What is “Hebrews” ?  An Open Letter to Jewish Christians  The same audience James addressed  …but 20 years later!  Did they understand James?  Some problems still remain:  Confused by their culture…  Stuck in harmful religious traditions…  Facing spiritual stagnation…

What is “Hebrews” ?  An Open Letter to Jewish Christians  Written by…Paul?  Unusual for Paul: he doesn’t identify himself?  The writing is unusually eloquent for Paul…  But, the writer is close to Timothy (13:23)  With equivalent ideas (Heb. 5  1 Cor. 3, Grace.)  Papias (130 ad)  “Paul wrote it in Aramaic, and everyone translated it (into Greek) as best they could.” I want you to know that our brother Timothy has been released from jail. If he comes here soon, I will bring him with me to see you. Hebrews 13:23

What is “Hebrews” ?  An Open Letter to Jewish Christians  Written by…Paul?  Connects the “Old” and “New Testament”  What is this “New Testament” thing?  The vast scope of God’s plan!  God is working…from Eternity Past to Eternity Future!  If God can untangle the chaos of human history…  What can He do in your life?

God’s Plan from Eternity to Eternity… Hebrews 1:1-2 Long ago God spoke many times and in many ways to our ancestors through the prophets. And now in these final days, he has spoken to us through his Son. God promised everything to the Son as an inheritance, and through the Son he created the universe. Good News… God has spoken! Not trite! Impacts here & now The Bible alone claims ‘revelation’ Eastern religions: theory Deism:theory

God’s Plan from Eternity to Eternity… Hebrews 1:1-2 Long ago God spoke many times and in many ways to our ancestors through the prophets. And now in these final days, he has spoken to us through his Son. God promised everything to the Son as an inheritance, and through the Son he created the universe. Has God spoken? He must be personal Why silence? Verifiable prophecy Extensive, detailed, dated Explains the real world Set in history: verifiable

God’s Plan from Eternity to Eternity… Hebrews 1:1-2 Long ago God spoke many times and in many ways to our ancestors through the prophets. And now in these final days, he has spoken to us through his Son. God promised everything to the Son as an inheritance, and through the Son he created the universe.

God’s Eternal Plan… Long ago God spoke many times and in many ways to our ancestors through the prophets. And now in these final days, he has spoken to us through his Son. Hebrews 1:1-2  “The Son” – God’s Big Revelation

God’s Eternal Plan… “He is the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature, and upholds all things by the word of His power…” Hebrews 1:3  “The Son” – God’s Big Revelation  God Clothed as a Human  Exactly represents God’s nature…

God’s Eternal Plan… God promised everything to the Son as an inheritance, and through the Son he created the universe. Hebrews 1:2  “The Son” – God’s Big Revelation  God Clothed as a Human  He Created and Owns the universe

God’s Eternal Plan… “upholds all things by the word of His power…” Hebrews 1:3  “The Son” – God’s Big Revelation  God Clothed as a Human  He Created and Owns the universe  He Holds Power Over Everything

God’s Eternal Plan… When he had cleansed us from our sins, he sat down in the place of honor at the right hand of the majestic God in heaven. Hebrews 1:3  “The Son” – God’s Big Revelation  God Clothed as a Human  He Created and Owns the universe  Jesus Christ Loves You  He paid for our sins Himself!

God’s Eternal Plan… When he had cleansed us from our sins, he sat down in the place of honor at the right hand of the majestic God in heaven. Hebrews 1:3  “The Son” – God’s Big Revelation  God Clothed as a Human  He Created and Owns the universe  Jesus Christ Loves You  He resurrected from the grave and lives today, enthroned in majesty.

