Paul's Epistles – Hebrews - Part 1:
Introduction
Introduction
Pastor Bruce A. Shields
SERMON INTRODUCTION
The “official” writer of this epistle is
unknown. However, I obviously believe it is Paul since I have included it in
the “Paul’s Epistles” Sermon Series.
Eusebius of Caesarea, who is known as the “Father
of Church History”, tells us that Pantænus of Alexandria in the Second Century assigned
the authorship of Hebrews to Paul.
Tertullian of Carthage in North Africa in
the Third Century declared Barnabas as the writer.
Martin Luther thought that Apollus had
written it.
Dr. Campbell Morgan, a British evangelist
and leading Bible Scholar in the 40’s, thinks it bears traces of Paul’s
thinking and Luke’s writing.
Dr. Schofield believes that we have a
preserved epistle of some of Paul’s synagogue addresses.
Hebrews must have been written about 64
A.D. because the Temple is referred to as still standing.
In 64 A.D. the Jews in Judea began a
rebellion against Rome which in turn the Romans destroyed the Temple in 70 A.D.
I believe there is enough evidence from early
scholars to agree this was more than likely Paul’s work.
TODAY’S SERMON
“Introduction to Hebrews”
SCRIPTURE REFERENCE
Hebrews 1:1-4
In the past God spoke to our ancestors
through the prophets at many times and in various ways,2 but
in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed
heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe. 3 The
Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his
being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had
provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the
Majesty in heaven. 4 So he became as much superior
to the angels as the name he has inherited is superior to theirs.
The overall
message of this epistle to the church is;
“The Cure for Lacking Boldness or Courage in
your Christian Faith and Backsliding is a Right beginning for the Glory and
Work of Christ”
I. THE
PURPOSE OF HEBREWS
a. The Object of
the Epistle
i. Under bitter persecution the Jewish Christians were beginning to think
they had lost everything
1. (Alters, priests, etc.)
ii. They begun to undervalue Christian Privileges
iii. They were getting self-absorbed with their
sufferings
iv. They were generally in a backsliding condition
v. Paul sent this letter to correct these errors
b. The Author of
the Epistle
i. One of the reasons I believe Paul to be the author of this epistle is
because of the writer’s skill in dealing with these pessimistic and depressed
Christians.
1. First Paul fills their minds with the glory of the
Person and grandeur of the works of the Lord Jesus.
a. He shows that instead of losing all, they had
gained all
b. And Christianity was superior to Judaism
2. He then shows them that they had not suffered as
much as others.
ii. The Roman Epistle proves the necessity of the
Christian Faith, the object of Hebrews was to prove the superiority of the
Christian Faith.
iii. Paul does this, NOT by slighting the old, but by
showing the new as the fulfillment of the old.
iv. They had “good things” in the old system, but they
now have everything “better”.
1. Hebrews has been called the fifth gospel, the other
four speak of Jesus’ work on earth, and Hebrews speaks of that and also His
work in Heaven.
c. The Study of
the Epistle
i. The Book of Hebrews really is a topical study
ii. Topics of Christ such as “Perfection”, “Heavenly”,
“Eternal”, “Better”, etc.
II.
THE ANALYSIS OF THE BOOK
a. The Epistle in
Two Major Divisions
i. The Argument – The glory of the Person and work of Christ
ii. The Application – The life we should live because
of His life and work
b. The Argument
i. The Lord Jesus is Greater than the Prophets
1. The prophets were great, but the Son is greater
2. While God spoke “by” the Prophets, He speaks “in”
His Son.
3. Jesus is God’s last word
ii. The Lord Jesus is Greater than Angels
1. Angels were great beings, but the Lord Jesus is
greater
2. He is Son of God
3. Begotten of God
4. God never said to them what He says to the Lord
Jesus
iii. The Lord Jesus is Greater than Moses
1. Moses was a faithful servant, but Jesus is a loyal
Son over His own house
iv. The Lord Jesus is Greater than Joshua
1. Joshua was a great leader, yet he failed
2. Jesus is greater because He alone can give and lead
to real rest
3. Jesus, the Word of God, who is alive, and powerful,
and all-wise, and all-knowing One
v. The Lord Jesus is Greater than Aaron
1. Aaron and his successors were great, however Jesus
is greater
2. He is sinless, while they were sinful
3. He was Priest after a higher order than Aaron
4. He is our Forerunner
5. Abraham acknowledged Melchisidec greater
a. The order of Melchisidec is an everlasting one
6. Aaron served the shadows, Jesus the realities (Hebrews 8:1-5)
7. He is the medium of a better covenant
8. He ministers in a better sanctuary
9. And ministers as offering a better sacrifice
c. The Application
i. The life we should be
living because of His life and work
ii. Like a wise writer, Paul did not leave the
application until the very end.
1. Seminary students, remember I told you the
application was to be the third proof of every point.
iii. Paul repeatedly drove home the lesson.
iv. However, he gives the proper full application
beginning in the second part of Hebrews, Chapter 10:19, until the end of the
Epistle.
v. Paul, using the phrase “let us” repeatedly for the following
applications;
1. Draw near
2. Hold fast
3. Consider one another
4. Persevere
5. Lay aside every weight and sin
6. Run with patience
7. Endure
8. Allow brotherly love to continue
9. Let your conversation be without yearning for
others possessions
10. Go forth
11. Offer the sacrifice of praise
III.
TODAY’S INTRODUCTION VERSES
a. In the Days
Past
i. In the past God spoke to our ancestors
through the prophets at many times and in various ways,
b. In These
Present Days
i. but in these last days he has spoken to us
by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through
whom also he made the universe. 3 The Son is
the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his
being, sustaining all things by his powerful word.
c. In the Days
Future
i. After he had provided purification for
sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.
CONCLUSION – So he became as
much superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is superior to theirs.
The epistle of Hebrews will guide and lead us to an
understanding that the Lord, His life and His Work has opened the door to the
New Covenant, which is the completion of the Old, and better than any other.
For those who struggle with boldness or courage
with your Christian faith as the Hebrews, or for those who have backslidden, this
epistle is the CURE!
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