The Book of Hebrews | “Before and After”

Hebrews 1:1-4

The Supremacy of God’s Son
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, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. 3 He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, 4 having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs.

Examples of “Before and After”

• Weight Loss
• House Projects
• Church Logo
• The New Worship Center

I. BEFORE

Hebrews 1:1 – “Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets.”

“Spoke,” Gk. λαλέω (laleō), “to speak”

“Revelation,” Gk. ἀποκάλυψις (apokalypsis) and Lat. revelare: “to uncover or reveal that which was previously unknown.”

Romans 1:20 – “For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world.”

Truth: Nature is sufficient enough for us to know about God; it is not sufficient enough for us to actually know God.

v.1 – “by the prophets”

II. AFTER

Hebrews 1:2a – “…but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son.”

Hebrews 1:2-3 – “but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world.”

a. Who is Jesus Christ?

i. The final destination of creation (v.2)

Psalm 2:2-3 – “The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD and against his Anointed,”

“anointed,” Heb. maschiach, “Messiah”

Psalm 2:7 – “The LORD said to me, ‘You are my Son; today I have begotten you.’”

Psalm 2:8 – “Ask of me, and I will make the nations your heritage, and the ends of the earth your possession.”

ii. The starting point of creation

v.2 – “the one through whom God created the world”

Colossians 1:15-17

Revelation 22:13

iii. The God of creation

Hebrews 1:3a – “He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power.”

“radiance,” Gk. ἀπαύγασμα (apaugasma), “the same essence”

“imprint,” Gk. χαρακτήρ (charaktēr), “the exact expression”

“nature,” Gk. ὑπόστασις (hypostasis), “a standing under, assumed position”

John 14:9

“universe,” Gk. πάντα (panta), “all”

John 1:3 – “All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made.”

b. What has Jesus done?

Hebrews 1:3b-4 – “After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs.”

John 10:17-18

TAKEAWAYS

1. If we are completely dependent upon Jesus, we are also completely accountable to Him.

COMMUNION

1. This is a practice for believers

2. This is a practice that demands self-examination (1 Cor. 11:27-29)

a. The Bread

1 Corinthians 11:23-24 – “For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, 24 and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, ‘This is my body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.’”

b. The Cup

1 Corinthians 11:25-26 – “In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.’”