WEBVTT 00:00:07.040 --> 00:00:12.720 This sermon was recorded at Faith Evangelical Free Church in Grand Forks, North Dakota. 00:00:18.399 --> 00:00:23.519 Please take your Bible with me this morning to the book of Hebrews in the New Testament. 00:00:24.320 --> 00:00:27.920 I don't know about you, but I love flyovers. 00:00:28.399 --> 00:00:30.239 Do you know what a flyover is? 00:00:30.719 --> 00:00:31.760 Hopefully you do. 00:00:31.920 --> 00:00:35.840 It's when a plane flies over you. 00:00:36.079 --> 00:00:50.960 I remember growing up in the opposite corner of the state, out in the badlands of North Dakota, and seeing massive bombers flying low over the little Missouri River. 00:00:52.399 --> 00:00:55.439 So low that the noise seemed to shake the ground. 00:00:56.079 --> 00:00:58.079 It was awe-inspiring. 00:00:59.119 --> 00:01:12.799 I've been in places where A-10s have flown over, and probably the most awe-inspiring are stealth bombers, where I've been in stadiums where stealth bombers have flown over before a sporting event. 00:01:13.040 --> 00:01:18.959 Flyovers are fascinating because they give you a glimpse. 00:01:19.760 --> 00:01:21.680 But just a glimpse. 00:01:22.959 --> 00:01:27.760 You have maybe a few seconds to grasp what's there. 00:01:28.159 --> 00:01:31.120 And it leaves you with a sense of wanting more. 00:01:31.920 --> 00:01:34.159 That's my hope for this morning. 00:01:34.400 --> 00:01:40.239 Because I want to cover four chapters of the book of Hebrews in a flyover. 00:01:41.439 --> 00:01:46.400 Hopefully, Lord willing, leaving you with a sense of wanting more. 00:01:47.680 --> 00:01:53.359 Every portion of the book of Hebrews this morning could be a standalone sermon. 00:01:54.159 --> 00:01:57.760 But we're just going to give you a few seconds of it. 00:01:58.480 --> 00:02:10.000 Because what we're going to, in essence, see is the Lord Jesus and all of his glory briefly to leave us with a taste of wanting more. 00:02:10.719 --> 00:02:22.080 I began a series in July that took us through most of the book of Judges, but I wanted to put it into a more familiar context for modern Christians. 00:02:22.159 --> 00:02:32.240 So the first sermon that I preached in that series was from the New Testament, from the book of 1 John and chapter 2, beginning in verse 15. 00:02:32.479 --> 00:02:44.319 And verse 15 of John chapter 2 begins applying the truths that we find in Judges to the followers of Christ in the New Testament age. 00:02:44.639 --> 00:02:49.360 John commanded us, do not love the world or the things in the world. 00:02:49.680 --> 00:02:55.280 Because if anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 00:03:05.759 --> 00:03:09.759 And they had fallen in love with the world around them. 00:03:10.319 --> 00:03:21.840 By the time of the end of the book of Judges, they had rejected God as their king and were demanding a king like all the nations around them. 00:03:22.319 --> 00:03:27.039 So they saw the world and they wanted to be like the world. 00:03:27.280 --> 00:03:31.680 And so everyone just did what was right in their own eyes. 00:03:32.560 --> 00:03:39.199 Then we went to 1 Samuel, where we see the end of the times of the judges. 00:03:39.680 --> 00:03:48.240 And there we saw the kind of king that Israel really wanted, because God gave them what they wanted. 00:03:48.560 --> 00:03:50.960 He gave them a man named Saul. 00:03:51.919 --> 00:03:59.199 Saul could not obey God because, like everyone else, Saul did what was right in his own eyes. 00:04:00.159 --> 00:04:05.039 That's what a human savior judge brings. 00:04:07.039 --> 00:04:17.439 You will get a human result if you look for a human solution to a problem that has its roots in faith. 00:04:19.040 --> 00:04:21.600 Israel had a faith problem. 00:04:23.120 --> 00:04:26.879 They could not and would not trust God. 00:04:28.879 --> 00:04:33.680 Late in the time of the judges, God revealed himself through the prophet Samuel. 00:04:33.839 --> 00:04:37.600 And Samuel instructed God's people in the ways of God. 00:04:38.720 --> 00:04:40.879 But Israel would not listen. 00:04:41.439 --> 00:04:45.199 And it grieved Samuel that they asked for a king. 00:04:46.879 --> 00:04:49.279 But God gave them a king. 00:04:49.759 --> 00:04:53.519 He gave them a king that they wanted. 00:04:54.480 --> 00:04:59.680 And as Saul did what was right in his own eyes, God was done. 00:05:00.560 --> 00:05:03.519 He said, I'm taking Saul away. 00:05:03.920 --> 00:05:06.160 And I'm giving you a new king. 00:05:06.639 --> 00:05:09.279 I'm not giving you a king that you want. 00:05:09.680 --> 00:05:13.040 I'm giving you a king that's a man after my own heart. 00:05:13.439 --> 00:05:15.759 And we know his name as David. 