1. Christ the Superior Spokesman Hebrews 1:1-3

2. The Epistle to the Hebrews It could well be titled, “Christ is Superior” –Some Hebrew brethren were apparently tempted to go back to serving God under Moses’ law –They needed to be shown Christ’s greatness and recognize he is the lawgiver for this age We cannot know the author’s exact identity –I have thought I saw Paul’s style and argumentation throughout the book –It would be good to read Lightfoot, Milligan and others on this matter before making up your mind

3. The Recipients A casual reading of the book lets us know its recipients were Hebrew Christians –I have been inclined to believe they lived in Jerusalem and Judea –However, there would have been persecution there and some of the readers would have resisted to the point of shedding blood (Hebrews 12:4; Acts 7:54-8:3; 12:1-2) –It is also likely some, if not most, at Jerusalem would have seen the Lord –Read Milligan’s answer to these challenges before making up your mind

4. “God Has Spoken” Full of his subject, the author launches into a sentence, 4 verses long, previewing his subject matter, the superiority of Christ and his church Verses 1 and 2 tell us, “God has spoken” –In the Old Testament, he spoke out of the burning bush, in dreams and in a still, small voice (Exodus 3:1-6; Genesis 40:8; Daniel 2:19-23; 1 Kings 19:12) –God spoke to the Jewish forefathers by the prophets (Exodus 4:12; Jeremiah 1:7-9; Matthew 22:31-32; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:19-21) –He revealed his will a portion at a time, in many ways

5. God Spoke In the Last Days In the last days, or gospel dispensation, God changed his spokesman to his Son During Jesus’ personal ministry, Moses’ law was still in force (Matthew 8:4; 23:1-4) Moses’ law would not pass away until it was all fulfilled (Matthew 5:17-19) If one part of the law was in force while Jesus lived, it all was in force

6. Jesus Now Has All Authority Jesus did not assume authority until after his resurrection (Acts 2:34-36; Romans 1:4; Ephesians 1:19-23) Jesus brought about the end of one age and the beginning of another (Ephesians 2:15; Colossians 3:1-6) Peter announced the beginning of the last days on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:16-21) Jesus now speaks to all nations, therefore commanded his disciples to teach all nations (Matthew 28:18-20)

7. God Has Spoken By His Son The messenger during the gospel dispensation is the only begotten Son of God Jesus was appointed by God to be the Son (Psalm 2:7-8) God planned for him to receive the nations as an inheritance and he will rule over them (Psalm 22:22-27) –They will show their subjection and honor him by worship

8. Jesus Did the Work of God God made the worlds by Jesus (John 1:1-5) Jesus purpose was to do the work of the One who sent him (John 9:4; Matthew 26:36-44) Christ created the worlds (Colossians 1:16) Everything stands by Christ’s power (Hebrews 1:17) –All things are upheld by his word in that they were put in motion by and remain because of it

9. Shining with the Glory of God Jesus’ glory was attested to by the Father and the Holy Spirit (Matthew 3:13-17) He shines forth with the glory that is the glory of the Father (Colossians 1:15; John 1:14) Jesus is God’s express image, like the exact imprint of a seal in wax (Hebrews 1:3)

10. Upholding All Things By the Word of His Power “Upholding all things by the word of His power” –Refers to Jesus’ responsibility for the “providential government” of the universe and his direction of its destiny (Lightfoot) Jesus is our redeemer (John 3:16-17) –In the likeness of his death, burial and resurrection, we can put away sin (Romans 6) –He exercised the priestly office in offering his blood Jesus is on the right hand of God (Ephesians 1:20; Colossians 3:1-6) –He told his disciples he would go be with the Father and prepare them a place (John 14:1-6)