TEXT: Hebrews 1:1-4
READING: Psalm 89:1-18
SUBJ: The superiority of Christ to the prophets and to angels in that God is revealed in Him.
AIM: That we might have a greater realization of His person, and His covenant work of salvation.
INTR: It is to be noted that the author does not identify himself or to the recipients of this epistle. He simply launches into the theme of this book and immediately calls attention to Jesus and His superiority in all things.
1. Paul is often referred to as the author, but the epistle is anonymous. It is assumed to be written to Hebrew Christians. Its purpose is to show that all is fulfilled in Christ. That is:
a. To see Christ as mediator above all others
b. To see Christ as our High Priestly King
c. To see the preeminence of the New Covenant of which Christ is the Mediator.
2. Its importance to us is in seeing all the types and shadows fulfilled in Christ. Of special importance to us is to see that He preceded Moses and all the rest.
3. We will endeavor to see Him as the Word of God and He who reveals all the glory of God
THESIS: To see the supremacy and preeminence of Christ over all things and in all things is essential to a proper view of salvation.
I. The Son Who is the revelation of God (v. 1)
1. Our God does speak, and we connect that thought with John 1:1
2. We see that God has spoken by the prophets in the past
1) At sundry times – from time to time in a piecemeal fashion. While all had a part, none had a complete revelation. 1 Corinthians 13:9 For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. But Christ was certainly in view from the beginning.
2) The Lord spoke to Adam in the cool of the evening and
3) In that the term prophets here can be extended to include Abel, Enoch, Noah Abraham, Moses, et al., it certainly came in different ways.
3. We especially are reminded of the encounters of Abraham and the promise given and that He Spoke face to face with Moses.
II. In these last days (or since the “time past”) has spoken unto us by His Son.
1. Consider that Peter emphasizes these thoughts on the day of Pentecost (calling out the words of the prophets) and Paul in Galatians 4:4. (the fullness of time).
2. The things revealed in the Old Testament are confirmed in the revelation given us in Christ – The distinction is in how the revelation was made in that Jesus wrote nothing and is Himself the Word made flesh.
3. But the Son is the eminent means:
1) The appointed heir and as the only heir inherits all that the Father has determined – Jesus inherits everything the Father possessed.
2) One commentator used the terms Incomprehensible! Unfthomable!
4. And it is by Him that the Worlds were made. The physical universe serves the purpose of God.
III. The nature of the revelation of God in His Being: (V. 3a)
1. The brightness of His glory – Doxas
2. 2Co 4:6 “For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.”
3. The express image of His person (Word used only here and referred to minted coins). Here it is more than a superficial rep
1) In independent existence
2) In His origin and descent
3) In His likeness
4. Who uphold all things by the Word of His power – Bears it up – “by Him all things consist.”
IV. Manifested completion in redemption (v. 3b)
1. By Himself purged our sins (purified us).
2. And sat down with claim to a redemptive power
3. “on the right hand of the Majesty on High.”
4. And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, (Revelation 1:5)
V. Being (Becoming) so much better than the Angels in that
1. He hath by inheritance
1) As the Son
2) And we as co-heirs with the Son.
2. Obtained a more excellent Name.
1) Acts 4:12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
2) Philippians 2:9-11Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
3. He is:
1) The Prophet through Whom God has spoken
2) The Creator Who has made the universe
3) The Heir of all things
4) The Representation of God’s being
5) The Upholder of all things
6) The Priest who provided purification for sins
7) The King Who sat down in the place of honor