00:05:17.040 --> 00:05:22.720 Unlike Saul, David was a man after God's own heart, but he was still an imperfect man. 00:05:23.360 --> 00:05:27.680 He ruled over Israel righteously, at least for the most part. 00:05:28.560 --> 00:05:31.360 And David was called God's son. 00:05:32.319 --> 00:05:35.439 And that was very common in ancient times. 00:05:35.920 --> 00:05:40.079 A king was the human son of the divine. 00:05:40.720 --> 00:05:44.560 He was a man who ruled on behalf of God himself. 00:05:44.720 --> 00:05:55.360 And so David was a king, kind of like Israel wanted, for he fought their battles for them, but he had a faith and a trust in God that Israel's covenant God wanted. 00:05:55.680 --> 00:05:59.519 So he spoke then kind of like a prophet. 00:06:00.560 --> 00:06:02.399 He declared God's word. 00:06:02.720 --> 00:06:17.120 And in doing so, David spoke of a greater son of God who would serve as the world's judge, not just Israel's judge, but the world's judge, the Lord of Lords, and the King of Kings. 00:06:19.439 --> 00:06:34.560 When we get through the Old Testament to the Gospels, the Gospels in their various ways show that this promised anointed one is Jesus. 00:06:37.279 --> 00:06:45.360 He's the God man, perfect and holy, righteous and just. 00:06:46.000 --> 00:06:49.279 He is the ideal savior judge. 00:06:50.560 --> 00:06:52.319 Now what do we do with that? 00:06:54.160 --> 00:07:07.360 Well, as a non-Christian, if you are in a place of not having placed your trust in Christ alone, my friend, you have to let go of your faith in yourself. 00:07:08.480 --> 00:07:12.319 You have to release doing things in your own way. 00:07:12.959 --> 00:07:22.160 Let go of your trust in your world or anything else and trust entirely in Jesus as your only hope for now and eternity. 00:07:22.959 --> 00:07:28.079 For the Son of God is the righteous judge who will judge your sins. 00:07:29.759 --> 00:07:40.720 He will either condemn you for eternity for your failure to trust him alone, or he will save you from judgment by bearing the condemnation for you. 00:07:41.439 --> 00:07:50.560 If you know him as your Savior and Judge, that truth brings great hope and joy. 00:07:51.439 --> 00:07:52.800 Don't wait. 00:07:53.360 --> 00:07:54.720 Trust him now. 00:07:57.199 --> 00:08:02.639 As a Christian, the what do we do with that question? 00:08:03.040 --> 00:08:04.800 It's a little more detailed. 00:08:05.600 --> 00:08:09.040 Since that category, I trust, is my primary audience this morning. 00:08:09.120 --> 00:08:14.319 I want to direct your attention to the book of Hebrews to hear how God answers the question. 00:08:15.920 --> 00:08:22.639 I want to lead us this morning to the Lord's table, to participating in communion together. 00:08:22.800 --> 00:08:30.399 And that is open to everyone this morning who trusts in Christ alone as their Savior and Judge. 00:08:30.639 --> 00:08:33.039 You don't have to be a member of this church. 00:08:33.360 --> 00:08:36.799 You just have to have your faith in Christ alone. 00:08:37.039 --> 00:08:44.720 To have cast aside the idolatry of self and whatever idols might be drawing you to trust in Christ alone. 00:08:44.879 --> 00:08:57.279 I want to lead us there this morning by moving from the failures of human savior judges to the faithfulness of the faithful and true Savior Judge. 00:08:58.879 --> 00:09:03.120 So I want to read the first four chapters of Hebrews. 00:09:03.919 --> 00:09:09.120 Let Hebrews mostly speak for itself and highlight a few elements along the way. 00:09:09.200 --> 00:09:13.600 So if you would look with me at Hebrews chapter 1. 00:09:17.759 --> 00:09:27.279 Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers through the prophets. 00:09:28.960 --> 00:09:40.399 But in these last days, he has spoken to us by his son, whom he has appointed heir of all things, and through whom he created the world. 00:09:40.799 --> 00:09:48.399 He, that is the Son, is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature. 00:09:48.639 --> 00:09:53.679 And he upholds the universe by the word of his power. 00:09:55.360 --> 00:10:13.200 This son, after making purification for sins, sat down at the right hand of the majesty on high, having become as much superior to angels as the name that he has inherited is more excellent than ours, or than theirs, pardon me. 00:10:13.440 --> 00:10:22.960 For to which of the angels did God ever say, quoting from Psalms 2, You are my son. 00:10:24.399 --> 00:10:26.320 Today I have begotten you. 00:10:26.720 --> 00:10:33.039 Or again, from 2 Samuel chapter 7, I will be to him a father, and he shall be to me a son. 00:10:33.519 --> 00:10:39.279 And again, when he brings the firstborn into the world, he says, Let all God's angels worship him. 00:10:40.000 --> 00:10:47.919 Now of the angels, he says, he makes his angels, his messengers, winds, and his ministers a flame of fire. 00:10:48.159 --> 00:10:54.320 But of the Son, he says, Your throne, O God, is for ever and ever. 00:10:55.360 --> 00:11:05.039 The scepter of righteousness, of uprightness is the scepter of your kingdom, for you have loved righteousness and hated wickedness. 