HEBREWS 1:5-14
JESUS BETTER THAN THE ANGELS
September 20, 2015
Todd Chapman
HEBREWS 1:5-14
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? (-From The Holy Bible, English Standard Version copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles)
SERMON NOTES
The author of Hebrews continues to describe and reinforce the absolute uniqueness and supremacy of Jesus in order to continue to encourage us to listen to Him.
- Vs 1-4: Jesus is better than the prophets.
- Vs 5-14: Jesus is better than the angels.
Verses 5-14 follow the same pattern at verses 1-4. In the first four verses, the author tells us that 1.) God used to speak through the prophets, but now He speaks through Jesus, who is His Son, 2.) that Jesus is eternal and creature of the universe, and 3.) He sits down at the right hand of God.
In verses 5-14, the author explains again that...
I. Jesus is God’s Son. None of the angels are.
II. Jesus is eternal and immutable. None of the angels are.
III. Jesus sits at the right hand of God the Father. None of the angels do.
TAKEAWAYS:
- Jesus is better than the angels.
- The prophets actually tell us Jesus is better than the angels and them.
- The angels’ purpose is to help us persevere.
- Letting the reality of who Jesus is wash over us, is the key to life.
- Answer “What does it mean” questions.
- Ask Holy Spirit to reveal depth of truth of Hebrews 1 to our minds.
- Ask Holy Spirit to soak the truth, the glory of Jesus in to our hearts.
- Devote 20 minutes to “soaking” in Hebrews 1.
LIFE GROUP DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
WHAT DOES IT MEAN?
- How would you summarize the big idea of 1:1-4?
- How would you summarize what the author is saying in 1:5-6?
- In what sense is Jesus the “firstborn”?
- What does it mean that God makes the angels “winds” and His ministers a “flame of fire”?
- How would you paraphrase what the author is saying about Jesus in 1:8-12? What attributes is he describing?
- What’s the significance of Jesus sitting at the right hand of the Father?
- What is the role of angels? What are they to do?
- What’s the big idea of 1:5-14?
- Is there anything significant about the author quoting the Psalmists in this literary context? Hint: What was the message of the prophets as summarized by the author’s quotes in chapter 1?
- What do you think the author hoped his readers would be thinking about after they read this 1st chapter?
- What do you think the author hoped his readers would be feeling after they read this 1st chapter?
HOW DOES IT APPLY?
- What characteristics of Jesus as listed by the author strike you the most? Explain.
- Are there any descriptions of Jesus listed here that are challenging to understand? Which ones?
- When you read chapter 1, and think about Jesus as He is described by the author, how do you feel?
- What attribute of Jesus brings you to awe, to be inspired, to be wowed? Why?
- How do you feel about angels being here to help us?
- What does salvation mean to you?