Christ is Superior to the Angels

0:00Good morning again. Let's jump right into the book of Hebrews. Turn there, if you wish, to Hebrews chapter 1. We're going to make a little more progress this morning than we have in the past two weeks, and we're going to cover five of five verses, four through nine this morning. Six, that's actually six. The theme of this text this morning, as you will see quickly, is that Christ is superior to the angels? Christ is superior to the angels. And I begin by asking a question: what is your view of angels? What is your view of angels? I can tell you what our culture generally thinks of angels and how they are portrayed in movies, for instance. Do angels look like an old man and take you on a journey through an alternate reality to restore your appreciation for what you have and bring you back to your former joy, i.e., it's a wonderful life. Do angels come to Earth and look a lot like Nicolas Cage and end up falling in love with a human? I'm not sure what that movie is, but I'm pretty sure that's an actual movie. I didn't make that up. As much as I appreciate movies like It's a Wonderful Life, it and many others demonstrate our innate ability to distort spiritual things into our own image. And the trouble comes when these distortions actually frame our beliefs about something, and we end up trusting in or believing in an image that is false. This is, of course, happening today, but it is nothing new. The Jewish people, at the time that this letter was written, held an unhealthy view of angels. They were given far greater emphasis than God ever intended, and the writer of Hebrews is correctly reframing the angels and putting them in their proper place in the kingdom of God. The largest part of this effort is to put Christ in his proper place in relation to the angels, so that we come away with an ordered view of God's heavenly kingdom and an appropriate adoration of the only one worthy to be worshipped and adored. And the reason for properly reframing or reframing the relationship between Christ and the angels right at the beginning of the book of Hebrews, it will become more clear as we get into the letter. But we can start by looking at Stephen, not Stephen Fox, but Stephen who was stoned to death, specifically right before he was stoned to death. In Acts 7, verse 53, reread. You don't have to turn there, that Stephen says, of the Jews who are about to stone him, you who received the law as delivered by the angels and did not keep it. So we see then that the Jews held the understanding that it was the angels who delivered to them or mediated to them the law, which was the old covenant. And this is supported by Hebrews 2, when the writer of Hebrews says that the message declared by the angels proved to be true. And he goes on to say that in that every transgression received a just retribution, again, the law. So what is essentially being exposed here in their unhealthy emphasis on the angels and the covenant that the angels mediated is that this message, right, telling to the Jews, this message that you hold so dear, actually condemns you. Because every act of disobedience according to this message delivered by the angels, which you hold so dear, will be punished. These angels, then, that you have lifted up, this law and your obedience to it that you cherish is going to condemn you if something superior doesn't come along. But something did, or someone superior did come along. And this one is not an angel. Nor does he mediate the law, but something greater. Something better. Something that will not condemn us, but offer to us salvation and life. Tell us more then about this one greater than the angels. That is the response that the writer of Hebrews hopes that we have, and the heart with which we must read. So, and that is why we're here this morning, obviously, and what God willing we will do is discover this one who is greater than the angels. So stand with me once more this morning while we read Hebrews 1, starting in verse 4. Having become as much superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs. For to which of the angels did God ever say, You are my son, today I have begotten you. Or again, I will be to him a father, and he shall be to me a son. And again, when he brings the firstborn into the world, he says, Let all God's angels worship him. Of the angels, he says, he makes his angels winds, and his ministers a flame of fire. But of the Son, he says, Your throne, O God, is forever and ever. The scepter of uprightness is the scepter of your kingdom. You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness, therefore, God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness beyond your companions. This is the word of the Lord. Lord, we pray again and ask that you would speak, Lord, for Christ's sake and his glory. It's in his name that I pray. Amen. Many times through the book of Genesis, we discussed the significance of a name, right? Again, we discussed the significance of a name. A name represents an identity of the one named. That's, again, review. As we begin this morning, then I want you to see the obvious, and that is that the and that is not that the name of Christ makes him superior. It's not just that the name of Christ makes him superior, but rather his great name reflects the reality of his supremacy or his superiority. Christ is superior to the angels, and that's a fact, right? Christ is superior to the