Sunday School Lesson
JUNE 6, 2004
JESUS: THE REASON TO BE FAITHFUL
Bible Background—HEBREWS 1:1—2:4
Focal Verses—HEBREWS 1:1-9; 2:1-4
Devotional Reading—COLOSSIANS 1:15-20
1. We will understand why JESUS is the superior revelation of GOD
2. We will be able to explain how believers can drift away from the true Gospel
3. We will determine to be faithful to the requirements of our faith.
“Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high” (Hebrews 1:3).
JESUS CHRIST is superior over the prophets and angels because HE is, in HIS very essence, GOD HIMSELF. People are tempted to idolize angels or various human teachers, but only JESUS CHRIST is the SON OF GOD. We know that JESUS is the second PERSON of the Trinity because the FATHER has given witness, the disciples gave witness, and HIS deity is demonstrated by GOD through the HOLY SPIRIT.
By way of background, JESUS prophesied that believers would suffer great persecution for HIS sake (Matthew 10:17-20), and after HIS death that prophecy began to come true. Jewish believers were not only being hounded by Roman authorities, but their own people had turned against them.
Judaism was a legal religion in the Roman Empire, and in the beginning; Roman authorities considered Christianity a Jewish sect and paid little attention to it. However, in Antioch all that began to change. A large number of Gentile believers heard the Gospel and converted. People in the city began referring to believers as Christians for the first time (Acts 11:20-26).
Jews began ostracizing Christian believers. They were forbidden to participate in temple worship, and many were driven from their homes and families. They were brought before Jewish councils, imprisoned, beaten, and some were even killed. At the same time, because of the Christians’ refusal to offer worship to Caesar, the Romans began their persecution of the infant religion. Things were bad, and many Jewish believers began to reconsider the wisdom of their conversions.
The original readers of the Letter to the Hebrews faced a dilemma. As Jews, they had been taught and had practiced Judaism all their lives. When the apostles and other Christian believers presented the GOOD NEWS of salvation to them, many had turned to CHRIST as LORD and SAVIOR. However, some were beginning to wonder how an unknown son of a carpenter from an obscure village called Nazareth could be greater than their forefathers and prophets like Moses. These harried believers needed to be reminded of the essential truth of their new faith. The writer of Hebrews demonstrated that JESUS CHRIST was SUPERIOR in HIS NATURE, HIS NAME, and HIS CALL.
1. CHRIST’S SUPERIOR NATURE (Hebrews 1:1-3)
The first two verses establish the theme for the entire Book: the superiority of CHRIST. The writer begins with this message to the Hebrews by stating that GOD has revealed HIMSELF to humanity through two different eras, past and present.
The phrase “in times past” (v.1) refers to the Old Testament period that began when Moses received the Law and continued until the cessation of prophecy in the days of Malachi. In those times, GOD used prophets as HIS MEANS of communicating HIS TRUTHS to HIS PEOPLE. GOD spoke to the prophets at different times and in various ways. In other words, GOD gradually revealed HIS MIND and HIS WILL to them. HE added one revelation after another as their understanding of HIM increased. In addition to the messages from the prophets, GOD used various means to reveal HIMSELF to HIS PEOPLE, such as angels, dreams, and visions.
“But in these last days he has spoken to us by his son” (v.2). The phrase “last days” refers to the Church Age, which extends from the initial ADVENT of CHRIST to HIS SECOND COMNING. CHRIST’S superior revelation is based on several facts:
A. HE was appointed heir of all things. Two meanings are implied by the word “heir”—lordship and possession. CHRIST’S death and resurrection reclaimed the dominion over the earth that Adam had surrendered to Satan in Eden. When CHRIST returns, HE will exercise authority over heaven and earth. This has been GOD’S PLAN from the very beginning” “That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in CHRIST, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him” (Ephesians 1:10).
B. CHRIST made the worlds. In this passage, “worlds” refers to GOD’S total creation, which encompasses the entire universe. CHRIST was not an instrument or an inferior in the creation process. GOD spoke the universe into existence, and CHRIST is GOD’S OWN ETERNAL WORD, WISDOM, AND POWER.
C. CHRIST is the brightness of GOD’D GLORY and the express image of GOD’S PERSON (v.3a). These expressions are strong affirmations of CHRIST’S DEITY. CHRIST is the LIGHT of GOD’S GLORY; in the Old Testament, glory expressed the grandeur of divine manifestation and confirmed GOD’S PRESENCE. CHRIST does not reflect GOD’S GLORY. HE IS THE ACTUAL OUTSHINING OF IT. The Apostle John phrased it in this way: “And the WORD was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the FATHER,) full of grace and truth (John 1:14).
D. CHRIST “sat down at the right hand of the MAJESTY” (v.3b). The fact that HE is seated indicates a contrast between the priesthood of CHRIST and the Aaronic priesthood. Once a year, on the Day of Atonement, the high priest would enter the holy place and stand in holy reverence ministering to the LORD for the sins of the people. After he had completed his sacrificial offering, he departed. CHRIST, on the other hand, after HIS one offering entering into heaven itself. HE entered the PRESENCE OF GOD, not to minister in humility but to share the throne and participate in the divine glory and majesty.
