CHRIST JESUS FAR SUPERIOR TO ANGELS


*01/07/2020*

MID-WEEK *HOLY COMMUNION* SERVICE

THEME: *ANGELS: MESSENGERS OF GOD.*

TOPIC: *WHO ARE ANGELS?*

SUB-TOPIC: *CHRIST JESUS FAR SUPERIOR TO ANGELS*

*Contd*
Angels are mere servants (Hebrews 1:7) who serve *those who will inherit salvation.*
Salvation here is not justification because it is in the future, not in the past. The reference is to believers who inherit the Kingdom or rule in God's Kingdom as a reward for their service to the Son (Hebrews 9:28; Colossians 3:24). The author is speaking about "the world to come" (Hebrews 2:5). References to salvation in Hebrews 2:3,10; 5:9; 6:9 probably also concern the future.
The Law was delivered from God to Moses by angels (Deuteronomy 33:2; Acts 7:38,53; Galatians 3:19).

If the people who heard the message delivered through angels were justly punished when they disobeyed the Law, how can believers expect to escape punishment when they neglect the even greater message delivered through the greater Messenger, the Son?

Since the Son's humanity might appear to be an obstacle to the claim of His superiority, the author of Hebrews cites Psalms 8, a lyrical reflection on Genesis 1, to prove that God has placed humanity over all created things, which includes the angelic world.

*But now:* The rule of human beings over God's creation has been delayed because of sin (Hebrews 2:15). Humanity's collusion with Satan has brought all people into collision with God. *Not yet* indicates that the delay is only temporary.

Human beings will rule over creation, but it will be through Jesus Christ.
*But we see Jesus:* The author uses Christ's human name *Jesus* for the first time in this letter. Citing phrases from Psalms 8, the author points out that Christ, by His humiliation and exaltation, has regained what Adam lost,  the original calling for human beings to rule over God's creation (Philippians 2:6-11; Revelation 5:1-14).

The Greek word for *captain* means "leader" or "originator". The word describes a pioneer or pathfinder. Jesus' endurance of *sufferings* on this earth makes Him our leader. He has already experienced the sufferings we must go through on this earth. He not only endured them but triumphed over sin, death and Satan through them. His sinless life has blazed a path to God, a path we must follow Jesus is our model, our leader and our captain. He understands our pain because He Himself went through suffering. *Salvation* refers to our future salvation, our glorification in Christ's coming Kingdom (Hebrews 1:14).

*all of one:* This phrase refers either to the common humanity which Jesus shares with all believers, or to the fact that Jesus and believers all belong to God. Because the children of God and the Son Himself are from the same Father (John 20:17), Jesus can call all believers His *brethren*.

Psalms 22, which is quoted here, describes the agony of a righteous sufferer. Ultimately the psalm is messianic. It depicts the sufferings of Christ. Jesus quoted Psalms 22:1 on the Cross (Matthew 27:46). In this psalm, the Messiah refers to *My brethren*, identifying Himself with all those who place their faith in God.

The citations are from Isaiah 8:17,18 and refer to a prophet, who like the Lord Jesus, was persecuted and rejected but became a rallying point for the faithful.

*Confession*
Lord, I wait and hope in your name. Let me not be put to shame.
Honor my faith in Christ, and make me a spectacle among the faithfuls.
*In Jesus name*
Amen.

*Copyright 2020. The Ecumenican Church Nigeria.*
Instagram: *@ecumenicanchurch*
WhatsApp: *+2348052366039*
*www.johnifesanya.blogspot.com*
*#TEC#*

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

the Lord is one

 *09/04/2025* *40 DAYS FASTING AND PRAYERS* *MID WEEK SERVICE* THEME: *THE NATURE OF GOD* (Hebrew pl.'elohim) Text: Genesis 1:1,26 Deuteronomy 7:9 Isaiah 45:18 TOPIC: *UNIQUENESS AND ONENESS OF GOD*  - the Lord is one  Deuteronomy 4:35 Mark 12:29 Yahweh distinguished himself from the other deities of the period by his specific revelation of himself according to Deuteronomy 4:33,35, through his actions in leading them out of Egypt and to the promised land according to Deuteronomy 4:34,37-38 and by speaking to them directly in Deuteronomy 4:33,36 when he gave them the law. Moses emphasizes the theme that *the living God is the only one there is* Deuteronomy 4:39; 5:7; 6:4; 32:39 The *Hear, O Israel* verse of Deuteronomy 6:4 is commonly called the Shema ( from a Hebrew word meaning " to hear") and is repeated by Jews the world over as expressing the essence of their faith in God. *©2025* *Ecumenican Church Nigeria ®* Instagram: *@ecumenicanchurch* WhatsApp/Telegram: *+234805...
Read more

The creation of the earth and the heavens

 *01/06/2025* *THANKSGIVING SERVICE* TOPIC: *WHAT DOES GOD DO?* INTRODUCTION  - The creation of the earth and the near heavens  Genesis 1:1-31 The rest of the chapter is then seen as an expression on the summary of Genesis 1:1. However, it is also possible that those words outline the first step in creation, with the words *in the beginning* being equivalent to "first". The idea then would be that the first thing God did was to create the raw shell ( heaven and earth) and then for six days he filled that shell with content. He did not create the whole universe as a finished product in one grand gesture, but worked to create it. This second view fits with the description of the earth as *formless and empty* and of darkness over the surface of the deep. Genesis 1:2 *Tithes & Offering* Genesis 14:18-20 Account name:  *The Ecumenican Church* Account number: 2280020397 Banker: *Eco Bank Nig. Ltd* *This church is not funded or sponsored by any state, private or public ...
Read more

"Let US make man in OUR image"

 *02/02/2025* *THANKSGIVING SERVICE* THEME: *THE NATURE OF GOD* (Hebrew pl.'elohim) Text: Genesis 1:1,26 Deuteronomy 7:9 Isaiah 45:18 TOPIC: *FORM OF GOD* - All three are in Unity     *"Let US make man in OUR image". Genesis 1:26 *Let Us make* emphasizes the majesty of the speaker. Furthermore, the use of a plural for God allows for the later revelation of the Trinity. Genesis 11:7 Matthew 28:19 The *Us* cannot refer to the angels that are present with God because man is made in the image of God alone, not also that of the angels. *in Our image*: What is the image of God in man? The traditional view is that God's image is certain moral, ethical and intellectual abilities. A more recent view, based on Hebrew grammar and the knowledge of the ancient Middle East, interprets the phrase as meaning "Let us make man as our image" (the Hebrew preposition in this phrase can be translated as). In ancient times an emperor might command statues of himself to be placed i...
Read more