Christ is Superior to the Angels
Hebrews 1:4-14
Intro
In this text we are going to be dealing with the meat of the Word, rather then the milk. Keep in mind that the book of Hebrews is written to both believing and non-believing Hebrews. Both groups are being pressed with the truth that the New Covenant is better than the Old and that Jesus is the better Priest, Mediator, and sacrifice.
In the first three verses Jesus is shown as superior to everything and everyone. This means that Christ is superior to angels as well. If you look at the order of beings, you would have men then angels and then God on top. Hebrews 2:9, tells us that when Jesus became a man he was “made for a little while lower than angels.” See angels are free of infirmities and those remaining in Heaven after Lucifer’s fall are also free from sin.
The Bible speaks a great deal about angels. There are 108 direct references to angels in the Old Testament and 165 in the New Testament. The primary purpose of their creation was to render special worship and sacrifice to God.
READ TEXT
I. What Angels are and Do
A. Angels are spirit beings and do not have flesh and bones like us.
B. They have the capability of appearing in human form though.
i. Hebrews 13:2 says we are warned to be careful how we treat strangers, since we might be entertaining “angels without knowing it.”
C. They are highly intelligent and have emotions
i. They rejoice when ever a sinner is saved
ii. They can speak to men to share God’s message
D. They are not subject to death
E. They are highly organized and divided into ranks
i. They apparently have supervisory responsibilities over thrones, dominions, principalities, powers, authorities, and such.
ii. They are divided into three classes
1. Cherubim
2. Seraphim
3. Those described as living creatures
F. They are stronger then men.
G. They minister to God and do His bidding
i. They are both spectators and participants in God’s work.
II. Jewish Views of Angels
A. Jews believed that angels were very important to the Old Covenant.
i. They esteemed them as the highest being next to God.
ii. They believed God was surrounded by angels.
B. Many believed that angels acted as God’s senate or council, and God did nothing without consulting them first.
i. Genesis 1:26, “Let us make man in our image.” The “us” refers to this council.
C. Many believed that the Old Covenant was brought to them from God by the angels.
i. They viewed the angels as the mediators of the covenant.
ii. Acts 7:51-53, alludes to this believe when Stephen spoke to the Jews.
D. In the Jewish mind angels were extremely exalted, immeasurably important
i. If the writer was to persuade the people of the better covenant, he would also have to persuade them that Jesus was and is superior to the angels.
III. Five Ways Christ is Better
A. Greater because of Title (vv. 4-5)
i. The name and title of a person in those days carried much weight.
1. God chose specific names that related to the character or aspect of a person’s life.
2. For God to title Christ, “Son” was to set him above everyone else.
B. Greater because Worshipped (v. 6)
i. Christ is not only greater because of His title of “Son”, but also because He is worshipped.
ii. Even though Christ humbled himself, even though he was made for a time lower than the angels, the angels are to worship Him.
iii. Psalm 7:7, “And let all he angels of God worship Him.”
1. If angels are to worship Him, he must be greater than they.
C. Greater because of Superior Nature (v. 7)
i. The basic difference between the nature of angels and Christ is in verse 7.
1. The Greek for “makes” is poieo, which means to create or to make.
2. Colossians 1:16, “For by Him all things were created both in the heavens and on earth, visible, and invisible, whether throne or dominions or rulers or authorities all things have been created through Him and for Him.”
3. He is obviously superior to them.
4. Not only did He create them, they are His possessions.
D. Greater because of Superior Existence (vv. 10-12)
i. Christ is better then angels because He exists eternally.
ii. If Christ was in the beginning to create, he must have existed before the beginning, those before angels were created to worship and serve him.
iii. Just as you would roll up and throw away an old worn out garment when you are done with it, Jesus one day will discard the heavens and the earth.
1. 2 Peter 3:10
iv. Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
v. Men, worlds, stars, and angels will all come and go, BUT Christ never changes.
E. Greater because of Superior Destiny (vv. 13-14)
i. No angel has ever been promised a place at God’s right hand.
1. That is reserved for Christ alone.
ii. The destiny of Jesus Christ is that ultimately everything in the universe will be subject to Him.
Closing
Christ is superior in all ways to everyone and everything on earth and in Heaven. That is something we can celebrate. Knowing that your lives are in the hands of the Almighty Creator.
