Introduction
The epistle to the Hebrews is about Christ in His glory. It reveals “The Superiority of Christ.”
As we look at Hebrews we see key insights about Jesus and His life on earth.
We see a number of theological conclusions from the Old Testament concerning the awesome greatness of Christ and the ministry of is glory today.
The important references to Jesus “in the days of His flesh.”
Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, who intimately knows our weakness, yet He is not ashamed to call us His brothers and sisters, as Hebrews 2:11 says!
For both He who sanctifies and those who are being sanctified are all of one, for which reason He is not ashamed to call them brethren, Hebrews 2:11
The abundant Old Testament quotations and arguments portray Jesus as a Son greater than Moses, the conqueror greater than Joshua, and the priest greater than Aaron.
In all respects, Christ supersedes all!
And His present ministry as intercessor for believers assures us that we shall persevere until we fully receive the “kingdom which cannot be shaken.” Hebrews 11:28
Scripture
Who, in the days of His flesh, when He had offered up prayers and supplications, with vehement cries and tears to Him who was able to save Him from death, and was heard because of His godly fear, Hebrews 5:7 (NKJV)
Prayer
1. The Way Christ is Superior
(Hebrews 1:1–4:13; Hebrews 2:5–9)
God, who in times past using different methods, and other ways spoke of in time past the unspeakable, in the time past.
He God spoke always to our ancestors, through the appointed prophets.
At the end of the Old Testament God spoke through his Son, whom God has appointed heir of all things. Hebrews 1:1-2 (MB)
4 having become so much better than the angels, as He has by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.
5For to which of the angels did He ever say: "You are My Son; Today I have begotten You"? And again: "I will be to Him a Father, And He shall be to Me a Son"?
6 But when He again brings the firstborn into the world, He says: "Let all the angels of God worship Him."
7 And of the angels He says: "Who makes His angels spirits And His ministers a flame of fire."
8 But to the Son He says: "Your throne, O God, is forever and ever; A scepter of righteousness is the scepter of Your Kingdom.
9 You have loved righteousness and hated lawlessness; Therefore God, Your God, has anointed You With the oil of gladness more than Your companions."
10 And: "You, Lord, in the beginning laid the foundation of the earth, And the heavens are the work of Your hands.
11 They will perish, but You remain; And they will all grow old like a garment;
12 Like a cloak You will fold them up, And they will be changed. But You are the same, And Your years will not fail."
13 But to which of the angels has He ever said: "Sit at My right hand, Till I make Your enemies, Your footstool"? Hebrews 1:4-13
5 For He has not put the world to come, of which we speak, in subjection to angels.
6 But one testified in a certain place, saying: "What is man that You are mindful of him, Or the son of man that You take care of him?
7 You have made him a little lower than the angels; You have crowned him with glory and honor, And set him over the works of Your hands.
8 You have put all things in subjection under his feet." For in that He put all in subjection under him, He left nothing that is not put under him. But now we do not yet see all things put under him.
9 But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, for the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, that He, by the grace of God, might taste death for everyone. Hebrews 2:5-9
2. The Superiority of Christ’s Works
(Hebrews 4:14–10:18; Hebrews 10:11–18)
Let me say that we have too hold tight to the declaration of our faith.
You see we have a great high priest who has returned to heaven, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God.
Our great high priest sees our weakness and sympathizes our weaknesses. While hear on this earth he was tempted in every way that you and I our tempted and yet he did not sin, as we do.
We therefore can boldly go before the throne of God and call him Aba, because we are his adopted children, joint heirs with his Son.
At the Throne of God, we will receive God's kindness to receive mercy and find kindness, which will help us at the right time. Hebrews 4:14-16 (MB)
Not like the saints of old that need the high priest to receive the forgiveness of sins, our sins are forgiven, there is no longer any need for sacrifices for sins, because our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ provided the ultimate sacrifice for our sins, one and for all. Hebrews 10:18 (MB)
You see our salvation is a gift from God, through His Son, Jesus Christ. We need not to forget the message in Hebrews 6:4-6.
4For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted the heavenly gift, and have become partakers of the Holy Spirit,
5and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come,
6if they fall away, to renew them again to repentance, since they crucify again for themselves the Son of God, and put Him to an open shame. Hebrews 6:4-6 (NKJV)
You did not earn your salvation, there is nothing that you can do to obtain or sacrifice for your salvation.
It was all done by our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, He was the perfect lamb without blemish and He offered Himself up as a sacrifice for our salvation.
There is no way that you can lose your salvation.
If it were possible to lose your salvation, Jesus would have to be put to open shame and be crucified again.
3. The Superiority of the Walk of Faith
(Hebrews 10:19; Hebrews 12:1–4)
May I say to all of you here today that, because of the blood of Jesus that anyone that calls upon His name can confidently go into the Holy Place.
This Holy Place is in the presence of God. Hebrews 10:19 (MB)
Since we are surrounded by so many examples of faith.
Like theses mentioned in Hebrews, we must get rid of everything that slows us down, especially sin that distracts us.
We must run the race that lies ahead of us and never give up.
May I add that the objective to the race is not necessary to finish first, but just to finish.
That prize that waits for us is what we must focus on and that is Jesus, the source and goal of our faith.
Remember mankind looks to obtain a prize that will perish, but the prize waiting for those that are called “the children of God,” that prize will not rust or decay, but will last throughout eternity.
He saw the joy ahead of him, so he endured death on the cross and ignored the disgrace it brought him.
Then he received the highest position in heaven, the one next to the throne of God.
Think about what Jesus did.
He endured opposition from sinners, mockery from the crowds that were always around Him.
So, when you endure opposition, mockery, rejection, and disappointment don't become tired and give up.
You struggle against sin, but your struggles haven't killed you. Hebrews 12:1-4 (MB)
Invitation
Looking at the Superiority of Christ
1. The Ways Christ is Superior
having become so much better than the angels, as He has by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they. Hebrews 1:4
There is none greater than Christ, why would anyone want anything else?
2. The Superiority of Christ’s Works
I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. John 10:9 (NKJV)
And it shall come to pass That whoever calls on the name of the LORD Shall be saved.' Acts 2:21 (NKJV)
I can’t think of any works of Christ more superior, than;
• The gift of “Eternal Life.”
• The ability to go boldly before “The Throne of God.”
• Being “Joint Heirs” with Jesus Christ.
3. The Superiority of the Walk of Faith
The gift of Faith is another superiority of Christ.
So, the Lord said, "If you have faith as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, 'Be pulled up by the roots and be planted in the sea,' and it would obey you. Luke 17:6 (NKJV)
And He said to him, "Arise, go your way. Your faith has made you well." Luke 17:19 (NKJV)
Then Jesus said to him, "Receive your sight; your faith has made you well." Luke 18:42 (NKJV)
It is very simple for one to experience the “Superiority of Christ.”
• Accept the fact that Jesus Christ is the only begotten Son of God and that we all have sinned.
• Believe that Jesus Christ is the only true God and that there is no other way to obtain eternal life.
• Confess your sins to Jesus Christ and you shall obtain eternal life.
