Christ: Superior To The Angels (Hebrews 1:4-14)
Rev. William L. Barron, July 18, 2021Part of the Morning Worship at North Greenville Church series, preached at a Sunday Morning service
The book of Hebrews affirms the Old Testament as God's Word. In early New Testament life, there was much fascination with angels. It was not always a healthy fascination. They are seen as workers of good deeds. Scripture describes them as created beings, swift, but fearsome. They are not to be worshiped as gods. They are creatures, messengers, who minister to believers. Jesus' name is more excellent than theirs. That name is Son of God. The angel Gabriel called Him the Son of the Most High. God Himself proclaims Jesus' deity on the Mount of Transfiguration. We receive our salvation through Him, which is our inheritance. The emphasis in Hebrews is Jesus' kingship by means of His sonship. No angel has this kind of power. He is the only one worthy of worship. The angels are to worship Him. All people are commanded to worship Christ, even nonbelievers. The lesser (angels) have a duty to honor the greater (Christ). Angels forbid people to worship themselves. Angels are not sovereign over things. They are ministers of judgment. Oil of gladness references heaven's joys, including human salvation. Creation is of Christ. The world is transient, but Jesus is everlasting, eternal. Angels are not superior to believers. We have everything we need in the Son of God.
| Earlier: | Same day: | Later: |
|---|---|---|
| « God Has 'Finally' Spoken | None | Do Not Neglect The Cross » |
Hebrews 1:4–14 (Listen)
4 having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs.
5 For to which of the angels did God ever say,
“You are my Son,
today I have begotten you”?
Or again,
“I will be to him a father,
and he shall be to me a son”?
6 And again, when he brings the firstborn into the world, he says,
“Let all God’s angels worship him.”
7 Of the angels he says,
“He makes his angels winds,
and his ministers a flame of fire.”
8 But of the Son he says,
“Your throne, O God, is forever and ever,
the scepter of uprightness is the scepter of your kingdom.
9 You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness;
therefore God, your God, has anointed you
with the oil of gladness beyond your companions.”
10 And,
“You, Lord, laid the foundation of the earth in the beginning,
and the heavens are the work of your hands;
11 they will perish, but you remain;
they will all wear out like a garment,
12 like a robe you will roll them up,
like a garment they will be changed.
But you are the same,
and your years will have no end.”
13 And to which of the angels has he ever said,
“Sit at my right hand
until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet”?
14 Are they not all ministering spirits sent out to serve for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation?
(ESV)