God’s Eternal Plan… This shows that the Son is far greater than the angels, just as the name God gave him is greater than their names. Hebrews 1:4  “The Son” – God’s Big Revelation  God Clothed as a Human  He Created and Owns the universe  Jesus Christ Loves You  He resurrected from the grave and lives today, enthroned in majesty.  Jesus Christ is the Lord God There exists Tons of angels FAR More powerful than humans Only God is more powerful

God’s Eternal Plan… For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men! Titus 2:11

God’s Eternal Plan… Can you prove it? FROM the Bible? BUT

God’s Eternal Plan… For God never said to any angel what he said to Jesus: “You are my Son. Today I have become your Father. ” God also said, “I will be his Father, and he will be my Son.” Hebrews 1:6 (NLT)  OT Prophecies Abound  “My Son” Can’t Be an Angel

God’s Eternal Plan… And when he brought his firstborn Son into the world, God said, “Let all of God’s angels worship him.” Hebrews 1:6 (NLT)  OT Prophecies Abound  “My Son” Can’t Be an Angel  All the Angels Worship “My Son”

God’s Eternal Plan… Regarding the angels, he says, “He sends his angels like the winds, his servants like flames of fire.” Hebrews 1:7 (NLT)  OT Prophecies Abound  “My Son” Can’t Be an Angel  All the Angels Worship “My Son”  Angels are Just Messengers…

God’s Eternal Plan… But to the Son he says, “Your throne, O God, endures forever and ever. You rule with a scepter of justice.” Hebrews 1:8 (NLT)  OT Prophecies Abound  “My Son” Can’t Be an Angel  All the Angels Worship “My Son”  Angels are Just Messengers…  But “My Son” is the Ruler of All

God’s Eternal Plan… “You love justice and hate evil. Therefore, O God, your God has anointed you, pouring out the oil of joy on you more than on anyone else.” Hebrews 1:8 (NLT)  OT Prophecies Abound  “My Son” Can’t Be an Angel  All the Angels Worship “My Son”  Angels are Just Messengers…  But “My Son” is the Ruler of All  “My Son” is called GOD in GOD!

God’s Eternal Plan… He also says to the Son, “In the beginning, Lord, you laid the foundation of the earth and made the heavens with your hands.” Hebrews 1:8 (NLT)  OT Prophecies Abound  “My Son” Can’t Be an Angel  All the Angels Worship “My Son”  Angels are Just Messengers…  But “My Son” is the Ruler of All  “My Son” is called GOD in GOD!  “My Son” is the Creator God!

God’s Eternal Plan… He also says to the Son, “In the beginning, Lord, you laid the foundation of the earth and made the heavens with your hands.” Hebrews 1:9  OT Prophecies Abound  “My Son” Can’t Be an Angel  All the Angels Worship “My Son”  Angels are Just Messengers…  But “My Son” is the Ruler of All  “My Son” is called GOD in GOD!  “My Son” is the Creator God!  “My Son” is named Yahweh!

God’s Eternal Plan… “They will perish, but you remain forever. They will wear out like old clothing. You will fold them up like a cloak and discard them like old clothing. But you are always the same; you will live forever.” Hebrews 1:10-11  OT Prophecies Abound  “My Son” Can’t Be an Angel  All the Angels Worship “My Son”  Angels are Just Messengers…  But “My Son” is the Ruler of All  “My Son” is called GOD in GOD!  “My Son” is the Creator God!  “My Son” is named Yahweh!  Eternal, All-Powerful God Jesus Christ is Way Above All And God never said to any of the angels, “Sit in the place of honor at my right hand until I humble your enemies, making them a footstool under your feet.” Therefore, angels are only servants—spirits sent to care for people who will inherit salvation. Hebrews 1:13-14

The Big Point… So we must listen very carefully to the truth we have heard, or we may drift away from it. Hebrews 2:1  The Revelation Delivered by Jesus Christ is Invaluable  When God Speaks, Listen!  How Foolish to Ignore God!

The Big Point… So we must listen very carefully to the truth we have heard, or we may drift away from it. Hebrews 2:1  Who do you listen to? Someone like this? Is he all- powerful? Do all the angels worship him? Is HE in control of your life?

He’ll make you stand all day long like this… The Big Point… So we must listen very carefully to the truth we have heard, or we may drift away from it. Hebrews 2:1  Who would you follow? Would you follow this man? This guy would do it! And wash all his cars for free…?

The Big Point… So we must listen very carefully to the truth we have heard, or we may drift away from it. Hebrews 2:1  Who would you follow?  The Most Powerful Creatures in the Universe Understand WHO… And when he brought his firstborn Son into the world, God said, “Let all of God’s angels worship him.” Hebrews 1:6 And when he brought his firstborn Son into the world, God said, “Let all of God’s angels worship him.” Hebrews 1:6