00:11:05.279 --> 00:11:07.840 Sounds like the opposite of the judges, doesn't it? 00:11:08.080 --> 00:11:13.679 Therefore, God your God has anointed you with the oil of gladness beyond your companions. 00:11:14.159 --> 00:11:22.240 And you, Lord, laid the foundation of the earth in the beginning, and the heavens are the work of your hands. 00:11:22.559 --> 00:11:26.879 They will perish, but you remain. 00:11:27.519 --> 00:11:39.840 They will all wear out like a garment, like a like a robe, you will roll them up, like a garment, they will be changed, but you are the same, and your years will have no end. 00:11:41.519 --> 00:11:50.559 And to which of the angels, as he ever said, sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet? 00:11:52.000 --> 00:12:00.480 Are angels not all ministering spirits sent out to serve for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation? 00:12:02.960 --> 00:12:04.879 What do we make of this? 00:12:08.000 --> 00:12:21.039 As Christians, what do we do with the fact that David pointed forward to a son of God who would be the ultimate savior judge? 00:12:21.279 --> 00:12:28.559 Well, what we make of it from this first chapter of Hebrews is that we have to listen to the right voice. 00:12:30.240 --> 00:12:35.039 Don't listen to the world, listen to the right voice. 00:12:35.200 --> 00:12:40.000 In the times of the judges, they listened to everyone around them except for God. 00:12:41.919 --> 00:12:47.440 We must listen to the right voice, and the right voice is the true Son of God. 00:12:49.200 --> 00:12:57.519 Not ancient King David, as great as he was, but the Son of God to whom he pointed. 00:12:59.200 --> 00:13:03.039 We have to listen to him because he is the true Son. 00:13:03.200 --> 00:13:06.399 The text tells us that we must listen when God speaks. 00:13:06.559 --> 00:13:09.600 Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke. 00:13:09.840 --> 00:13:12.639 If God speaks, you have to listen. 00:13:13.759 --> 00:13:17.360 He spoke in all kinds of ways through various people. 00:13:17.840 --> 00:13:29.759 But now, in these last days, that is the time from the point of writing of Hebrews till today, he has spoken to us through his son. 00:13:30.080 --> 00:13:33.360 That indicates a change of direction, a change of plans. 00:13:33.600 --> 00:13:34.960 God used to speak this way. 00:13:35.120 --> 00:13:38.480 Now he speaks to us through his son in the word of God. 00:13:38.639 --> 00:13:42.559 Notice he says it is by his son in verse 2. 00:13:42.720 --> 00:13:44.960 He has spoken to us by his son. 00:13:46.879 --> 00:13:48.080 Who is this son? 00:13:48.879 --> 00:13:50.480 Oh, this is rich. 00:13:50.799 --> 00:13:53.279 It's really hard to just give a flyover. 00:13:56.000 --> 00:13:59.360 He's the son who has been appointed heir of all things. 00:14:01.039 --> 00:14:04.320 He's the son through whom God created the world. 00:14:04.799 --> 00:14:08.639 He's the son who is the radiance of divine glory. 00:14:09.039 --> 00:14:12.720 He's the son who is the exact imprint of God's nature. 00:14:12.879 --> 00:14:25.919 That is, if you were to take and make an imprint, an impression into something that gave you exactly what God is and who God is, that's Jesus. 00:14:27.360 --> 00:14:31.759 This is the Son who upholds the universe by the word of his power. 00:14:31.919 --> 00:14:36.399 He doesn't have to exert energy, he just speaks and it is upheld. 00:14:39.360 --> 00:14:45.120 This isn't, though, some great and cosmic universal power who is impersonal. 00:14:45.440 --> 00:14:52.320 No, this is the same Son who made purification for sins. 00:14:53.759 --> 00:14:59.679 He did what the blood of goats and of calves could not do. 00:15:00.080 --> 00:15:04.240 He shed his own blood so that our sins might be purified. 00:15:04.399 --> 00:15:10.080 This is the same son who ascended into heaven and sat down at the right hand of the majesty on high. 00:15:10.240 --> 00:15:16.320 This is the Son who is far superior to any kind of angel you might ever imagine. 00:15:18.960 --> 00:15:21.919 That's all just a flyover of a few verses. 00:15:23.120 --> 00:15:25.840 Most of it quotes from the Old Testament. 00:15:28.399 --> 00:15:31.519 We must listen when God speaks. 00:15:32.879 --> 00:15:37.919 And we are told that God has spoken to us through his son. 00:15:39.440 --> 00:15:45.440 And so we listen to God when we listen to the Son. 00:15:47.120 --> 00:15:52.879 Angels are not the recipients of the biblical promises made to the Davidic son. 00:15:53.039 --> 00:15:57.519 In verse 5, which of the angels did God ever say, You are my son, today I have begotten you? 00:15:57.679 --> 00:16:06.879 That in its context is spoken to David, to David as God's king, son, reigning in space and time. 00:16:07.360 --> 00:16:13.679 But ultimately it speaks of the true son of David, the true king, Christ himself. 