

a.       Example of Nolan Crawford’s falling away

b.      This section is the first of 5 warning in the letter

                                    c. NOTE: The admonition is to believers/Christians. The writer                                                        includes himself “we”. NASV Don’t neglect / NIV ignore,                                                  neglect is correct. The point is that they weren’t “rejecting”                                           but “neglecting”. Writer is not encouraging sinners to                                                         become Christians, but encouraging Christians to pay                                                           attention to the salvation they have already received. (See                                                    Also: 3:1, 12; 10:19; 13:1, 22)

                                    d. “Therefore” no chapter division in original, what is about to be                                                    said is based on what was said before.

                                    e. “drift” is a nautical term used to describe a ship who had broken                                                             from it anchor and was drifting from safe harbor.

                                                1). William Perry Artic Expedition of map making. Took                                                                  their bearings from the stars…took them again the                                                                 second day and were further from their destination.                                                                     What they failed to understand was that they were                                                                  on an Ice Berg that was floating in the opposite                                                                    direction away from where they were going. The                                                                  drifting was so gradual it was imperceptible, but                                                                   real!

2). In over 4 years as a Christian I never saw a Christian wake up one day and say, today is the day I will turn my back on Christ.    

                                                3). Church in Ephesus: Rev. 2:1-7 (example of drifting)

SIDE NOTE: HOW DO YOU KNOW THAT THE DRIFTING HAS BEGUN?

1. When speaking to Him ceases to be a vital part of your life.
2. When the quest to be like Him no longer dominates your thinking.
3. When gathering together to worship has lost its delight.
4. When conversations about spiritual things is an embarrassment to you.
5. When acquiring things become the driving force in your life.
6. When you can sing songs without engaging the heart.
7. When the pursuit of leisure and recreation takes on a predominant role.
8. When the slightest excuse keeps you from your spiritual responsibility.
9. When you can read/watch moral degrading material without and uproar in your consciences.
10. When you can engage in questionable business practices or cheat on a test and excuse it easily.
11. When you set under preaching and teaching of the word aware of your sin and say someday I will make things right with God.
12. When any of these exists…the drift has already begun….Example: “Leave It To Beaver” to “Desperate Housewives” how far we have drifted.

 2.      The Consequence of drifting from the Gospel is severe and sure. 2:2-3a 

a.       A rabbinical argument, from the lesser to the great

b.      Note the legal terms: “binding”, “violation”, “just punishment”.

c.       “disobedient and violation” describe willful and defiant disobedience.

d.      Sacrificial system was for sin done in ignorance.

                                                1). Numbers 15:27-32 V: 27 unintentional; V: 30 defiant;                                                                 V: 32 example of previous verses.

                                                2). “just punishment” this was justice under the law.

e.       “spoken by Angels was binding”…”how shall we escape?”

                                                1). Angels were present at Sinai and the giving of the Law.                                                              Deut. 33:2; Acts 7:37-38

                                                2). Gospel not by Angels, but “SON”

                                                3). One was a sin against “Law” the other a sin against                                                                     “Love”.

 3.      What makes this salvation so great? 2:3b-4 

a.       “announced by the Lord” V:3a

                                                1). The Son declared greater than the Angels in Chapter                                                                   announced it.

                                                2). He is the originator of the message.

b.      “confirmed to us by those who heard him” V:3b

                                                1). More than likely the Apostles

                                                2). NOTE: “us” writer included himself, thus not an eyewitness, thus  eliminating Paul as writer. (Gal. 1:12).

                                                3). God also testified to it by signs, wonders and various                                                                 miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed                                                                   according to his will.” V: 4

                                                4). Mark 16:19-20; Acts 8:6; 14:3

5). The Word no longer needs confirmation by the miraculous today. God still works in answering our prayers and I will not deny that miracles happen, but not in the same since as in the first century. In the first century all healing was 100% and complete; no relapses or excuses.

c.       This is the Trinity at work: God spoke through His Son and the Spirit confirmed with miracles, wonders and signs.

 

SIDE NOTE:

 

1. To overcome the problem of drifting requires the discipline of application. Being not only a hearer of the Word, but a doer as well.

