If you have a Bible with you, open up to the book of Hebrews. If you don’t have a Bible with you, there are Bibles on the pews, blue Bibles, and if you turn to page 580, you’ll find Hebrews there. It’s kind of in the, you know, last, you know, little bit of the scripture, right at the very end of the Bible. This morning, our text for study is Chapter 1. And at this time here, I’m going to actually read all of Chapter 1, and then I’m going to pray, and then we will get to work.
So, Hebrews 1. I’m going to read the whole thing. It’s a great passage. It just really builds on itself. So, please follow along with me, and as I get done finishing, please keep your Bibles open. So, every Sunday, it’s important to keep your Bibles open, so you can follow along.
But even more so, this Sunday, we’re going to be covering a lot in this text, and I want to make sure that you see it in the scripture as we go through it. This is what the Bible says. It says:
1 Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, 2 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. 3 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, 4 having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs.
5 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”?
6 And again, when he brings the firstborn into the world, he says,
“Let all God’s angels worship him.”
7 Of the angels he says,
“He makes his angels winds,
and his ministers a flame of fire.”
8 But of the Son he says,
“Your throne, O God, is forever and ever,
the scepter of uprightness is the scepter of your kingdom.
9 You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness;
therefore God, your God, has anointed you
with the oil of gladness beyond your companions.”
10 And,
“You, Lord, laid the foundation of the earth in the beginning,
and the heavens are the work of your hands;
11 they will perish, but you remain;
they will all wear out like a garment,
12 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.”
13 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”?
14 Are they not all ministering spirits sent out to serve for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation?
Hebrews 1:1-14, ESV
So that’s God’s word for us this morning. Would you pray for me?
Lord, thank you for your word. Lord, what a great passage that I just read. Thank you for giving this to us, to your people. And Lord, I do pray that in this time here, you’d help me to communicate this text well. Lord, please keep me from error. Lord, please help the congregation to be good listeners to your word. And Lord, the reason why we’re here this morning is because we want to hear you speak to us through your word, through the power of your spirit. We pray this all in Jesus’ name. Amen.
So when it comes to decisions that we make, whether to glorify God, or whether decisions that are stained with sin, at the heart of the matter is a belief that we choose whatever we deem is better. That will win out, always. So in a sense, every decision we make is actually a hedonistic decision.
On that we think is superior. In the end, whatever’s better, whatever’s superior, that’s actually what we go after. It’s either for God and his glory, or for sin and his inevitable misery. And I start this sermon by saying that, because that’s really at the heart of the matter of the book of Hebrews. Which is a book that we’re starting out this morning, and will be in for actually many weeks to come. A book written to early Jewish Christians who are seemingly on the verge of walking away from their faith.
Because they’re entertaining the notion of going back to their Old Testament Jewish faith, and the comfort that it brings with them. With the belief that that actually was indeed better, superior, than their new faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. So throughout the letter of Hebrews, what we’ll see throughout this study, that the author helps his readers see that indeed, Jesus is better. He is superior. And because of that, we must always seek and pursue him. In ways that we continue to hold fast to our faith in Christ.
No matter the cost that might come with it. Which appears in the content of this letter, as it becomes increasingly more and more of a cost and a challenge to do so for these early Christians. Because Christian persecution was really starting to be on the rise. And it was a mounting rise in the context of when this was written. It was really over a number of years. Which in the commentary in Hebrews, pastor, scholar Kent Hughes says this rise of persecution had the early Christians, to whom this was written, they were basically scared stiff.
And it seems like they were scared stiff based on what their current temperature, what society had towards Christianity. But maybe even more scared stiff on where the temperature might rise in the not-so-distant future. And for us, we know that when we’re scared stiff, what we try to do is we try to formulate plans, we try to think through options to ensure that our greatest fears do not become a reality. About the contents of this letter, it appears that one of the plans, one of the options that these early Jewish Christians were entertaining, was simply to walk away from the faith. To walk away from trust and belief in the Lord Jesus Christ. Because they were not so sure if Jesus was superior, if He was better than the suffering.
So to say it again, in Hebrews, time and time again, the author is pleading with his readers to see that indeed, Jesus is better, He is superior. In fact, He is so better, so superior, He is actually the one worth leaving all things in order to have Him. He’s the one who is so better, so superior, He’s actually worth suffering in order to have Him. Now, before we walk through our passage of study this morning, which is a passage that to start is telling us in the beginning of this study of why Jesus is better, let me give you some opening backgrounds. This is our first sermon, I want to give you this opening background just on this letter. So first, let me use the background to whom this letter was written.
It’s mentioned it seems to be written to early Jewish Christians. And the reason why it seems it’s written to early Jewish Christians is because of all the Old Testament connections that run throughout this letter, which we’re going to talk about more in just a second. It’s mentioned why the author wrote to these early Jewish Christians, because it seems like they’re entertaining walking away from the faith. And throughout Hebrews, you’ll see that we’re going to see in the weeks to come, there’s like multiple warnings of the grave consequences of walking away from the faith in Jesus Christ. We also see the great reward that comes for holding on to the faith. In the weeks to come, both of these things will pop up multiple times.
Second, let me try to answer when this book was written. And this book seems to be written sometime before 70 AD, probably like in the 60s AD. And the reason why it seems to be written before 70 AD is if you know your history, it was that year in history when the Romans destroyed the Old Testament temple in Jerusalem, which was the Old Testament place of worship. So it seems logical that if this book was written after 70 AD, the author would address that event. And he would address that as a proof text of why Jesus actually was better than the Old Testament practices. We’re going to see in our study of Hebrews in the weeks to come, the author actually spends a great deal of time talking about the Old Testament priesthood and the sacrificial system, and why Jesus is actually the better fulfillment of the priesthood and the sacrificial system.
And in the Old Testament, the central place for the priesthood and the sacrificial system, it was the temple. So it seems logical that this book, if it was written after 70 AD, after the destruction of the temple, that actually would have been the leading argument that the author would give to these Jewish Christians. Why would you leave Jesus to go back to Old Testament practices if there is no temple to go back to? Say it again. No mention of the temple being destroyed. So it likely indicates it was written before 70 AD, probably in the 60s, which coincides with an increase in Christian persecution that was actually happening.
Third, just for background information, let me address the author of the book of Hebrews. And let me address by saying that at this point in history, actually no one knows. So over Church history, there’s actually been a lot of intrigue, a lot of interest, a lot of theories on who wrote the book of Hebrews. For some, they believe that Paul wrote the book of Hebrews, because there certainly are elements that feel like some of Paul’s other writings. At least for me, like the end of Hebrews feels like some of Paul’s other letters. However, there are several factors that suggest that it actually was not Paul who wrote Hebrews.
For example, unlike other letters that Paul wrote, in his letters in the beginning, he would identify himself in opening greeting. In the text we get to work through in just a second here, there’s no similar greeting. In addition, by and large, the style of writing, the style of language, is much different than how Paul wrote in his other letters. Let me also mention in chapter 2, the author talks about being like with the Lord Jesus, present at his signs and wonders. So actually, that alone seemed to eliminate Paul as being the author. Remember, Paul came to faith in Jesus only after his resurrection and ascension.
So some have concluded that Paul was the author, but many throughout Church history felt differently. I should mention here that some have wondered, because of the similarities, but yet some differences between this and other letters of Paul, if maybe perhaps one of Paul’s companions wrote this letter, while actually Paul was sitting there present. Which is possible, as they do have some elements that do feel like Paul.
So possibly Paul, I don’t think it was though. Others in Church history have wondered if a man named Apollos wrote Hebrews. So Martin Luther actually seemed like it was Apollos who wrote this book. The New Testament describes Apollos as a man who has a great and elegant speech. And literary scholars talk about the elegant speech of the letters of Hebrews in which it was written. Apollos also seemed to be very well versed in the Old Testament.
And as mentioned, Hebrews is filled with the Old Testament scripture. So very possible Apollos. Others’ theories in Church history have Barnabas or Luke or Clement, among other names.
