Sermon: The Incomparable Majesty of Jesus (Hebrews 1:5-14)

 Hello all:

I have the privilege of preaching occasionally at Forest Community Church in Forest, VA, and about one year ago (in April 2022) I began a series on Hebrews entitled: Fix Your Eyes on Jesus. I decided to post the links to the videos for these sermons in case their are those who may be interested in watching these sermons. This second sermon (from May 1, 2022) is entitled "The Incomparable Majesty of Jesus" and covers Hebrews 1:5-14. We celebrated communion in this service, so the sermon begins around the 24 minute mark on the video, and you can use this link to watch it: Forest Community Church on Facebook. 

Intro: The author of Hebrews has introduced a variety of important themes in his introduction, and now he brings OT quotations to support his themes. In this passage, Jesus’ superiority to the angels is confirmed by no less than 7 OT quotations. Cockerill (Hebrews: A Commentary in the Wesleyan Tradition, p. 39): “The writer of Hebrews develops a comparison between the Son and the angels by using a series of Old Testament quotations. He shows how these quotations relate to one another and how they demonstrate the superiority of the Son.”

Point 1—Jesus is superior to angels in His Relationship with God (vv. 5-6)— Since God has declared Jesus to be his unique, one of a kind Son, this passage reveals two ideas: The Son’s superior position with relationship to the Father and the inferior position of the angels. To do this, the author uses the OT as an authoritative source to show God’s claims about his Son and his angels.

Psalm 2:7 and 2 Samuel 7:14—used to describe the king and his relationship as God’s representative/Son. These quotes probably refer to Jesus’ induction to his royal position of King because of his resurrection and ascension. They were read at the enthronement ceremony of David’s descendants as a reminder that they represent God and belong to God. They are his vice-regents. Verse 5 (and again in vv. 7 & 13) the author uses a rhetorical question about the angels. The expected answer is that “no angel” received such a spoken word or exclamation from God.

God is his father, and Jesus is the firstborn. Cockerill: “Hebrews 1:6, by contrast, gives us what God did say in relation to the angels, as found in Deuteronomy 32:43. The way in which this quotation is introduced is of great importance. The Son is referred to as the firstborn (Heb. 1:6).” 

The son is “heir of all things” (1:2). The point of it all is: The one some thought to be subordinate to angels is the very one whom the angels are commanded to worship as their creator!

The angels are to worship Jesus. That shows their inferiority. The inferior one worships the greater and not the other way around.

Importance of “firstborn”: The Jews dedicated their “firstborn” sons to Yahweh. The “firstborn” were important to families. This term is used of Messiah predominantly to refer to his resurrection (cf. Romans 8:29; Col. 1:15, 18; Rev. 1:5) but may also reflect his position as the Second Adam.

Point 2—Jesus is superior to angels in His Reign for God—the nature of angels versus the nature of the Son (vv. 7-12): First, Jesus creates while angels are simply servants (v. 7, contrast angels as created versus Jesus as Creator). Second, Jesus reigns over God’s kingdom (vv. 8-9). Third, Jesus’ kingdom is eternal in contrast to the angels who are created (vv. 10-12).

v. 7: Jesus is the creator while the angels are merely created as servants. Angels are part of creation, and Jesus the Creator makes them what they are. 

vv. 8-9: Jesus reigns forever (fulfilling the Davidic promise and showing divinity). He also reigns in righteousness. Luke Timothy Johnson (Hebrews: A Commentary, p. 80): "The choice of Psalm 44 is bold and brilliant. Bold, because it is originally an ode for a royal wedding in the Davidic dynasty and is redolent of a royal ideology that is entirely this worldly--to suggest that this Psalm 'speaks' of a crucified Messiah requires a courageous interpreter! The choice is also brilliant, because the Psalm uniquely offers a combination of thematic elements that fit the powerful yet paradoxical Christology of Hebrews." 

vv. 10-12: The Never-Ending Story—Jesus’ reign will never end. These verses draw attention to the Son’s eternal nature and to the eternal nature of his rule. In contrast, the rest of the world/universe is temporary and will be ended and replaced. Hebrews 1:10, quoting Psalm 102:25, affirms the Son’s work in creation.

