1:1-4 | 1:5-2:4 | 2:5-18 | 3 | 4:1-13 | 4:14-16 | 5 | 6:1-12 | 6:13-20 | 7 | 8 | 9:1-14 | 9:15-10:18 | 10:19-39 | 11:1-7 | 11:8-16 | 11:17-22 | 11:23-28 | 11:29-12:2 | 12:3-29 | 13:1-6 | 13:7-25

• Jesus is the greatest messenger of the greatest message, the message of great salvation.
  • But he tells of great salvation by bringing great salvation.
  • Prophets nor angels brought the salvation.
• Hebrews, which shot out in such beauty, in the passage before us, becomes confusing right away for many believers.
  • Why?
    • 1 It contains seven quotations of the Old Testament.
      • Psalm 2, 2 Samuel 7, Psalm 97 (or Deuteronomy 32), Psalm 104, 45, 102, and 110.
      • The interpretive work by the author is fascinating and takes some thought to understand.
    • 2 It addresses a topic we have not spent too much time worrying about.
      • Point: Jesus is greater than the angels.
• For that reason, rather than become bogged down in details, I will attempt to stay on the big theme by asking three questions of this text.
  • Question 1: Who Is Jesus? (1:5-14)
  • Question 2: Who Are The Angels? (1:5-14)
  • Questions 3: Who Are We? (2:1-4)

Who Is Jesus?

1 The Son of God.

5 For to which of the angels did God ever say [Psalm 2], “You are my Son, today I have begotten you”? Or again [2 Samuel 7], “I will be to him a father, and he shall be to me a son”? 6 And again [Psalm 97, maybe Deuteronomy 32], when he brings the firstborn into the world, he says, “Let all God’s angels worship him.”

• 5 You are my Son, today I have begotten you: He is the beggotten Son of God.
  • This does not mean “born” or had a beginning.
    • John 1:1–2 (ESV) — 1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God.
  • But that there was a moment when the Son from everlasting became obvious as the Son to humanity.
  • But when was the Son begotten in that sense?
    • This phrase is quoted three times of Jesus’ ministry:
      • His baptism (Matthew 3:17), transfiguration (Matthew 17:5), and resurrection (Acts 13:33).
• 5 I will be to Him a Father, and He shall be to me a Son:
  • From 2 Samuel 7, in anticipation of Solomon at first, but then understood by the prophets and our author as fulfilled in Jesus.
    • Many anticipatory prophecies such as this one: Zechariah 9:9 (ESV) — 9 Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your king is coming to you; righteous and having salvation is he, humble and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.
    • John the Baptist’s father, Zechariah, expressed the mood of Israel when he said: Luke 1:68 (ESV) — 68 “Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for he has visited and redeemed his people…”
• 6 When He brings His firstborn into the world:
  • Use of this title elsewhere:
    • Mary’s firstborn (Luke 2:7).
    • Of many brothers (Romans 8:29).
    • Over all creation (Colossians 1:15).
    • Over the church (Colossians 1:18).
  • Here: Jesus’ status with Father God.

2 God Enthroned.

7 Of the angels he says [Ps 104], “He makes his angels winds, and his ministers a flame of fire.” 8 But of the Son he says [Psalm 45], “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.”

• 8 But of the Son He says: From a royal wedding psalm (Psalm 45).
• 8 Your throne, O God, is forever and ever: God the Father speaks to God the Son, telling Him His throne will last forever.
  • Zechariah 14:9 (ESV) — 9 And the LORD will be king over all the earth. On that day the LORD will be one and his name one.
  • 9 You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness: A reign of righteousness.
  • 9 Anointed you with the oil of gladness beyond your companions: A reign of joy.
    • Oil of joy CSB NIV NLT
    • More joy than any other king (companions).

3 The Creator God.

10 And [Psalm 102], “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.”

• 10 You, Lord, laid the foundation of the earth in the beginning, and the heavens are the work of your hands.
  • Our author understood God to have spoke to the Son here.
• 11 They will perish, but you remain: Like old garments, the creation fades.
• 12 But you are the same, and your years will have no end:
  • Many in the Greco-Roman world thought the earth and universe were indestructible.
    • But our author sees the earth as temporary.
  • But his point is not the temporary nature of the earth, but the eternal nature of the Son.
    • Hebrews 13:8 (ESV) — 8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

4 God Who Is Served.

13 And to which of the angels has he ever said [Psalm 110], “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?

• 13 Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool: From his favorite psalm (Psalm 110).
  • Jesus is seen as an enthroned, seated conqueror with angels serving Him and His mission.