But as mentioned, at this point in history, no one knows. In fact, even in the early point of Church history, there are writings that communicate the uncertainty of the author of Hebrews. However, that being said, throughout Church history, everyone has agreed that whoever the author was, Hebrews is one of the richest books in the New Testament canon.
And this is actually a favorite for many. In fact, for myself, Hebrews is probably my favorite book in the New Testament. Which actually is the last thing I want to point out here, before we dive back into our text just by way of background information. Because of the emphasis of how the book is leading us that Jesus is better, because he is the fulfillment of the Old Testament, the book of Hebrews actually serves as a guide for us how we are to read and understand the Old Testament scriptures.
In Hebrews, we can see how the Old Testament is ultimately pointing to Jesus Christ. The book of Hebrews is filled with many quotes of the Old Testament that the author uses to point to Christ, including several in our text today. Every passage in Hebrews, the author is communicating something from the Old Testament and how we are to see that thing in light of Christ. This is so important for us, not just to understand Hebrews, but also to understand the Old Testament. Back when I was in seminary, my first semester, I had a class called hermeneutics. This is a required class.
Honestly, when I signed up for it, I had no idea what it was about. I had actually never heard the word hermeneutics before this. I had to look it up online. What does hermeneutics mean? So I knew what the class was about. What I learned is the word hermeneutics basically means the study of interpretation, particularly when it comes to the Bible.
So for us, the book of Hebrews, this is really the Old Testament hermeneutic. As we read Hebrews, it teaches us how we are to interpret, understand the Old Testament in light of Jesus Christ. So in the weeks to come, not only seeking to understand this New Testament letter of Hebrews, which we are, but hopefully in doing so, we also better understand the Old Testament as a whole.
How all the scripture in the end is indeed about Jesus Christ, who is better, who is indeed superior, who is the one we actually have to hedonistic pursue in every area, in every decision of our life. Okay, so that was the introduction. Please look back with me at our text in verse 1. As I mentioned, please keep your Bible out.
All we’re going to do is just kind of walk through verse by verse. And we have a lot to cover today. Because of that, I debated kind of back and forth if I should split this into multiple sermons. But I decided just on one sermon, just because I think this chapter really builds and builds and builds upon itself, which I’m actually hoping to capture in this sermon. So verse 1, if you take your eyes back there. So read the words.
Now, just a few things to mention. Some think Paul is the writer of Hebrews, the author of Hebrews. Many do not. Verse 1 is actually one of the reasons why many do not. There’s no typical Pauline greeting to this letter. Rather than verse 1, the author, he’s just like jumping right in with the words I just read for you.
Secondly, I also mentioned, as mentioned in the intro, this book appears to be written to Jewish Christians. And verse 1 is one of many places in Hebrews that points us that way. This is clearly a reference to the Old Testament. And the Jewish people were the ones who entrusted with the oracles of God, by which God spoke to his people. Third verse 1. This is one of the many verses in Scripture that teaches that as Christians, we are people of the book.
Meaning people of the Bible. Because we believe that it’s through the Bible. That’s how God speaks to his people. So through his word, that’s how we know God. We know who he is, his character. It seems like every few years, there’s a new book that becomes popular in Christian circles.
It kind of teaches us how we can hear from God, which always involves some type of experience. And tragically, these types of books have the way of capturing many, leading many astray. Friends, if you want to hear from God, you want to hear his voice, read the Bible. That’s how God speaks to us, through the written word, through the preached word, through the power of his spirit. Which our text tells us he does in many, many ways. Which in his commentary on Hebrews, scholar Tom Schreiner points out, the Old Testament is filled with many, many genres.
Which is what verse 1 seems to be referencing. The many, many types of literature found in Scripture, by which God speaks to his people. There’s narratives, there’s hymns, there’s proverbs, there’s poetry, there’s parables, there’s love songs, there’s wisdom, there’s apocalyptic literature. All these many genres God uses to speak, to communicate to his people, through the prophets in the Old Testament text. Verse 2. However, now in these last days, which refers to the era we are currently in, which is the era that started with the death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ.
An era that will end when he returns. In the Scriptures, we are in the last days. And in these last days, the text tells us that God has now spoken to us by his Son. Meaning that the Lord Jesus Christ, who is the very Word of God, the second member of the Blessed Trinity, the Word who became flesh to dwell among us, God has spoken definitively, in finality, in Jesus Christ. And this is because, as God spoke to his people through the Old Testament prophets, he was doing so in ways that ultimately, in the end, were pointing them, pointing us, to his Son, who is the Christ. The one who is promised to come throughout the Old Testament.
In the text, through the person of the Son, God has spoken definitively. In his Son, all the promises have been kept. The yes and amen of God have been kept definitively in the Son. Meaning that there’s no one else to come that we are to look for. He’s it. The Son is the one.
He is the one at the top. He is the superior. There is no one else that he is pointing to. Rather, all things have been pointing to him. So remember the story in the Gospel of Columns? The disciples of John the Baptist, who came to Jesus, to inquire of Jesus, if he was the one promised from an old, or if there’s another one still yet to come.
Remember how Jesus has received a question, responded back by quoting the Old Testament book of Isaiah, to help the disciples of John, to help John the Baptist see, that indeed, he is the one, the definitive one, who in the last days, God has spoken through. By the way, this is so much of the study of Hebrews. How all the characters, all the Old Testament structures, they’re road signs. In the end, we’re leading us to Christ, who’s the definitive, the final destination. I also mention here before we move on, verses 1 and 2, I think you can argue this is a thesis statement of the entire book of Hebrews. That God has definitively spoken to us by his Son.
For the rest of the book of Hebrews, the author supports this thesis by stating his case, which actually the author does in the very next thought of our passage, if you want to look there at the end of verse 2. The Son is the definitive word that God has spoken, because the Son is the one who he appointed, the heir over all things. The Son is the one whom he also created the world. There’s a couple thoughts here. First, the Son being the heir of all things. This is his reward as the Christ, the Messiah.
He is the heir, because he is the one who fulfilled the Old Testament, particularly in his death and resurrection from the dead. Whereas the heir, now the Son, sits at the right hand of God forever and ever, which is the position of ultimate authority. And the Son, being the heir, sits at the right hand. This is an important truth. Such an important truth, the writer of Hebrews actually goes back to this multiple times for his readers to see that he is the one with ultimate authority, which I’m going to get to in just a second, verse 3. The Son sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high.
Then later on, we get to Hebrews 8, speaking of the Son. We have such a high priest, one who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven. Then again in chapter 10, but when Christ had suffered all time, a single sacrifice for sin, he sat down at the right hand of God. In chapter 12, looking to Jesus, the founder and the perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Let me address God creating the world through his Son. This is actually something we see in other places in the New Testament as well, perhaps most famously in Paul’s letter to the Colossians.
Remember that? Verses 1, 15 through 20. It’s actually an old Christian hymn that sings about this truth of the Son is the creator of all things. And this is something that we see in this passage here that is pointing us to this, that there was never a time the Son did not exist. Rather, he is the creator. It’s actually really important for us, not just that we have right Christian doctrine, but it’s important for us to understand the eternal nature of the Son.
This is actually one of the reasons why he is superior, because he is the eternal creator of all things, as all things have been made by him and for him. He is the creator. Keep going, verse 3, which further speaks of the eternal reality of the Son. The Son is the definitive word that God has spoken. Because in the text, he is the radiance of the glory of God, the exact imprint of his nature. I mean, all the divine nature of God the Father is that of the Son.
Famously, John 14, one of the disciples of Jesus asked Jesus to show them God the Father. Remember how Jesus responded back? In the text, John 14, I have been to you so long, yet you still do not know me, Philip, who has seen me has seen the Father.
How can you say, show us the Father? Do you not believe that I am the Father and the Father is in me? The word that I say to you, I do not speak of my own authority, but the Father who dwells in me does his work. Believe in me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me, or else believe in the accounts of the work themselves. By the way, this is also true of God the Holy Spirit as well. All divine nature is found in the Spirit, in the Son, in the Father.
