Christ Superior to Angels

Epistle to the Hebrews - Part 2 • Hebrews 1:4-14 • September 13, 2020 • Vesper Service 6:00 PM

 
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Sermon Introduction

Christ is superior to the prophets.

He is also superior to angels. The difference is vast.

Angels were ministering spirits who serve God. But their status is not the same as the Son of God. The Jewish people at the time believed that angels are highly exalted beings. They also believed that the angels were like a council before God . The author of Hebrews explained that angels were ministering spirits, not higher in status compared to the Son.

Doy Sto. Domingo Elder

 
 
 

Hebrews 1:4-14 NASB

4 having become as much better than the angels, as He has inherited a more excellent name than they.

5 For to which of the angels did He ever say,

“You are My Son,
Today I have begotten You”?

And again,

“I will be a Father to Him
And He shall be a Son to Me”?

6 And when He again brings the firstborn into the world, He says,

“And let all the angels of God worship Him.”

7 And of the angels He says,

“Who makes His angels winds,
And His ministers a flame of fire.”

8 But of the Son He says,

“Your throne, O God, is forever and ever,
And the righteous scepter is the scepter of His kingdom.
9 “You have loved righteousness and hated lawlessness;
Therefore God, Your God, has anointed You
With the oil of gladness above Your companions.”

10 And,

“You, Lord, in the beginning laid the foundation of the earth,
And the heavens are the works of Your hands;
11 They will perish, but You remain;
And they all will become old like a garment,
12 And like a mantle You will roll them up;
Like a garment they will also be changed.
But You are the same,
And Your years will not come to an end.”

13 But to which of the angels has He ever said,

“Sit at My right hand,
Until I make Your enemies
A footstool for Your feet”?

14 Are they not all ministering spirits, sent out to render service for the sake of those who will inherit salvation?

Notes

The writer of the epistle to the Hebrews established that Christ is greater than the prophets. God spoke through the prophets in the Old Testament. But now, God speaks to us through His Son. Until this day, God’s message through the Son is proclaimed. Christ is superior to the prophets.

He is also superior to angels. The difference is vast. Angels were ministering spirits who serve God. But their status is not the same as the Son of God. The Jewish people at the time believed that angels are highly exalted beings (Pink, 2003). They also believed that the angels were like a council before God (MacArthur, 1983). The author of Hebrews explained that angels were ministering spirits, not higher in status compared to the Son (1:7,14).

  1. Christ Jesus inherited a more excellent name compared to the angels (1:4). Christ is the only eternally begotten Son of God. Angels were meant to worship Him (1:5-6). None of the angels should be made His equal.

  2. God called His Son, God, Biblical proof of the deity of Christ (1:8-12). He is called first-born reflecting status, rather than creation. The title “Son” was given to Him when He became flesh. But prior to His incarnation, He was the Word who created the world (John 1:1-3).

  3. The Lord Jesus Christ sits at the right hand of God, the highest authority in the universe, higher than all angels (1:13). Thus, the Son has dominion over all, including the angels, who are mere servants of the Son.

Application

  1. Revere His name. Uphold His name as the highest and most excellent of all. There is no other name by which men shall be saved (Acts 4:12). Praise and proclaim His name above all angels, humans, religious icons, saints, and even respectable persons who serve God sincerely.

  2. Affirm the deity of Christ. He is the Son of God who calls the Father, God. And the Father calls His Son, God. They are one, yet two persons of the Trinity. The third person in the Trinity is the Holy Spirit. The three are one being, but three in persons.

  3. Submit to the sovereign dominion of the Lord Jesus Christ. He is Lord of all. Thus, we must submit to His authority by submitting to His word, the Holy Scriptures. We must proclaim the message of His death and resurrection, and that all should repent for the forgiveness of sin.

Discussion Questions

  1. Cite the differences that the author of Hebrews mentioned between the Son and the angels.

  2. What is the biggest difference between angels and the Son?

  3. How may we revere His name and uphold it above all angels, religious icons, and other men?

  4. How may we express our submission to His dominion and sovereign authority?

References:

Pink, A.W. (2003). An Exposition of Hebrews. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House. MacArthur, J. (1983). 

The MacArthur New Testament Commentary Hebrews. Chicago, IL: Moody Press.

Rodkinson, M. L., Wise, I. M., & Taubenhaus, G. (Eds.). (1916).  New Edition of the Babylonian Talmud: Original Text Edited, Corrected, Formulated, and

Translated Into English (Vol. 7). Talmud Society.