Hebrews Chapter 2
Notes
Transcript
Introduction
Introduction
A. Recap from Hebrews 1
Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, 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. 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, having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs.
For to which of the angels did God ever say,
“You are my Son,
today I have begotten you”?
Or again,
“I will be to him a father,
and he shall be to me a son”?
And again, when he brings the firstborn into the world, he says,
“Let all God’s angels worship him.”
Of the angels he says,
“He makes his angels winds,
and his ministers a flame of fire.”
But of the Son he says,
“Your throne, O God, is forever and ever,
the scepter of uprightness is the scepter of your kingdom.
You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness;
therefore God, your God, has anointed you
with the oil of gladness beyond your companions.”
And,
“You, Lord, laid the foundation of the earth in the beginning,
and the heavens are the work of your hands;
they will perish, but you remain;
they will all wear out like a garment,
like a robe you will roll them up,
like a garment they will be changed.
But you are the same,
and your years will have no end.”
And to which of the angels has he ever said,
“Sit at my right hand
until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet”?
Are they not all ministering spirits sent out to serve for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation?
Point 1: Pay attention to the Gospel
Point 1: Pay attention to the Gospel
A. The writer of Hebrews is capitalizing on his previous point of Jesus that he stated in what we know as chapter 1.
The writer of Hebrews is also calling attention to the doctrine of salvation.
It is here will draw our attention today on the doctrine of salvation.
The question to ask what is this salvation that we must pay attention to?
B. Salvation by definition is being saved. What are we being saved from?
It is here we must examine the doctrine of man’s part in the garden in order to understand the call of salvation.
Last time I was here we spoke of Jesus as God, spoke on creation, so we won’t really spend time looking at Genesis 1 and Genesis 2.
We must examine Genesis 3 briefly to understand what we are being saved from.
God at creation gave a covenant of works with Adam (Eve) that if you obey life will be with me eternally. In other words worship me and obey.
Remember at this point man has not sinned and does have the ability to choose evil over God or vice versa.
Man chose sin, he commited treason against God the very one who created Him.
This transgression brought rightful punishment into Adams line death, land curses, child baring is painful, the desire for man to rule over each other, and be a god unto themselves.
This angers God so much that God says in Genesis 6:6 “And the Lord regretted that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him to his heart.”
He regretted creating man and earth.
What are being saved from? The very wrath of God who regretted creating, but the story is not over. We have Genesis 3:15
The doctrine of Salvation is given right after the call.
C. The promise of the seed
The Lord promises one who will redeem man from Genesis 3:15 to the end of Revelation.
It is as some would state, you are saved, your being saved, and will be saved.
Lets examine that; first the promise of Salvation is for all who believe through the Son alone.
Second when Christ died and rose again, the atonement for the who so ever believes in me shall have eternal life was granted, and dare I say it was known before the foundation of time began.
Upon the very work of Christ who is working out salvation (sanctification, the pursuit of holiness) upon the day of your calling up into the clouds at His return or the day of your death your salvation is completed by Christ alone.
You were saved before you were conceived, *Christ knew whom He was dying for* you salvation is secured in the atonement of Christ, and your salvation is being worked out.
D. What is this salvation?
It is being redeemed from your sin, declared forgiven, righteousness, and adopted as a child of God for all eternity.
Point 2: Neglect of Salvation
Point 2: Neglect of Salvation
A. What is the neglect of Salvation?
The writer of Hebrews has given the warning of not neglecting the great salvation. What is neglect of Salvation?
It is the denial of Christ, the refusal to worship God, and rejection of the gospel.
For the Jewish audience of this letter this warning would sound familiar and they would have understood that rejection of God leads to curses or even exile.
Now in the New Covenant this warning extends to the soul. There is great danger is rejecting Jesus.
The danger of this present life of a constant rejection of salvation, the danger of eternal life of rejection off Him.