Keep going to the text. As the Son is the radiance of the glory of God, the exact imprint of his nature, we see he is also the one who upholds the universe by the word of his power, which Hebrew 4 tells us that the word of his power is living and active. It is sharper than two-edged sword. It pierces the soul and the spirit of joints and marrow. It discerns the thoughts and intentions of our heart, which is also why we are a people of the book, because the power of God is found in the word. The power of the word is a superior power.
It is superior than maybe some type of experience that we are just trying to conjure ourselves up. Further, our text, the power is so prevalent in the word, it is so powerful, it is actually upholding the entire universe, every atom, every molecule, all functioning, working according to the powerful word. Keep going. We read through the definitive word. The Son is also making purification of sin, which the Son did in his sacrificial and superstitionary death on the cross. Through his death and resurrection, all who seek him find forgiveness of sin.
There is purification even in the darkest and ugliest of our sin. The Son, who is superior, is able to forgive, to make purification, which, by the way, includes for all here today who come to the Son by faith. The superior Son will purify you. He will have your sins washed clean.
In text verse 3, as the definitive word, the Son, finished all that we came to accomplish in his death and resurrection, the definitive word then ascended back up into heaven, where it is mentioned, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, where there he rules and reigns with all eternity for all time, which is something we actually talked about a few weeks back, if you’re here, when we looked at Acts 1, and the ascension of Jesus Christ back into the heavenly places. His one-time death accomplished all that was needed to accomplish, to bring forth forgiveness of sin, purity of sin, the purification of sin. Because he accomplished all that he set out to accomplish, he ascended back to heaven.
We get to Hebrews 10. Our Lord Jesus is not continually being sacrificed over and over again. Rather, it was a single sacrifice that atoned for sin. As mentioned, after he accomplished that which he set out to accomplish, he sat down at the right hand of God, which declares to us that the sacrifice was a definitive sacrifice, a sacrifice that was indeed accepted. Verse 4, if you want to take your eyes there. As Christ ascended into heaven to sit at the authoritative right hand, we see that he has proved to become as much superior than the angels, as a name that he has inherited, which in the context of Hebrews 1, seems to mean the name, the Son, that this name is much excellent, much more excellent than theirs.
Now, a few thoughts here. This is really the first comparison, contrastion the author gives between the Son and that which is found in the Old Testament. Verse 4, Jesus is better.
He is superior even to the angels. He is much more excellent. Verse 4 also is pointing to us to the eternal nature of the Son, that he is not an angel who was created. Rather, the reason why he is superior is because he is eternal, which is what hopefully the next few verses are telling us. Third, the name that Jesus has inherited, as mentioned, seems to be referring to the name, the Son, which is here, this is referring to a title. As I mentioned in the passing, the Son has always been the Son.
There has never been a time when the Son did not exist. But what verse 4 is referring to, this name, is not the name of a person of the Son, but rather the title, a royal title of the Son that he inherited, which in the biblical context is a title of Son, is an honor, a privilege, a title in the Old Testament text had great anticipation. Like, who would be the one who received this title, the Son? This anticipation is most specifically found in Psalm 2, which is a psalm that speaks about the Messiah who was to come. The Messiah who would come to be the King, who would sit on his holy hill, the one who would be given the nations as his heritage. So the question in the Old Testament, like, who is the one who would be able to claim this title of Son, which actually leads us to verse 5 of our passage, which is a quote from Psalm 2, reminding the reader the title of Son would not go to an angel in the text.
For when did God ever say to an angel, You are my Son, today I have begotten you? Or again, when did God ever say to an angel, I will be to him a father, and to me a son, which has a quote from 2 Samuel 7, when God promised King David the Messiah would come through his lineage. And the clear answer to these two questions in verse 5? Never!
God has never called an angel a son who he begotten. God has never called an angel to be the one who comes from David, to be the Christ. Verse 6, and again, when he brings the firstborn into the world, he says, Let all God’s angels worship him. Now this firstborn in that verse there, this is another reference to a position or a title, to superiority. Biblically, the firstborn, this is a privileged spot to sit as the firstborn, at the right hand of the Father. In our text, his coming into the world, it’s a reference either to his incarnation, when the Word became flesh in his first coming, or possibly this coming into the world, it’s actually being referred to Christ’s second coming, that was to come.
In the text, the angels coming to worship this firstborn, this is actually an allusion to Deuteronomy, chapter 32. As the author gives his logical offense on why the Son is superior to the angels, when did God ever command angels to worship another angel? Answer again, it’s never. God has never done that. Rather, the angels are to worship the one who is superior to them. They are to worship the one who has been given the name, the title of Son, the Messiah.
Keep going, verse 7, take your eyes there. Of the angels, what God did say, is what he said in Psalm 104, that God made the angels to be his angels’ wings, or winds, and his ministers a flame of fire. That’s what God said.
And this here seems to be another Old Testament reference, we come to the book of Exodus, where through angels, God mediated a covenant with his people at Mount Sinai. And this here reminds us that the angels, they’re not the royal son. Rather, in the text, they’re just simply servants. The angels are servants who minister, whoever the Lord desires for them to minister. It’s always grounded in the ministry to the Son, who is superior, the one who is better than them, which we see in verse 8, which is a quote from Psalm 45, where God has said this about his definitive Son. Of his Son, God has said, 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. That’s what God has said about his Son. Just a few things to point out here. Verse 8, verse continues to affirm the eternal nature of the Son, doing so in ways that the Son is referred to as God.
See this in the text? Your throne, O God, speaking of the Son, your throne, O God, is forever and ever. Now, in the New Testament, there’s many implicit passages that declare the Son to be the eternal God, including actually some of what we already covered in chapter 1.
But this here in verse 8, this is one of the several explicit passages that declare the Son to be the eternal God. For the Son, he says, your throne, O God, is forever and ever. To say it again, the Son is not a created being. The Son is a member of the eternal trinity, fully God, who in his incarnation became fully man. Second, as the Son sits on his throne, we see how he rules with his kingly scepter. Our text tells us he does so with a love for righteousness.
He does so with a hatred of wickedness. Now, if you’re like me, you’re very cynical when it comes to kings and rulers and politicians. They can feel like everything is corrupted. Or it can feel like rulers and leaders love wickedness and hate righteousness. That’s why it is not true of every earthly ruler and leader. At least for me, I tend to feel that way.
And I’m sure for these readers of Hebrews, the first readers, for ongoing more and more persecution from the Roman world and it appears from the Jewish people as well, they really had to battle cynicism towards those over them. Over here in this text, we see this about the Son. They had hope.
We have hope. Because as the Son rules at the authoritative right hand of God, he rules with a love for righteousness. He rules with a hatred of wickedness, meaning he’s good and he’s just. Which, by the way, is one of the great reasons why he alone is our hope. Why he alone is the one we put our trust in and no earthly leader. Jesus is so far better, so far superior.
Third, in this verse 8, the oil of gladness that God anointed the Son with. This is a reference to the Son being the Christ, the Messiah, the Anointed One, was anointed with the oil of gladness. That also reminds us, as Christ rules with all authority, as he rules with a love of righteousness and a hatred of wickedness, for his people, as he rules in this way, there’s gladness. There’s joy for his people. Meaning that the Son, as he rules, he’s not an oppressive, harsh dictator where everything we do is out of shame and condemnation. Rather, the hearts of his people, his companions, there is everlasting joy in him.
Which also proves why the Son is so much superior than all other rulers. He makes good on all of his promises, including the promise to fill us with his joy. Keep going to verse 10, which comes from Psalm 102, which echoes Genesis 1. And you, Lord, which is another title to the Son, he’s also the Lord, which only further declares the deity of the Son. You, Lord, you laid the foundation of the earth in the beginning, and the heavens are the work of your handiwork. In this divine nature of the Son, who is your creator, this clearly is important to the author of Hebrews.
