News story this week: A little city in Mexico was fed up with all of the late night revelry and noise from thousands of people late into the night during the summer. So their answer was to create a law to put a decibel limit on urban noise levels. Unfortunately this disrupted a noise that has been heard in that city for over 600 years. There is a cathedral that has been ringing it’s bells for 600 years. They’re working on an amendment for the law. That reminds me of our noisy lives. We live in a noisy world. We are never quiet. Quietness is almost an intrusion. In our noisy world, how do we keep all the racket from blocking out the sound that we need to hear…the sweet voice of Jesus?
There’s a book in the Bible that is addressed to some people who started listening to some other voices ... voices that were influential ... impressive ... effective. Christian people were listening to those voices and turning away from their relationship with Jesus Christ. This letter was written to remind them that we need to listen ... TO JESUS. In the first few chapters of Hebrews we are presented with an impressive set of credentials about why - out of all the voices we could follow and hear ... we need to listen to Jesus.
1. Jesus is God’s Chosen Method of Communication (1:1-3)
*He used other means in the past, but now it’s Jesus.
*Jesus teaches us who God is ... he is the image of God....the radiance of His glory.
2. Jesus Is More Awesome Than Angels (1:4-5)
*Angels are pretty awesome. They have powers we do not have.
*They are present with us here today and God is using them to work in your life.
*Angels are fearsome creatures ... not fluffy little sweeties.
*Jesus is more awesome than they are!
3. Jesus Will Keep Us From Drifting Away (2:1-3).
*Keep your focus and stay with Him!
*Jesus’ word is binding – don’t ignore it!
*Jesus’ word is confirmed – believe it!
4. Jesus Has Demonstrated His Power (2:4)
* Jesus’ miracles were not only for Bible times, but as a testimony to us today.
*Not everyone was healed in that day, nor in this day ... but those that were stand as vivid and powerful witness to the truth of who Jesus was.
5. Jesus Has Dominion Over The World (2:5-8)
*Even when it may seem that He doesn’t, the Bible affirms His presence.
*The message of Revelation: We win!
6. Jesus Is the Author of Salvation (2:9)
*Salvation comes from the sacrifice of Jesus on the Cross and the Resurrection
*Salvation from our sins and the wrath of God is only at the hand of Jesus
*We cannot save ourselves
7. Jesus has Destroyed the power of death (2:14).
He raised up from the grave and demonstrated for all time his power over the ultimate problem humans have.
8. Jesus Knows What It’s Like to be You (2:18).
You are not alone in your struggles - He knows. He cares.
Conclusion: Matthew 28:16-20 – Obey the voice of Jesus: become a disciple / teach others to be disciples
Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." Matthew 28:16-20
