ARE YOU LISTENING?

HEBREWS 1:1-3
BOB INGLE
ST. CHARLES | MAY 15, 2022

A Quick Overview of Hebrews

• When was it written? Around AD 65
• Who was the original audience? Unknown, but likely a Roman church (Heb. 13:24)
• Who wrote it? Anonymous, but a known leader to the original leader; probably someone closely associated with Paul and Timothy (Heb. 13:23)
• Why was it written? To encourage Jewish believers under persecution to remain true to their Messiah and to discourage them from returning to their old covenant ways. The reason? Jesus is superior in His person and work.

“In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days He has spoken to us by His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, and through whom also He made the universe. The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of His being, sustaining all things by His powerful word. After He had provided purification for sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.” Hebrews 1:1-3 (NIV)

1. GOD REVEALS PROGRESSIVELY.

“In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days He has spoken to us by His Son...” Hebrews 1:1-2a (NIV)

“The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge. They have no speech, they use no words; no sound is heard from them. Yet their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world.” Psalm 19:1-4 (NIV)

“For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.” 2 Peter 1:21 (NIV)

“You study the Scriptures diligently because you think that in them you have eternal life. These are the very Scriptures that testify about Me, yet you refuse to come to Me to have life.” John 5:39-40 (NIV)

2. JESUS REIGNS POWERFULLY.

“...whom He appointed heir of all things, and through whom also He made the universe. The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of His being, sustaining all things by His powerful word. After He had provided purification for sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.” Hebrews 1:2b-3 (NIV

Cling to Christ Because...

   --> He CREATED the Universe.

“...through whom also He made the universe.” Hebrews 1:2b (NIV)

“For in Him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through Him and for Him.” Colossians 1:16 (NIV)

   --> He CONTROLS the World.

“...sustaining all things by His powerful word.” Hebrews 1:3b (NIV)

“He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.” Colossians 1:17 (NIV)

   --> He CONNECTS Us to God.

“The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of His being...” Hebrews 1:3a (NIV)

“The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.” Colossians 1:15 (NIV)

“After He had provided purification for sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.” Hebrews 1:3c (NIV)

3. PEOPLE RESPOND PERSONALLY.

5 Warnings of Hebrews

Drifting from the Word (2:1-4)

Doubting the Word (3:7-4:13)

Dullness toward the Word (5:11-6:20)

Despising the Word (10:26-39)

Defying the Word (12:14-29)