Multiple times in these few verses of our text today, he’s referencing this truth, so we can’t overlook it, so we can’t miss it. The Son is divine, our divine creator. Verse 11, even though the Son created the universe, we read that one day it will perish, which will be on the end of the last days that we’re in, when Christ comes again. His present life comes to its conclusion, as this present life will be no more. But in our text, the Son, who is superior to everything in this life that is perishing, we see that He will remain. Meaning, not only has He been eternal from old, but He will continue to remain eternal forever.
In the text, all that is created. You’re going to wear it all like a garment, like a robe. One day the Son will come and roll them up. Like a garment, they will be changed. But the Son, the text tells us, you are the same. But the Son, His years will have no end.
Later on, to expand upon this, the writer of Hebrews, speaking about the Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, says this, Jesus Christ, He’s the same. Yesterday, today, forever. He will always be. Finally, this morning, where we finish off the text, verses 13 and 14. Verse 13, another rhetorical question to prove his point, that Jesus appeared to the angels, this time quoting Psalm 110, which he actually does in other places of the book as well. And to the angels, when did He ever say, sit at my right hand, until I make you enemies, or your enemies a footstool at your feet?
The implied answer to this last rhetorical question, the same basic answer to the rhetorical questions we saw before. God never said that to the angel. And why would He? In verse 14, are not angels simply ministering spirits, sent out to serve for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation? It’s only the Son who He tells, come and sit at my right hand. And by the way, maybe a little side note, not the main point of the passage, but it’s kind of interesting.
Isn’t it kind of interesting to consider how God might actually be using angels, even to serve us here today? In ways that He’s using angels in accordance with His Word, by the power of His Spirit, to lead us, to minister to us, so we might see the superiority of the Son, who is better. Which actually leads to how I’d like to close our time of this sermon. In ways I hope is true of the text, is just by continuing to emphasize that Jesus is, He’s superior. He’s better. Always.
Always better. Jesus is always the best. He is always the right decision that we are to seek after. That we are to live our lives in ways that reflect that. In ways that we’re laying aside every weight of sin that clings so closely, in order to run the race set before us by looking to Him, by holding fast to confession of our faith. To see that He is better.
We do this in every situation. Whether it’s like big, life-changing situations. We’re to make these in ways that reflect that Jesus is superior, that He’s better. But even like the most common, mundane parts of our life. We’re to make decisions to prove that Jesus is better. Like eating, drinking, to the glory of God.
Waking up every morning to go to your job or to school so you might work heartily unto the Lord. Or maybe doing like the hard work of parenting so you can raise your children in the fear and abomination of the Lord. Or just using your gifts to serve the church. The way that you prove that Jesus, you show that He’s better. Or working through your weekly budget as you steward the money God has entrusted to you. Or just spending time to try to get to know your neighbors who are not yet Christians.
With hopes that you can be a light to them. The way that we show that Jesus is better. Or fleeing temptation. Temptation of sin that is mentioned can cling so closely. We flee because Jesus is better. Holding our thoughts, our attitudes captive, which are due to the obedience of Christ.
Even how we treat others. We’re deduced on ways to show that Jesus is better. Like all these things. And many more common mundane things that fill up our lives. Friends, we have to approach them by believing, trusting what the Word says. That Jesus is superior.
He’s better. In the context of Hebrews. We have to see Jesus as superior, as better. As a sure and steady anchor of our soul. The one who is worth holding fast of our confession of faith without wavering. Even if that means we have to suffer for His sake.
Jesus is still better. And I want to close this by emphasizing the truth that Chapter 1 is actually just a quickly run back through the text. I’m going to go through this really quickly, but I’m going to give you 10 reasons on why Jesus is better. Why He is superior in our text. Why He is the one we are always to hedonistically pursue. Don’t settle for anything less than Him.
That’s actually so freeing for us in this life. Just pursue the Lord Jesus Christ. Be obedient to the Word that He has given to us. That’s so freeing. Actually, I’m going to go through this very quickly. I think it will be on the screen.
So first, Jesus is always better because He is the yes and the amen of Scripture. God who never lies has declared that His Son is the definitive Word. God who made incredible promises to His people fulfills all of His promises in Jesus Christ.
And He will honor all those who trust in Him, His Son and His good Word. Second, Jesus is always better because He is our eternal creator. This is so much the text we just went through.
All things created by Him, all things created for Him, including each of us here this morning. And as He has created us, He has created us with a design. A design to glorify and enjoy Him forever. Which is why the great Church Father Augustine correctly said that our hearts are restless until we find a rest in Him. Third, Jesus is always better because He is our God. He is the exact imprint of God the Father who sits on the throne as the Lord.
Jesus is not simply a good man. He is not just a religious leader, a prophet. He is not even an angel.
He is our God. And what is better than that? Third, Jesus is better, always better, because He is the one who makes purification for sins.
He’s an eternal Son, second member of the Trinity. He did it by becoming man. But for His glory, He made purification of sin by dying in the place of His people, by shedding His blood, only to rise again on the third day to whoever would call upon His name but believe indeed that He is better, their sins would be forgiven.
Fifth, Jesus is better, always better. Why? Because He is the Christ, which is what the Scripture declares to us, that Jesus, He is the Christ, the promised one who came.
He is the royal Son who sits on the throne for all eternity. Friends, there is no other Christ we are to look for. The Son has come.
There is no one better than that. Sixth, Jesus is better because He is the one who is worthy of worship, both for who He is as well as what He has done for us. In the end, every decision we make, big or small, it actually leads us right here. It is the decision of worship.
Whatever we deem most worthy, that is where we will give our attention and our affection. The Scriptures could not be more clear. It is only the Lord Jesus who is worthy of our worship.
There is nothing better. Second, Jesus is better because He is our righteous King who sits on the throne at the right hand of God where He rules and reigns perfectly as He puts His enemies under His feet. Keep this at the forefront of your heart and mind as we enter into the hornet’s nest of another election season. Keep this in mind as the guiding principle of how you vote. Make sure your vote reflects Jesus being the righteous King. Whatever He declares righteous and wicked, vote in line to that.
But also keep in mind, if you are tempted to put your hope in your preferred candidate, your preferred candidate will fail. Your preferred candidate cannot be an idol to you. Thankfully, let me also mention when the kingdom comes, it’s going to be so nice not to have any more election cycles. Just be Christ on the throne forever and ever, gloriously. That’s something we can anticipate and look forward to. Eighth, Jesus is better because He is the one who has been anointed with the oil of gladness.
In Jesus, there’s always joy, fullness of joy, which is so important for us as we remember and understand why He is better. It’s as important actually as the guiding factors and decisions we make. Friends, there’s joy in Jesus. He’s not a killjoy. No, He is joy. We don’t simply declare Jesus is better and pursue Jesus better out of guilt or duty or obligation or shame or condemnation.
It’s almost like a drudge to follow after Him. No, friends. In Jesus, there is perfect joy. So pursue Him for the sake of your own gladness. Jesus is better because He is immutable. He does not change.
In this life, we know this. Things are always changing. Always. Where in this life, things never feel stable, never feel secure. Because in the end, all things will perish. Friends, Jesus, He doesn’t change.
He will remain. And He will remain the same yesterday, today, forever. Which means we can count on Him. That’s why He is the sure, steady anchor of our soul. Third, or tenth. Jesus is better because He grants salvation.
Which is mentioned earlier. He does through the purification of sin. Which He did through His substitutionary death. For the sake, as our text ends, for all those who are to inherit salvation. He’s better because Jesus saves. By the way, is that not a little humbling to think about that?
This One who is superior loves His people so they become and die for us in order to bring us to Himself. That the superior one would do that even for us? Church, may God give us the grace to believe in every situation, every decision, every moment of life. No matter what the other option might be. No matter what is on the other side of the equation. Jesus, He’s always better.
He’s always superior. He’s always worth pursuing, no matter the cost. Let’s pray. Lord, we thank You for Jesus Christ, the Eternal Son who became flesh to dwell among us, to die in our place, to rise again from the dead, who was promised to come again, to judge the living and the dead. Lord, please forgive us for the many times and many ways that we declare other things better than Christ with our actions, with our attitudes, with our thoughts. We’re grateful for grace.
