Church of the Nazarene – Harrisonburg
The heartbeat of the Book of Hebrews is the ultimate supremacy of Christ over all.
The heartbeat of the Book of Hebrews is the ultimate supremacy of Christ over all. Christ is King, and is above every power, person, prophet, situation, gift, talent, etc. Over the course of their series, much of our study will focus in on Christ, why He is above all, and how our thoughts and lives should be different because of Him.
The letter of Hebrews begins with that same focus, and that’s where we begin today:
Three Things:
1. The author understood the Old Testament writings extremely well, and they are interwoven into the text.
2. The letter is a pastoral exhortation to the readers, written to early Christians who were being persecuted.
3. The author understood how all of Scripture points to Jesus – that Jesus is greater than the prophets, the angels, key political and spiritual leaders of Israel’s history, sacrifices, etc. Jesus us greater.
From the commentaries:
“The Epistle to the Hebrews is one of the most carefully written books in the New Testament. The author was well informed and articulate about the Jewish Scriptures and the message about Jesus Christ.” – James Earl Massey, True to our Native Land: An African American New Testament Commentary
“Written to challenge a community that the author saw as being in a perilous situation… urging its readers to remain faithful to its confession… Revelation through prophets was promissory in character; it was incomplete, not faulty. By contract, God’s ultimate word through the Son is unique and final.” – Victor Pfitzner, Hebrews: Abingdon New Testament Commentaries
Hebrews 1:1-4
In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe. The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven. So he became as much superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is superior to theirs.
Hebrews 1:5-14
For to which of the angels did God ever say, “You are my Son; today I have become your Father”? Or again, “I will be his Father, and he will be my Son”? And again, when God brings his firstborn into the world, he says, “Let all God’s angels worship him.” In speaking of the angels he says, “He makes his angels spirits, and his servants flames of fire.” But about the Son he says, “Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever; a scepter of justice will be the scepter of your kingdom. You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions by anointing you with the oil of joy.” He also says, “In the beginning, Lord, you laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands. They will perish, but you remain; they will all wear out like a garment. You will roll them up like a robe; like a garment they will be changed. But you remain the same, and your years will never end.” To which of the angels did God ever say, “Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet”? Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?
Psalms 2:4-8
The One enthroned in heaven laughs; the Lord scoffs at them. He rebukes them in his anger and terrifies them in his wrath, saying, “I have installed my king on Zion, my holy mountain.” I will proclaim the Lord’s decree: He said to me, “You are my son; today I have become your father. Ask me, and I will make the nations your inheritance, the ends of the earth your possession.
Psalms 102:25-27
In the beginning you laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands. They will perish, but you remain; they will all wear out like a garment. Like clothing you will change them and they will be discarded. But you remain the same, and your years will never end.
Psalms 45:6-7
Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever; a scepter of justice will be the scepter of your kingdom. You love righteousness and hate wickedness; therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions by anointing you with the oil of joy.
Jesus is the just King of the eternal Kingdom.
From the commentaries:
“The idea that Jesus is the heir of all things addresses the human need to know where life is ultimately headed. Does the one who ends up with the most toys, or the most troops, really win? Does history flicker without a whimper? Do the richer keep on getting richer, and the violent always bear it away, world without end, amen? The preacher of Hebrews assures his congregation that when all is said and done, life does not belong to the demagogue, the oppressor, the tyrant, or the warrior; it becomes to Jesus Christ. The creation does not disintegrate into violence, chaos, and futility; it ensures at a holy inheritance. Human being do not end up in meaningless; they end up as the treasure of the beloved Son.”
– Thomas Long, Hebrews: Interpretation: A Bible Commentary for Teaching and Preaching
A full surrender to the Lordship of Christ requires us to align ourselves to Christ.
Our surrender to the Lordship of Christ centers us on the will of God.
Is Jesus the King of my life?
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