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Why was the book of Hebrews written?

Why was the book of Hebrews written?. Called “Word of Exhortation” (Heb 13:22) Suggests a discourse rather than traditional letter View supported by lack of greeting Sermon shows perfection of the Christian system Shows the completion found in Jesus Christ

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Why was the book of Hebrews written?

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  1. Why was thebook of Hebrews written? • Called “Word of Exhortation” (Heb 13:22) • Suggests a discourse rather than traditional letter • View supported by lack of greeting • Sermon shows perfection of the Christian system • Shows the completion found in Jesus Christ • Keyword “Better” (Gk. “kreittwn”) appears 13 times • Means – “more useful, serviceable, advantageous”

  2. Christ and His Covenant is Better • (1:4) Better than Angels • (6:9) Better Salvation • (7:7) Better Priesthood • (7:19) Better Hope • (7:22; 8:6) Better Covenant • (8:6; 11:40) Better Promises • (9:23) Better Sacrifices • (10:34) Better Possession • (11:16) Better Country • (11:35) Better Resurrection • (12:24) Better Blood

  3. Why was such a discourse needed? • At one time the readers were strong and endured: • (Heb 10:32-34) • Now in danger of slipping and forgetting their better possession: • Become dull of hearing • (Heb 5:11-14) • In danger of being led away • (Heb 3:12) • Especially now – a renewed persecution approaching • (Heb 12:4-13)

  4. Why was such a discourse needed? • No better way to encourage them than to show the folly of going back to the old law: • Gives them five warnings: • Danger of Neglect (2:1-4) • Danger of Unbelief (3:7-4:13) • Danger of Not Maturing (5:11-6:20) • Danger of Drawing Back (10:26-39) • Danger of Refusing God (12:25-29)

  5. Why was such a discourse needed? • The Message is Clear: • If you go back (wherever that may be) you loose Christ and fall from His loving grace! • (Gal 5:4) “You are severed from Christ, you who would be justified by the law; you have fallen away from grace.” Do we need such a discourse today?

  6. Christ's superiority over the prophets • Writer sets out to show the superiority of Christ: • Begins by showing Jesus' superiority over the prophets • (Heb 1:1-2a) “ 1 Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, 2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son...” • (vs 1) Confirmation of Inspiration • Writer does not reject the Old Law or Prophets • Confirms them – (2 Peter 1:20-21) • Prophets spoke what God wanted them to speak

  7. Christ's superiority over the prophets • Revelation came through many prophets, at different times, and in many ways: • Not all at once: • Partial revelations for Specific purposes • Ex: • Noah – warned about flood • Elijah – warned against false gods • Zephaniah – warned of judgment – closed with promises • Ezekiel – salvation only after the fall of Jerusalem • Zechariah – look forward to salvation of all nations • Amos, Malachi, Joel, etc..

  8. Christ's superiority over the prophets • (Heb 2:2a) “But in these last day He has spoken to us by His Son.” • The same God who spoke (partly and to many) to the fathers through the prophets now speaks to us (completely) through One – His Own Son! • The Greatest of Authority (Luke 20:9-13) • The completion of revelation: • (Eph 3:10) – the many revelations culminate in Christ and proclaimed by the church!

  9. Christ's superiority over the prophets • (Heb 2:2a) “But in these last day He has spoken to us by His Son.” • It is through Jesus Christ that we receive the complete revelation of God and His will: • Not by the prophets – the prophets bring us up to and confirms Jesus Christ (Gal 3:24; 2 Tim 3:15) • Jesus Christ brings us up to and completely reveals God

  10. The Right of Christ to be King: • (Heb 2:2b-3) – Seven “Credentials”, characteristics, or facts that gives Jesus right to the throne. • Heir • Creator • Glory • Nature • Power • Salvation • Exaltation Jesus is King by every Conceivable Right!

  11. “...the Heir of all thing...” • King by right of Inheritance: • (Ps 2:6-8) “ 6 As for me, I have set My King on Zion, My holy hill. 7 I will tell of the decree: The Lord said to Me, You are My Son; today I have begotten You. 8 Ask of Me, and I will make the nations Your heritage, and the ends of the earth Your possession.” • What, in the context, is Jesus heir of? • “All things” – generic term? • Look to the antecedent in vs. 1: • All things spoken by the prophets

  12. “...the Heir of all thing...” • Heir or “recipient” of previous prophecies: • (Matt 5:17; Eph 1:10-11) • Unite all things – things in heaven and things on earth • Jesus tied up all the loose ends and fulfilled the plan • We can also obtain the inheritance of the promises of the prophets: • (Rom 8:17) “and if children, then heirs – heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.”

  13. “...through WhomHe Created the World” • King by right of Creation • (John 1:3) “All things were made through Him, and without Him was not any thing made that was made.” • (Col 1:16) “For by Him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities – all things were created through Him and for Him.” • He is the creator of thrones! • Why would He not be King of Kings?

  14. “...the radiance of the glory of God...” • King by right of Glory • What does that mean? • Glory (Gk “doxa”) • “Dignity” – Highly Regarded Reputation • The very “Dignity” of God emitted from the character of Jesus Christ • (John 1:14) “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen His glory, glory as of the only born Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.”

  15. “...the exact imprint of His nature...” • King by Divine Right • Nature (Gk “`upostasiV”) “stand under” – support, substance • Foundational make-up of God • Jesus is elementally the same as the Father • Same nature – “Specie” (lack of better word) • Kind begets Kind • The son of man would be human in nature • The Son of God would also be divine in nature • (John 1:1)

  16. “...upholds the universe by the word of His power” • King by right of Powerful Command • What does this phrase mean? • Uphold (Gk. “ferw”) “to carry, to bear, to bring” • To carry in the same way as a ship carried and moved by the wind (Acts 27:15) • To carry in the same way that the Holy Spirit carried the prophets to speak (2 Peter 1:21) • Means that Jesus continually maintains and actively sustains the universe (Col 1:17) • “Ferw” imports every work of God's Providence

  17. “...upholds the universe by the word of His power” • He does this by “the word of His power” • Barnes says this phrase “is a Hebraism, and means His efficient command.” (Barnes' Notes, electronic database: Sword) • (Ps 33:9) “For He spoke, and it came to be; He commanded, and it stood firm.” • Example of this power of command: • (Mark 4:35-41)

  18. “...making purification for sin...” • King by right of Purchase • Bought with the blood of Christ • (Acts 20:28) “Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which He obtained with His own blood.” • Since we're bought, we're owned by the purchaser • (1 Cor 6:19-20) “19 Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, 20 for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.”

  19. “...sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high...” • King by right of Conquering Death and Being Exalted • (Heb 2:14-15) “ 14 Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, He himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death He might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, 15 and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery.” • (Acts 2:33) “Being therefore exalted at the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He has poured out this that you yourselves are seeing and hearing.”

  20. Conclusion: • Jesus Christ has right to the throne by every conceivable right • By these Claims, the superiority of Jesus over the prophets is seen • How about you? Do you hold Jesus over all others? Is He your exalted King? Are you serving Him?

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