Aim: The choice we make in accepting Christ in this life is an eternity-long decision
Introduction:
Our lessons the last couple of weeks have been very interesting. See, the road map is changing. Prior to Jesus and Peter, Paul and Barnabas, the path you took in life and beyond was largely based on the path you were born on. There were many different paths, heading many different directions, but they seldom crossed. You rarely got the opportunity to choose your path. (I’m going to draw some lines, some straight, almost parallel, but mostly winding in different directions.) But even then there was only one path to God.
But with Jesus paying the price for the sins of the whole world it has changed. Everybody is at the same point, we’ll call it NOW (I’m going to draw something that looks like a wheel hub and spokes). But here is the difference, we all get to choose which path we take. Any path gets us to the end (where we die), but only one path keeps going after that to spend forever with God. But you get the choose. It isn’t what family you were born to or what language you speak, it is how you decide.
So where does it all start, well let’s look at our lesson this week, we start in Hebrews 1:1
First division: Hebrews 1:1-3 – Jesus is the only son of God
1:1-2a God speaks to us through the prophets and now through His Son Jesus
1:2b-3a Jesus is heir of all, creator of all, the radiance and exact image of God’s glory, and sustainer of all
1:3b Jesus saved us from sin and reigns in heaven at the right hand
Principle: To know Jesus is to know God
Illustration: I’m going to bring in a chest X-ray and show a picture of my heart. This is the only way I can see my heart. In a similar way Jesus is an exact image of God. He isn’t like God, like this X-ray isn’t like my heart. He is God the same way that this is my heart.
Application: Do you know about Jesus or do you know Jesus? If someone asked you to describe Jesus would it be as an acquaintance, friend or a member of the family? How long could you talk to someone about your Lord?
Division 2: Hebrews 1:4-14 Angels are messengers and ministering spirits. Jesus is both the giver of the gift and the gift itself. He is God.
1:4-5 Jesus is superior to angels by name and birthright
1: 6 Angels worship Jesus
1:7-13 Jesus was the creator and He is eternal, God, Ruler
1:14 All angels are ministering spirits to the elect
Principle: Angels serve, Jesus saves
Illustration: If you were captured in a foreign country and thrown into prison, it would be great to have people from your homeland that come and help you and protect you and bring messages from home. But it is even better when the “big guy” comes and gets you out of prison. All believers (current and future) are foreigners on this earth. This is just a temporary home. Angels are sent by God to help and protect us, but only Jesus sets us free.
Application: Do you think of angels as messengers of God or in some other way? Do you thank God for the angels he sends to minister to you?
Third Division: Hebrews 2:1-4 Warning to pay heed
2:1 Pay attention so you don’t drift away
2:2-3a Aside from salvation we can’t have justification
2:3b-4 Jesus announced salvation, Apostles taught it, God showed it (signs/miracles) we experience it in the Gifts of the Spirit. There are no excuse for not believing!
Illustration: I think about a little boat tied to a big boat. Now, if I like the comfort of being able to participate in some stuff on the big boat, I may tie my small boat to it. But maybe I don’t want to be too associated with the big boat. May be some of my friends aren’t tied to the boat at all and I don’t want to be different, so I might still tie onto the big boat, but not too tightly and not too close. And while things are calm, that may have no repercussions. But things don’t stay calm in life. They get stormy and when they do and I’m way far away with a really long rope, I start to drift and I might just drift right up into rocks or other dangers. The only safe place is being directly connected to God’s ship.
Application: what are you waiting for to tie the knot? How tightly are you cinched up to God’s boat? What areas of your life are still adrift? Who do you need to throw a rope to that is drifting into the rocks?
Conclusion:
Jesus has fulfilled a new covenant. Salvation is through faith in Him alone and we all get to choose. If you are unsure about your choice and whether you are on the right path, BSF has a pamphlet called the “Steps to Assurance.” Read it. This isn’t something you want to be pretty sure about since it last forever. Be certain in your salvation.
The Notes are Good 