Our Cosmic Christ Series

Cosmic Christ

Walk in Wisdom / Hebrews 1:1–4; Hebrews 2:5–12

• Intro

• Perceptions of Jesus over time. (slideshow)

• Pendulum shift over past half-century or so to a more “human” Jesus. Perhaps an overreaction to a perception that we had focused too much on the church and not the head of the church.

• Natural consequence of “humanizing” Him is to bring him to our level. The result is a familiarity that can dilute our awe and wonder at His majesty, glory, and kingship.

• As we move into the book of Hebrews for the next several weeks, we will see and hear a very different perspective on exactly who Jesus is.

• The expected result is that we’ll be better able to not only “connect” with his humanity but also regain an appreciation for his divinity.

• It is vital that we understand and appreciate the true nature and identity of our Lord, Jesus Christ.

• We need to be sure of who we are worshiping.

• In fact, staying connected to Christ is at the core of the book of Hebrews:

Hebrews 2:1 (NLT)

1 So we must listen very carefully to the truth we have heard, or we may drift away from it.

Hebrews 10:35 NLT

35 So do not throw away this confident trust in the Lord. Remember the great reward it brings you!

Hebrews 12:2 (NLT)

2 We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne.

• It all begins with a beautiful sentence that looks back into ancient times and compares it with today.

But Now...

Hebrews 1:1 (NLT)

1 Long ago God spoke many times and in many ways to our ancestors through the prophets.

• But all those prophets received only a glimpse of the whole picture of God’s plan.

• God spoke through men and women, in songs penned by a shepherd, out of burning bushes, even in the mouths of donkeys.

• It’s like knowing there’s going to be a huge, amazing party. You know that you’re supposed to bring a side dish but not really anything else about it.

• The OT prophets, kings, leaders all knew some of God’s overall plan but not all of it.

• It took one man who knew the whole plan and could, in fact fulfill that plan.

Our Prophet

Hebrews 1:2 (NLT)

2 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.

• It’s one thing to talk to the guy who will build a house.

• If you want to completely understand the design and intent, you talk to the architect. The ultimate designer.

• When don’t understand the world we live in, God has given us a perfect message and messenger. Jesus knows the whole story (your whole story too) from end to end.

• This is true because He is our:

Our Creator

Hebrews 1:2 (NLT)

2 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.

John 1:3 NLT

3 God created everything through him, and nothing was created except through him.

• All of these aspects of Christ make him...

A Trusted Source

Hebrews 1:3 (NLT)

3 The Son radiates God’s own glory and expresses the very character of God, and he sustains everything by the mighty power of his command. 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.

• In Jesus we see all the glory (weightiness) of God. We see his exact representation.

The Glory and Character of God

Hebrews 1:3 (NLT)

3 The Son radiates God’s own glory and expresses the very character of God, and he sustains everything by the mighty power of his command. 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.

• To “radiate” is to reveal with great intensity.

• When it says “expresses” it means “imprint.” Like a seal.

John 1:14 (NLT)

14 So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son.

• Glory means splendor, majesty, weighty, solid, true.

• In Jesus Christ, we experience all the glory of God. Something that was unknowable, unattainable prior to the Incarnation.