2. A religious person who knows the doctrines can reject Christ. We see this when Jesus gives the warning in Matthew 7 “many will come to me and I will tell them I never knew”
How can this be? Because they did not worship God but rather self with the name of God in vanity among their own souls.
This warning is clear for the house of Israel as it is the gentile church. Do not neglect your salvation.
Point 3 Christ the offer of Salvation to become children of God.
Point 3 Christ the offer of Salvation to become children of God.
This is where we get to the heart of chapter 2; Christ giver of salvation.
Notice in verse 5- 8 that the writer of Hebrews has declared once more that everything is subjected to the Son of God.
Verse 7 describes the crown of glory and honor. Remember the fall of man is very similar to that of Satan, the desire to be like God, and worshiped.
But the writer of Hebrews is clear that the glory and honor of Christ is rightfully His, stating his divine rights as God.
No honor or glory befalls another accept God.
Verse 8 speak of this power of salvation under the crown of Christ that everything is subjection under his feet.
This includes salvation. That without Christ your salvation would not occur.
You can’t earn your salvation, it is only given and had by Christ alone.
Christ is the one who suffered death, so that by the grace of God everyone is invited to offer of salvation.
But again many will have neglected this salvation.
2. The suffering of Christ.
I do not want to overlook this suffering that Christ endured for a little while , the very taste of death. Verse 9 -11 touch on this suffering.
How has Christ suffered, was it merely just upon the cross? No.
Christ, was lower than the angels for a time. Here is God in the flesh being made lower for the sake of dying to give salvation to sinners.
The only illustration of this is truly older age and death.
I hear by the time in your 50’s you have reached a portion of your life where the kids are grown, your secure in your standings with life.
It is no troublesome to you, and your now in the leadership position in your community.
Things are very well, but then old age hits and dependence becomes the normal. It is humbling.
While not the same as Christ who humbled himself it is probably the closest picture we have to understand.
Not only did Christ in being made lower than angels, but he suffered unto death.
Unlike our death as those who are in Christ, we do not bare the Father forsaking the Son. The death that Jesus paid is the very death we deserve.
This suffering is scene at the end of the gospels and the brutality of man was nothing compared to the wrath of God upon sin.
The one who endured that is Christ.
Notice the writer of Hebrews states, it was fitting for this crown to be His. A crown of thorns.
3. Christ who suffered also gave salvation to be and makes it perfect through His suffering.
It is through Christ that the adoption as song to glory is had. You too will suffer like the son of man, the difference is your death is just the start of life, because of His death and Resurrection that brings life.
You who are the off spring of the Abrahamic promise, are children of God whom Christ saves, sanctifies, and will bring into glory.
Application
Application
If these chapters which we have worked through show nothing but Christ, then Christ be your gaze.
Hebrews is not about the salvation that you have, but is about the one who gave you that salvation. Your life is for the purpose from today to all eternity to know, to worship, and enjoy God.
If this not your hearts desire, then something is missing and perhaps it is Christ in your life. So do not let today go bye without asking the question am I neglecting such a great salvation?
2. Your sanctification is by Christ.
Notice in verse 18 that Christ who suffered and was tempted in every way is able to help you are tempted.
Life is troublesome and the temptation is to fall away from worshiping God. Jesus himself in Luke Chapter 4 was being tempted to worship Satan.
In your sanctification keep Jesus the focus, pray constantly , and give thanks. For Christ is the one who gave you salvation and will keep you in that very salvation.
3. I want to leave you today with the words of Jack Miller,
“Cheer up, you are a worse than you ever dared imagine, and you are more loved than you ever dared hope.”
Indeed salvation is yours and what you do with it is how closely you keep your eyes on Jesus.
Conclusion
Conclusion
The writers of Hebrews pulls no punches, but strikes at the heart of the gospel message. It is Christ who the crown belongs and glory.
It is the offer of salvation that is given, the warning not to neglect such a salvation is given.