2. Three ways to avoid drifting:

            . When under pressure don’t rely on your instincts, but rather the Word from the    Lord.

. When making decisions don’t value human ingenuity and opinion more than what you know God said.

. When faced with a choice, choose what is painful (though right) above what is comfortable (though wrong).

 

D. JESUS IS NOT INFERIOR BECAUSE OF HIS HUMANITY 2:5-18

1. Through his humanity He was able to regain man’s lost dominion 2:5-9

                        a. V: 5 “for” (not in the NIV) shows a connection to the original line of                              reasoning left of in 1:14

                        b. Quote from Psalm 8:4-6 (Read complete Psalm)

                        c. Man was given universal dominion over all of God’s Creation Gen.                                 1:26-31.

                        d. “yet at present…” man doesn’t have the dominion of God’s design                                 because of SIN.

                                    1). Man doesn’t control, the fish, the wild animals, etc.

                                    2). The earth changed too…thorns, poisonous plants –

                                    3). Rom. 8:20- 24

                        e. “but we see Jesus…”

                                    1). He human name used here, before it was “Son”, “Lord”, “God”

                                    2). Jesus came to restore to man what Adam lost through sin.

                                    3). Came as a man for man – to be able to taste death, the penalty                                       for sin.

                        f. “now crowned with glory and honor”

                                    1). These words were used in the Psalm quoted to describe man.

                                    2). Jesus restores the “original purpose” of God.

NOTE: Have you ever been ashamed of Him? Did you feel the urge to speak for Him, but didn’t. You knew you should have spoken up, but didn’t. I am sure that the Hebrews in their struggle with family, friends, co-workers had grown weary of the mounting opposition and had begun to weaken in their testimony.

1. His humanity allowed for our salvation to be accomplished within the perfect Character of God 2:9-13

a.       V:10 “for” is in the original…thus tying all of this together.

b.      “bringing many sons” In V:9 “everyone”, but not universal salvation.

                                                1). Exodus imagery “bring out”

                                                2). What saved Israel’s firstborn? Blood of a lamb

c.       “it was fitting” appropriate, right

                                                1). God acts in keeping with His character in the process of                                                             accomplishing His purpose.

                                                2). This was not a backroom bargain with the devil for the                                                   souls of men.

                                                3). Rom 3:23-26 ————-

d.      “perfect through suffering” Not saying that Jesus was not perfect in character. Lit. complete, effective, adequate

e.       “author” lit. pioneer, founder, champion.

f.       “V:11 “same family” we have been adopted – a full and complete identification with us!

g.       Vs:11-13 All pictures of His identification with us

h.      The basis of our brotherhood with Christ is not our “life” but our Father.

i.        MESSAGE: He is not ashamed of you — Don’t you be ashamed of Him!

1.  
   1. His humanity allowed Him to disarm Satan and deliver us from the fear of death 2:14-16

a.       “destroy” Doesn’t mean annihilation, for he is still alive…means to render inoperative, make of no effect.

b.      Death is still sure, but the fear of it is gone.

c.       I Cor. 15:19, 54-57—————- 

                                                1). Greek burial ground was a “necropolis” meaning city of                                      the dead —  now we call burial grounds “cemetery” a                                                    sleeping place.

d.      Rev. 1:17-18——————

e.       V:16 Jesus didn’t take on nature of angels to save fallen angels, but went a “little lower” became a man to save us…Abraham descendants

1.  His humanity allows Him to be a sympatric High Priest 2:17-18

a.       “Therefore”

b.      “in everyway” IMPORTANT!

c.       “propitiation” is the term, not Atonement as in the NIV

                                                1). Lit to turn away the wrath of God.

                                                2). Sacrifice that meets the demands of Justice.

d.      “He Himself was tempted”

                                                1). Heb. 4:14-16————–

                                                2). Not only in all ways, but in a greater degree than we                                                       have ever experienced.

                                                3. i.e. Pain…when it reaches a certain point, we pass out.                                                      We are weak and give in to temptation before we                                                                 experience all that Satan has to through at us.