1/6/08 – He’s No Angel
For as long as we can remember there have been stories about gods, demons, and angels. According to scripture spiritual beings were around before the creation of the world. Some have concluded that Jesus is one of these angels. Some have even suggested that Jesus and Lucifer were “brothers” and that like Cain and Abel they had a falling out. Hebrews tells us that Jesus is no angel – Jesus is the firstborn, son of God! There is none like him and when you join with Jesus – you become like him! Think about what that means for today – and for tomorrow.
Beginning today we are starting a study of the book of Hebrews. This study will be an expositional study. We won’t be going through the letter verse by verse but we will be going through the text as it is written by the author and letting it reveal to us God’s message for us today.
This is an important message written to Jewish Christians who had, because of persecution by the Jewish leaders, been flung all over the Roman Empire – where they were often misunderstood. These believers were facing some very tough times. Hebrews was written to encourage them – and it will encourage you greatly!
I’ve been working on this series for about 3 months and I’m excited about what we are going to learn together. To help you gain a good understanding of this important letter I have prepared a notebook for you to use. Each Sunday I’ll be printing up a one page addition to the note book for you to add to your notes. I’ve also prepared a DVD guide with additional material for our life groups to use if they like. If you are not part of a life group and would like to get involved – please let me know. If you you would be willing to host a life group and go though this study with some others – please let me know. We’ll get you started right away!
Do you remember the good old days?
Before there were cell phones, email, text messaging? Do you remember what it was like to get a letter in the mail – that wasn’t a bill or an advertisement?
Mankind has always found ways of communicating; modern technology has invented a web of communication tools that mean people can keep in touch wherever they are: Mobile phones and texting are part of everyday life; Millions of emails are exchanged daily across the world; and People are networking on sites likes MSN, Facebook & MySpace.
Besides all of this we have broadcast television, cable television, videos, movies, radio, newspapers, magazines, and bill boards. Every where we look there are messages. I noticed that one of the earphones on a football coaches head said in big letters – to be seen by the TV viewers – ALLTELL. I noticed that another headset had a big Motorola emblem. Every where I look there are messages… The problem is that we are saturated by so many messages that most of them don’t seem to get through so well anymore.
So the messages get louder, steamier, raunchier, and sometime just more confusing. About ½ of the commercials I see on TV leave me wondering what they are advertising – I just don’t get the message.
So where does that leave God and how he might get you a message. How would he send a message so you would be sure to get it, hear it, and understand it?
God wants to get YOU an important message…
So what does he do?
In the past God spoke to our forefathers 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
He sends the message through a variety of people through the ages.
In the past God spoke through a great number of people and in a lot of different ways. He spoke through men like Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, Elijah, Elisha, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Micah, and a host of others. God delivered messages in dreams, visions, signs, wonders, miracles, and even direct communication through his angels.
Abraham heard from the angel of the Lord.
Jacob had a dream with angels climb up and down a ladder from heaven.
Moses stood at a burning bush – that didn’t burn and watched as the finger of God carved the Ten Commandments into stone.
Elijah was carried away by a chariot of fire.
Ezekiel saw dry bones gather up into an army of God.
In all of these and many other ways God delivered his message of love, hope, peace, and favor towards human kind. Yet, we have found ways to ignore and forget these messages. They have drifted from reality into history; from history into folklore; from folklore into mythology; from mythology into fairy tales; and from fairy tales to faded and forgotten stories. Try as God might to deliver to us the message of love we have not heard it…
But in these last days he has spoke to us by his son!
God has given humanity one last gift. He has delivered to us one last message. He is that message.
All of the letter to the Hebrew people is written with this at its theme. This is important because it speaks very powerfully to one simple fact – you are important to God. So important that he sent his only son – to get you a message – “I love you.”
Jesus
Before we speak of what Jesus is not… let us speak of what and who Jesus is. The author of this letter has written that Jesus
… Is heir of all things
Jesus is going to inherit it all. It’s all his – because his Father God owns it – and now it belongs to Jesus – by right of sonship.