00:16:13.840 --> 00:16:15.200 That's not an angel. 00:16:17.519 --> 00:16:21.600 Or again in verse 5, I will be to him a father, and he shall be to me a son. 00:16:22.240 --> 00:16:29.279 That's the promises given to the line of David that he would have a king reigning over the throne of David forever and ever. 00:16:29.440 --> 00:16:32.320 That's not just to David or even to Solomon. 00:16:32.480 --> 00:16:33.679 It's to this son. 00:16:33.840 --> 00:16:35.600 It's not to an angel. 00:16:36.879 --> 00:16:41.759 In fact, angels worship this son, verse 6. 00:16:45.919 --> 00:16:52.879 These angels who are servants, who are ministers that do God's bidding in verse 7. 00:16:54.320 --> 00:17:02.720 On the other hand, verse 8 tells us that this son is the God who reigns eternally. 00:17:04.400 --> 00:17:07.839 You want a key verse for the deity of the Son of God? 00:17:08.000 --> 00:17:09.119 Right there, verse 8. 00:17:09.359 --> 00:17:17.759 But of the Son, he says, your throne, O God, is forever and ever. 00:17:20.160 --> 00:17:27.519 This Son is the eternal covenant God of Israel, Yahweh Himself, who created everything. 00:17:29.039 --> 00:17:30.079 Do we want to go further? 00:17:30.240 --> 00:17:31.039 Let's go further. 00:17:31.279 --> 00:17:41.359 No angel has ever received the divine invitation to be co-regent, to reign side by side with God the Father. 00:17:43.759 --> 00:17:48.880 This is your divine Savior, Judge. 00:17:50.559 --> 00:17:53.200 We can go even one more step, verse 14. 00:17:53.680 --> 00:18:03.440 These angels are ministering spirits sent out to serve for your sake. 00:18:05.359 --> 00:18:07.759 For your get that. 00:19:00.000 --> 00:19:03.119 Because all we hear is the noise around us, right? 00:19:03.680 --> 00:19:18.319 Social media and all of the ways that you can gather information today, it's just noise and it's distracting noise, and it distracts you from hearing the one place where God speaks through his son. 00:19:22.559 --> 00:19:32.000 It's why the Father said at the Lord's baptism and at his transfiguration, this is my beloved son, listen to him. 00:19:34.400 --> 00:19:39.599 God never said to one of the human savior judges in the book of Judges, listen to him. 00:19:45.039 --> 00:19:46.079 Listen to him. 00:19:47.599 --> 00:19:57.119 So every time you see one of those bombers flying overhead and you hear the noise and you feel the reverberation, think, listen to the sun. 00:19:58.480 --> 00:20:06.079 For he is more awesome and more grand than any human or created thing. 00:20:06.720 --> 00:20:09.440 He is the word of God made flesh. 00:20:09.759 --> 00:20:11.519 All scriptures come from him. 00:20:11.839 --> 00:20:13.920 They are his voice. 00:20:14.240 --> 00:20:16.480 We must listen to the right voice. 00:20:16.640 --> 00:20:30.640 When we are tempted to live in the middle with one hand in the world and our heart tugging that direction, yet not wanting to let go of Christ the Savior, listen to Jesus, not to the world's voices. 00:20:32.160 --> 00:20:34.240 Look with me at chapter 2. 00:20:36.720 --> 00:20:40.799 Therefore, we must pay closer attention to what we have heard. 00:20:42.319 --> 00:20:42.960 Why? 00:20:43.599 --> 00:20:45.599 Lest we drift away from it. 00:20:46.160 --> 00:20:59.920 For since the message declared by angels proved to be reliable, and every transgression or disobedience received a just retribution, how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? 00:21:00.400 --> 00:21:14.720 It was declared at first by the Lord, and it was attested to us by those who heard, while God also bore witness by signs and wonders and various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will. 00:21:15.039 --> 00:21:22.559 Here in this chapter, in chapter two, we see the truth that we must pay closer attention to what we have heard. 00:21:23.119 --> 00:21:26.799 How do we avoid being like the people in the book of Judges? 00:21:27.039 --> 00:21:30.880 Pay closer attention to what the Son has said. 00:21:31.759 --> 00:21:32.400 Why? 00:21:33.039 --> 00:21:34.960 There are three reasons in this chapter. 00:21:35.200 --> 00:21:37.759 The first reason is the state of our hearts. 00:21:38.160 --> 00:21:44.480 That is, the state of our hearts is that we are constantly prone to drift. 00:21:46.160 --> 00:21:50.240 I grew up literally with the Little Missouri River in my backyard. 