Glorious Christ

4/3/2022, Hebrews 1:1-14; BCBC/IOUC; Rev. Paul Wang

  Introduction

The book of Habakkuk brought tears to my eyes as I saw Russia bombing Ukraine wildly, causing the lives of Ukrainians to be devastated. I am deeply heartbroken and unbearable. I am well aware of the ugliness and cruelty of war, and life falls and disappears like a mustard! Thank the Lord, starting today, God will bring us comfort and hope through Hebrews, starting from knowing Christ.  Glorious Christ,  let’s look at the first point:

 Transcends all things

Most of us are unfamiliar with the glory of God, agree?  For the concept of all things,  it is limited to the scope of our sensory cognition.  How does the glorious Christ, the glory of Christ, transcend all things? First, Christ sustains his creation. I recently got in touch with an old friend of nearly 50 years, when he talked about the illusion of life,  he said that’s why people will go to religion to find the answer.   As I said, it is not religion,  but truth, and faith.  Why?  Because Christ, who is called the way, the truth, and the life,  is not only the creator, but also the mighty defender who sustains all things!   There is no God but Him!  In other words, only the creator is worthy of being called God!  You didn’t create all things in the universe,  so why take the Lord’s name in vain?  It is no wonder that since ancient times,   those who want people to call him long lived,  rob God’s glory, and steal all kinds of honors have always had a bad end!

Second, Christ is much superior to the angels.  This is because in the early church,   or ever since,  there were always people who were going to worship the angels.   To this day, some denominations still believe in some special powers of angels, so they have a heart of reverence.  Paul says here: “So he became as much superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is superior to theirs. (Hebrews 1:4)”   What is the difference?  Angels were created by God,   and Christ the Son was born of God the Father.   Being born, He is of the same substance and glory,   of the same dignity, of the same attributes,  of the same divinity,  and of a different person as God the Father.  Angels are different.  Angels are created,   and angels are only servants of God.  Angels don’t even have the ability to understand God’s plan of salvation, but people made in His image and likeness can receive the wonder of God’s salvation through Christ’s death.

Finally, Christ was born of the only firstborn of the Father. I think we may have heard some kind of “Jewishism” in recent years,  that is, placing Jews in an inappropriate position, or converting to Judaism, or treating Jews as the firstborn of God.  Have you heard of it?   I would like to clarify here today through the Bible,  that only Christ can be called the firstborn of God.  The Israelites are God’s people together with us, please don’t frame God’s chosen people for unrighteousness!   When God sends his firstborn Christ into the world again,   all the angels of God will worship him!   When John saw the angel on Patmos, he wanted to kneel down and worship it, but the angel hurriedly stopped him and said, “You must not worship me!”  Only God is worthy of worship!  Let’s look at the second point:

 Transcends morality

Faith is easily confused by morality, and sometimes it is not clear what is faith and what is morality,  right?  Morality without faith, at best, produces civilization, but will eventually perish.   Or to occupy the commanding heights that make people feel that they have ideals, dreams, morals, high positions, and interests.  But the morality of faith is transcendent and points to eternal life.  First, love righteousness.  The biggest misunderstanding or blind spot of human beings in the face of righteousness is self-righteousness, thinking that they are righteous.  Russia thinks that its opposition to NATO’s eastward expansion is righteous and right,   and it can even stand on the commanding heights of Russia’s morality  and launch a war of aggression against Ukraine.  Putin probably thought he could do what he did in the past with Georgia and Crimea,   and the whole world should bow to him. Why doesn’t it work this time?   Assuming that he is also puzzled: how can you treat me so unfriendly?  How dare you punish me?   Call me a war criminal?  This is really unforgivable!   I guess Putin may have misunderstood, thinking that he can represent and execute justice!  He can only love righteousness   and seek righteousness in what God and man love!  Mr. Putin really thinks too much.