Jesus
… Made the universe
John 1:1 tells us that Jesus was the instrument of creation. He spoke and the universe came into being. I don’t mean to get off on this but it amazes me that those who would deny God and point to evolution as the source all life ignore all the evidences of an intelligent design. This is no accident and billions of years don’t make the accident more probable.
Jesus
… Is the radiance of God’s glory
The word used in the original language speaks of light shining out from the source or a ray of light that comes from the fiery brightness of the sun in the skies.
Moses had asked God “Now show me your glory” (Exodus 33:18) and God had answered…..”You cannot see my face, for no-one can see me and live” (Exodus 33:20)
Then Jesus comes along and says ‘Now you can see God’s glory and live!’
Jesus
… Is the exact representation of God
Like Father – Like Son. The word used her is an imprint. Jesus is the exact reproduction of the original God in human flesh. He is exactly like the father God in every way. Think of an engraving that is used to stamp out a mark or an impression in metal or leather. Jesus is the mark of God in flesh and blood..
Jesus
… Sustains all things by his powerful word.
That shouldn’t surprise considering that he spoke all things into existence in the beginning. Now, everything holds together by his word.
In the second movie Terminator one of the guys in it is holding on to a heavy switch that is wired to a bomb. As long as he holds it closed with his hand it won’t go off but he was badly wounded and as he breaths his last breath the switch opens and the world blows up.
I think of our world as being wired for destruction. It waits until our Lord returns and when he does the switch will open and the oceans will boil, the mountain peaks will melt into lava, and fire will consume all that there is. It hasn’t happened yet because of his powerful word. That’s our Lord.
Jesus
… Provided purification for sins
He came as a baby boy. He lived as an ordinary man. He died as a condemned sinner. He gave his life for our redemption. He was the sacrificial lamb. His blood was shed on a cross so that we wouldn’t have to pay the penalty for sin. And Jesus…
Jesus
… Is now seated at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven
All of this is to point out with absolute authority that Jesus is no angel!
Jesus Is No Angel
All of the next few things we learn are taught in contrast to angels. Jesus is different it great many ways. Here are just a few.
Jesus Is No Angel: His name is superior
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Isaiah 9:6
His name is the name of God. It comes from God and no angel has a name that even comes close! Even his name is superior to Michael, Gabriel, and far superior to even the name of Lucifer.
Angels of God
Michael: “Who is like God?”
patron angel of Israel, first mentioned by name in Dan. 10:13, 21; 12:1. In the nt he is mentioned in Jude 9, where he contends with the devil for the body of Moses, and in Rev. 12:7, where he is at war with the dragon.
Gabriel: “Warrior of God”
one of the archangels in Jewish and early Christian thought. In the ot, Gabriel appears only in Dan. 8:15-26 and 9:21-27, and, in the nt, only in Luke 1:11-20, 26-38. In these passages, Gabriel appears as a messenger (‘angel’) from God and an interpreter for the people to whom he is sent. announced the coming of Jesus
Lucifer: “Shining One” or “Day Star”
The shiny one in Isaiah 1:14 – Lucifer is more of a description than a name. He is called Satan – the adversary; and Diabolos – the accuser or slanderer; Jesus called him “Beelzebub” – Lord of the dung.
His name is wonderful – for it is the name of God.
Jesus Is No Angel: He is the son of God
Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.
Isaiah 7:14
God never said that to any of the angels. They aren’t related to the father – they are created by him. Their work is to do God’s bidding.
They aren’t sons – they are servants. The word angel means messenger of God.
There many different kinds of angels mentioned in the Bible. Cherubim and Seraphim are just two kinds of angels specifically mentioned in scripture. They are beyond number and come in multitudes.
