Monday, October 18, 2010

Hebrews 1:1-3 - The Incomparable Jesus

I'm starting my way through Hebrews on Wednesday nights and hope to post much of the lessons here.  As I begin this study, I am again blown away by the glory of the Lord Jesus Christ.  Truly He is worthy of our worship.

Hebrews 1:1-3 - [1 :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
Truly Jesus has...
1. Superior Revelation (vv. 1-2a)
[1 :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
-vs- our inner “feelings” let alone the Old Testament. All that God did and revealed in the old days (OT) pointed to and prepared for what we have now in these last days. Jesus has come and has brought us understanding of what God’s design is for us all. He alone is worthy to reveal and carry out the will of God (Revelation 5).
Acts 4:12 - And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.
Also, there is a great danger that we might simply trust our own judgments and feelings.  But remember, we are fallen, finite, sinful creatures that need help from the outside.  This is what God has provided.  He has revealed Himself to us by His Son.
There is a God – and He has spoken. If you want to know Him, you come through His Son. Do you doubt Him? Spend some time considering the incomparable Jesus Christ.
2. Superior inheritance (v. 2b)
whom he appointed the heir of all things
-vs- our inheritance – What might you inherit? (money, land, house, dishes, etc…)
Psalm 2 – (read it!)
Colossians 1:16 - 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.
3. Superior beginning (v. 2c)
through whom also he created the world
-vs- our beginning – How old are you? I’m 38 years old. How does that compare to the one who created everything???
John 1:3 - All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made.
Colossians 1:16 - 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.
This is the God who has no beginning – He is the beginning for everything else.
4. Superior glory (v.3a)
He is the radiance of the glory of God
-vs- our glory – Who do you think is the greatest?  The greatest in whatever category you want to choose.  Compare that person to Christ - there is no comparison!
2 Corinthians 4:4-6 - In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus' sake. For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
5. Superior image (v. 3b)
the exact imprint of his nature
-vs- our image – What do people think of you?
Colossians 1:15 - He is the image of the invisible God
John 14:9 - 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’?
6. Superior power (v. 3c)
and he upholds the universe by the word of his power
-vs- our power – What’s something you accomplished or built that you were pretty pleased with? (Me – I remodeled a bathroom remodel) Compare the work we do with blood, sweat and tears with Christ using His “word” – comparatively speaking we are powerless.
Colossians 1:17 - And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.
7. Superior cleansing (v. 3d)
making purification for sins
-vs- our spiritual cleansing – We so often try to think we earn God’s approval by how we live and act, by our good deeds or obeying God. But Christ has done the work – the penalty is death (OT sacrificial system by the high priest)
Hebrews 9:12-14 - he entered once for all into the holy places, not by means of the blood of goats and calves but by means of his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption. For if the blood of goats and bulls, and the sprinkling of defiled persons with the ashes of a heifer, sanctify for the purification of the flesh, how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works to serve the living God.
8. Superior position (v. 3e)
he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high
-vs- our positions – 1st chair in band, youngest/oldest in family, job, class president, popular, even President of the U.S.
Ephesians 1:20-21 - that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come.
Conclusion:
This is the incomparable Jesus Christ. Nothing you could live your life for could possibly compare to living for Him – anything else could not even be placed on the scale to compare. Compared to this Jesus, all mankind put together is lighter than a breath (Psalm 62:9).
I invite you to join me as we come together on Wednesdays to consider this amazing Jesus Christ and His implications on your life.