00:21:53.119 --> 00:21:56.480 Most of the time, the Little Missouri River didn't have much water in it. 00:21:56.880 --> 00:21:59.680 And so it looked as though the water was just. 00:22:00.480 --> 00:22:04.079 Stable, it wasn't moving, it wasn't flowing at all. 00:22:04.720 --> 00:22:16.400 Yet if you threw a stick into the water and you just kind of forgot about it and then came back later, you would find that stick a half mile down the stream. 00:22:17.039 --> 00:22:18.640 That's drifting. 00:22:19.440 --> 00:22:22.400 It may be rapid as though you're floating on white water. 00:22:22.559 --> 00:22:27.759 It may be so imperceptible that you can't feel the drift in the moment. 00:22:29.440 --> 00:22:34.079 But beloved Christian, your heart is prone to drift. 00:22:35.599 --> 00:22:37.440 Pay closer attention. 00:22:37.680 --> 00:22:48.799 Verse 2, since the message declared by angels proved to be reliable and every transgression or disobedience received a just retribution, how shall we escape if we neglect? 00:22:48.960 --> 00:22:51.759 That word neglect means to not care enough. 00:22:51.920 --> 00:22:54.000 It means to be kind of apathetic. 00:22:54.559 --> 00:23:00.559 To just be so so about what has been spoken to you by the Son of God. 00:23:01.039 --> 00:23:10.880 If we're just apathetic and yeah, we we just kind of come in and out and in and out and we don't really care that much, before we know it, we are three miles downstream in love with the world. 00:23:12.640 --> 00:23:15.359 Friends, the message is proven reliable. 00:23:15.680 --> 00:23:18.319 The consequences have proven just. 00:23:19.519 --> 00:23:25.200 So why would we think that we can neglect such a great salvation? 00:23:26.559 --> 00:23:31.200 Resist drifting by paying close attention. 00:23:31.680 --> 00:23:34.559 Because the state of your heart is prone to drift. 00:23:34.720 --> 00:23:40.079 Reason number two that we should pay close attention is because of the status of human beings. 00:23:41.440 --> 00:23:48.240 The author of Hebrews comes back now and brings in conversation about angels again. 00:23:48.880 --> 00:23:55.599 He says, listen, mankind, not angels, were placed in a position of authority. 00:23:55.759 --> 00:23:56.960 Look at it in verse 5. 00:23:57.119 --> 00:24:02.480 Now it was not to angels that God subjected the world to come, of which we're speaking. 00:24:02.799 --> 00:24:04.799 It has been testified somewhere. 00:24:05.039 --> 00:24:07.039 What is man that you are mindful of him? 00:24:07.519 --> 00:24:09.839 Or the Son of Man that you care for him. 00:24:10.480 --> 00:24:13.440 You made him for a little while lower than the angels. 00:24:13.599 --> 00:24:18.720 You've crowned him with glory and honor, putting everything in subjection under his feet. 00:24:19.200 --> 00:24:25.519 Now, in putting everything in subjection to him, he left nothing outside of his control, speaking of humanity. 00:24:25.599 --> 00:24:26.400 Yet we say, What? 00:24:26.480 --> 00:24:27.680 We don't have everything under control. 00:24:27.839 --> 00:24:28.240 That's right. 00:24:28.400 --> 00:24:32.319 At present we do not yet see everything in subjection to him. 00:24:32.799 --> 00:24:34.319 So what do we see? 00:24:35.599 --> 00:24:44.240 But we see him who for a little while was made lower than the angels, namely Jesus. 00:24:44.480 --> 00:24:47.599 We see him crowned with glory and honor. 00:24:47.759 --> 00:24:48.240 Why? 00:24:48.559 --> 00:24:51.039 Because of the suffering of death. 00:24:52.000 --> 00:24:56.000 So that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone. 00:24:56.240 --> 00:25:06.400 For it was fitting that he, for whom and by whom all things exist, in bringing many sons to glory, should make the founder of their salvation perfect through suffering. 00:25:07.839 --> 00:25:12.480 For he who sanctifies, and those who are sanctified, all have one source. 00:25:12.640 --> 00:25:21.519 This is why he, Jesus, is not ashamed to call them brothers, saying, I will tell of your name to my brothers. 00:25:21.759 --> 00:25:24.640 In the midst of the congregation, I will sing your praise. 00:25:24.720 --> 00:25:26.480 And again I will put my trust in him. 00:25:26.640 --> 00:25:30.960 And again, behold, I and the children God has given me. 00:25:31.200 --> 00:25:34.880 Go back to the beginning there, to verses 5, 6, 7, 8, 9. 00:25:37.440 --> 00:25:42.240 Do you see that we have a situation of status here? 00:25:43.440 --> 00:25:49.440 Mankind at creation was placed in authority over all of creation, not the angels. 00:25:51.039 --> 00:25:57.200 That means there's a significance that God gave to mankind that he did not give to angels. 00:25:59.279 --> 00:26:01.519 But we don't really see that now. 00:26:03.119 --> 00:26:08.880 Because mankind abandoned their position in God's program and chose sin instead. 00:26:09.839 --> 00:26:11.920 It's now things are flipped. 00:26:12.240 --> 00:26:16.240 And so for a while we are lower than the angels. 