HEBREWS 1:1-4
GOD SPEAKS: ARE WE LISTENING?
September 13, 2015
Todd Chapman
Hebrews 1:1-4: 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. (From The Holy Bible, English Standard Version copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles)
As we begin our study of the Book of Hebrews, we are reminded again of the importance of being a "First Hander" with the Word of God.
WHAT DO WE DO TO BE FIRST HANDERS (HERE AT RCC)?:
Our preaching – Showing people the kitchen…
- Preach through a book of Bible
- Focus on the text
- Weekly Life Group Discussion Questions
- Review, broader logic and flow
- Calibrated use of illustrations
GOD’S PLAN FOR SPEAKING PART I
Hebrews 1:1 God spoke through the prophets in many times and in many ways
- God desires to reveal Himself.
- God chooses to work through people to reveal Himself.
- God reveals Himself through different people in different times in different ways.
God spoke through the prophets. The prophets were good, but were limited...
- They were human (temporal – died).
- They were sinful.
- They were limited, speaking for God.
- They didn’t completely understand God’s eternal plan.
- They were mere spokespersons who pointed to the Ultimate Spokesperson.
GOD’S PLAN FOR SPEAKING PART II
Now God speaks through His Son. Jesus is way better than the prophets. Listen to Him.
Jesus...
- …owns all that is.
- …created the world.
- …contains all of God’s glory.
- …is in His essence God.
- …holds the universe together.
- …purified our sin.
- …ascended into heaven.
- …is superior to the angels.
Our takeaways from 1:1-4:
- God speaks to us.
- Jesus is the best possible spokesperson for God. Because He is God.
- Listen to Jesus. It’s God’s plan for birthing, growing, and sustaining genuine faith. Don’t settle for being a 2nd hander.
- Read Hebrews on your own.
- Pray that God’s Spirit would open our minds and hearts to what He inspired the author of Hebrews to communicate.
- Happily, expectantly participate in a Life Group.
Life Group Discussion questions for Hebrews 1:1-4:
WHAT DOES IT MEAN?
- Who is the author of Hebrews?
- To whom is Hebrews written? (Be as precise as you can)
- How did God speak long ago?
- What did God speak about long ago?
- In what sense were these the “last days” in which the author wrote?
- In these “last days” God has spoken through his Son, and then he goes on to describe him. What does the author mean by…
- “heir of all things”?
- “he created the world”?
- “the radiance of the glory of God”?
- “the exact imprint of his nature”?
- “he upholds the universe by his word”?
- “making purifications for sin”?
- “sat down at the right hand of Majesty”?
- “having become superior to angels”?
- How would you summarize what the author is trying to convey by this long list of descriptions of the Son?
- The author seems to be comparing and contrasting the way God spoke through the prophets with his speaking though His Son. How is God’s speaking though the prophets different form His speaking though His Son?
- What is the author’s big idea in this paragraph?
HOW DOES IT APPLY?
- Do you think the author wants us to read the Old Testament, the prophets?
- How did you first “hear” Jesus speak?
- When you first “heard” Jesus, what did He say?
- How do you listen to Jesus now?
- What has been Jesus been saying to you lately?
- What would motivate you to listen to Jesus more often?
- What might help you hear Jesus more clearly?