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Walking Thru The Bible
HEBREWS
Introduction
The 21 New Testament epistles are generally divided into two groups.
1) The Pauline Epistles (13) Romans - Philemon
2) The General Epistles (8) Hebrews - Jude
The book of Hebrews is the riddle book of the New Testament. It
contains the most perfect Greek of the Bible, yet it stands without telling us
who the author is. It is as much a sermon as it is an epistle. In fact in the
words of the author it is called a "word of exhortation" (or encouragement) in
13:22, which is what a sermon is called in Acts 13:15 [Barnabas was called
"the son of exhortation" or son of encouragement.]
There are those who believe that Paul wrote the book of Hebrews and
would classify it with his epistles.
Purpose
Why was the letter written? We see several things the author apparently
wanted to accomplish. First, he wanted to encourage faltering Jewish
Christians not to drift away from the message which they have heard (2:1;
5:12-14; 12:1-2). Some seemed about to forsake Christ and the Gospel and
go back to the Law of Moses.
And second, he wanted to encourage them to grow in their faith and not
become stagnant (5:12-6:1).
Third, they should be prepared to endure persecution.
Fourth, the author endeavors to show the absurdity of forsaking
Christianity and returning to the Law system (8:6-23; 9:13-15; 10:1-4; Gal.
4:21).
Circumstances
The recipients of this letter were in a situation of extreme danger (10:32-34).
Persecution was causing some to "forsake the assembly" (10:25). The
recipients were making spiritual progress as they should but were still infants
in the Lord (5:12-6:3). They appear vulnerable to "diverse and strange
teachings" (13:9) concerning food laws (9:10); and a tendency to view Christ
as an angel (ch. 1, 2).
Exhortation
There are five great "exhortation" passages in the book where the writer
exhorts them to hold to the Word that God has spoken through His Son (cf.
Heb. 1:1-2). In turning away from Christ and the Gospel there were in danger
of:
Drifting from the Word -- 2:1-4
Doubting the Word -- 3:7 - 4:13
Dullness toward the Word -- 5:11 - 6:20
Despising the Word -- 10:26-39
Defying the Word -- 12:14-29
Key Word: "Better"
The book of Hebrews can be called the "BETTER" Book of the New
Testament. The word "better" occurs some 13 times and apply describes the
New Covenant in relation to the Old. The Dupont company had a slogan,
"Building better things through chemistry." The slogan of Hebrews could well
be, "Building better things through the blood of Jesus."
1. Heb. 1:4 made so much better than the angels Better Revelation
(a more excellent name) Better Name
2. Heb. 6:9 we are persuaded better things of you Better End
3. Heb. 7:7 the less is blessed of the better Better Priesthood
4. Heb. 7:19 the bringing in of a better hope Better Hope
5. Heb. 7:22 made a surety of a better covenant Better Covenant
6. Heb. 8:6 the mediator of a better covenant Better Mediator
7. Heb. 8:6 was established upon better promises Better Promises
8. Heb. 9:23 with better sacrifices than these Better Sacrifices
9. Heb. 10:34 in heaven a better and enduring substance Better Future
10. Heb. 11:16 but now they desire a better country Better Country
11. Heb. 11:35 they might obtain a better resurrection Better Resurrection
12. Heb. 11:40 provided some better thing for us Better Thing
13. Heb. 12:24 blood speaks better things than Abel's Better Blood
(Abel's blood cried vengeance, Gen. 4:10
(Christ's blood speaks redemption)
Superior To The Prophets
The epistle exalts the person and the word of Christ. The first three verses
sets forth this high and holy theme which is maintained throughout the entire
book. Immediately it is demonstrated that Jesus Christ is superior to the
prophets, men who were held in the highest esteem by the Jewish people and
who had ministered in giving Israel God's Word.
Christ was superior to the prophets in his person because he was the very
son of God, and the "express image" of the Father (1:3). This carried the idea
of "the exact imprint." It means that Jesus Christ is "the exact representation
of the very substance of God" (See Colossians 2:9 and John 14:9).
Christ was superior to the prophets in his work. To begin with He is the
Creator of the universe; for by Him, God "made the worlds" (Heb. 1:2). Not
only did Christ create all things by His Word (John 1:1-5), but He also
upholds all things by that same powerful Word (1:3). "And He is before all
things, and by Him all things consist hold together" (Col. 1:17).
The word "upholding" (1:3) does not mean "holding up," as though the
universe is a burden on the back of Jesus like Atlas is pictured holding up the
world. But it means He is the God of Creation and providence who guides the
universe on its course.
Christ is also the superior Prophet who declares God's Word. The
contrast between Christ "The Prophet" the other prophets of the Old Covenant
are easy to see:
CHRIST
The Prophets
God the Son
One Son
A final and complete
message
Men called by God
Many prophets
A fragmentary and
incomplete message
Of course, both the Old Testament and the Gospel revelation came from
God; but Jesus Christ was God's "last word" as far as revelation is concerned.
Christ is the source, center, and the end of everything that God has to say.
Superior To The Angels
Hebrews 1:4-14 affirms that Christ is not only superior to the prophets,
but also to the angels of heaven. Jesus wore a name no angel could wear,
"son". As God and Creator He was to be worshiped (1:6), but no angel was
to be. ("Firstborn" in the Bible does not always mean "born first." It speaks
of rank and honor. God made Solomon the firstborn (Ps. 89:27) even though
Solomon is listed tenth in the official genealogy of David, I Chron. 3:1-5.)
Christ's superiority to angels is seen in that he was served by them (1:7),
and that He is Creator (1:10-12). Christ stands sovereign with the angels as
servants even to us (1:13-14).
Superior Prophet, Priest, and King
Not only does Hebrews present Christ as superior to the Old Testament
prophets (with Christ God's Prophet today); but the Lord has a ministry as
Priest. He "purged our sins" and this aspect of his ministry is detailed in
chapters 7-10.
And also Christ reigns as King. He has sat down at the place of honor
"on the right hand of the majesty on high." This too proves his Deity, for no
mere created being could ever sit on God's throne at His right hand!
SERMON OUTLINE
Drifting With The Tide
Hebrews 2:1
Introduction:
1. "Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we
have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip." (Hebrews 2:1)
a. The ASV says: "Lest haply we should drift away from them."
2. Too often Christians and churches drift with the tide.
3. What is some evidence that one may be drifting with the tide?
1. _________________________________________________
Hebrews 10:25
2. _________________________________________________
Hebrews 5:12-6:3; 1 Peter 2:2
3. _________________ ________________________________
1 Cor. 15:58; Phil. 2:12; Titus 3:1; Eph. 2:10
4. _________________________________________________
Romans 12:1; 2 Sam. 24:24; Matt. 6:19-21
5. _________________________________________________
James 5:16b; 1 Thess. 5:17
6. _________________________________________________
Matt. 5:6
7. _________________________________________________
Prov. 11:30
8. _________________________________________________
1 Tim. 6:6-9; Heb. 13:5; Heb. 11:25
9. _________________________________________________
John 14:1; Rom. 8:28
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