First Baptist Church
Fairbanks, Alaska
805 Sixth Avenue
(907) 456-4923
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Fairbanks, Alaska 805 Sixth Avenue (907) 456-4923 |
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“Angelically Speaking” A Study of the Book of Hebrews (Part 2) Hebrews 2 Mark Howdeshell (April 27, 2008) Hebrews 2:1 We must pay more careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away. Introduction As we continue to look at this Sermon by an Unknown Pastor, the book of Hebrews, I want to look harder at this “angel” thing. We touched on it last week with verse 14 of Chapter 1 where it states Heb 1:14 Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation? We discussed that Jesus became superior to the angels upon His obedience to the Father. Let’s take a closer look at this relationship and our relationship to the angels, to Jesus, and to God. The Meat of the Message Heb 2:5-18 5 It is not to angels that he has subjected the world to come, about which we are speaking. 6 But there is a place where someone has testified: "What is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him? 7 You made him a little lower than the angels; you crowned him with glory and honor 8 and put everything under his feet." In putting everything under him, God left nothing that is not subject to him. Yet at present we do not see everything subject to him. 9 But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, now crowned with glory and honor because he suffered death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone. 10 In bringing many sons to glory, it was fitting that God, for whom and through whom everything exists, should make the author of their salvation perfect through suffering. 11 Both the one who makes men holy and those who are made holy are of the same family. So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers. 12 He says, "I will declare your name to my brothers; in the presence of the congregation I will sing your praises." 13 And again,
"I will put my trust in him." And again he says, "Here am I, and the children God has given me." 14 Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might destroy him who holds the power of death — that is, the devil— 15 and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death. 16 For surely it is not angels he helps, but Abraham's descendants. 17 For this reason he had to be made like his brothers in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people. 18 Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.
1. Jesus a. Made a little lower than the angels (v. 9) i. Jesus voluntarily took on the nature of man (not angels) 1. Subject to the endless perdition due to the fall of man 2. Allowed Him to be subject to the penalty of man’s sin ii. Must eventually die like a man to redeem mankind b. Crowned with glory and honor i. Because of the death that He suffered 1. Suffered for everyone 2. Defeated death through resurrection ii. Transformed from a little lower than the angels to far superior c. Jesus became man to share in our humanity (v 14) i. Through death, He could defeat Satan ii. Did this for mankind not the angels iii. Suffered and tempted so that He could help those that are being tempted (v18) d. Free all of those that were held as slaves in fear of death by bringing HOPE and a promise of eternal life for all those that would receive it 2. Angels a. Are sons of God i. But are not destined for eternal life (v5) ii. Were higher than Jesus…and served Jesus…while Jesus was on earth iii. Angels will/are serving us as they served Him while He was on the earth b. Ministering spirits i. Employed to execute the will of God ii. leitourgika - (whence our word "liturgy") is, "pertaining to public service," or "the service of the people" iii. Roles shown throughout Scripture 1. Feel a deep interest in man a. Luke 15:10 tells of the joy the angels have over one man that repents 2. Feel a special interest in all that relates to the redemption of man a. 1 Peter 1:12 says that the angels desire to look into all the things that pertain to redemption 3. Appear for the defense and protection of the people of God. a. Several instances in Acts where God’s people were physically delivered 4. Sent to give us strength to resist temptation a. Luke 22 tells of the angel that aided and strengthened Jesus while He was praying in the Garden of Gethsamene 5. Support us in affliction a. Were present to give comfort to the Disciples after Jesus’ death 6. Attend dying saints and conduct them to glory a. Angel carried Lazarus into Abraham’s bosom---Luke 16:22 c. Serve those who will inherit salvation i. A fallen angel, Satan, aided in the fall of mankind ii. Faithful angels aid in the battle against the fallen angels steering us toward the will of God that we were created to uphold 3. You and I a. Were made just a little lower than the angels i. Everything put under our feet 1. Nothing that is not subject to us 2. Yet, everything is not subject to us because of the fall (our disobedience) vice everything under Jesus because of His obedience ii. Brothers of Christ 1. We are of the same family (v 11) 2. He is singing our praises b. Though we are lower, angels have been created to SERVE us because we are the heirs of Christ! i. One class of being serving and/or bringing aid to another class 1. Smarter, more powerful, pure, and benevolent 2. Trying to right the wrongs of the fallen angels ii. No different than in our own society 1. Parents helping children 2. Neighbors helping neighbors 3. Rich helping poor 4. Healthy helping sick The Bottom Line The more we learn about the intricacies of God’s plan, the more we can appreciate the nature of who He is. We are called to pay more careful attention in verse 1 of Chapter 2. The word “careful” should key us in that we need to explore for deeper meanings, the meat and potatoes, and get off of the superficial milk. Milk is important………….but you have to want more as you mature. Do you desire to explore the deeper meanings of Christ? Invitation This morning I extend an invitation to pray. Pray that Jesus will open the Scriptures to you in a unique way. Pray that your neighbor will find Christ. Pray that you will be given an opportunity to explain the joy that is in you. Pray that you will clearly see the will of God for you life. This morning I just ask you to PRAY. |
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