We’re grateful for forgiveness. So please do forgive us. And Lord, please do strengthen our faith to help us run the race set before us in ways that not only honor Christ, but ways that fill us with His joy. We pray this in Jesus’ name.
Amen.
And so, from the congregation, it’s just great to hear everyone sing, okay? So, if you have a Bible with you, open up to the book of Hebrews. If you don’t have a Bible with you, there are Bibles on the pews, blue Bibles, and if you turn to page 580, you’ll find Hebrews there. It’s kind of in the, you know, last, you know, little bit of the scripture, right at the very end of the Bible. This morning, our textual study is Chapter 1. And at this time here, I’m going to actually read all of Chapter 1, and then I’m going to pray, and then we will get to work.
So, Hebrews 1. I’m going to read the whole thing. It’s a great passage. It just really builds on itself. So, please follow along with me, and as I get done finishing, please keep your Bibles open. So, every Sunday, it’s important to keep your Bibles open, so you can follow along.
But even more so, this Sunday, we’re going to be covering a lot in this text, and I want to make sure that you see it in the scripture as we go through it. So, what the Bible says, it says, 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 will 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. Of the son, he says, your throne, O God, is forever and ever.
And the scepter of uprightness is the scepter of your kingdom. And 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, lay the foundation of the earth in the beginning. And the heavens are the work of your hands. They will perish, but you will 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, till I make your enemies a footstool for your feet.
Are they not ministering spirits sent out to serve for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation? So that’s God’s word for us this morning. Would you pray for me? Lord, thank you for your word. Lord, what a great passage that I just read. Thank you for giving this to us, to your people.
And Lord, I do pray that in this time here, you’d help me to communicate this text well. Lord, please keep me from error. Lord, please help the congregation to be good listeners to your word.
And Lord, the reason why we’re here this morning is because we want to hear you speak to us through your word, through the power of your spirit. We pray this all in Jesus’ name. Amen. So when it comes to decisions that we make, whether to glorify God, or whether decisions that are stained with sin, at the heart of the matter is a belief that we choose whatever we deem is better. That will win out, always. So in a sense, every decision we make is actually a hedonistic decision.
On that we think is superior. In the end, whatever’s better, whatever’s superior, that’s actually what we go after. It’s either for God and his glory, or for sin and his inevitable misery. And I start this sermon by saying that, because that’s really at the heart of the matter of the book of Hebrews. Which is a book that we’re starting out this morning, and will be in for actually many weeks to come. A book written to early Jewish Christians who are seemingly on the verge of walking away from their faith.
Because they’re entertaining the notion of going back to their Old Testament Jewish faith, and the comfort that it brings with them. With the belief that that actually was indeed better, superior, than their new faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. So throughout the letter of Hebrews, what we’ll see throughout this study, that the author helps his readers see that indeed, Jesus is better. He is superior. And because of that, we must always seek and pursue him. In ways that we continue to hold fast to our faith in Christ.
No matter the cost that might come with it. Which appears in the content of this letter, as it becomes increasingly more and more of a cost and a challenge to do so for these early Christians. Because Christian persecution was really starting to be on the rise. And it was a mounting rise in the context of when this was written. It was really over a number of years. Which in the commentary in Hebrews, pastor, scholar Kent Hughes says this rise of persecution had the early Christians, to whom this was written, they were basically scared stiff.
And it seems like they were scared stiff based on what their current temperature, what society had towards Christianity. But maybe even more scared stiff on where the temperature might rise in the not-so-distant future. And for us, we know that when we’re scared stiff, what we try to do is we try to formulate plans, we try to think through options to ensure that our greatest fears do not become a reality. About the contents of this letter, it appears that one of the plans, one of the options that these early Jewish Christians were entertaining, was simply to walk away from the faith. To walk away from trust and belief in the Lord Jesus Christ. Because they were not so sure if Jesus was superior, if He was better than the suffering.
So to say it again, in Hebrews, time and time again, the author is pleading with his readers to see that indeed, Jesus is better, He is superior. In fact, He is so better, so superior, He is actually the one worth leaving all things in order to have Him. He’s the one who is so better, so superior, He’s actually worth suffering in order to have Him. Now, before we walk through our passage of study this morning, which is a passage that to start is telling us in the beginning of this study of why Jesus is better, let me give you some opening backgrounds. This is our first sermon, I want to give you this opening background just on this letter. So first, let me use the background to whom this letter was written.
It’s mentioned it seems to be written to early Jewish Christians. And the reason why it seems it’s written to early Jewish Christians is because of all the Old Testament connections that run throughout this letter, which we’re going to talk about more in just a second. It’s mentioned why the author wrote to these early Jewish Christians, because it seems like they’re entertaining walking away from the faith. And throughout Hebrews, you’ll see that we’re going to see in the weeks to come, there’s like multiple warnings of the grave consequences of walking away from the faith in Jesus Christ. We also see the great reward that comes for holding on to the faith. In the weeks to come, both of these things will pop up multiple times.
Second, let me try to answer when this book was written. And this book seems to be written sometime before 70 AD, probably like in the 60s AD. And the reason why it seems to be written before 70 AD is if you know your history, it was that year in history when the Romans destroyed the Old Testament temple in Jerusalem, which was the Old Testament place of worship. So it seems logical that if this book was written after 70 AD, the author would address that event. And he would address that as a proof text of why Jesus actually was better than the Old Testament practices. We’re going to see in our study of Hebrews in the weeks to come, the author actually spends a great deal of time talking about the Old Testament priesthood and the sacrificial system, and why Jesus is actually the better fulfillment of the priesthood and the sacrificial system.
And in the Old Testament, the central place for the priesthood and the sacrificial system, it was the temple. So it seems logical that this book, if it was written after 70 AD, after the destruction of the temple, that actually would have been the leading argument that the author would give to these Jewish Christians. Why would you leave Jesus to go back to Old Testament practices if there is no temple to go back to? Say it again. No mention of the temple being destroyed. So it likely indicates it was written before 70 AD, probably in the 60s, which coincides with an increase in Christian persecution that was actually happening.
Third, just for background information, let me address the author of the book of Hebrews. And let me address by saying that at this point in history, actually no one knows. So over Church history, there’s actually been a lot of intrigue, a lot of interest, a lot of theories on who wrote the book of Hebrews. For some, they believe that Paul wrote the book of Hebrews, because there certainly are elements that feel like some of Paul’s other writings. At least for me, like the end of Hebrews feels like some of Paul’s other letters. However, there are several factors that suggest that it actually was not Paul who wrote Hebrews.
For example, unlike other letters that Paul wrote, in his letters in the beginning, he would identify himself in opening greeting. In the text we get to work through in just a second here, there’s no similar greeting. In addition, by and large, the style of writing, the style of language, is much different than how Paul wrote in his other letters. Let me also mention in chapter 2, the author talks about being like with the Lord Jesus, present at his signs and wonders. So actually, that alone seemed to eliminate Paul as being the author. Remember, Paul came to faith in Jesus only after his resurrection and ascension.
So some have concluded that Paul was the author, but many throughout Church history felt differently. I should mention here that some have wondered, because of the similarities, but yet some differences between this and other letters of Paul, if maybe perhaps one of Paul’s companions wrote this letter, while actually Paul was sitting there present. Which is possible, as they do have some elements that do feel like Paul.
So possibly Paul, I don’t think it was though. Others in Church history have wondered if a man named Apollos wrote Hebrews. So Martin Luther actually seemed like it was Apollos who wrote this book. The New Testament describes Apollos as a man who has a great and elegant speech. And literary scholars talk about the elegant speech of the letters of Hebrews in which it was written. Apollos also seemed to be very well versed in the Old Testament.
And as mentioned, Hebrews is filled with the Old Testament scripture. So very possible Apollos. Others’ theories in Church history have Barnabas or Luke or Clement, among other names.
But as mentioned, at this point in history, no one knows. In fact, even in the early point of Church history, there are writings that communicate the uncertainty of the author of Hebrews. However, that being said, throughout Church history, everyone has agreed that whoever the author was, Hebrews is one of the richest books in the New Testament canon.