angels, and as a result of him being the second person of the Godhead, God himself. And the Father shows us that identity and how he communicates the name of the Son. Okay? And the writer of the Hebrew uses two Old Testament passages to illustrate this point. And keep in mind that these are Old Testament passages that the author is explaining are about Jesus Christ. These words of God are concerning Christ. And this is important for the early Christian Jews to be reminded again that the Old Testament is communicating about Christ. Christ is the fulfillment of the Old. Everything there in the Old Testament is talking about Him. And this is extremely important when we begin to look at the law versus the gospel. And that certainly won't be the last time I bring that up. If the name of Christ is that important, then, and if everything in the old is really pointing to him, then the message he delivers should be considered of great or greatest importance. And it certainly is. But let's look at these first two passages that lay the foundation of the better name of Christ. And the first of these passages is Psalms 2, verse 7. He says, You are my son, today I have begotten you. And if we consider the whole of Psalm 2, we find that it is a psalm about the sovereignty of God over those who plot or plan against him. The sovereignty of God over those who plot against him. And it is here that we are told that the kings of the earth take counsel together to scheme against the Lord and his anointed. He trembles in fear of the kings of the earth's scheming, right? Is that what he does? Of course not. It says in Psalms 2 that he who sits in heaven laughs. He who sits in heaven laughs. The God in heaven laughs at such foolish planning. And the vain attempts of those who are against him. Saying, I have set my king on Zion, my holy hill. Plan all you want to overthrow the sovereignty of God, it will be in vain because the Father has placed his king in Zion. And who is this king? Who is this king who the plotting against brings laughter to God? It is his son. His only begotten son. So this is the author of Hebrews saying that Jesus Christ has been given a name that can never be said of the angels. And never was given to anyone else. Jesus is the Son of God, the King of Zion. And not only that, but this begotten Son of God is the hinge upon which the judgment of God swings. Reject the Son. And the wrath of the Father is kindled quickly against you. And you will perish in the way. Receive the Son, and you will find blessing and refuge. Can that be said of the angels? Surely not. This can only be said of the Son of God, Jesus Christ. And this is a truth and a connection that the Apostle Paul made as well in Acts 13, verse 32, saying, And we bring you the good news that what God promised to the fathers, this he has fulfilled to us, their children, by raising Jesus. As also it is written in the second Psalm, You are my Son, today I have begotten you. So he, Paul quotes Psalm 2 as well. And Paul emphasizes further in Romans 1, saying that Jesus was declared to be the Son of God, in power according to the spirit of holiness by his resurrection from the dead. Again, this name of Christ as the Son of God. So it is through the whole counsel of Jesus' work, then, that we see him having a nature and a name that is above the angels, a name that is above all names. Okay? The Son of God, the better name of Christ. And secondly, Hebrews references 2 Samuel 7, verse 14, saying, I will be to him a father, and he shall be to me a son. Okay, and this is such a bold statement and has so many implications when you consider it within the context of 2 Samuel. And if you know anything about 2 Samuel, and if you've read it, that understanding then that the writer of Hebrews is telling us that 2 Samuel is actually talking about Christ. So what did 2 Samuel was actually talking about? Well, King David had the realization that while he was living in a cedar house, right? David was living in this very nice cedar house, the ark of God was still in tent. And David wished to rectify that by building a great temple for the Lord. But God spoke to Nathan the prophet and said this to him, and quote, this is from 2 Samuel chapter 7, and I will give you rest from all your enemies. Moreover, the Lord declares to you that the Lord will make you a house, that the Lord will make you a house. When your days are fulfilled and you lie down with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring after you, who shall come from your body, and I will establish his kingdom. He shall build a house for my name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. I will be to him a father, and he shall be to me a son. And these words from God were in the short term, speaking of Solomon, right, who we know did build that house. But Hebrews is showing us that what God is really communicating there is that not only is Jesus Christ the true Son of God mentioned, right? But that Christ is the Son who builds the house of God. Christ builds the house of God. This Son, this offspring of God, will establish the true kingdom, and his throne will be forever. Of which angel can it be said that he is building a temple, or that he is a temple-building kingdom establishing son, who will give us rest from all our enemies. There is none but Christ alone. That is said of none but Christ. So continuing with our text, the second reason that the author gives