1. Hebrews The Superiority of Christ (part 1) Jesus: The Revelation of God Hebrews 1:1-3

2. The Book of Hebrews It is one of the most puzzling New Testament Letters It is one of the most polished New Testament Letters

3. The Book of Hebrews Author: Unknown but speculated about greatly  The Apostle Paul  Clement of Alexandria  Luke  Barnabas  Apollos  Phillip  Peter  Silas  Jude  Aristion

4. The Book of Hebrews Date: Unknown but probably before 70 AD  95 AD  Early 80 AD  Personal opinion about 64 AD

5. The Book of Hebrews Audience: Unknown and widely speculated  Colosse  Samaria  Ephesus  Galatia  Cyprus  Corinth  Syria  Antioch  Berea  Caesarea  Jerusalem  Rome

6. The Book of Hebrews Audience: Unknown and widely speculated  Rome or somewhere near Rome – most likely the destination “Greet all your leaders and all the saints. Those who come from Italy send you greetings.” Hebrews 13:24 ESV

7. The Book of Hebrews Audience “Hebrews was written to a group os first-century Christians who were in danger of giving up” – Raymond Brown BST Commentary Hebrews 10:32-38

8. The Book of Hebrews Theme Revelation and Redemption The Word of God and the work of Christ

9. The Book of Hebrews Theme “Man is ignorant and he needs God's word in Scripture, Man is also guilty and he needs Christ's work, that redemptive sacrifice by which alone we are forgiven.”

10. The Book of Hebrews Its Importance “No believer can cope with adversity unless Christ fills his horizons, sharpens his priorities, and dominates his experience.”

11. The Book of Hebrews Its Importance “Nothing is of greater importance in our own time than a reminder of the immense dimensions of the biblical doctrine of Christ.”

12. Hebrews 1:1-3 (ESV) 1 Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, 2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world.

13. Hebrews 1:1-3 (ESV) 3 He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high,

14. 4 parts of this introduction that was written to the Hebrews and to us

15. 1) God's present EXISTENCE Difficult times can shake our faith in God Difficult times demand we remember God

16. 2) God's past COMMUNICATION 1 Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets,

17. 2) God's past COMMUNICATION God spoke in various ways in the Old Testament  Moses – lighting & thunder  Elijah – a still small voice  Ezekiel – visions  Daniel - dreams  Jacob - angel

18. 2) God's past COMMUNICATION God's message came in various ways too  Amos – direct oracles  Malachi – questions and answers  Ezekiel performed bizarre symbolic acts  Haggai - sermons

19. 2) God's past COMMUNICATION God's messages were always sufficient  Abraham had faith enough to offer Isaac  Moses withstood pharoah  David slew Goliath  Daniel maintained his integrity

20. 2) God's past COMMUNICATION God is a God of communication God is a God of sufficient communication God is a God of loving communication

21. 2) God's past COMMUNICATION Am I listening to God? Am I drowning God out with other noise? Am I living rightly in response to what God has told me?

22. 3) God's present COMMUNICATION 2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. 3 He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power.

23. 3) God's present COMMUNICATION God's love for us is shown in Christ's appearing God's complete revelation is found in Christ Our hope can be confidently put in Christ

24. 4) God's present PROVISION After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high,

25. 4) God's present PROVISION In Christ there is a completed work In Christ there is an eternal hope In Christ there is an ever present question