October 14, 2012
Evening Service

This morning while putting together the history of the Hebrew nation I was reminded of the longest sermon in the Bible, and that would be Acts chapter 7, and the sermon of Stephen.  That is a very good account on how God dealt with the nation Israel from Abraham to Jesus.

 

This evening let’s see what we do not know about the letter to the Hebrews.

1.     We don’t know who wrote it.

2.     We don’t from where it was written.

3.     We don’t know when it was written.

What do we know concerning this letter?

1.     That this letter, by faith, is accepted as inspired by God.

2.     That it is written to the Hebrews.

That pretty much sums it up.

 

Heb 1:1-14 KJVR  God who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets,  (2)  Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; 

• This goes right along with the teachings of Paul, and John on the deity of Christ.

(3)  Who being the brightness of his glory,

• 2Co 4:6  For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
• and the express image of his person,
• Joh 14:9  Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Show us the Father?
• Col 1:15  Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:
• and upholding all things by the word of his power,

There can be no higher idea of omnipotence than to say that he upholds all things by his word; and assuredly he who can “hold up” this vast universe so that it does not sink into anarchy or into nothing, must be God. The same power Jesus claimed for himself;

Jesus Himself said, “All power in Heaven and in earth has been given unto me.”

• when he had by himself purged our sins,

“By himself” - not by the blood of bulls and lambs, but by his own blood. This is designed to bring in the grand feature of the Christian scheme, that the purification made for sin was by his blood, instead of the blood which was shed in the temple-service, or under the law.

• sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;

Mar 16:19  So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God.

Eph 1:20  Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, Eph 1:21  Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: Eph 1:22  And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, Eph 1:23  Which is his body, the fullness of him that filleth all in all.

(4)  Being made so much better than the angels, as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they. 

• 1Pe 3:22  Who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him.

 (5)  For unto which of the angels said he at any time,

• The writer quotes Scripture; Thou art my son, this day have I begotten thee? Psa.2:7.  
• And again, I will be to him a Father, and he shall be to me a Son?  Same Psalm.

(6)  And again, when he bringeth in the first begotten into the world, he saith, And let all the angels of God worship him. 

• The idea is throughout the Bible, but I couldn’t find the exact wording for this scripture.

(7)  And of the angels he saith, Who maketh his angels spirits, and his ministers a flame of fire. 

• Psa. 194:4;

(8)  But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is forever and ever: a scepter of righteousness is the scepter of thy kingdom.  (9)  Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.  

• Psa.45:6-7;

(10)  And, Thou, Lord, in the beginning hast laid the foundation of the earth; and the heavens are the works of thine hands:  (11)  They shall perish; but thou remainest; and they all shall wax old as doth a garment;  (12)  And as a vesture shalt thou fold them up, and they shall be changed: but thou art the same, and thy years shall not fail. 

• Psa. 102:25-27;

(13)  But to which of the angels said he at any time, Sit on my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool? 

• Psa. 110:1;

(14)  Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?

 

In this first chapter of Hebrews the writer has:

1. Told them of the divinity of the Son of God.
2. Showed by Scripture that the prophesied Son of God would be better, and even worshipped by the angels.
3. Doesn’t mention the name of Jesus of Nazareth, but Who else has purged our sins, and is sitting at the right hand of God on high?
4. Who else has fulfilled Isa. 53; the suffering servant chapter.
5. Who else has been written about by the Jewish historians, and the mighty works that have been attributed to Him?

My friend there is none other name given among men whereby we must be saved, outside the name of Jesus of Nazareth, the Son of God. 

 

Joh 1:1-4 KJVR  In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  (2)  The same was in the beginning with God.  (3)  All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.  (4)  In him was life; and the life was the light of men.

Joh 1:14 KJVR  And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

 

Jesus of Nazareth, the Son of God.