00:26:16.640 --> 00:26:18.400 But that's not the way it will always be. 00:26:18.559 --> 00:26:22.079 Scripture says that in the end we will judge angels. 00:26:24.880 --> 00:26:31.599 And in Jesus we begin to see a little bit of God's purpose, just a glimpse, just a flyover of God's purpose. 00:26:31.759 --> 00:26:37.519 In taking on human form in verse 9, Jesus himself was made lower than the angels. 00:26:37.599 --> 00:26:40.319 Can you imagine what a humiliation that would be? 00:26:43.359 --> 00:26:56.720 If you imagine yourself being, as an adult, all of a sudden being placed under the authority of a three-year-old, that doesn't even compare. 00:26:59.119 --> 00:27:07.039 This is the creator, the divine son of God, being placed under what he made. 00:27:09.119 --> 00:27:09.759 Why? 00:27:10.960 --> 00:27:11.599 To die. 00:27:15.200 --> 00:27:18.400 For a little while he was made lower than the angels. 00:27:18.480 --> 00:27:21.519 And in taking on human form, Jesus was crowned. 00:27:21.759 --> 00:27:26.559 He receives even more glory and honor through the suffering of death. 00:27:26.720 --> 00:27:30.960 And notice that last part there at the last line of verse 9. 00:27:31.200 --> 00:27:36.319 It was an act of God's grace for Jesus to die. 00:27:38.960 --> 00:27:47.920 For in taking on human form and dying a death that only he could die, Jesus brought many sons to glory. 00:27:48.079 --> 00:28:00.880 That is, he takes people and he brings them from being mere human beings who have fallen away from God's glory, and he makes them daughters and sons of the living God. 00:28:01.839 --> 00:28:05.200 He restores what was broken. 00:28:08.720 --> 00:28:10.880 Why would you pay attention? 00:28:11.440 --> 00:28:14.640 More attention to what you've heard. 00:28:17.920 --> 00:28:19.680 Because of who you are. 00:28:22.000 --> 00:28:27.680 If you are in Christ, that means one day you will judge the earth and you will judge angels. 00:28:28.160 --> 00:28:30.000 You may not feel that now. 00:28:30.319 --> 00:28:35.039 You may not feel able, capable to do that now. 00:28:35.599 --> 00:28:45.839 But in Christ that's who you are because he has reclaimed what was lost, and he has brought you back to be a daughter and a son of the living God. 00:28:46.319 --> 00:28:48.559 Truly to be his image. 00:28:49.119 --> 00:28:51.200 Oh, but there's a third reason. 00:28:52.400 --> 00:28:53.680 Verse 14. 00:28:54.079 --> 00:29:05.599 Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil. 00:29:06.319 --> 00:29:14.079 And deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery. 00:29:14.480 --> 00:29:20.480 For surely it's not angels that he helps, but he helps the offspring of Abraham. 00:29:20.640 --> 00:29:38.400 Therefore, he had to be made like his brothers, those he's reclaimed in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God to make propitiation, to satisfy God's wrath for the sins of the people. 00:29:39.200 --> 00:29:46.720 For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted. 00:29:48.160 --> 00:29:50.079 Let me summarize all of that. 00:29:52.400 --> 00:29:55.039 In seven points, don't worry, you don't have to write them down. 00:29:55.599 --> 00:29:56.799 I'll make it simple. 00:29:57.039 --> 00:29:59.920 This is all about what Jesus has done for us. 00:30:01.680 --> 00:30:02.000 Okay. 00:30:03.119 --> 00:30:08.799 Number one, for us, Jesus shared in flesh and blood. 00:30:09.680 --> 00:30:13.279 He didn't have to take on a human body. 00:30:14.880 --> 00:30:16.799 He did it for us. 00:30:18.720 --> 00:30:23.440 For us, Jesus suffered death to destroy the devil who has the power of death. 00:30:23.680 --> 00:30:27.759 For us, Jesus destroyed death to free us from the fear of death. 00:30:28.000 --> 00:30:30.559 Jesus helps us, not angels. 00:30:31.119 --> 00:30:38.480 For us, Jesus became a merciful and faithful high priest, unlike those priests in the time of judges. 00:30:39.920 --> 00:30:42.880 For us, Jesus made propitiation. 00:30:43.119 --> 00:30:48.160 Unlike any mere human savior judge in the past, they just rescued people from their enemies. 00:30:48.319 --> 00:30:50.559 No, Jesus destroyed the enemy. 00:30:50.960 --> 00:30:51.599 For us. 00:30:52.480 --> 00:30:57.839 For us, Jesus was tempted so that he might give us needed aid. 00:31:00.720 --> 00:31:07.359 Brothers and sisters, we must pay closer attention to what we've heard because of what Jesus has done for us. 00:31:11.039 --> 00:31:12.480 Hebrews 3. 00:31:14.880 --> 00:31:17.920 Notice verse 1, therefore, holy brothers. 00:31:18.319 --> 00:31:20.000 Holy brothers and sisters. 00:31:20.240 --> 00:31:21.119 Yeah, that's you. 00:31:21.279 --> 00:31:24.880 If you have placed your faith and trust in Christ, you are holy. 00:31:25.039 --> 00:31:27.599 You have been declared holy. 00:31:28.799 --> 00:31:32.240 You who share in the heavenly calling. 