“A Son Like No Other” Hebrews 1:1-3

Main Idea: There is no other like Jesus, the Son of God.

Ways that Jesus is like no other: Jesus is God’s revelation to all (1-2a). The writer of Hebrews started in the past: “Long ago....” He went on to say that in the past God spoke to his people through the prophets. The Old Testament testifies to this reality throughout history. However, the writer of Hebrews then went on to say that in the present tense, God has spoken to his people through his Son. The language here is important. The writer indicated that what he was saying applied to the present context: “In these last days.” God “has spoken” is past tense. In other words, it is a completed action! God’s word to his people is complete, and his word to his people was spoken through his Son, Jesus Christ. Jesus is God‘s revelation of himself to all. 1. From the Old Testament, what are some different times and different ways that God used prophets to speak to his people? 2. What does God mean when he said that he has spoken to us by his Son? What are the implications of this verse for new revelation from God today? What are the implications of this verse for the importance of Scripture? 3. How do you allow God to communicate to you every day?

Jesus is the Owner of all (2b). The book of Hebrews was originally written to primarily Jewish believers, encouraging them to continue to persevere in their faith. In God’s communication to them — and us — he used language to help us understand the reality of his nature as one God, existing eternally in three persons (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit). The “heir of all things” is relational and positional language intended to help us see the reality that what belongs to the Father belongs to the Son. As the heir of all things, Jesus is the owner of all. 1. What does “all things” mean? What does that apply to in your life? 2. Are you living like Jesus is the heir of all things? If not, what needs to change in the way that you are living your life?

Jesus is the Creator of all (2c). What an amazing statement! The universe was made through Jesus, who is the living word of God. In the language of the New Testament, the word translated “the world” in the ESV is a word that has the broader meaning of ages, worlds, or the universe. In other words, the writer of Hebrews said that everything that was created was created through Christ. Jesus is the Word of God who spoke creation into existence, and in that, Jesus is the Creator of all. 1. Look at Genesis 1 and John 1. How do these passages connect to this reality in Hebrews about the identity of Jesus?

Sermon - April 28, 2019 1 Jesus is the Sustainer of all (3b). In thinking about the Son, the writer of Hebrews in verse three states that in a present sense, Jesus is sustaining all things. The word sustain simply means to strengthen, maintain, or enable something to endure. Jesus, by his powerful word, is actively strengthening, maintaining, and enabling all that is created in the universe to endure. What an overwhelming thought! This world only exists today — you and I only have life in this moment today — because of the active, intentional power of Jesus at work through his powerful word. 1. How should this reality impact your thankfulness and gratitude to Jesus every moment of every day? What are some practical ways that you can cultivate this reminder each day? 2. How does this truth about Jesus bring strength to those who need endurance in life?

Jesus is the Savior for all (3c). In a matter of fact way, the writer of Hebrews stated that Jesus had already made “purification for sins.” Jesus did all that was required and necessary for purification, which is the cleansing and forgiveness of sin. Later in Hebrews, the author would go on to talk about the sufficiency of the sacrifice of Jesus for sin; however, at this point he simply stated the profound reality that Jesus made purification for sins, which means that Jesus is the only Savior for all! 1. What did Jesus do for the purification of sins? How is that purification applied to the life of an individual sinner? From this verse, is there a way, other than Jesus, for purification for sins? 2. When did this truth about Jesus become a reality in your life? Share testimonies.

Jesus is the Ruler over all (3d). After making the way for purification for sins, The writer of Hebrews said that Jesus took a seat in the position of authority and power in the kingdom of God. The right hand was the position of power and authority in relationship to the king. The clear implication is that Jesus is in the position of power and authority in the kingdom of God, sitting at the right hand of the Father on high. From a practical standpoint of position and authority, Jesus is ruler over all. 1. Discuss the implications for the church based on the authority of Jesus in this verse. 2. Discuss the implications for your lives based on the authority of Jesus in this verse.

Jesus is the God of all (3a). At the heart of these first three verses in the book of Hebrews is a profound statement related to the identity of Jesus. In considering all the other things that we have looked at related to Jesus, all of these things are possible — in fact necessary — because of this most significant revelation. The first part of verse three points to both the external and internal revelation of the identity of Jesus. Externally, Jesus is the display of the radiant glory of God. Internally, Jesus is the exact impression of the nature of God. The only way that either of these is possible is that Jesus is God! The Son is the clearest and most complete revelation of God. Jesus is God’s communication of himself to the world because Jesus is the God of the world: The God of all! 1. What does it mean that Jesus is the radiance of God’s glory? 2. What does it mean that Jesus is the exact imprint of God‘s nature? 3. What are the implications of this verse for those who want to know God? What are the implications of this verse for sharing and studying the word of God?

Sermon - April 28, 2019 2