God's Spokesman
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Intro:
Intro:
Written to: The primary group addressed in Hebrews is Hebrews Christians who were suffering persecution from other Jews.
Hebrews is a general epistle
The author is unknown:
suggestions include Paul, Barnabas, Silas, Apollos, Luke, Philip, etc.
There is no way to know for certain.
There’s a lot of discussion about who authored Hebrews, and
That’s kind of ironic because the book is about how Jesus is better than all things. By leaving that part blank it just highlights that Jesus is even greater than the writer.
He’s better than the angels, better than creation, better than Moses, better than the tabernacle, better than the priests, you know, He’s better than everything.
Even when we read about all the men and women of great faith in chapter 11, it tells us in chapter 12 that Jesus is the author and finisher of our faith.
So, He’s better than Abraham and Adam and David and all the men and women at any time in history.
The author doesn’t even waste time telling us anything else; he just jumps right in with that thought:
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,
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.
God Spoke in the Past
God Spoke in the Past
Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets,
The author first discusses how God spoke in the past.
Long ago-
The OT was written over the course of 1800 years
Job 2200 BC to Nehemiah 400 BC
many times
many times
39 books
they reflect different times, locations, cultures, situations, etc.
Scholar (like Ezra) compiling history
Daniel giving a first hand account
Psalmists pouring out their worship
many ways
Scholarly (like Ezra) compiling history
Scholar (like Ezra) compiling history
Daniel giving a first hand account
Psalmists pouring out their worship
There are visions, symbols, parables
Some is poetry and others are prose.
Through the prophets
God spoke through the prophets.
God was sending the message and got it through.
God choose the individual to write/proclaim His word, but make no mistake, it is HIS word.
Inerancy of Scripture is a cardinal doctrine.
If you surrender this point, how can we ever know what God intended?
Articles, sermons, songs, and even social media posts are being put out there all the time that miss this point and then twist Scripture to fit their pet issues.
Endorse sin saying God couldn’t have meant what the author wrote.
the culture was wrong
Add to and take away from the word through their own ideas.
They feel a need to correct the Bible
Sometimes those who don’t believe in the perfection of God’s word come under many different categories.
Sin- they want to call something good, which God has called evil
Scholar (so called)
They want to correct the “scientific” and “historical” inaccuracies
Hint: scientists and archaeologist demonstrate the truth of God’s word more every year
The author declares that God spoke in the past.
God Now Speaks Through the Son
God Now Speaks Through the Son
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.
Last Days
New Testament days
Times from Christ’s birth forward.
Now these things happened to them as an example, but they were written down for our instruction, on whom the end of the ages has come.
Your gold and silver have corroded, and their corrosion will be evidence against you and will eat your flesh like fire. You have laid up treasure in the last days.
His Son
His Son
Heir of all things
All of the universe will come under the control of the Son
Ask of me, and I will make the nations your heritage, and the ends of the earth your possession.
For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.
Creator of all things
Creator of all things
He made matter and energy
HE formed the universe with purpose and design
In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.
I am not ashamed to say, Jesus Made it all!
I am not ashamed to say, Jesus Made it all!
The odds of our amazing universe and all the complexity in perfect balance happened by accident is about the same as a pile of scrap metal can explode and land in a fully functioning car complete with all the options and fuzzy dice of the mirror.
Image bearer of God
To see Jesus is to see God
A perfect revelation of God
I and the Father are one.”
If you had known me, you would have known my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him.”
Philip said to him, “Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us.”
Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you so long, and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’?
Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own authority, but the Father who dwells in me does his works.
Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me, or else believe on account of the works themselves.
John 14:
Upholds the universe
Jesus didn’t just make the universe, He keeps it going
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.
COl 1:
The word “upholds” also implies movement
He directs the universe to the end GOD has decreed
Purified sins
He sacrificed Himself on the cross
who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.
titus 2:14
and from Jesus Christ the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood
The ultimate revelation of God.
He displayed God’s love greater than any other way possible
Seated on High
He is on the right hand, the place of power, authority, and honor.
He is seated upon the heavenly throne as Lord of all
He still speaks from heaven through the Spirit.
That is where the NT originated.
Still the word of God.
He was made lower than the angels when He took on flesh and limited Himself to a human body.
Now He is in His full glory
He has a more excellent name: Lord
Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name,
so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Respond to God
Respond to God
The author has lifted up our Lord and Savior
We have seen Him as creator, sustainer, and ruler of the universe.
This leaves us with one question: So what?
What are we to do with this in formation?
Trust Him
We can have 100% confidence in Jesus
He is GOd and highly exalted
He will never fail.
Worship Him
Love Him with all you have.
That is the point of our worship service.
He is the one we Priase
Submit to Him
Bow down before Him
Acknowledge His Lordship and submit to it
He is sovereign over us.
Whether we admit it or not
Follow Him
We are called to be His disciples.
follow both His teaching and His example.
Conclusion:
Conclusion:
We have seen this morning that
a. \God spoke in the past in various ways through various prophets.
b. God now speaks through His Son, Jesus
c. Trust, worship and submit to Him