00:31:32.400 --> 00:31:35.039 So notice that we have a status here. 00:31:35.839 --> 00:31:44.160 We have a heavenly calling, not an earthly calling, not one that comes from the world around us, but one that comes from the throne of God Himself. 00:31:44.480 --> 00:31:48.400 This is why we are commanded not to love the world. 00:31:48.640 --> 00:31:55.359 We have a heavenly calling, so we must hold fast our confidence in our heavenly Savior Judge. 00:31:55.599 --> 00:31:57.200 How do we do that? 00:31:59.599 --> 00:32:03.599 We have to hold fast our confidence in Christ. 00:32:03.839 --> 00:32:05.759 Look at verse 2. 00:32:06.319 --> 00:32:16.160 Consider Jesus, the apostle and high priest of our confession, who was faithful to him who appointed him, just as Moses also was faithful in all God's house. 00:32:16.400 --> 00:32:24.480 For Jesus has been counted worthy of more glory than Moses, as much more glory as the builder of a house has more honor than the house itself. 00:32:24.960 --> 00:32:28.640 For every house is built by someone, but the builder of all things is God. 00:32:29.279 --> 00:32:40.160 Now Moses was faithful in all God's house as a servant, in order to testify to things that were to be spoken later. 00:32:40.480 --> 00:32:45.519 But Christ is faithful over God's house as a son. 00:32:47.359 --> 00:32:55.279 And we are his house, if indeed we hold fast our confession, our confidence, and our boasting in hope. 00:32:55.519 --> 00:33:09.200 Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says, Today, if you're listening, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as in the day of rebellion. 00:33:09.519 --> 00:33:15.680 On the day of testing in the wilderness, where your fathers put me to the test and saw my works for forty years. 00:33:16.079 --> 00:33:21.839 Therefore I was provoked with that generation, and they said, They always go away astray in their heart. 00:33:22.000 --> 00:33:23.839 They have not known my ways. 00:33:24.079 --> 00:33:27.920 As I swore in my wrath, they shall not enter my rest. 00:33:28.240 --> 00:33:33.440 This comes from Psalm 95, and it's spoken about that generation of Jewish people who came out of Egypt. 00:33:33.599 --> 00:33:38.960 But notice that it's put in the present tense where the Holy Spirit is saying it to you. 00:33:41.680 --> 00:33:46.000 Psalm 95 is spoken by the Holy Spirit to you. 00:33:46.160 --> 00:33:54.640 Today, if you are paying close attention and if you are listening to the Son, hold fast your confidence in Christ. 00:33:54.880 --> 00:33:56.240 How do you do that? 00:33:56.480 --> 00:34:00.480 You do that first by considering the faithfulness of Jesus. 00:34:03.839 --> 00:34:07.920 He is the God man, yet he was faithful. 00:34:08.800 --> 00:34:11.679 He's like Moses in all of his faithfulness. 00:34:12.159 --> 00:34:17.920 He's even more glorious than Moses could ever imagine to be, yet he is faithful. 00:34:18.079 --> 00:34:21.519 He is faithful as a son, not as a servant. 00:34:22.880 --> 00:34:27.679 And if you'll notice, his faithfulness is directed towards God's house. 00:34:27.840 --> 00:34:29.360 And who is God's house? 00:34:29.599 --> 00:34:30.639 Verse 6. 00:34:31.440 --> 00:34:35.599 Everyone who places their faith and trust in Christ alone. 00:34:36.159 --> 00:34:39.440 His faithfulness is for you. 00:34:40.880 --> 00:34:44.320 We are the focus of his faithfulness as God's house. 00:34:44.400 --> 00:34:51.840 And so the faithfulness of our divine Savior, Judge, ought to soften our hearts. 00:34:52.239 --> 00:35:00.559 And that's important because the second way that we hold fast to our confidence is by caring for our hearts. 00:35:02.400 --> 00:35:03.760 Verse 12. 00:35:04.320 --> 00:35:14.559 Take care, brothers and sisters, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to rebel against the living God. 00:35:15.599 --> 00:35:24.400 But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called today, that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. 00:35:24.559 --> 00:35:26.559 This is hard for us, isn't it? 00:35:27.760 --> 00:35:34.239 We don't want to think as God's people that we could ever be in a position of having an unbelieving heart. 00:35:36.320 --> 00:35:45.280 But Hebrews tells us that we are to care for our hearts by actively preventing unbelief and rebellion. 00:35:48.079 --> 00:35:54.320 Otherwise, if you don't actively prevent it, you will drift. 00:35:54.880 --> 00:35:57.440 Because that's the tendency of your heart. 00:35:58.559 --> 00:36:04.400 It takes an active resistance to prevent unbelief and rebellion. 00:36:04.800 --> 00:36:07.199 And it takes one another. 00:36:07.679 --> 00:36:12.239 This is why our fellowship groups are so important to our church. 