And this is actually a favorite for many. In fact, for myself, Hebrews is probably my favorite book in the New Testament. Which actually is the last thing I want to point out here, before we dive back into our text just by way of background information. Because of the emphasis of how the book is leading us that Jesus is better, because he is the fulfillment of the Old Testament, the book of Hebrews actually serves as a guide for us how we are to read and understand the Old Testament scriptures.
In Hebrews, we can see how the Old Testament is ultimately pointing to Jesus Christ. The book of Hebrews is filled with many quotes of the Old Testament that the author uses to point to Christ, including several in our text today. Every passage in Hebrews, the author is communicating something from the Old Testament and how we are to see that thing in light of Christ. This is so important for us, not just to understand Hebrews, but also to understand the Old Testament. Back when I was in seminary, my first semester, I had a class called hermeneutics. This is a required class.
Honestly, when I signed up for it, I had no idea what it was about. I had actually never heard the word hermeneutics before this. I had to look it up online. What does hermeneutics mean? So I knew what the class was about. What I learned is the word hermeneutics basically means the study of interpretation, particularly when it comes to the Bible.
So for us, the book of Hebrews, this is really the Old Testament hermeneutic. As we read Hebrews, it teaches us how we are to interpret, understand the Old Testament in light of Jesus Christ. So in the weeks to come, not only seeking to understand this New Testament letter of Hebrews, which we are, but hopefully in doing so, we also better understand the Old Testament as a whole.
How all the scripture in the end is indeed about Jesus Christ, who is better, who is indeed superior, who is the one we actually have to hedonistic pursue in every area, in every decision of our life. Okay, so that was the introduction. Please look back with me at our text in verse 1. As I mentioned, please keep your Bible out.
All we’re going to do is just kind of walk through verse by verse. And we have a lot to cover today. Because of that, I debated kind of back and forth if I should split this into multiple sermons. But I decided just on one sermon, just because I think this chapter really builds and builds and builds upon itself, which I’m actually hoping to capture in this sermon. So verse 1, if you take your eyes back there. So read the words.
Now, just a few things to mention. Some think Paul is the writer of Hebrews, the author of Hebrews. Many do not. Verse 1 is actually one of the reasons why many do not. There’s no typical Pauline greeting to this letter. Rather than verse 1, the author, he’s just like jumping right in with the words I just read for you.
Secondly, I also mentioned, as mentioned in the intro, this book appears to be written to Jewish Christians. And verse 1 is one of many places in Hebrews that points us that way. This is clearly a reference to the Old Testament. And the Jewish people were the ones who entrusted with the oracles of God, by which God spoke to his people. Third verse 1. This is one of the many verses in Scripture that teaches that as Christians, we are people of the book.
Meaning people of the Bible. Because we believe that it’s through the Bible. That’s how God speaks to his people. So through his word, that’s how we know God. We know who he is, his character. It seems like every few years, there’s a new book that becomes popular in Christian circles.
It kind of teaches us how we can hear from God, which always involves some type of experience. And tragically, these types of books have the way of capturing many, leading many astray. Friends, if you want to hear from God, you want to hear his voice, read the Bible. That’s how God speaks to us, through the written word, through the preached word, through the power of his spirit. Which our text tells us he does in many, many ways. Which in his commentary on Hebrews, scholar Tom Schreiner points out, the Old Testament is filled with many, many genres.
Which is what verse 1 seems to be referencing. The many, many types of literature found in Scripture, by which God speaks to his people. There’s narratives, there’s hymns, there’s proverbs, there’s poetry, there’s parables, there’s love songs, there’s wisdom, there’s apocalyptic literature. All these many genres God uses to speak, to communicate to his people, through the prophets in the Old Testament text. Verse 2. However, now in these last days, which refers to the era we are currently in, which is the era that started with the death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ.
An era that will end when he returns. In the Scriptures, we are in the last days. And in these last days, the text tells us that God has now spoken to us by his Son. Meaning that the Lord Jesus Christ, who is the very Word of God, the second member of the Blessed Trinity, the Word who became flesh to dwell among us, God has spoken definitively, in finality, in Jesus Christ. And this is because, as God spoke to his people through the Old Testament prophets, he was doing so in ways that ultimately, in the end, were pointing them, pointing us, to his Son, who is the Christ. The one who is promised to come throughout the Old Testament.
In the text, through the person of the Son, God has spoken definitively. In his Son, all the promises have been kept. The yes and amen of God have been kept definitively in the Son. Meaning that there’s no one else to come that we are to look for. He’s it. The Son is the one.
He is the one at the top. He is the superior. There is no one else that he is pointing to. Rather, all things have been pointing to him. So remember the story in the Gospel of Columns? The disciples of John the Baptist, who came to Jesus, to inquire of Jesus, if he was the one promised from an old, or if there’s another one still yet to come.
Remember how Jesus has received a question, responded back by quoting the Old Testament book of Isaiah, to help the disciples of John, to help John the Baptist see, that indeed, he is the one, the definitive one, who in the last days, God has spoken through. By the way, this is so much of the study of Hebrews. How all the characters, all the Old Testament structures, they’re road signs. In the end, we’re leading us to Christ, who’s the definitive, the final destination. I also mention here before we move on, verses 1 and 2, I think you can argue this is a thesis statement of the entire book of Hebrews. That God has definitively spoken to us by his Son.
For the rest of the book of Hebrews, the author supports this thesis by stating his case, which actually the author does in the very next thought of our passage, if you want to look there at the end of verse 2. The Son is the definitive word that God has spoken, because the Son is the one who he appointed, the heir over all things. The Son is the one whom he also created the world. There’s a couple thoughts here. First, the Son being the heir of all things. This is his reward as the Christ, the Messiah.
He is the heir, because he is the one who fulfilled the Old Testament, particularly in his death and resurrection from the dead. Whereas the heir, now the Son, sits at the right hand of God forever and ever, which is the position of ultimate authority. And the Son, being the heir, sits at the right hand. This is an important truth. Such an important truth, the writer of Hebrews actually goes back to this multiple times for his readers to see that he is the one with ultimate authority, which I’m going to get to in just a second, verse 3. The Son sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high.
Then later on, we get to Hebrews 8, speaking of the Son. We have such a high priest, one who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven. Then again in chapter 10, but when Christ had suffered all time, a single sacrifice for sin, he sat down at the right hand of God. In chapter 12, looking to Jesus, the founder and the perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Let me address God creating the world through his Son. This is actually something we see in other places in the New Testament as well, perhaps most famously in Paul’s letter to the Colossians.
Remember that? Verses 1, 15 through 20. It’s actually an old Christian hymn that sings about this truth of the Son is the creator of all things. And this is something that we see in this passage here that is pointing us to this, that there was never a time the Son did not exist. Rather, he is the creator. It’s actually really important for us, not just that we have right Christian doctrine, but it’s important for us to understand the eternal nature of the Son.
This is actually one of the reasons why he is superior, because he is the eternal creator of all things, as all things have been made by him and for him. He is the creator. Keep going, verse 3, which further speaks of the eternal reality of the Son. The Son is the definitive word that God has spoken. Because in the text, he is the radiance of the glory of God, the exact imprint of his nature. I mean, all the divine nature of God the Father is that of the Son.
Famously, John 14, one of the disciples of Jesus asked Jesus to show them God the Father. Remember how Jesus responded back? In the text, John 14, I have been to you so long, yet you still do not know me, Philip, who has seen me has seen the Father.
How can you say, show us the Father? Do you not believe that I am the Father and the Father is in me? The word that I say to you, I do not speak of my own authority, but the Father who dwells in me does his work. Believe in me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me, or else believe in the accounts of the work themselves. By the way, this is also true of God the Holy Spirit as well. All divine nature is found in the Spirit, in the Son, in the Father.
Keep going to the text. As the Son is the radiance of the glory of God, the exact imprint of his nature, we see he is also the one who upholds the universe by the word of his power, which Hebrew 4 tells us that the word of his power is living and active. It is sharper than two-edged sword. It pierces the soul and the spirit of joints and marrow. It discerns the thoughts and intentions of our heart, which is also why we are a people of the book, because the power of God is found in the word. The power of the word is a superior power.
