Jesus Is Superior To The Angels Series

A Study of the Book of Hebrews

Jesus is Better

Sermon # 2

“Jesus Is Superior to the Angels”

Hebrews 1:4-14

Angels are a hot topic in our world today. I did a search of the Internet for articles relating to Angels I found, I kid you not, 3,700,000 of them. Now obviously I did not have time to investigate what all of those sites had to say about angels. But this much I do know that although the subject of angels may be an intriguing one, it however, is one about which most people are largely ignorant.

Part of the problem is that to many people have “Touched by an Angel” theology Now don’t get me wrong I believe that “Touched by an Angel” was a family friendly show that did more to portray God in a good light than many shows in years. But do not forget it is a Television show written to appeal to the broadest possible audience and to offend no one. The premise of the show is that God loves you and that is true. But it also gives the idea that it does not matter what you believe. It should also be remembered that the executive producer of the show was Marianne Williamson, the writer of the New Age “Course On Miracles.”

Angels are not the chain-smoking, hard drinking, womanizing creatures portrayed by John Travolta in the movie “Michael.’ But neither are the little fat cherubs we so often see as figurines. There is nothing wrong with collecting angels figurines as long as they remain just figurines. I collect elephants figurines, but I don’t worship them. Angels are supernatural creatures created by God before the creation of the world. Before the creation of man, angels were in existence; for when the foundations of the world were laid, Job tells us “the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy” (Job 38:7). Angels can be the fiercest of warriors and the swiftest of rescuers. Angels are definitely not humans, especially not dead humans who earn their wings as portrayed in Frank Capra’s classic movie, “It’s A Wonderful Life.”

The letter to the Hebrews was being written to believers who are being tempted to compromise their beliefs. If they would just agree that Jesus was an angel, perhaps even the greatest of angels, but not God they would be accepted back into the synagogue.

In a way the arguments to the original readers about Jesus being superior to the Angels is very applicable to our own times. The proponents of New Age beliefs do not dismiss Jesus out right; they merely demote him to the status of an angel, or spirit guide.

These “spirit guides” or “avatars” are in reality angels – fallen angels or demons.

In reality angels are different in from the so called “spirit guides” in that they do not try to run your life. They perform the task assigned to them by God and they fade into the background.

The common New Age practice of “channeling” is nothing more than demons acting through men and women who make themselves available to evil spirits so as to receive supposedly “hidden wisdom” alleged from the past or from other worlds.

Angels are awesome beings who wield terrific power and yet their significance dwindles in comparison to Jesus. Jesus is more than just another angel. Actually today there are still two cults that teach that Jesus was just an angel. The Mormons and the Jehovah’s Witness both teach that Jesus was the highest created angel but just and angel. Jesus is more than just another angel.

Why is it important for us to realize that Jesus is better? Because if we do not realize that Jesus is better than anything we could possibly know… there is always the illusion that something out there is better!

Five Reasons that Christ is superior to the angels.

First, Jesus is Superior Because He is the Son (vv. 4-5)

“Having become so much better than the angels, as He has by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.”

We are given the names of some of the angels. There is “Michael” – who’s name means “who is like God” is God’s mighty angel. But Jesus is more than mighty, He is Almighty.

And there is “Gabriel” who’s name means “God is Great” and acts as the messenger of God. But Jesus is more than a messenger he is “The Message.”

And there was ‘Lucifer” the name of Satan before he fell. His name means “morning star.” He was created God most majestic angel, prior to his fall from heaven. But Jesus is more than a shining star. He is the Son.

There are some 256 recorded names in the Bible attributed to Jesus and I suppose that is because he is infinitely beyond All that any one name could express. But if there is one name that is most important I believe it is captured in verse four, it is “the most excellent name.” What is that name? It is Son!