Jesus: Superior to Angels

TITLE: A Caution to Drifting Christians TEXT: Hebrews 1:4-2:4 THEME: The believer should be faithful to the gospel.

Jane Roberts

Cheepak Chopra

If one understands both views properly we realize there is no way to reconcile the two truth claims. So who do we believe? We can’t have it both ways.

Jesus: Superior to Angels

Why should we follow Christ over angels?

I. His relationship to God is superior. (4-6)

Hebrew 1:4-6 “4 So he became as much superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is superior to theirs. The Son Superior to Angels 5 For to which of the angels did God ever say, “You are my Son; today I have become your Father”?

Hebrew 1:4-6 Or again, “I will be his Father, and he will be my Son”? Why should we follow Christ over angels? 6 And again, when God brings his firstborn into the world, he says, “Let all God’s angels worship him.”

I. His relationship to God is superior. (4-6) A. His inherited name is superior to theirs.

I. His relationship to God is superior. (4-6) A. His inherited name is superior to theirs. B. He is God’s Son.

I. His relationship to God is superior. (4-6) A. His inherited name is superior to theirs. B. He is God’s Son. C. God calls the angels to worship Him.

Kabaalism Founded by Hasidic mystic Jews and has become popular today primarily as a result the pop singer Madonna. The Kabala faith believes in revelation, some given by angels, that goes beyond the Old Testament Torah (Law), prophets and writings.

Even if these spirit really are speaking through someone else that does not make their message true. Whoever they are or whatever they say we know this: they and their message are inferior to Jesus.

Why should we follow Christ over angels?

II. His position beside God is superior (7-14) Contrast what God says of angels vs. Christ. (7)

II. His position beside God is superior (7-14) Contrast what God says of angels vs. Christ. (7) 1. God speaks of angels as: (Psalm 104:4)

Hebrews 1:7-8 (14) 7 In speaking of the angels he says, “He makes his angels spirits, and his servants flames of fire.” 8 But about the Son he says, 14 Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?

1. God speaks of angels as: (Psalm 104:4) Spirits Servants Ministers to the saved (v. 14)

II. His position beside God is superior (7-14) Contrast what God says of angels vs. Christ. (7) 1. God speaks of angels as: (Psalm 104:4) 2. God speaks of Jesus with divine attributes: (8-9)

Psalm 45:6-7 “Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever; a scepter of justice will be the scepter of your kingdom. 9 You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions by anointing you with the oil of joy.”

Psalm 45:6-7 King (Your Throne) God (Oh God) Eternal (Kingdom will last forever) Just Righteousness

Psalm 102: He also says, “In the beginning, Lord, you laid the foundations of the earth, 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 You will roll them up like a robe; like a garment they will be changed. But you remain the same, and your years will never end.”

Psalm 102:25-27 Creator of the Earth and Universe Unchanging Exalted

Psalm 110:1 13 To which of the angels did God ever say, “Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet”?

Psalm 102:25-27 Exalted to the Fathers Right hand. Exalted above His enemies.

Isaiah 14: How you have fallen from heaven, morning star, son of the dawn! You have been cast down to the earth, you who once laid low the nations! 13 You said in your heart, “I will ascend to the heavens; I will raise my throne above the stars of God;

Isaiah 14:12-15 I will sit enthroned on the mount of assembly, on the utmost heights of Mount Zaphon. 14 I will ascend above the tops of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.” 15 But you are brought down to the realm of the dead, to the depths of the pit.

The great lie of Satan To Eve: “You will be like God.”

The great lie of Satan To Eve: “You will be like God.” That was the great lie of Seth, “You are your own God- you make your own reality.”

Why should we follow Christ over angels?

III. There are consequences for drifting away from the message of Christ. (2:1-4)

Hebrews 2:1-4 1 We must pay the most careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away. 2 For since the message spoken through angels was binding, and every violation and disobedience received its just punishment

Hebrews 2:1-4 3 how shall we escape if we ignore so great a salvation? This salvation, which was first announced by the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard him. 4 God also testified to it by signs, wonders and various miracles, and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will.

Joseph Smith, “History of Joseph Smith” “While I was thus in the act of calling upon God, I discovered a light appearing in my room, which continued to increase until the room was lighter than at noonday, when immediately a personage appeared at my bedside, standing in the air, for his feet did not touch the floor…

Joseph Smith, “History of Joseph Smith” He called me by name, and said unto me that he was a messenger sent from the presence of God to me, and that his name was Moroni; that God had a work for me to do…He said there was a book deposited, written upon gold plates, giving an account of the former inhabitants of this continent, and the source from whence they sprang

Joseph Smith, “History of Joseph Smith” He also said that the fulness of the everlasting Gospel was contained in it, as delivered by the Savior to the ancient inhabitants;”

Galatians 1:6-9 “6 I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you to live in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— 7 which is really no gospel at all. Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ

Galatians 1:6-9 “8 But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let them be under God’s curse! 9 As we have already said, so now I say again: If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let them be under God’s curse!”

APPLICATION: 1. Don’t be deceived: There is only one gospel and that is the one presented by Jesus Christ

APPLICATION: 2. Take the time to learn how the New Testament has been preserved so that we can be assured that we do have the same gospel that Jesus presented.

APPLICATION: 3. Know the reason why you should trust in Jesus over prophets, angels and spirits. It is because Jesus is God and his message of hope and grace is superior.

APPLICATION: 4. In Jesus we have hope grounded on the very words of God- we lose out when we pursue false alternatives.

It is often when we are most tired that we become careless and allow ourselves to drift. Careful attention should be given to assuring our spiritual boat is properly secured in the true gospel of Jesus.