1. They are mentioned 273 times in 34 biblical books.
2. They were all created by God. Gen. 2:1; Neh. 9:6; Eph. 3:9; Col. 1:16
3. They report directly to God. Job 1:6; 2:1
4. They were present at the Creation of the world. Job 38:1, 4, 7
5. They announced Jesus’ birth to the shepherds. Luke 2:10–14
6. They do not marry. Matt. 22:30
7. They were created to live forever. Rev. 4:8
8. Their purpose is to glorify God. Rev. 4:8
9. Some angels help human beings. Heb. 1:14
10. Some angels harm human beings. Mark 5:1–5
11. They are spirit beings. Ps. 104:4; Heb. 1:7, 14
12. They are invisible beings. Rom. 1:18–32; Col. 2:18; Rev. 19:10; 22:9
13. They are innumerable. Deut. 33:2; Ps 68:17; Dan. 7:9–10; Matt. 26:53; Heb. 12:22; Rev. 5:11
14. They possess intelligence. Dan. 9:21–22; 10:14; Rev. 19:10; 22:8–9
15. They possess will. Isa. 14:12–15; Jude 6
16. They display joy. Job 38:7; Luke 2:13
17. They display desire. 1 Pet. 1:12
18. They are stronger than men. Ps. 103:20; 2 Thess. 1:7; 2 Pet. 2:11
19. They are more intelligent than men. Dan. 9:21–22; 10:14
20. They are swifter than men. Dan. 9:21; Rev.14:6
21. They are not omnipresent. Dan. 10:12
22. They are not omnipotent. Dan. 10:13; Jude 9
23. They are not omniscient. Matt. 24:36
24. Some are cherubim. Ezek. 1:1–28; 10:20
25. Some are seraphim. Isa. 6:1–8
26. The majority remained true to God. Rev. 5:11–12
27. They will join all believers in the heavenly Jerusalem. Heb. 12:22–23
Jesus Is No Angel: He is the firstborn of God
He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.
Colossians 1:15-17
God never called any of the angels his first born. The term first born is one that refers to a person who is in all senses like you and is closest to you. Jesus is the firstborn of God and is like God in every way. Angels are created beings and are not like God at all.
We are like God, angels are not – but more about that next week.
He is the Eternal King
Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever; a scepter of justice will be the scepter of your kingdom.
Psalms 45:6
Angels are winds
sent here and there – God’s flaming servants.
Angels are God’s servants who travel like the wind
They are the servants of God.
But Jesus has a throne that will last forever and ever
He is set above his companions
Annointed like David but set apart and above his companion kings
Jesus will remain forever ageless
Jesus sits at the right hand of God until his enemies are made his footstool.
Angels are sent to serve those who will inherit salvation
That may well be Lucifer’s problem – his jealousy of Jesus and all of humanity
But they are not worthy of worship – they are created to worship and serve the creator and mighty God. He is to be worshiped by the angels
Jesus is Worthy of Your Worship
“There is an experience of the love of God which, when it comes upon us, and enfolds us, and bathes us, and warms us, is so utterly new that we can hardly identify it with the old phrase, God is love. Can this be the love of God, this burning, tender, wooing, wounding pain of love that pierces the marrow of my bones and burns out old loves and ambitions - God experienced is a vast surprise”
Thomas Kelly
Worship is simply loving God.
Coming to Him on His terms, coming to Him through Jesus Christ, coming to Him corporately on Sundays and coming to Him daily on our own simply to bask in His goodness and love.
Thomas Kelly, an American Quaker missionary, said this:
Worshiping God is not boring. Not in the slightest. Worship services can be boring. Especially when we substitute encountering God on His terms with our own formulas, with the rituals that make us feel comfortable and safe.
I’d like to challenge you to stop coming to worship services here at MCC. I’d like to challenge you to come into this place prepared to simply love God. Love him with the songs we sing and the prayers we pray together. Stop thinking about the patterns and music that is played week after week; and stop focusing on going through the motions.
God want so much more from us than us simply holding worship services. God is calling us to something richer and deeper”.
You see, worship means being honest with God. It means coming to Him wanting something real. Wanting something authentic.
Look around you for a second. This may be surprising, but you are not in a service. You are in an encounter with the living God. You are gathered with the living Body of Christ here in this place and in the midst of an intimate meeting with God, an interlude with the Lover of our Souls!
What will you do with God’s message? What have you done with God’s message? Will you worship him today? Will you live for him for the rest of your life?
This is a new year… make the decision, the resolute decision to be God’s man or woman for the rest of your life and love Jesus with all your heart, soul, mind and strength.
