And to which of the angels has he ever said, “Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet”? Are they not all ministering spirits sent out to serve for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation?

 Hebrews 1

And to which of the angels has he ever said, “Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet”? Are they not all ministering spirits sent out to serve for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation? Hebrews 1:13-14

I continue my study of Hebrews, assisted by the commentary Christ Centered Exposition: Exalting Jesus in Hebrews. My focus this morning is Hebrews 1:13-14, the fourth and final division of 1:1-14 as described by my commentary. The commentary starts by describing how v13 quotes Psalm 110:1 which "communicates that Yahweh promised the Messiah utter dominion over the world."  The commentary then discusses the role of angels in God's kingdom.  Believers should be clear that angels serve God - a key theme for all of v1-14. The commentary shares: "angels are messengers of God and that they carry out his purposes. The angels function as witnesses of major redemptive-historical events, such as the birth of Christ....God works all things for the good of his church (Rom 8:28). This includes the ministry of angels."  The commentary provides a number of examples from scripture how angels function in the service of God, including: after the Fall, standing watch at the "border of the garden of Eden to exact vengeance on anyone who would try to eat from the tree of life," and in Revelation where "Christ will lead an angelic army in the last day to execute his just judgment on the world."  The commentary ends by ensuring believers understand that angels "pale in comparison to the glory of the Redeemer, the Son of God, Jesus Christ."

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are a great God who loves and who is superior to angels in every way, and who reigns over all the universe and everything that inhabits it.  I am amazed that You love me...and saved me...despite my sin.  Thank You Jesus!  I am undeserving of such blessings.  My sin is great and it continues.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith. Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day. 

“You, Lord, laid the foundation of the earth in the beginning, and the heavens are the work of your hands; they will perish, but you remain; they will all wear out like a garment, 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.”

 Hebrews 1

“You, Lord, laid the foundation of the earth in the beginning, and the heavens are the work of your hands; they will perish, but you remain; they will all wear out like a garment, 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.” Hebrews 1:10-12

I continue my study of Hebrews, assisted by the commentary Christ Centered Exposition: Exalting Jesus in Hebrews. My focus this morning is Hebrews 1:7-12, the third division of 1:1-14 as described by my commentary. The commentary shares how v7-12 build on Hebrews author's emphasis that Jesus is greater than angels, describing how language from the text refers to Psalm 45:6-7 and 102:25-27. Key to this division, however is v10-12 which my commentary highlights as "the distinction that exists between the creature and the Creator....The contrast is specifically between things permanent and things temporal. Creation will perish. It will “wear out like clothing.” The Son, on the other hand, will not. The Son is eternal and permanent. Whereas the created order is subject to change, decay, and ultimate destruction, the person of Christ is unending and unchanging. His years have no end. He knows no change."  This distinction is core for believers to understand as an attribute of God and also so that we do not become too enamored with creation but instead enamored with God. Also, the author of Hebrews will ultimately delve deep into what God has done but is setting the stage first by establishing who God is. Understand who God is and be enamored with Him!

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God who loves me and who is full of grace and compassion for me - I know that Your Kingdom lasts forever and that You are saving a place for me in Heaven.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such blessings.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

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.”

 Hebrews 1

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.” Hebrews 1:5-6

I continue my study of Hebrews, assisted by the commentary Christ Centered Exposition: Exalting Jesus in Hebrews. My focus this morning is Hebrews 1:5-6, the second division of 1:1-14 as described by my commentary.  Here, my commentary describes how "[t]hrough the author of Hebrews, the Holy Spirit is providing his own inerrant, infallible commentary on the Old Testament. In other words, we are learning from the author of Hebrews himself the importance of reading Scripture in the light of the rest of Scripture, specifically in the light of the New Testament." The commentary indicates that the following Old Testament passages are quoted/referenced in Hebrews 1:5-6:

• Psalm 2:7
• 2 Samuel 7:14 (within the Davidic Covenant)
• Deuteronomy 32:43
  

The commentary for this division wraps by stating: "[t]he argument is clear. The angels worship Christ; it is not Christ who worships the angels. The angels declare the birth of Christ; it is not Christ who declares the ministry of angels. The angels are not called sons, but that is the very name that Christ himself, the Davidic Messiah, has inherited."

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who blesses me with Yourself as You reveal Yourself generously!  Thank You Jesus that I can come to know You and through this love You!  I am blessed!  Yet I am undeserving of how You bless me.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo, etc.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

...having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs.

