Angels, Drifters, and Jesus
(Hebrews 1:4-2:4)
1. There is nothing more boring for a married man than going shopping with his wife in a women’s clothing store. Not only is there no hardware department to occupy the men, but men are often frustrated that their wives return empty-handed, meaning another trip later. If the objective is to buy a blouse or skirt, why come back empty handed. Goal unaccomplished, a man thinks.
2. Fortunately for me, Marylu is content shopping at such stores alone; but it still happens occasionally.
3. This article suggests this is typical: “At last the truth is out - men are genetically programmed to be better shoppers than women! Scientists at Brunel University, UK, have proven what men have been saying to their partners for some time now - that they spend less time browsing, have a far clearer idea of what they want and can navigate shopping trips more quickly and effectively.
The reason for this lies in men’s "hunter-gatherer" genes which allows them to be more effective at going in for the "kill" on the high street … Even their heart rates increase at the moment of purchase…
For women, however, shopping tends to be a leisure activity in which the social aspect is important. Compared to men, women tend to shop more often than they need to, visit more shops than necessary and spend longer hours shopping than they need to. Men, on the other hand, try to complete their shopping in the shortest possible time and by being purposeful about this are more efficient in a strictly objective sense, saving time that might be considered squandered.
Women can’t even blame National characteristics because the researchers looked at shopping patterns in 14 countries, including Britain, China, France and India and found that the differences between the genders were similar all over the world….From article by Jonathan Prynn (Consumer Affairs Editor) published in Evening Standard on 6 October 2005] source: awordinyoureye.com
4.The tendency to drift away from objectives is not always bad, depending upon the objective. We have all delayed doing something only to later discover that we were better off not doing it.
5. But there are other drifts that have negative consequences. Couples drifting apart, siblings drifting apart, friends drifting apart. But the worst is Me and God drifting apart, You and God drifting apart. That drifting dethrones Jesus Christ in our lives and makes Him less than our Lord.
Main Idea: Today we are dealing with the most important thing about our lives. What we think of and how we respond to Jesus is the most crucial thing about us.
I. Jesus is the HIGHEST: Angels Do Not Compete (1:4-14).
• So who are the angels and what do they do? Generally invisible spirit persons. How many are there? Do they have ranks? Fallen and holy. Guardian angels, cherubim, seraphim, messenger.
Note: The term “Son” refers to Jesus in one of three ways: (1) The eternal Son of God [deity], (2) The incarnate Son of God [humbled humanity and deity], and (3) The exalted incarnate Son of God [exalted humanity and deity]. Understanding this helps navigate through this section.
A. Jesus is superior to angels in His exalted HUMANITY (4).
B. The Son of God has always been superior to the angels because He is GOD (5-14).
The writer quotes from 7 OT texts to make the case. Whereas Paul would say, “it is written,” Apollos (?) (Or the writer) says, “it says,” another formula for quoting Scripture.
1. The SON vs. sons (5)
Note: “Son(s) of God can mean several things, depending upon context: (1) angels (Job 2:1), (2) God the Son (Hebrews 1:1-3), (3) Humans (Luke 3:38), (4) Regenerate/saved humans (Romans 8:14), Kings or rulers (Psalm 2, original context).
Firstborn = “in the place of honor.” Usually the son born first received the place of honor, a double portion of the inheritance and family leadership. But that was often given to another son born later (Isaac instead of Ishmael, Jacob instead of Esau, Joseph instead of Reuben, etc.). It is a figure of speech for the most honored. In this instance, it refers to Jesus' humanity. Of all created entities, His humanity is above all other creation. His deity as the Son of God, of course, means that His divine nature is uncreated and eternal. The term “begotten” is connected to his human nature, and time of this “begetting” is His ascension and resurrection.