It is superior than maybe some type of experience that we are just trying to conjure ourselves up. Further, our text, the power is so prevalent in the word, it is so powerful, it is actually upholding the entire universe, every atom, every molecule, all functioning, working according to the powerful word. Keep going. We read through the definitive word. The Son is also making purification of sin, which the Son did in his sacrificial and superstitionary death on the cross. Through his death and resurrection, all who seek him find forgiveness of sin.
There is purification even in the darkest and ugliest of our sin. The Son, who is superior, is able to forgive, to make purification, which, by the way, includes for all here today who come to the Son by faith. The superior Son will purify you. He will have your sins washed clean.
In text verse 3, as the definitive word, the Son, finished all that we came to accomplish in his death and resurrection, the definitive word then ascended back up into heaven, where it is mentioned, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, where there he rules and reigns with all eternity for all time, which is something we actually talked about a few weeks back, if you’re here, when we looked at Acts 1, and the ascension of Jesus Christ back into the heavenly places. His one-time death accomplished all that was needed to accomplish, to bring forth forgiveness of sin, purity of sin, the purification of sin. Because he accomplished all that he set out to accomplish, he ascended back to heaven.
We get to Hebrews 10. Our Lord Jesus is not continually being sacrificed over and over again. Rather, it was a single sacrifice that atoned for sin. As mentioned, after he accomplished that which he set out to accomplish, he sat down at the right hand of God, which declares to us that the sacrifice was a definitive sacrifice, a sacrifice that was indeed accepted. Verse 4, if you want to take your eyes there. As Christ ascended into heaven to sit at the authoritative right hand, we see that he has proved to become as much superior than the angels, as a name that he has inherited, which in the context of Hebrews 1, seems to mean the name, the Son, that this name is much excellent, much more excellent than theirs.
Now, a few thoughts here. This is really the first comparison, contrastion the author gives between the Son and that which is found in the Old Testament. Verse 4, Jesus is better.
He is superior even to the angels. He is much more excellent. Verse 4 also is pointing to us to the eternal nature of the Son, that he is not an angel who was created. Rather, the reason why he is superior is because he is eternal, which is what hopefully the next few verses are telling us. Third, the name that Jesus has inherited, as mentioned, seems to be referring to the name, the Son, which is here, this is referring to a title. As I mentioned in the passing, the Son has always been the Son.
There has never been a time when the Son did not exist. But what verse 4 is referring to, this name, is not the name of a person of the Son, but rather the title, a royal title of the Son that he inherited, which in the biblical context is a title of Son, is an honor, a privilege, a title in the Old Testament text had great anticipation. Like, who would be the one who received this title, the Son? This anticipation is most specifically found in Psalm 2, which is a psalm that speaks about the Messiah who was to come. The Messiah who would come to be the King, who would sit on his holy hill, the one who would be given the nations as his heritage. So the question in the Old Testament, like, who is the one who would be able to claim this title of Son, which actually leads us to verse 5 of our passage, which is a quote from Psalm 2, reminding the reader the title of Son would not go to an angel in the text.
For when did God ever say to an angel, You are my Son, today I have begotten you? Or again, when did God ever say to an angel, I will be to him a father, and to me a son, which has a quote from 2 Samuel 7, when God promised King David the Messiah would come through his lineage. And the clear answer to these two questions in verse 5? Never!
God has never called an angel a son who he begotten. God has never called an angel to be the one who comes from David, to be the Christ. Verse 6, and again, when he brings the firstborn into the world, he says, Let all God’s angels worship him. Now this firstborn in that verse there, this is another reference to a position or a title, to superiority. Biblically, the firstborn, this is a privileged spot to sit as the firstborn, at the right hand of the Father. In our text, his coming into the world, it’s a reference either to his incarnation, when the Word became flesh in his first coming, or possibly this coming into the world, it’s actually being referred to Christ’s second coming, that was to come.
In the text, the angels coming to worship this firstborn, this is actually an allusion to Deuteronomy, chapter 32. As the author gives his logical offense on why the Son is superior to the angels, when did God ever command angels to worship another angel? Answer again, it’s never. God has never done that. Rather, the angels are to worship the one who is superior to them. They are to worship the one who has been given the name, the title of Son, the Messiah.
Keep going, verse 7, take your eyes there. Of the angels, what God did say, is what he said in Psalm 104, that God made the angels to be his angels’ wings, or winds, and his ministers a flame of fire. That’s what God said.
And this here seems to be another Old Testament reference, we come to the book of Exodus, where through angels, God mediated a covenant with his people at Mount Sinai. And this here reminds us that the angels, they’re not the royal son. Rather, in the text, they’re just simply servants. The angels are servants who minister, whoever the Lord desires for them to minister. It’s always grounded in the ministry to the Son, who is superior, the one who is better than them, which we see in verse 8, which is a quote from Psalm 45, where God has said this about his definitive Son. Of his Son, God has said, 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. That’s what God has said about his Son. Just a few things to point out here. Verse 8, verse continues to affirm the eternal nature of the Son, doing so in ways that the Son is referred to as God.
See this in the text? Your throne, O God, speaking of the Son, your throne, O God, is forever and ever. Now, in the New Testament, there’s many implicit passages that declare the Son to be the eternal God, including actually some of what we already covered in chapter 1.
But this here in verse 8, this is one of the several explicit passages that declare the Son to be the eternal God. For the Son, he says, your throne, O God, is forever and ever. To say it again, the Son is not a created being. The Son is a member of the eternal trinity, fully God, who in his incarnation became fully man. Second, as the Son sits on his throne, we see how he rules with his kingly scepter. Our text tells us he does so with a love for righteousness.
He does so with a hatred of wickedness. Now, if you’re like me, you’re very cynical when it comes to kings and rulers and politicians. They can feel like everything is corrupted. Or it can feel like rulers and leaders love wickedness and hate righteousness. That’s why it is not true of every earthly ruler and leader. At least for me, I tend to feel that way.
And I’m sure for these readers of Hebrews, the first readers, for ongoing more and more persecution from the Roman world and it appears from the Jewish people as well, they really had to battle cynicism towards those over them. Over here in this text, we see this about the Son. They had hope.
We have hope. Because as the Son rules at the authoritative right hand of God, he rules with a love for righteousness. He rules with a hatred of wickedness, meaning he’s good and he’s just. Which, by the way, is one of the great reasons why he alone is our hope. Why he alone is the one we put our trust in and no earthly leader. Jesus is so far better, so far superior.
Third, in this verse 8, the oil of gladness that God anointed the Son with. This is a reference to the Son being the Christ, the Messiah, the Anointed One, was anointed with the oil of gladness. That also reminds us, as Christ rules with all authority, as he rules with a love of righteousness and a hatred of wickedness, for his people, as he rules in this way, there’s gladness. There’s joy for his people. Meaning that the Son, as he rules, he’s not an oppressive, harsh dictator where everything we do is out of shame and condemnation. Rather, the hearts of his people, his companions, there is everlasting joy in him.
Which also proves why the Son is so much superior than all other rulers. He makes good on all of his promises, including the promise to fill us with his joy. Keep going to verse 10, which comes from Psalm 102, which echoes Genesis 1. And you, Lord, which is another title to the Son, he’s also the Lord, which only further declares the deity of the Son. You, Lord, you laid the foundation of the earth in the beginning, and the heavens are the work of your handiwork. In this divine nature of the Son, who is your creator, this clearly is important to the author of Hebrews.
Multiple times in these few verses of our text today, he’s referencing this truth, so we can’t overlook it, so we can’t miss it. The Son is divine, our divine creator. Verse 11, even though the Son created the universe, we read that one day it will perish, which will be on the end of the last days that we’re in, when Christ comes again. His present life comes to its conclusion, as this present life will be no more. But in our text, the Son, who is superior to everything in this life that is perishing, we see that He will remain. Meaning, not only has He been eternal from old, but He will continue to remain eternal forever.
