Paul's Epistles – Hebrews - Part 2: The Son Superior to Angels

Paul's Epistles – Hebrews - Part 2:

The Son Superior to Angels

Pastor Bruce A. Shields

House of Faith Church | www.PS127.org | www.TruthDigest.org | Online Audio Files

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

“The Son is Greater than Angels”

SCRIPTURE REFERENCE

Hebrews 1:4-14

So he (Jesus) became as much superior to the angels as the name he has inherited (SON) is superior to theirs.

⁵ For to which of the angels did God ever say,

“You are my Son;
    today I have become your Father”?

Or again,

“I will be his Father,
    and he will be my Son”?

⁶ And again, when God brings his firstborn into the world, he says,

“Let all God’s angels worship him.”

⁷ In speaking of the angels he says,

“He makes his angels spirits,
    and his servants flames of fire.”

⁸ But about the Son he says,

“Your throne, O God, will last forever and ever;
    a scepter of justice will be the scepter of your kingdom.
⁹ You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness;
    therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions
    by anointing you with the oil of joy.”

¹⁰ He also says,

“In the beginning, Lord, you laid the foundations of the earth,
    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 You will roll them up like a robe;
    like a garment they will be changed.
But you remain the same,
    and your years will never end.”

¹³ To which of the angels did God ever say,

“Sit at my right hand
    until I make your enemies
    a footstool for your feet”?

¹⁴ Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?

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. GOD CLAIMED JESUS AS HIS ONLY SON

a. To which of the angels did God ever say

                                                                 i. You are my Son; today I have become Your Father

1. Psalm 2:7

2. This speaks of the Incarnation

3. God never said this of any angel only of His Son

b. Or again, I will be His Father, and He will be My Son

                                                                 i. 2 Samuel 7:14; I Chronicles 17:13

                                                              ii. When first spoke was in future tense, but now in past tense

                                                           iii. This is specifically about Redemption through the Incarnation.

c. God has clearly claimed Jesus as His Son throughout scripture

                                                                 i. No angel can make this claim

II.      GOD GIVE THE SON AUTHORITY

a. When God brings His Firstborn into the world He says

                                                                 i. Let all God’s angels worship Him (Deuteronomy 32:43)

                                                              ii. Only Deity can be worshipped…Jesus is God!

b. When God spoke of the angels He said

                                                                 i. He makes His angels spirits, and His servants flames of fire (Psalm 104:4)

                                                              ii. Matthew Henry Comments Many Jews had a superstitious or idolatrous respect for angels, because they had received the law and other tidings of the Divine will by their ministry. They looked upon them as mediators between God and men, and some went so far as to pay them a kind of religious homage or worship. Thus it was necessary that the apostle should insist, not only on Christ's being the Creator of all things, and therefore of angels themselves, but as being the risen and exalted Messiah in human nature, to whom angels, authorities, and powers are made subject.

                                                           iii. God made angels Spirits

1. He created them such as they are, spiritual, intellectual, and ever-lasting substances, the highest in this sort and kind of creatures.

                                                            iv. And His servants flames of fire

1. Angels are but ministers and servants, who reveal or perform his will to those to whom God sends them; honorable officers of the great King, fulfilling his will.

c. About the Son God says; Your throne, O God, will last forever and ever

                                                                 i. Throne is symbolic of dominion, in this case a dominion which can only be occupied by a Deity

                                                              ii. A scepter of justice will be the scepter of Your Kingdom

1. Unlike any other kingdom that ever existed

                                                           iii. You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness

1. Reveals the character of Christ Jesus

                                                            iv. Therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions by anointing you with the oil of joy

1. Psalm 45:6-7

2. Refers to the Holy Spirit

III.   THE SON IS THE ETERNAL CREATOR

a. In the beginning, Lord, You laid the foundations of the earth and the havens are the works of your hands

                                                                 i. They (heaven and earth) will perish, but you (The Word) will remain

b. They all will wear out like a garment

                                                                 i. You will roll them up like a robe

                                                              ii. Like a garment they (heaven and earth) will be changed

c. But You remain the same, your years will never end

                                                                 i. Psalm 102:25-27

CONCLUSION – to which of the angels did god ever say;

Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet (Psalm 110:1)

Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?

Angels function clearly stated, messengers and servants of God, ministering to those who have obtained Salvation through Christ Jesus, they “do” and “perfume” God’s Will.

Jesus is the ONLY Son of God, not a created being like angels.

Jesus IS God the creator and The Word made Flesh.

The incarnation of God; Jesus, paid the price at Calvary. The very reason for the incarnation.

Who are enemies God will make his footstool?

Those who refuse covenant with the Creator (Jesus) and are in opposition to The Word.

Heaven and Earth will pass away, and all that will remain is The Word, if you do not have a covenant with The Word, God the Creator, Jesus, there will be no home for you in the new heaven or upon the new earth.

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