The Superior Christ

Heb. 1:1-4

Ben Bailey

 

Introduction:

  1. Often times, we get so caught up in doctrinal sermons and sermons on worship that we just don’t have enough time to preaching on what we ought—EXALTING CHRIST!!
  2. This sermon is designed to exalt Jesus as the only Superior and Sovereign one in the Universe.
  3. The Book of Hebrews naturally portrays Christ and Christianity as the only viable option for salvation and glorification
  4. This text demonstrates seven attributes of the Superior Son that are relevant to our life today.
  5. These seven characteristics of Christ ought to make each one of us want to exalt the Lord in our life (1 Cor. 10:31) by living faithful to the Lord daily (Lk. 9:23).

 

I.  The Voice of God (Heb. 1:1-2a).

 

A.    Past Revelations.

 

1.      They were at different time periods (Patriarchal, Mosaic, Judges, Kings, Prophets).

2.      They were in many different ways (Visions, Dreams, Voice, Writing, Illustrations, Angels).

3.      They were given through earthly men (Noah, Moses, Jeremiah, John, etc.,).

 

B.     Present Revelation.

 

1.      One Time—“in these last days”—Acts 2:17, 1 Tim. 4:1-2, The Final Christian Dispensation.

2.      One Way—“though His Son”—Jn. 12:48, 2 Pet. 1:3, Jn. 1:1-4, Jn. 6:66,69, no room for later day revelations (Gal. 1:6-9).

3.      Through the Heavenly man—God’ Son.

 

II.  Heir of God (2b).

 

A.    Natural Heir—Jesus, Jn. 3:16, Matt. 1:20-21, 2 Sam. 7:12-14, Lk. 1:32-33.

1.      As heir, Jesus is able to give the inheritance to whomever He wills.

2.      He has declared that he will do that to those who obey God (Heb.5:8-9).

 

B.     Adopted Heirs (Gal. 4:4-7, Rom. 8:17).

 

1.      Heirs of eternal life (Matt. 19:29).

2.      Heirs of the kingdom of God (Matt. 25:34).

3.      Heirs of Incorruption (1 Cor. 15:50).

4.      Heirs of Salvation (Heb. 1:14).

5.      Heirs of a Blessing (1 Pet. 3:9).

6.      Heirs of All things (Rev. 21:7, Rom. 8:17-18).

 

III.  Creator of the Universe (2c).

 

  1. In the immediate context, the writer is speaking of Jesus as the Creator of the whole Universe (Gen. 1:1, 27; Col. 1:15-17, Jn. 1:1-4, Ps. 19:1, 1 Pet. 4:19, Rev. 4:11).

 

  1. However, there are several spiritual things that Jesus has created for us also.

 

    1. Eternal Life (Jn. 14:6, 1 Jn. 2:25).
    2. Forgiveness
    3. Hope
    4. Church
    5. Presently creating Heaven

 

  1. Therefore, we must be a new creation in Christ to receive these blessings (2 Cor. 5:17).

 

 

IV.  The Exact Representation of the Father (3a-b).

 

A.    The representation of the Father’s glory (Jn. 14:8-9, Phil. 2:5-6, Col. 1:15, this idea stresses the close link between Jesus and God.  Jesus is God!!!

 

B.     The representation of the Father’s nature (Jn. 10:30—What is God Like?  Like Jesus!)

 

    1. Compassion
    2. Longsuffering
    3. Wrath
    4. Love
    5. Faithful

 

V.  The Sustainer of Life (3).

 

A.    This passages suggests that Jesus actually “keeps the universe going” by His powerful Word.  Not only did God speak the world into existence, but His Word keeps everything in the Universe going smoothly.

 

B.     With relation to mankind, Jesus is the preserver to two types of life:

 

1.      Physical life (Matt. 6:33, Phil. 4:19, Acts 14:11, Jn. 10:10).

 

2.      Eternal Life (Jn. 11:25-26, 1 Cor. 15:50-57; Jn. 5:28-29, 1 Thes. 4:13-17,Rom. 8:38-39).

 

VI.  Priest of God (3).

 

A.    The sufficiency of Christ Priesthood—“by himself”—not with the blood of bulls and goats (Heb.10:3-4), but (Heb. 10:12, 7:25-26).

 

B.     The sacrifice of Christ priesthood—“himself”  (1 Jn. 1:7, Matt. 26:28, Heb. 9:22, 1 Pet. 1:19, Col. 1:14).

 

C.     The Salvation brought by Christ priesthood—“purged”—(Rom. 3:23, Isa. 59:1-2, 1 Pet. 2:24, Isa. 53:5, 2 Cor. 5:21, 1 Jn. 1:7).

 

VII.  King on High (4).

 

A.    We must render unto Christ the honor He is due (Acts 2:33, 1 Tim. 6:16, Rev. 19:16, 1 Tim. 1:17).

 

B.     We can do that by being obedient to His teaching (Jn. 2:5, Matt. 7:21, Lk. 6:46, Rev. 22:14).  Is Jesus really king in your life?

 

Conclusion:

           

1.      Truly Christ is the supreme Sovereign of the Universe (verse 4).

2.      You can be an heir of all that we have talked of if you will only obey the Lord.

3.      You too, can receive a new name if you will only do God’s will (Acts 11:26).  Will you obey the Lord now?  If not now, then when????