In the text, all that is created. You’re going to wear it all like a garment, like a robe. One day the Son will come and roll them up. Like a garment, they will be changed. But the Son, the text tells us, you are the same. But the Son, His years will have no end.
Later on, to expand upon this, the writer of Hebrews, speaking about the Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, says this, Jesus Christ, He’s the same. Yesterday, today, forever. He will always be. Finally, this morning, where we finish off the text, verses 13 and 14. Verse 13, another rhetorical question to prove his point, that Jesus appeared to the angels, this time quoting Psalm 110, which he actually does in other places of the book as well. And to the angels, when did He ever say, sit at my right hand, until I make you enemies, or your enemies a footstool at your feet?
The implied answer to this last rhetorical question, the same basic answer to the rhetorical questions we saw before. God never said that to the angel. And why would He? In verse 14, are not angels simply ministering spirits, sent out to serve for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation? It’s only the Son who He tells, come and sit at my right hand. And by the way, maybe a little side note, not the main point of the passage, but it’s kind of interesting.
Isn’t it kind of interesting to consider how God might actually be using angels, even to serve us here today? In ways that He’s using angels in accordance with His Word, by the power of His Spirit, to lead us, to minister to us, so we might see the superiority of the Son, who is better. Which actually leads to how I’d like to close our time of this sermon. In ways I hope is true of the text, is just by continuing to emphasize that Jesus is, He’s superior. He’s better. Always.
Always better. Jesus is always the best. He is always the right decision that we are to seek after. That we are to live our lives in ways that reflect that. In ways that we’re laying aside every weight of sin that clings so closely, in order to run the race set before us by looking to Him, by holding fast to confession of our faith. To see that He is better.
We do this in every situation. Whether it’s like big, life-changing situations. We’re to make these in ways that reflect that Jesus is superior, that He’s better. But even like the most common, mundane parts of our life. We’re to make decisions to prove that Jesus is better. Like eating, drinking, to the glory of God.
Waking up every morning to go to your job or to school so you might work heartily unto the Lord. Or maybe doing like the hard work of parenting so you can raise your children in the fear and abomination of the Lord. Or just using your gifts to serve the church. The way that you prove that Jesus, you show that He’s better. Or working through your weekly budget as you steward the money God has entrusted to you. Or just spending time to try to get to know your neighbors who are not yet Christians.
With hopes that you can be a light to them. The way that we show that Jesus is better. Or fleeing temptation. Temptation of sin that is mentioned can cling so closely. We flee because Jesus is better. Holding our thoughts, our attitudes captive, which are due to the obedience of Christ.
Even how we treat others. We’re deduced on ways to show that Jesus is better. Like all these things. And many more common mundane things that fill up our lives. Friends, we have to approach them by believing, trusting what the Word says. That Jesus is superior.
He’s better. In the context of Hebrews. We have to see Jesus as superior, as better. As a sure and steady anchor of our soul. The one who is worth holding fast of our confession of faith without wavering. Even if that means we have to suffer for His sake.
Jesus is still better. And I want to close this by emphasizing the truth that Chapter 1 is actually just a quickly run back through the text. I’m going to go through this really quickly, but I’m going to give you 10 reasons on why Jesus is better. Why He is superior in our text. Why He is the one we are always to hedonistically pursue. Don’t settle for anything less than Him.
That’s actually so freeing for us in this life. Just pursue the Lord Jesus Christ. Be obedient to the Word that He has given to us. That’s so freeing. Actually, I’m going to go through this very quickly. I think it will be on the screen.
So first, Jesus is always better because He is the yes and the amen of Scripture. God who never lies has declared that His Son is the definitive Word. God who made incredible promises to His people fulfills all of His promises in Jesus Christ.
And He will honor all those who trust in Him, His Son and His good Word. Second, Jesus is always better because He is our eternal creator. This is so much the text we just went through.
All things created by Him, all things created for Him, including each of us here this morning. And as He has created us, He has created us with a design. A design to glorify and enjoy Him forever. Which is why the great Church Father Augustine correctly said that our hearts are restless until we find a rest in Him. Third, Jesus is always better because He is our God. He is the exact imprint of God the Father who sits on the throne as the Lord.
Jesus is not simply a good man. He is not just a religious leader, a prophet. He is not even an angel.
He is our God. And what is better than that? Third, Jesus is better, always better, because He is the one who makes purification for sins.
He’s an eternal Son, second member of the Trinity. He did it by becoming man. But for His glory, He made purification of sin by dying in the place of His people, by shedding His blood, only to rise again on the third day to whoever would call upon His name but believe indeed that He is better, their sins would be forgiven.
Fifth, Jesus is better, always better. Why? Because He is the Christ, which is what the Scripture declares to us, that Jesus, He is the Christ, the promised one who came.
He is the royal Son who sits on the throne for all eternity. Friends, there is no other Christ we are to look for. The Son has come.
There is no one better than that. Sixth, Jesus is better because He is the one who is worthy of worship, both for who He is as well as what He has done for us. In the end, every decision we make, big or small, it actually leads us right here. It is the decision of worship.
Whatever we deem most worthy, that is where we will give our attention and our affection. The Scriptures could not be more clear. It is only the Lord Jesus who is worthy of our worship.
There is nothing better. Second, Jesus is better because He is our righteous King who sits on the throne at the right hand of God where He rules and reigns perfectly as He puts His enemies under His feet. Keep this at the forefront of your heart and mind as we enter into the hornet’s nest of another election season. Keep this in mind as the guiding principle of how you vote. Make sure your vote reflects Jesus being the righteous King. Whatever He declares righteous and wicked, vote in line to that.
But also keep in mind, if you are tempted to put your hope in your preferred candidate, your preferred candidate will fail. Your preferred candidate cannot be an idol to you. Thankfully, let me also mention when the kingdom comes, it’s going to be so nice not to have any more election cycles. Just be Christ on the throne forever and ever, gloriously. That’s something we can anticipate and look forward to. Eighth, Jesus is better because He is the one who has been anointed with the oil of gladness.
In Jesus, there’s always joy, fullness of joy, which is so important for us as we remember and understand why He is better. It’s as important actually as the guiding factors and decisions we make. Friends, there’s joy in Jesus. He’s not a killjoy. No, He is joy. We don’t simply declare Jesus is better and pursue Jesus better out of guilt or duty or obligation or shame or condemnation.
It’s almost like a drudge to follow after Him. No, friends. In Jesus, there is perfect joy. So pursue Him for the sake of your own gladness. Jesus is better because He is immutable. He does not change.
In this life, we know this. Things are always changing. Always. Where in this life, things never feel stable, never feel secure. Because in the end, all things will perish. Friends, Jesus, He doesn’t change.
He will remain. And He will remain the same yesterday, today, forever. Which means we can count on Him. That’s why He is the sure, steady anchor of our soul. Third, or tenth. Jesus is better because He grants salvation.
Which is mentioned earlier. He does through the purification of sin. Which He did through His substitutionary death. For the sake, as our text ends, for all those who are to inherit salvation. He’s better because Jesus saves. By the way, is that not a little humbling to think about that?
This One who is superior loves His people so they become and die for us in order to bring us to Himself. That the superior one would do that even for us? Church, may God give us the grace to believe in every situation, every decision, every moment of life. No matter what the other option might be. No matter what is on the other side of the equation. Jesus, He’s always better.
He’s always superior. He’s always worth pursuing, no matter the cost. Let’s pray.
Lord, we thank You for Jesus Christ, the Eternal Son who became flesh to dwell among us, to die in our place, to rise again from the dead, who was promised to come again, to judge the living and the dead. Lord, please forgive us for the many times and many ways that we declare other things better than Christ with our actions, with our attitudes, with our thoughts. We’re grateful for grace. We’re grateful for forgiveness. So please do forgive us. And Lord, please do strengthen our faith to help us run the race set before us in ways that not only honor Christ, but ways that fill us with His joy. We pray this in Jesus’ name. Amen.
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