00:36:12.960 --> 00:36:22.480 Because we care for our hearts by encouraging one another in verse 12, exhorting one another about hard hearts towards sin. 00:36:24.400 --> 00:36:32.960 We need one another to speak truth because we can't always see the nature of drifting in our own hearts. 00:36:34.480 --> 00:36:36.079 Look at verse 14. 00:36:37.199 --> 00:36:38.079 I gotta move on. 00:36:38.159 --> 00:36:39.360 I'm running out of time. 00:36:39.599 --> 00:36:55.280 For we have come to share in Christ, to fellowship in Christ, if indeed we hold our original confidence firm to the end, as it is said, today, if you listen, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion. 00:36:56.079 --> 00:36:59.360 For who were those who heard and yet rebelled? 00:36:59.519 --> 00:37:02.639 Was it not all those who left Egypt, led by Moses? 00:37:03.280 --> 00:37:05.599 And with whom was God provoked for forty years? 00:37:05.760 --> 00:37:08.880 Was it not with those who sinned, whose bodies fell in the wilderness? 00:37:09.039 --> 00:37:14.079 And to whom did he swear that they would not enter his rest, but to those who were disobedient? 00:37:14.719 --> 00:37:18.480 So we see that they were unable to enter because of unbelief. 00:37:18.639 --> 00:37:20.320 What are we talking about here? 00:37:22.079 --> 00:37:23.440 Look at verse 14. 00:37:23.599 --> 00:37:26.800 We have to continue in our confidence in Christ. 00:37:27.280 --> 00:37:28.800 How do we do that? 00:37:29.679 --> 00:37:30.320 Listen. 00:37:33.119 --> 00:37:33.760 Listen. 00:37:35.119 --> 00:37:39.280 We attentively listen to Christ, not the world. 00:37:40.480 --> 00:37:44.239 We also do it by attentive trust in Christ. 00:37:44.800 --> 00:37:54.800 Those two elements capture what's happening in this last part of chapter three, where the people of Israel failed to listen to God, even though they had Moses right there. 00:37:54.880 --> 00:37:58.159 They failed to listen and they failed to trust. 00:37:59.360 --> 00:38:06.079 And so they lost their confidence in their Redeemer, Christ who led them out. 00:38:08.400 --> 00:38:14.159 Take care lest there be in any one of you an unbelieving, rebellious heart. 00:38:15.840 --> 00:38:17.519 Finally, chapter four. 00:38:19.840 --> 00:38:23.679 We must hold fast to our confession of faith. 00:38:25.360 --> 00:38:26.639 Verse 1. 00:38:27.119 --> 00:38:38.079 Therefore, while the promise of entering his rest still stands, let us fear lest any of you should seem to have failed to reach it. 00:38:38.960 --> 00:38:45.119 For the good news came to us, just as to them, speaking of the people of Israel coming out of Egypt. 00:38:45.840 --> 00:38:54.480 But the message they heard did not benefit them, because they were not united by faith with those who listened. 00:38:56.559 --> 00:38:59.360 For we who have believed enter that rest. 00:39:00.719 --> 00:39:12.639 Contrary to those who don't believe, as it is said, I swore in my wrath, they shall not enter my rest, although his works were finished from the foundation of the world. 00:39:12.960 --> 00:39:27.360 Friends, God's promise to gather his people into a place of rest should lead us to a healthy fear of sincere unbelief. 00:39:28.079 --> 00:39:29.679 What do I mean by that? 00:39:29.920 --> 00:39:37.119 There are a lot of sincere people in the world who think they belong to Christ, but don't. 00:39:38.400 --> 00:39:44.400 Matthew tells us that the Lord will say on that day to many, many who say to him, Lord, Lord, look at all the things I've done in your name. 00:39:44.559 --> 00:39:45.840 He says, Who are you? 00:39:46.159 --> 00:39:47.199 Depart from me. 00:39:47.360 --> 00:39:48.559 I don't know you. 00:39:49.679 --> 00:39:54.800 There's a sincerity of heart among those who are religious who will perish. 00:39:55.199 --> 00:40:02.639 Proof of that, the author of Hebrews says, is all of the people who died in the wilderness wanderings through 40 years. 00:40:03.840 --> 00:40:07.519 He said, They did not listen and they did not trust. 00:40:10.480 --> 00:40:12.000 God promises rest. 00:40:12.880 --> 00:40:18.000 He promises a place of salvation and of peace with him. 00:40:19.679 --> 00:40:30.960 And yet he warns, be careful, so that you don't have a heart of unbelief and fail to enter my rest. 00:40:32.079 --> 00:40:38.480 Now we we need to hold God's promises and God's warnings with proper respect. 00:40:39.599 --> 00:40:45.280 Because our hearts are easily deceived into believing that we don't need to listen to the warnings. 00:40:45.360 --> 00:40:46.320 Which hand was the warning? 00:40:46.400 --> 00:40:47.679 I can't remember. 00:40:49.039 --> 00:40:56.400 Our hearts deceive us into thinking I don't need to worry about the warnings because I believe, I believe, I can go do whatever I want. 00:40:57.360 --> 00:41:03.599