Sermon Central
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He's No Angel
Contributed by Derrick-Lewis Noble on Oct 18, 2000 (message contributor)
Summary: The writer of Hebrews went to great lengths to assure the readers that Jesus the Christ has certain characteristics which place him above all creation and which render it impossible for him to be an angel, a created being.
The writer of Hebrews went to great lengths to assure the readers that Jesus the Christ has certain characteristics which place him above all creation and which render it impossible for him to be an angel, a created being. Jesus the Christ is many things to many people...but he's no angel! What is it that Jesus has which the angels do not have?
1) SONSHIP (Verse 5)
Unlike the angels, Christ shares with God an intimate Parent-Son relationship. Though angels are called sons of God (in Job 38:7) and though Christians are referred to as the children of God (I John 3:2), Jesus' title of "Son" is used in this text to denote that only Jesus is entitled to ask God for dominion over the whole earth.
2) SUPERIORITY (Verses 6-9)
The text clearly tells us that the Creator has decreed that the angels must worship Christ. One does not worship an equal. The very idea of worship necissitates the presence of both a superior and a subordinate. Since the angels are commanded to bow down and worship the Christ, He is clearly the superior and they are clearly the subordinates.
3) SYNCHRONICITY WITH GOD (Verses 10-12)
The writer took these words from Psalm 102: 25-27, a messianic psalm which suggests that the Son was also the Creator. John 1:1 states that Jesus, the Word, was with God in the beginning. God had to create the angels, but Jesus was in synch with God from the get-go!
4) A SPECIAL SEAT (Verse 13)
Jesus has a specail seat at the right hand of God in which He alone is worthy to be seated. Not even the angel Gabriel who announced the birth of Jesus was asked to sit at the right hand of God!
5) SECURITY FOR THE SAINTS (Verse 14)
"Salvation" in this text refers to the deliverance of God's people from the oppression of their enemies and their consequent enjoyment of God's blessings. The writer of Hebrews reminded the people that the final victory over all enemies belongs to Jesus, and the angels presently serve those who are destined to share in that victory. Our security is assuerd because Jesus commands the angels to minister to us (Psalm 91:11).
JESUS THE CHRIST IS MANY THINGS TO MANY PEOPLE...BUT HE'S NO ANGEL!