to demonstrate the supremacy of Christ of the angels is that God requires the angels to worship him. God requires all worship him, Christ. This is verse 6 of our text. And again, when he brings the firstborn into the world, he says, Let all God's angels worship him. Let all God's angels worship him. It also could be a reference to Psalms 97. Psalm 97.7 says the same thing. I will make my arrows drunk with blood, and my sword shall devour flesh. Strong words. And we may say, though, that angels do bring forth the judgment of God against wickedness. Think of Sodom and Gomorrah, or the judgment against Egypt in the days of Moses. And the angels show mercy, don't they? And that is correct. The difference, though, is that the judgment and mercy of the angels is not everlasting. And nowhere are the angels commanded to be worshipped as Christ is. On the contrary, when Christ was born, Luke tells us that a multitude of heavenly hosts, that is, an innumerable amount of heavenly beings, perhaps the largest choir ever assembled, sang among the heavens, glory to God, at the advent of Christ. The angels rejoiced at the open tomb after the resurrection of Christ. The angels rejoiced when Christ went back up to heaven and his ascension, and the angels will forever worship him on his throne, numbering myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands, saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb who was slain to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing. Revelation 5, 11. Christ receives this level of worship not because he is a little better than the angels, but because he created the angels. He is the God of the angels. He is God Himself. Which makes it even more amazing that Christ was made for a little while lower than the angels, so that he could complete the task of redemption and salvation. Despite the fact, though, that Christ took on this human nature for our sake, it is clear all throughout Scripture that the heavens never questioned who Christ was. There was never a doubt as to who he was. He was and is God, worthy of our worship and our lives. Okay, and our final point then this morning from the text is that Christ is sovereign. Christ is sovereign. And I want to be careful when we are elevating Christ above the angels, which I hope we're doing and as we should, but we do not diminish the value or the power of the angels. And our text doesn't allow us to do that. Because of the angels, he says, this is verse 7, he makes his angels winds, and his ministers a flame of fire. Millions of people in the southern U.S. will confess this morning the devastating power of the wind. And the wind, though it is unseen, moves with an invisible, sometimes unimaginable force. Think of Job and the great wind that struck the house that his children were in and killed them. Wind is nothing to be trifled with. So to compare the angels to wind is really saying something. Further, they are a flame of fire, which is to say they are powerful and full of fury. Every time an angel makes himself visible to humans in the Bible, the response is to be stricken with fear and with a temptation to worship them. Okay? All that is to say that the quickness with which the angels exact God's command and the power they implore in that duty is nothing short of terrifying. However, of the Son, he says, your throne, O God, is forever and ever. The scepter of uprightness is the scepter of your kingdom. As awe-inspiring and terrifying as the angels are, they are but a reflection of the glory and power of a sovereign God on the throne. As powerful as these angelic ministers are, they are just that ministers to the throne. Servants of the sovereign Christ, whose throne is forever and ever. How great! How terrifying must Christ be in glory that He commands an innumerable host of these angels. What an awesome God we worship and serve. Let me further support the sovereignty of Christ. Over the angels and over all things, by referencing a passage in Isaiah, one that we frequently quote in these coming months. For unto us a child is born. To us a son is given. And the government shall be upon his shoulders, and his name shall be called wonderful counselor, mighty God, everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and the peace, there will be no end on the throne of David and over his kingdom to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The sovereignty of Christ can be a terrifying thing to consider. But it doesn't have to be. Isaiah prophesied the positive aspect of Christ's sovereignty. He has placed the government on his shoulder. And he will bring everlasting peace. He will uphold justice, and with him righteousness will have no end. The sovereignty of Christ is an incredibly comforting fact for those who are on his side, for those who trust him. But how can it be that the person of Jesus Christ is sovereign over all things? How can this be that a person, Jesus Christ, can be sovereign over all things? And I think I've made this point clear enough, but here is again in our text, so it is worth repeating. From our text, you have loved righteousness and hated wickedness, therefore God, your God, has anointed you. And then up a little bit further up in that, this is verse 8, your throne, O God, is forever and ever. What that statement amounts to from Psalm 45 is the reality that Christ, the person, is one with God. Christ is sovereign over the angels, and Christ is sovereign