Glory, Glory[1]

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December 24, 2009, Hebrews 1.1-12

Open It

1.      What are some restaurants, vacation spots, books, movies, or other areas of interest that you consider the best of their kind?

2.      What situations might tempt a Christian to turn his or her back on Christ?

3.      How do you think you might react if you saw an angel?

Explore It

4.      How did God speak to people in the past? (1:1)

5.      What was God’s means for speaking to mankind in "these last days"? (1:2)

6.      What unique honors or activities did God the Father delegate to Jesus? (1:2)

7.      What works did Jesus do that only God could do? (1:2-3, 10)

8.      Who is Jesus? (1:2-4)

9.      What does Jesus show us about the nature of God? (1:3)

10.    What astonishing feat is attributed to the Word of Christ? (1:3)

11.     What was Jesus’ primary ministry on earth? (1:3)

12.     What did Jesus do after completing His earthly ministry? (1:3)

13.     What does Christ’s exalted status in heaven say about His similarity to angels? (1:4)

14.     How is Jesus distinguished from God? (1:5)

15.     What is the relationship of Jesus and the angels? (1:6)

16.     To what extent do the angels honor the Son? (1:6)

17.     What are angels like? (1:7)

18.     What name or title applies to Jesus, the Son? (1:8)

19.     What is Jesus’ nature? (1:10-12)

20.    What will happen to the enemies of Christ? (1:12)

21.     What do angels do? (1:14)

Get It

22.     What difference does it make to you that Jesus is "heir of all things" and that the Father made the universe through Him?

23.     Why do you think the author of Hebrews made such a point of Christ’s deity to these Hebrew Christians?

24.     What impact would you suspect these words had on Jewish Christians who were considering returning to Judaism?

25.     What are some ways we can honor Christ?

26.     What difference does it make to you that Jesus sustains everything by His powerful word?

27.     When, if ever, have you sensed that angels were ministering to you or watching over you?

28.     What in your life tempts you to back away from your commitment to Christ?

Apply It

29.     What steps can you take to remind yourself that Jesus is the Son of God and worth following?

30.     In what ways can you honor the Son of God as God in your worship this week?

31.      Who can you tell today about the unique person of Jesus Christ?

NOTES

Notes for 1:1: The book of Hebrews describes in detail how Jesus Christ not only fulfills the promises and prophecies of the Old Testament, but how Jesus Christ is better than everything in the Jewish system of thought. The Jews accepted the Old Testament, but most of them rejected Jesus as the long-awaited Messiah. The recipients of this letter seem to have been Jewish Christians. They were well-versed in Scripture, and they had professed faith in Christ. Whether through doubt, persecution, or false teaching, however, they may have been in danger of giving up their Christian faith and returning to Judaism.
The authorship of this book is uncertain. Several names have been suggested, including Luke, Barnabas, Apollos, Priscilla, and Paul. Most scholars do not believe that Paul was the author, because the writing style of Hebrews is quite different from that of his letters. In addition, Paul identified himself in his other letters and appealed to his authority as an apostle, whereas this writer of Hebrews, who never gives his or her name, appeals to eyewitnesses of Jesus' ministry for authority. Nevertheless, the author of Hebrews evidently knew Paul well. Hebrews was probably written by one of Paul's close associates who often heard him preach.

1:1,2: God used many approaches to send his messages to people in Old Testament times. He spoke to Isaiah in visions (Isaiah 6), to Jacob in a dream (Genesis 28:10-22), and to Abraham and Moses personally (Genesis 18; Exodus 31:18). Jewish people familiar with these stories would not have found it hard to believe that God was still revealing his will, but it was astonishing for them to think that God had revealed himself by speaking through his Son, Jesus Christ. Jesus is the fulfillment and culmination of God's revelation through the centuries. When we know him, we have all we need to be saved from our sin and to have a perfect relationship with God.

Notes for 1:2,3: Not only is Jesus the exact representation of God, but he is God himself — the very God who spoke in Old Testament times. He is eternal; he worked with the Father in creating the world (John 1:3; Colossians 1:16). He is the full revelation of God. You can have no clearer view of God than by looking at Christ. Jesus Christ is the complete expression of God in a human body.

Notes for 1:3: The book of Hebrews links God's saving power with his creative power. In other words, the power that brought the universe into being and that keeps it operating is the very power that removes (provides purification for) our sins. How mistaken we would be to ever think that God couldn't forgive us. No sin is too big for the Ruler of the universe to handle. He can and will forgive us when we come to him through his Son. That Jesus sat down means that the work was complete. Christ's sacrifice was final.

Notes for 1:4: The name Jesus inherited that is superior is "Son of God." This name given to him by his Father is greater than the names and titles of the angels.

1:4ff: False teachers in many of the early churches taught that God could be approached only through angels. Instead of worshiping God directly, followers of these heretics revered angels. Hebrews clearly denounces such teaching as false. Some thought of Jesus as the highest angel of God. But Jesus is not a superior angel; and, in any case, angels are not to be worshiped (see Colossians 2:18; Revelation 19:1-10). We should not regard any intermediaries or authorities as greater than Christ. Jesus is God. He alone deserves our worship.

Notes for 1:5,6: Jesus is God's firstborn Son. In Jewish families the firstborn son held the place of highest privilege and responsibility. The Jewish Christians reading this message would understand that as God's firstborn, Jesus was superior to any created being.

Notes for 1:10-12: The author of Hebrews quotes Psalm 102:25-27. In the quotation, he regards God as the speaker and applies the words to the Son Jesus. The earth and the heavens rolled up like a robe reveals that the earth is not permanent or indestructible (a position held by many Greek and Roman philosophies). Jesus' authority is established over all of creation, so we dare not treat any created object or earthly resource as more important than he is.

Notes for 1:11,12: Because the readers of Hebrews had experienced the rejection of their fellow Jews, they often felt isolated. Many were tempted to exchange the changeless Christ for their familiar old faith. The writer of Hebrews warned them not to do this: Christ is our only security in a changing world. Whatever may happen in this world, Christ remains forever changeless. If we trust him, we are absolutely secure, because we stand on the firmest foundation in the universe — Jesus Christ. A famous hymn captures this truth: "On Christ the solid rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand."

Notes for 1:12: What does it mean that Christ is changeless ("you remain the same")? It means that Christ's character will never change. He persistently shows his love to us. He is always fair, just, and merciful to us who are so undeserving. Be thankful that Christ is changeless — he will always help you when you need it and offer forgiveness when you fall.