 Hebrews 1

...having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs. Hebrews 1:4

I continue my study of Hebrews, assisted by the commentary Christ Centered Exposition: Exalting Jesus in Hebrews. My focus this morning is Hebrews 1:4, the first division of 1:1-14 as described by my commentary.  Prior to an examination of Hebrews 1:4, my commentary highlights how Hebrews opens by focusing on who Jesus is, then moving on to what He has done.  This approach is deemed important, reminding us "to keep first things first. “Who is this Christ?” is the first question we must address when we talk about Jesus."  The commentary then jumps into Hebrews 1:4, explaining that the author of Hebrews devoted energy to discussing angels and how they compare to Jesus because the audience was Jewish and familiar with the Old Testament, and because the Intertestamental Period (or Second Temple Judaism as referred to by my commentary) "demonstrates an intense focus on angels."  My commentary shares that "[d]ue to this fascination with angels, the author of Hebrews, writing to a Jewish audience who was familiar with Second Temple literature, needed to recalibrate the theological understanding of his audience—particularly concerning Christ’s relationship to angels."

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God, and You are more superior than anyone or anything in the universe - You created the universe and all of its inhabitants and You hold all of it in Your hands.  You suffered and died for me and You share Yourself with me - thank You Jesus for all of these blessings and more!  I am not deserving of such blessings.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

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.”

 Hebrews 1

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.” Hebrews 1:8-9

I continue my study of Hebrews, assisted by the commentary Christ Centered Exposition: Exalting Jesus in Hebrews. My focus this morning is an initial observation of Hebrews 1:4-14.  In these verses, the core message is that Jesus sits at the right hand of God in Heaven and is superior to angels because He is God - an exact imprint of the Father (see also post yesterday).  Verse 4 builds on the previous verses and v5 and v13 include rhetorical questions challenging those who don't see Jesus as superior to angels. Verses 6-12 and v13-14 include contrasting attributes (v6, 8-12, 14) of Jesus vs angels (v7, 13).  Core to the entire text this morning are v8-12 where core attributes of God are described, including: permanent nature of His Kingdom (v8, 11-12), upright/righteous (v8), love righteousness and hate sin (v9), anointed above all others (v9), author of creation and Heaven (v10). 

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who speaks to me - thank You Jesus for sharing Yourself with me through Jesus, the Holy Spirit, and Your Word!  I am not deserving of such blessings.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom, energy, and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.  

Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, 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. 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[.]

 Hebrews 1

Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, 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. 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[.] Hebrews 1:1-3

Today, I embark on a study of Hebrews, assisted by the commentary Christ Centered Exposition: Exalting Jesus in Hebrews. My focus this morning is an introduction, overview of the book (letter) and Hebrews 1:1-3.  Page 12 of my commentary asserts that these verses are of course rich with theological doctrine, including:

• God speaks (general and special revelation)
• Creation (Christ is the author of creation)
• Trinity (Jesus is the exact imprint of the Father and the Holy Spirit is God)
• Jesus is the fulfillment of the Old Testament and all-scripture is God-breathed and useful (2 Timothy 3:16-17)
• Christology (the person/humanity of God)
• Atonement

One of the most striking aspects of my study this morning is how God reveals Himself to us - and we are to be thankful for the grace God dispenses by speaking to us.  My commentary shares: "If God did not reveal himself to us in his Word, we would have no knowledge of the meaning of the cross and resurrection of Christ, nor would we have any knowledge of the appropriate response to the gospel. In other words, we could not know God without revelation....It is nothing but pure grace on God’s part for him to speak to us. We do not deserve his life-giving words. If God could not or did not speak, we would be left in darkness and ignorance."  Amazing grace indeed and thank You God!

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God indeed and it is amazing that You reveal Yourself to me - thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such a God.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.   Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from such a sin and turn towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith. Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me.

1 Corinthians 15

But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me. 1 Corinthians 15:10

This morning, my focus is DesiringGod.com's Solid Joys daily devotion, and John Piper urges us to look closely at God's grace for us.  He starts by stating that "[g]race is not only God’s disposition to do good for us when we don’t deserve it. It is an actual power from God that acts and makes good things happen in us and for us."  Piper uses not only 1 Corinthians 15:10 as text to emphasize his message today, but he uses Philippians 2:12-13 where Paul is more explicit how "God...works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure."  Piper wraps the devotion by exhorting us to also see how grace is past and future, and that our proper response to past grace is thankfulness, and faith in response promised grace in the future.  

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God and Your grace is amazing indeed - both past and future!  Thank You for the grace You have already poured out for me and also for the faith You give me for the promised future grace - You are faithful!  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such blessings and grace.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin. Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.