Exploring the wonder that Jesus became a little lower than the angels to bring many to glory, while also now having greater glory than both the angels and humanity.
Hebrews 1:5-14
SERMON OUTLINE
“For to which of the angels did God ever say, ‘You are my Son; today I have become your Father’?” (Hebrews 1:5a)
The Son, Greater than the Angels in Relationship to the Father (Hebrews 1:5-6)
- Psalm 2:7 – enthroned as Son
- 2 Samuel 7:14 – the promised Son of David
- Deuteronomy 32:34 – the Son worshiped by the angels
The Son, Greater than the Angels in Duration (Hebrews 1:7-12)
- Psalm 104:4 – angels are part of creation and changeable
- Psalm 45:6-7 – the Son as God’s representative reigning forever above all others
- Psalm 102:25-27 – The Son as before and after all creation (cf. Hebrews 1:2)
The Son, Greater than the Angels in Exalted Status (Hebrews 1:13-14)
- Psalm 110:1 – messianic expectations fulfilled (cf. Hebrews 1:3)
Responding to Jesus, the King of Angels
- Worship Jesus the Exalted Son
- Put angels – and all other messengers – in their place
- Listen to the message of Jesus, God’s Final Word
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
- What comes to your mind when you think about angels? Would you say you have experience with angels?
- This week, we continue our series, “The Final Word: Knowing Jesus through Hebrews.” Begin your study in prayer, asking God to speak to you through His Word. Then, whether you’re alone or with a group, read Hebrews 1:5-14 aloud.
- Big Picture: In our previous study on Hebrews 1:1-4 the writer described Jesus as superior to the earlier messengers of God, whether prophets or angels. This week’s passage delves more deeply into Jesus’ superiority to angelic beings by referencing seven Old Testament passages.
- Utilizing quotations from Psalm 2:7 and 2 Samuel 7:14, what does the writer say about Jesus in comparison with angels in verse 5?
- In verse 6 Jesus is described as God’s firstborn (πρωτότοκος), which refers to His preeminence over all others. How is Jesus different than the angels according to our author, with reference to Deuteronomy 32:43?
- Beginning with verse 7 through verse 12, the writer contrasts the eternal, unchanging nature of Jesus as compared to the mutability of the angels. How does the reference to the angels from Psalm 104:4 contrast with the references to Jesus from Psalm 45:6-7 and 102:25-27?
- Why do you think it might be important to remember that angels are created beings while Jesus is uncreated and eternal?
- Hebrews, chapter 1, closes with a final contrast between Jesus and angelic beings that returns to Psalm 110, which was alluded to in Hebrews 1:3. What is the contrast here?
- Many people think about angels guarding them or watching over them. What does verse 14 tell us about the role of angels?
- Close your study by reading Hebrews 1:1-4 again. How do verses 5-14 support what the writer is trying to tell us about Jesus?
- What is one thing God is speaking to you through this study of Hebrews 1:5-14? If you are on your own, write that down. If you are in a small group, discuss your answers with one another. Close in prayer. Choose one person in your life with whom you will share something you learned through this study.
DIG DEEPER
- Read some of the Messianic Scripture passages referenced in their entirety: Psalm 2; Psalm 45; Psalm 110; or 2 Samuel 7
- Journal, draw, or paint some sort of reflection on Jesus as greater to the angels based on the words of this week’s passage
- Watch the Bible Project overview video series on spiritual beings in Scripture.