Who Are The Angels?

1 Worshippers Of The Son.

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.”

• Since Jesus is the Son of God, they worship Him.

2 Ministers Around The Throne.

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.”

• Since Jesus is God enthroned, they minister around his throne.
  • Revelation 5:11–12 (ESV) — 11 Then I looked, and I heard around the throne and the living creatures and the elders the voice of many angels, numbering myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands, 12 saying with a loud voice, “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!”

3 Part Of Creation.

7 Of the angels he says, “He makes his angels winds, and his ministers a flame of fire.”

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.”

• Since Jesus created, they are part of His creation.

  • Some contrasts to humans:

    | Angels | Humans ||:--|:--|| Spirit | Spirit-Body || Created, then eternal | Temporal || Cannot reproduce | Can reproduce || Besides creation or destruction, unchanging | Changing || Irredeemable | Redeemable |

4 Servants Of Christ.

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?

• Since Jesus is seated and served, they are His servants.
  • Gospels
  • Acts

Who Are We?

• Like the angels:
  • Worshippers of the Son.
  • Part of creation.
  • Servants of Christ.
• Unlike the angels:
  • Recipients of a great salvation.

1 Recipients Of A Great Salvation.

1 Therefore we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it. 2 For since the message declared by angels proved to be reliable, and every transgression or disobedience received a just retribution, 3 how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? It was declared at first by the Lord, and it was attested to us by those who heard, 4 while God also bore witness by signs and wonders and various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will.

• 2 Such a great salvation:
  • 1 We heard of this great salvation: 1 Attention to what we have heard / 2 Message / 2-3 Declared.
  • 2 Eyewitnesses testifed of this great salvation: 3 Attested to us by those who heard.
    • They suffered, were persecuted, and died for preaching what they’d seen and heard.
  • 3 God bore witness to this great salvation: 4 God also bore witness by signs / wonders / miracles / gifts of the Spirit:
    • Miracles bolstered the message.
    • Miracles gave hope of salvation.
  • 4 Jesus brought this great salvation: 3 Declared at first by the Lord.
    • 2 Declared by angels: He tells us the angels brought the law.
      • This is in accordance with their traditional thought on the method of delivery of the law.
      • Galatians 3:19 (ESV) — 19 …it was put in place through angels by an intermediary.
    • The Son of God, enthroned, who created all things, whom angels live to serve, came down and brought us the gospel!
      • Ephesians 2:17 (ESV) — 17 And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near.
    • We are given His position (in Christ).
      • Romans 8:16–17 (ESV) — 16 The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.

2 People Who Must Heed Their Great Salvation.

1 Therefore we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it.

• The danger is that we’d drift away from it.
  • Nautical term — You’ve got to be anchored!
• We must pay much closer attention to what we have heard.
  • Other versions:
    • Pay even more attention CSB
    • Most careful attention NIV
    • More earnest heed NKJV
    • Keep a firm grip MSG
    • Listen very carefully NLT
  • Superabundant, frequent, and extra effort (earnest) was to be given towards obedience to, submission to, application in, caution around, and full devotion to the things they had heard. We are talking about a vigilant clinging to the truth of the gospel, lest they slip away.
  • Example: Ring that slips off the finger, but treasured. You would spend your life clutching, conscious, always sure the ring did not escape you!

3 People Who Must Cultivate Their Great Salvation.

3 how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation?

• Do not neglect, but instead cultivate and enjoy your salvation!
  • Work out your salvation!
    • Philippians 2:12–13 (ESV) — 12 …work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, 13 for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.
    • Your personal devotion.
    • Your corporate worship.
    • Your service to the general body.
    • Your commitment to community.
      • Is there any indication of what these Hebrew believers were doing?
        • Hebrews 10:23–25 (ESV) — 23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.
    • Your desire to grow as a believer.
    • Your hunger for the lost to know Christ.