Point 3—Jesus is superior to angels in His Reward from God (vv. 13-14): Jesus’ reward means a seat of high authority. David DeSilva (Perseverance in Gratitude: A Socio-Rhetorical Commentary on the Epistle to the Hebrew, p. 101): "In the ancient world, seating order was based on the appraisal of relative worth or honor. The most distinguished people enjoyed the best seats. By applying Psalm 110:1 to Jesus, the author claims for him the place of highest honor in the Jewish-Christian cosmos, namely, a seat at the right hand of God. Lane correctly observes that session at God’s right hand ‘would convey to contemporaries an impression of the Son’s royal power and unparalleled glory.’"

Jesus sits beside God while angels act as ministers to Christians who belong to Jesus.

DeSilva (p. 103): "Christians are thus named as beneficiaries of God’s favor and deliverance. This 'salvation' is a benefaction yet to be conferred, and thus the hearers must remain firm in their hope and trust, remaining 'connected' to their patron through loyalty and reverent service. The identity of 'heirs of deliverance' is very positive, particularly in light of the alternative. The audience should thus have little trouble accepting this delineation of 'who they are.'"

Cockerill (p. 45): “God has spoken these words to the Son. They are now in effect. The Son is now at the Father’s right hand with all the authority in the universe to help us come into the Father’s presence. Thus Psalm 110:1 is also the key to understanding our own situation. We live between the exaltation and the final judgment. Christ has finished His saving work. He has provided for us to be cleansed from sin. He now sits at the Father’s right with the power to bring us into God’s presence.”

DeSilva (p. 103): "In 1:5–14, then, the author has provided a demonstration from Scripture for his premise in 1:4. The addressees would no doubt agree with him every step of the way, appreciating his exegetical finesse in applying OT texts as well as his rhetorical art in shaping antitheses to establish his point. He has reminded them of the transient value of the material and visible creation, such that the only firm ground for hope and trust remains the Son (and not the recovery of material goods or honor in the eyes of the Son’s enemies). He has, in every way, established the significance of the Son, such that the consideration that should be moving to the forefront of each hearer’s mind will be, 'How shall I respond to this Son so as to remain in favor, and not fall into the number of his enemies?' This is precisely the sort of question that the author goes on to answer."

So, how should we respond to this information regarding the Son’s superiority? How should Christians respond to the incomparable majesty of God’s Son?

Conclusion

Our author has now brought Scriptural references to support his views of Jesus. He has given us evidence to back up his assertions. The bottom line is that Jesus is superior even to other supernatural entities because he is God. The angels are therefore subject to him. He is superior to angels. God has declared these things about Jesus, showing that Jesus experiences favored status with God.

One point is that Christians are never completely defenseless in this world. The angels are servants on our behalf. More importantly, God is our strength and shield. Truth will not fail.

Another is that God has taken thought of our situation. He knows what we face. He put us here for this time. He equips us to do his will.

A. The Son has a better name. He was established as king when he rose from dead. There are many things in our life which are good and have their proper place in God's order, but they must never take the place of Jesus as God's superior Son. Will you yield to this king? (Give gospel here)

B. The Son has greater status. The Son rules, angels serve. Jesus holds final and ultimate authority over this world and indeed the universe. We must learn to submit to that authority in all aspects of our life, and we cart rejoice that ultimately no power will ever prevail against him. Will you serve the Son? This week ask God to show you where you need to submit to his authority. Where is repentance needed? Courage? Make Jesus boss.

C. The Son has greater dignity. The Son receives worship. The angels render worship to him. Just as the angels have the privilege of worshiping Jesus, let us worship him as well with unbridled love and devotion. Will you worship the Son? Live your lives this week as though Jesus’ is in charge. Do our lives reflect his dignity?

D. The Son has greater function. The Son is eternal and creator, angels serve the created. Will you recognize he is eternal and you are not? Will you recognize he is the creator and we are the created?

This week, read the following passages and ask God how to obey his word: Hebrews 4, John 14, Psalm 128, Psalm 19, 2 Timothy 3.