2. CHRIST’S SUPERIOR NAME (vv.4-9)
What is the name that is so superior? The name is SON OF GOD. Just as JESUS is the superior revelation because of HIS SUPERIOR NATURE, HE is superior to angels because of HIS SUPERIOR NAME. Although angels are collectively called “sons of GOD” (Job 1:6), only CHRIST bears the title “SON OF GOD.” When the angel Gabriel originally announced the coming of CHRIST, he told Mary: “HE will be great and will be called the SON of THE MOST HIGH” (Luke 1:32). Later in the same revelation, the angel explained, “The HOLY SPIRIT will come upon you, and the power of the MOST HIGH will overshadow you. So the HOLY ONE to be born will be called THE SON OF GOD” (v.35).
To support this argument for the superiority of CHRIST’S NAME, the author turns to the Old Testament. He first quotes from Psalm 2:7. The Apostle Paul would later quote this same passage when preaching to the Jews in Antioch. In that sermon, Paul would place the time of CHRIST’S “begetting” at HIS RESURRECTION FROM THE DEAD (Acts 13:33). From all eternity, CHRIST had been GOD’S SON. In the incarnation, THE SON humbled HIMSELF, became a man, and offered HIMSELF on the cross. For this reason “GOD also hath highly exalted HIM, and GIVEN HIM A NAME WHICH IS ABOVE EVERY NAME” (Phillippians 2:9).
The second quote is from 2 Samuel 7:14. Although the original application of this passage is to King Solomon, the ultimate revelation is found in CHRIST, whom Matthew described as “greater than Solomon” (Matthew 12:42).
In Hebrews 1:6, the author quotes Psalm 97:7. This verse refers to JESUS as the “firstbegotten,” and all the angels are commanded to worship HIM. In biblical terminology, the term “first-begotten” or “firstborn” does not always refer to the person who was born first. “First begotten” or “first born” is often a title of honor that implies rank rather than chronologic prerogative. It was the firstborn who was declared to be the heir and received special blessing. A case in point is the blessing of Joseph’s sons, Ephraim and Manasseh. Although Manasseh was the elder, Jacob pronounced the blessing over Ephraim, officially declaring him the firstborn of the family (see Genesis 49). JESUS is described as the “firstborn of every creature” (Colossians 1:15) because HE CREATED ALL THINGS, and HE is called the “firstborn from the dead” (v.18) because HE DEFEATED DEATH FOR ALL (1 Corinthians 15:20-22).
GOD’S command that the angels worship CHRIST is further proof of HIS DEITY. In HIS wilderness test, JESUS quoted Deuteronomy 6:13 to Satan: “Thou shalt worship the LORD THY GOD, and HIM ONLY SHALT THOU SERVE” (Luke 4:8). Scripture never affords worship to angels; only GOD IS TO BE WORSHIPPED. However, speaking of JESUS, Scripture declares, “Worthy is the LAMB that was slain to receive power, and riches. And wisdom, and strength. And honor, and glory, and blessing” (Revelation 5:12).
The author returns to the Old Testament to contrast the positions of the SON and the angels. Quoting Psalm 45:6-7, he explains the function of angels and the exaltation of CHRIST. Angels are created as spirit beings that serve GOD as messengers and ministers. JESUS, on the other hand, occupies the eternal throne of heaven. In Hebrews 1:8, GOD refers to JESUS as GOD; in verse 9, GOD refers to HIMSELF as “YOUR GOD” (NIV). This distinction is consistent with the Trinitarian teaching of GOD the FATHER, GOD the SON, and GOD the HOLY SPIRIT.
3. CHRIST’S SUPERIOR NECESSITY (2:1-4)
Salvation in the name of JESUS is just the starting point for believers. If we are to continue to grow in our relationship with CHRIST, there are certain necessities that must be adhered to. These requirements are prayer, Bible study, and fellowship with other believers” (Acts 2:42).
After affirming the Christian claim that JESUS is the superior revelation of GOD and holds a superior position over creation, the writer provides the personal application of this teaching. Because of our superior revelation and our LORD’S SUPERIOR POSITION, those of us who have received GOD’S GIFT OF SALVATION should “give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard” (Hebrews 2:1a). We should carefully study and meditate on the things we have learned of CHRIST.
The faith of the Hebrew believers was challenged by the demands of their culture and society. Instead of seeking answers through prayer and study, some began to listen to those around them and to question their beliefs. Similarly, in today’s world, the Christian faith is constantly being challenged. It is easy to neglect the things of GOD and to become caught up in the things of the world. Soon we find ourselves drifting away from GOD. In Christianity, nothing is ever static; we are always moving. If we are not moving closer to GOD, we are moving away from GOD.
That is why the writer speaks out so forcibly against the sin of neglect (v.3). This message is not for unbelievers who reject the Gospel; it is for believers who neglect the Gospel. The writer’s challenge to “pay more earnest heed” to the Gospel comes with a warning: “lest at any time we should let them slip” (2:1b). This pictorial phrase brings to mind the process of evaporation. If we give insufficient time and thought to the Gospel, it will simply evaporate or slip away from our minds. This will not happen suddenly or dramatically; the process will be slow and quiet. The believer does not even notice the loss until he needs his faith and finds it has evaporated from lack of care.
Too many modern Christians take their salvation for granted and neglect the necessities of our faith. If we do not pray, study our Bibles, and assemble with like-minded believers, we will start to drift away from GOD into sin. The consequences for sin are just, but painful. That is why the writer of Hebrews encourages us to be faithful
THINK ABOUT IT!!!!
Spiritually Yours,
Rev. Chris Lowe, Sr. DD