BETTER THAN THE ANGELS
TEXT: Hebrews 1
INTRODUCTION:
1. The 19 th book in the New Testament, Hebrews is a letter written by an unknown Christian to show how Jesus Christ had replaced Judaism as God's perfect revelation of Himself.
2. Hebrews begins with a marvelous tribute to the person of Christ (1:1-3), and throughout the epistle the author weaves warning with doctrine to encourage his readers to hold fast to Jesus as the great High Priest of God.
3. The author makes extensive use of Old Testament quotations and images to show that Jesus is the supreme revelation of God and the all-sufficient Mediator between God and man.
4. Because of its literary style and the careful way it develops its argument, Hebrews reads more as an essay than a personal letter.
5. The repeated use of Old Testament quotations and images in Hebrews suggests that the people who received this book had a Jewish background.
6. The repeated warnings against spiritual unbelief reveal that the readers of this epistle were on the verge of renouncing the Christian faith and returning to their former Jewish ways (2:1-4; 3:7-4:14; 5:12-6:20; 10:19-39; 12:12-29).
7. Negligence in good deeds and sloppy attendance at worship services (10:23-25) were evidence of a cooling in their faith.
8. In an effort to rekindle the readers' flame of commitment to Christ, the author urges his readers not to retreat from persecution (10:32-39), but to hasten to the front lines.
9. He calls for a new exodus (3:7-19); he holds before them examples of a pilgrim faith (chap. 11); and he tells them not to "draw back" (10:39), but to "go forth to Him, outside the camp, bearing His reproach" (13:13).
10. The backbone of this epistle is the finality of Christ for salvation.
a) This wonderful truth is no less urgent for us today than it was for the original readers of Hebrews.
b) The rise of cults, with their deceptive claims of security, is but one example of the many things that appeal for our ultimate loyalty.
c) Hebrews reminds us that "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever" (13:8).
d) Because of His perfect sacrifice of Himself, He is still the only Mediator between us and God.
e) Only Jesus is the true Author of our salvation.
11. Angels: A great deal of interest in them. One greater than them.

I. GOD SPEAKS IN THE CHRISTIAN AGE BY HIS SON:
A. 1-2: God has communicated His message in the past by using a variety of methods: burning bush, talking donkey, hand on the wall etc.
B. In the last days (Christian Age) He speaks exclusively through His Son.
1) John 14:15-18
2) John 14:25-26
3) John 16:8-14
4) Acts 1:2-3
5) Acts 2:1-8
C. Jesus spoke, then sent the Holy Spirit to tell the Apostles what to say, Who then in turn wrote it down, and God has preserved it for our learning.
D. So, when you read the New Testament books written by Paul, Luke, Peter etc., you are actually reading the words of Jesus!
II. THE SON WAS APPOINTED HEIR OF ALL THINGS: VS. 2
A. Matthew 21:33-44
B. Matthew 28:18
III. THE SON WAS INVOLVED IN THE CREATION: VS. 2
A. Genesis 1:1-3
B. John 1:1-3

IV. THE SON WAS THE EXPRESS IMAGE OF HIS FATHER: VS.3
A. The same in His person:
B. The same in His power:
C. The same in His purging:

V. THE SON IS BETTER THAN THE ANGELS:
A. The name of the Son is more excellent than the angels (Acts 4:12)
B. God calls Him Son, but never called the angels that vs.5
C. God told the angels to worship the Son (1 Peter 3:22; Revelation 5:11-13)
D. The angels are ministers, but the Son is the King, on the Throne vss. 7-8
E. The heavens and the earth will perish, grow old and change vss. 10-12.
F. The Son will remain forever vss. 10-12.
G. The angels were never invited to sit on God’s right hand vs. 13.
H. Angels are ministering spirits.
I. Christ is the King of Kings, Lord of Lords!

CONCLUSION:
1. Galatians 1:6-9
2. Colossians 2:18
3. Angels are fascinating creatures.
4. However, Jesus is greater!
5. His words are the ones by which we will be judged (John 12:48).



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