over all things, because Christ is God. And we know this without question because Christ Himself made this claim on many occasions, but perhaps most clearly in Luke 24. Verse 44. Then he said to them, These are my words that I spoke to you while I was with you, that everything written about me and the law of Moses and the prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled. Then he opened their minds to understand the scriptures. Don't miss what Christ says there. What greater declaration of sovereignty can there be that everything that has ever been said concerning God's will and God's plan of redemption is about Christ? Even more, Christ then by his divine power opens the minds of the disciples to see this, to see what was previously cloudy. Namely, that everything is about him. Everything finds its end in the death and resurrection of Christ, which is the final act or final fulfillment of everything that had previously been said. Everything. Now go and tell people who I am and what I have done. This is what Christ says. And this is why we're here each week, right? Because of the better name of Christ. The name that is to be worshipped, and the name that is sovereign over all. The wonderful counselor, the mighty God, the everlasting Father, our Prince of Peace. So, as always, a few points of application. As we close, first the text commands us to find our salvation in none other than this one who is superior to the angels. We find our salvation in none other than this one Christ who is superior to the angels. There are many things we fear in life, right? I could run through a number of them, but that would really only add to a list that you probably already keep close to you every day. What you fear. I need to remind us, though, that the one who is superior to the angels is superior to everything else, including that list that you keep with you. The only real fear is to be separated from God. Because in his grace everything else has been redeemed and is currently being renewed. Fortunately for us all, today is the day of salvation. Hear the words of Christ. All that the Father gives me will come to me. And whoever comes to me I will never cast out. For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will, but the will of him who sent me. And this is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me. But raise it up on the last day. For this is the will of the Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in Him should have eternal life. And I will raise him up on the last day. Where are you looking for your salvation? In whom or in what are you believing in to give you eternal life? It must be Christ or it is nothing. You must look on the Son and believe in Him. And I pray that the grace of God opens our hearts to see Him. For the first time or the millionth time. Because it is only in Christ we will find salvation and peace. Secondly, the text points us to our new eternal family. In verse 5, there was referenced more than once this concept of Father and Son. Not as though the Son Christ is inferior to God the Father, but the language is used to illustrate this to us, this kind of family that God is redeeming. Paul says in Colossians, speaking about Christ, and he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. Christ is not simply the sovereign or preeminent one over all creation. He is that, but not just that. And he could be just that, and he would not be any less God, but he is more than that. He is the beginning of something more, Christ is. He's the firstborn from the dead. Christ is the firstborn son over a new creation. And God the Father in Christ has begun a new creation, a new family that has been redeemed in Christ and one which he will live with again forever. Just like in the beginning, before sin entered in, but this new family, in this new family, there will be no sin, nor will there be any potential for sin. It will be endless paradise. A perfect life with our perfect Redeemer. Where joy and happiness will never cease. Come, Lord Jesus, and bring us to that happy ending. Finally, in connection with the second point, the text calls us to look in faith to glory. To look in faith to glory. The last words that we read there were illustrating that Christ is bringing us into joy and gladness. Bringing us into joy and gladness. I know it may not seem like it now, but glory is coming. Isaiah 61, 1 to 3. Again, speaking of Christ. The Spirit of the Lord is upon me because the Lord has anointed me to bring the good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all those who mourn, to grant to those who mourn in Zion, to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit, that they may be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the Lord that he may be glorified. Glory is coming. Hear the good news this morning and receive it with gladness. Praise be to Christ. That he is superior. And because he is, we can experience joy without end by trusting in the one who is superior to the angels. Amen. We thank you for the better name in Christ, Lord. The better identity in Christ, Lord. The superiority of Christ, Lord, his sovereignty. We worship him this morning as we should. We thank you for him, Lord. And I pray and ask that you would help us to trust in him alone, Lord. May our fears and our doubts melt away under the weight of God's glory and goodness to us in Christ. Ask all these things in the name of Jesus. Amen.