Second, hate wickedness.  No matter under what kind of the pretense of demilitarization and Denazification,  people commit murder and arson,  rape and loot, steal and abduct,  brutally destroy,  attack civilian facilities,  and bombard hospital, church, and residential buildings.   These are all evil.  If people turn a deaf ear to evil and dare not say no to evil because of their prejudices and preferences, then it is not a matter of belief, but basic common sense of human nature.   Of course, there have been times in history when people were cheated, deceived, and even expressed support for fascism.   Of course, God will lead His people to eventually get out of confusion and enter the truth.  Hating sin and loving sinners at the same time. This is the most basic biblical principle.  Russia cannot set up a court, justify itself, and start a war because of Ukraine’s problems, nor will Ukraine be completely righteous because of Russia’s aggression.

Finally, cherish the anointing.  Next, Paul says, “Therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions by anointing you with the oil of joy. (Hebrews 1:9)”   This is the mystery of God’s choice.  He is telling us what kind of people He will choose.  Those who love righteousness and hate sin. This verse has the meaning of “two pointings”:  First, it means that Jesus Christ is the incarnated Lord, chosen and sent by the Father, who anointed Him more than others.  The other refers to those who follow the will of the Father, especially those who are sent to preach the gospel.  How beautiful are their feet!   Our choice is to cherish blessings, or to destroy and damage the grace God bestowed upon you again and again?  Let’s look at the third point:

  Transcends eternity

The glory of God not only transcends all things,  transcends morality,  but also transcends eternity!  What is the concept of eternity?   Maybe humans don’t have the ability to define, explain, and understand.  First, Christ created space and time. One thing we must be clear about is that our knowledge of God is limited by the time and space in which we live.  What is heaven? What is earth?  What year was it in the first place?  Even the heavens and the earth will gradually become obsolete and disappear,  but God is eternal and ever-new.  In fact, these descriptions, these terms, and these words are abstract concepts and may not necessarily be expressed in empirical terms.  Actually, what Paul means here is that we should view life from the perspective of God’s creation of time and space.  Heaven and earth belong to Him, so do you still have to be so attached to your career, money, fame and fortune?  What about winning the lottery?  How about finding a job, or losing a job?  Are you satisfied when your children pleased you?

Second, Christ renews heaven and earth.   I’m not saying that everything in this world is unimportant, but that it means nothing without being connected to the Lord!  The Lord is the vine, and we are the branches.  If it were not a branch connected to the Lord, He would cut it off with scissors.  Cut off the unfruitful branches, and He will.  How to do? Be transformed by the renewing of mind, in harmony with the rhythm of Christ’s renewal of heaven and earth!  If you believe in the Lord, you cannot do nothing.  Every day, you must forget what is behind, work hard in front of you  and strain toward what is ahead of Jesus Christ.

Finally, Christ turned the firmament.  Yes, the firmament is turned by Christ,   and only He can turn it.  When He will return, only God the Father knows on this day,  and we don’t have to worry about it.  The premise of not guessing is to believe that He is the Lord who turns the sky!  Then, we can be peaceful and secure and return to rest!   To live each day as if it were the day when the Lord will return is to watch.  To be vigilant is not to not sleep, but to meet and face each day God has given you with the heart of Jesus Christ.

 Conclusion

Well, dear brothers and sisters, the glory of Christ is in His incarnation, death on the cross, His resurrection and ascension.  The glorious Christ is in His transcendence of all things, eternity and morality!  Because only He is the one “who is, and who was, and who is to come”!

Let us pray……

 

Hebrews 1:1-14

1 In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, 

2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe. 

3 The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven. 

4 So he became as much superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is superior to theirs.

5 For to which of the angels did God ever say, “You are my Son; today I have become your Father”?  Or again, “I will be his Father, and he will be my Son”?

6 And again, when God brings his firstborn into the world, he says, “Let all God’s angels worship him.”

7 In speaking of the angels he says, “He makes his angels spirits, and his servants flames of fire.”

8 But about the Son he says, “Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever; a scepter of justice will be the scepter of your kingdom.

9 You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions by anointing you with the oil of joy.”

10 He also says, “In the beginning, Lord, you laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands.

11 They will perish, but you remain; they will all wear out like a garment.

12 You will roll them up like a robe; like a garment they will be changed.  But you remain the same, and your years will never end.”

13 To which of the angels did God ever say, “Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet”?

14 Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?