Profound Declarations About Christ

"Profound Declarations About Christ" – Hebrews 1:1-14 The first chapter of the epistle to the Hebrews contains one of the most profound declarations in all of Scripture about who Jesus Christ is. God spoke many times and in many ways through the prophets; now He has spoken definitively through the Son: heir of all things, through whom He made the universe, the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature, who upholds all things by the word of His power and who, having made purification for our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty. The chapter further shows that the Son is infinitely superior to the angels: they are created ministering spirits; He is God, His throne is eternal, and He remains unchanged when all creation is changed. If there is one thing we must learn in life, it is to know what Christ is like.

I. God spoke through the prophets and now through the Son (vv. 1-2).

A. The letter is written to believers of Jewish background so that they would know clearly who Christ was.

1. Jesus is superior to everything they knew under the Old Testament, beginning with the angels.

B. In the Old Testament God spoke through Moses, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel and many prophets.

1. He did so through visions, dreams, signs, direct messages and many events.

2. God has never stopped speaking from the throne; He is always making Himself known.

C. The culminating revelation is Jesus Christ.

1. The prophets spoke for a time and left writings; they did not leave their lives.

2. Jesus gave His life on the cross and took all our sins upon Himself.

3. He alone forgives, He alone washes us with His blood; every prayer is brought to the Father in His name.

II. The heir and creator of all things (v. 2).

A. Jesus does not merely bring a message from God: He is the perfect revelation of God.

1. He came to the smallest place, with no glory; the angels stayed in heaven and He came alone.

2. He slept in the worst places, ate what was given Him, fled those who sought His life, and bore the mockery.

B. He is the heir of all things and took part in the creation of the universe.

1. John 1:3: “All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being.”

2. Colossians 1:16: “All things have been created through Him and for Him.”

3. They did not copy one another: they were written at different times, by the same Spirit, so that faith might be in us.

III. The glory and the work of Christ (v. 3).

A. “The radiance of His glory”: as the light of the sun reveals the sun, Jesus reveals the glory of God.

1. He passed by and the sick were healed; the demons cried out because they knew God was on earth.

B. “The exact representation of His nature”: Christ perfectly represents the nature of God.

1. Whoever knows Jesus knows the Father.

C. “Upholds all things by the word of His power.”

1. Christ keeps the universe running continually.

D. “When He had made purification of sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty.”

1. The sitting down shows that His redeeming work was completed.

2. The right hand represents the place of highest authority and honor.

IV. Superior to the angels (vv. 4-7).

A. The Jews held angels in high esteem because they took part in the giving of the law.

1. Jesus is not an angel: He is infinitely superior, for an angel cannot reach deity.

B. God never called any angel His son (v. 5).

1. The relationship between the Father and the Son is unique and eternal.

C. “Let all the angels of God worship Him” (v. 6).

1. In Scripture only God is to receive worship; the verse highlights the unique dignity of the Son.

D. The angels are servants who carry out God's orders (v. 7).

1. They are powerful, but they are created.

2. Do not go where there is danger, and do not excuse yourself by saying the angels will protect you.

V. The eternal throne of the Son (vv. 8-9).

A. “Your throne, O God, is forever and ever”: the Father calls the Son God.

1. His kingdom is eternal; He loves righteousness and hates sin.

2. He was anointed to reign with gladness.

B. The Father and the Son are one, centered on the throne.

1. The Holy Spirit is upon the earth caring for everything: it is the work of the Trinity.

VI. The immutability of Christ (vv. 10-12).

A. Words of the Old Testament addressed to the Lord the Creator are applied to the Son.

1. He laid the foundation of the earth and made the heavens; all creation will change, but He remains forever.

B. He took the position of Son, died on the cross and shed His blood.

1. Only then could the Holy Spirit come to earth and dwell in our lives.

VII. Sit at My right hand (v. 13).

A. No angel ever received this invitation.

1. Christ reigns until all His enemies are made subject to Him.

B. Before, the Spirit took hold of the prophets for a moment and then withdrew.

1. Today, washed with the blood of Christ, the Holy Spirit works in our whole being.

2. Religion gives knowledge; the Holy Spirit gives revelation and teaches us heaven.

VIII. The angels, ministering spirits (v. 14).

A. They are created spirits who serve God and help the heirs of salvation.

1. They ascend and descend, they report and return, as on Jacob's ladder.

2. They receive no worship: they serve the Lord and His people.

IX. Principal teachings of the chapter.

A.

God has spoken definitively through Jesus Christ, who shared in creation and upholds everything by His power.

B. His sacrifice purified sins once and for all, and He sat down at the Father's right hand with all authority.

C. He is superior to the angels in nature, dignity and authority; His kingdom is eternal and righteous.

D. Jesus Christ is the center of God's revelation: the creator, the redeemer and the eternal king.

1. He deserves a trust and a worship that belong to no other being.