Hebrews The Superiority of Christ (part 2) Jesus: Superior to Angels Hebrews 1:4-14.

Hebrews

The Superiorityof Christ (part 2)

Jesus: Superior to Angels

Hebrews 1:4-14

A Brief Look at the Biblical Teaching of

AngelsOld Testament – 108 direct

references

New Testament – 165 direct references


AngelsThey are created beings and their number is set, neither

increasing or decreasing

They are highly intellegent and have emotions as they

rejoice when a sinner is converted – Luke 15:10


AngelsThey can move with

incredible speed and have tremendous power

The best description of them are mighty warriors and God's special servants

A Brief Look at the Jewish beliefs about angels in Jesus' day

Many teachings about angels were being embellished

Angels were believed to be a senate or council for God


There were many different types of angels with various

names

Every child had a guardian angel


Angels had much to do with the ordination and mantaining of the law

Angels were sometimes elevated so high they were

worshipped

Hebrews 1:4-14 (ESV)4having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is

more excellent than theirs. 5For 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”?

Hebrews 1:4-14 (ESV)

6And again, when he brings the firstborn into the world,

he says, “Let all God's angels worship him.” 7Of the angels he says, “He makes his angels winds, and his ministers a flame of fire.”

Hebrews 1:4-14 (ESV) 8But of the Son he says, “Your throne, O God, is

forever and ever, the scepter of uprightness is the scepter of your kingdom. 9You have

loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness beyond your companions.”


10And, “You, Lord, laid the foundation of the earth in

the beginning, and the heavens are the work of your hands; 11they will

perish, but you remain; they will all wear out like a

garment,

Hebrews 1:4-14 (ESV)12like 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.” 13And to which of the angels has he ever said, “Sit at my right

hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your

feet”?


14Are they not all ministering spirits sent out

to serve for the sake of those who are to inherit

salvation?

5 Reasons why Christ is

Superior to Angels

4having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is

more excellent than theirs. 5For 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”?

1) Christ has a Superior NAME

Psalm 2:7 and 2 Samuel 7:17

The author is quoting from the Greek Old Testament

Septuagint - LXX

The majority of the Old Testament was originally

written in Hebrew


According to Jewish thought, a person's name revealed his essential nature and could express rank and

dignity


Then: Believers were being pressured to return to

Judiasm by demoting Jesus down to a great angel who

did great things



Now: Believers are asked to say Jesus was just a good

man or put Him on the same level as every other god or belief system in the world

2) Christ has a Superior HONOR

6And again, when he brings the firstborn into the world,

he says, “Let all God's angels worship him.”

OT Ref. (Psalm 97:7)


This tells of the deity of Christ

This gives the status of Christ in regard to the angels

Angels WorshipChrist is Worshipped


Then: Believers were asked to deny the deity of Christ and say He was no better

than an angel

Then: Believers were asked to cease their worship of

Christ and say He was not worthy of such honor


Now: Believers are asked to deny the deity of Christ and say He was no better than

just a good man

Now: Believers are asked to mingle their worship of

Christ and say many are worthy of such honor

3) Christ has a Superior STATUS7Of the angels he says, “He makes

his angels winds, and his ministers a flame of fire.” 8But of the Son he

says, “Your throne, O God, is forever and ever, the scepter of

uprightness is the scepter of your kingdom. 9You have loved righteousness and hated

wickedness; therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil

of gladness beyond your companions.”

Psalm 104:4 and Psalm 45:6-7

3) Christ has a Superior STATUS

Truth Revealed – The angels are servants the

Son is sovereign


Then: Believers were encouraged to proclaim

that the angels were powerful and Christ was

weak and had no authority


Now: Beleiver's are encouraged to say that

man is powerful and Christ is weak and has no

authority

4) Christ has a Superior EXISTENCE

10And, “You, Lord, laid the foundation of the earth in the

beginning, and the heavens are the work of your hands; 11they

will perish, but you remain; they will all wear out like a garment,

12like 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.” - (ref. Ps 102)


Then: Believers were confronted with an argument

that Jesus could not be greater than the angels because the

angels have been around longer, therefore they should

deny Christ and go back to the old ways


Now: Beleiver's are confronted with an argument

saying what authority and power does a carpenter's Son have on my life 2000

years after he died?

5) Christ has a Superior VOCATION

13And to which of the angels has he ever said, “Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your

feet”? 14Are they not all ministering spirits sent out to

serve for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation?

(OT Ref. Psalm 110:1)


Truth Revealed - Angels serve – Christ commands the

servants


Then: Christ is superior to the angels in every way –

therefore all believers should be confident in Him and Him

alone


Now: Christ is superior to the angels in every way –

therefore all believers should be confident in Him and Him

alone

Hebrews The Superiority of Christ (part 2) Jesus: Superior to Angels Hebrews 1:4-14.

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Transcript of Hebrews The Superiority of Christ (part 2) Jesus: Superior to Angels Hebrews 1:4-14.