2. Worthy of WORSHIP (6)
Revelation 22:8-9, I, John, am the one who heard and saw these things. And when I heard and saw them, I fell down to worship at the feet of the angel who showed them to me, but he said to me, “You must not do that! I am a fellow servant with you and your brothers the prophets, and with those who keep the words of this book. Worship God.”
3. Servants vs. Sovereign ruler (7-8)
4. Above His COMPANIONS (9)
5. All the attributes of deity (10-12)
6. Seated at the Father's right hand in contrast to angels SCURRYING to serve (13-14)
The most important thing about us: What we think of & how we respond to Jesus!
II. The Admonition: Beware of DRIFTING from Jesus (2:1-4).
Note: This is the first of five “admonition/warning” sections that become increasingly more serious. They begin warning about “drifting” and end with warning about completely denying Christ.
A. Falling away is usually gradual and INCREMENTAL.
1. Not intentional, but from lack of concern, boredom, distraction
2. Drifting in contrast to rowing a boat...lukewarm...path of least resistance
3. Not only are their consequences for the things we do that are wrong, there are consequences for things we do not do that we should have done…doing nothing & passivity has consequences.
4. Most of our sins are sins of neglect!
B. To help prevent it, we must pay CLOSER ATTENTION (1).
• Fast and slow thinking
• Deliberateness and intentionality
• Our ability to focus is a limited resource — if we choose to focus on other things, even good things, the consequence is that we focus less upon the things of the Lord…
• When we stop paying close attention, we return to the default dictates of our personality
The next time you sing “Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing,” recall that the composer, Robert Robinson, was converted under the mighty preaching of George Whitefield, but that later he drifted from the Lord, He had been greatly used as a pastor, but neglect of spiritual things led him astray. In an attempt to find peace, he began to travel. During one of his journeys, he met a young woman who was evidently very spiritually minded.
“What do you think of this hymn I have been reading?” she asked Robinson, handing him the book. It was his own hymn! He tried to avoid her question but it was hopeless, for the Lord was speaking to him. Finally, he broke down and confessed who he was and how he had been living away from the Lord.
“But these ‘streams of mercy’ are still flowing,” the woman assured him; and through her encouragement, Robinson was restored to fellowship with the Lord.
It is easy to drift with the current, but it is difficult to return against the stream. Our salvation is a “great salvation,” purchased at a great price. It brings with it great promises and blessings, and it leads to a great inheritance in glory. How can we neglect it? [Warren Wiersbe, Be Confident, pp. 26-27).
C. God's STERNESS is indexed to His Messenger, and Jesus is His Ultimate (2).
D. There is no ESCAPE if we neglect our salvation (3a).
• Fear is no longer a popular motivation in the Christian world, but that is a departure from the Biblical faith; fear is not the only motivator, but it is one. Even if people mock its preaching.
• What is the punishment for neglecting our salvation? Who is he warning?
1. To the unconverted in the congregation…(chapter 6 and 10)
2. To the many baby Christians who refused to bear down and grow and learn (chp. 5)
3. To the intentionally disobedient… (chapter 12)
4. To the vacillating in faith (chapter 11)
5. The unsaved have one punishment
6. The believer, however, can be like Reuben or Esau, losing right of firstborn but still inheriting
E. The testimony of the first generation of believers is an ADEQUATE basis for our faith (3b-4).
We are therefore without excuse
1. Apostles and other leadership
2. Special sign gifts that generation had that the second generation did not have
3. Unique wonders and miracles
4. Gifts serve a number of purposes, but some gifts were given to establish the authority and veracity of those who founded the church.
The most important thing about us: What we think of & how we respond to Jesus!
What do you think of Jesus Christ? How are you responding to Him? Do you give Him focused, intentional thinking, or is He in the background of your mind. Is He an addition to your life, or the focal point? While not denying Him, have you drifted from Him?
The Bible encourages us to repent as we see we need to. That repentance will show itself in renewed commitment to the things that nurture your walk: Bible, Scripture memory, prayer, church, fellowship, filling mind…
