The Letter to the Hebrews

Chapters 1 and 2

Who is Jesus Christ?

Who is Jesus Christ?Hebrews 1:1-4

• God spoke to our ancestors in many and various

ways by the prophets, but in these last days God

has spoken to us by a Son

• He was appointed heir of all things

• Through him God created the world

• He is the reflection of God’s glory

• He is the exact imprint of God’s very being

• He sustains all things by his powerful word

• He made purification for sins

Who is Jesus Christ?Hebrews 1:1-4

• How does God speaks to us today?

• Through …

His Word

His Son, Jesus Christ

Nature and God’s Creation

Other Believers

Music

Circumstances

His Spirit

Prayer

Jesus is SuperiorHebrews 1:5-14

• Jesus is greater than everything … even angels

• The author cites the Old Testament 7 times

• You are my Son; today I have begotten you

Psalm 2:7

• I will be his Father, and he will be my Son

2 Samuel 7:14

• Let all God’s angels worship him

Deuteronomy 32:43

• He makes his angels winds, and his servants flames of fire

Psalm 104:4

Jesus is SuperiorHebrews 1:5-14

• Your throne, O God, is forever and ever, and the

righteous scepter is the scepter of your kingdom.

You have loved righteousness and hated

wickedness; therefore God, your God, has anointed

you with the oil of gladness beyond your

companions.

Psalm 45:6-7

Jesus is SuperiorHebrews 1:5-14

• In the beginning, Lord, you founded the earth, and

the heavens are the work of your hands; they will

perish, but you remain; they will all wear out like

clothing; like a cloak you will roll them up, and like

clothing they will be changed. But you are the

same, and your years will never end.

Psalm 102:25-27

Jesus is SuperiorHebrews 1:5-14

• Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a

footstool for your feet

Psalm 110:1

• What is the significance of so many quotes from the

Old Testament?

• What is your understanding of angels?

AngelsHebrews 1:5-14

• Angels mean messengers

• In Hebrews they are heavenly beings sent by God

to minister to God and humanity

• They are created beings and have limited

knowledge and attributes

• They are to be honored and respected and

obeyed but they are never to be worshiped or

prayed to …

Angels

AngelsHebrews 1:5-14

• Angels have always been at the edge of our

Christian faith and not at its center

• The creeds do not include them

• Purpose of angels is given to us in verse 14:

Are not all angels spirits in the divine service,

sent to serve for the sake of those who are to

inherit salvation?

Listen to ChristHebrews 2:1-4

• The truth about Jesus Christ calls us to fervently listen, know, and carefully apply what we are taught from the Word (as well as other divine sources)

• We must not drift away

• It was declared at first through the Lord

Attested to us by those who heard him

God added his testimony by signs and wonders

and various miracles and by gifts of the Holy

Spirit – distributed according to God’s will

Listen to ChristHebrews 2:1-4

• Have you ever lost something that was very

precious to you that slipped away and was lost

forever because of your neglect or the neglect of

someone else?

• What does it mean for you to listen, know, and

apply carefully what you are taught from the

Word?

• What can we do to better pay close attention to

the teachings of God?

Jesus Became Like UsHebrews 2:5-9

• What are human beings that you are mindful of them, or mortals, that you care for them? You have made them for a little while lower than the angels; you have crowned them with glory and honor, subjecting all things under their feet

Psalm 8:4-6

• The author interprets the human being as Jesus

• The author understands that Jesus (the human being) is superior to angels but was made (for a little while) lower than them in his death

Jesus Became Like UsHebrews 2:5-9

• So in subjecting all things to Jesus, God left nothing outside of his control

We see Jesus

For a little while he was made lower than angels

He is now crowned with glory and honor

because of the suffering of death

so that by the grace of God

He might taste death for everyone

Jesus Became Like UsHebrews 2:10

• It was fitting that God

for whom and through whom

all things exist

in bringing many children to glory

should make

the pioneer of their salvation (Jesus)

perfect through sufferings

Jesus Became Like UsHebrews 2:14

• Jesus likewise shared flesh and blood

so that through death he might destroy the one

who has the power of death (that is – the devil)

and free those who all their lives

were held in slavery by the fear of death

Jesus Became Like UsHebrews 2:15-17

• For it is clear that he did not come to help angels

but the descendants of Abraham

Therefore he had to become like his brothers

and sisters in every respect

so that he might be a merciful and faithful

high priest in the service of God

to make a sacrifice of atonement for the sins

of the people

Jesus Became Like UsHebrews 2:18

• Because he himself was tested

by what he suffered

he is able to help those who are being tested

Life has many ways of testing our will

Either by having nothing happen

Or having everything happen at once

The Letter to the Hebrews

Chapters 3-5