We are in the book of Hebrews for the next two weeks. These first two chapters speak of the authority and deity of Christ. Good chapters to show Jehovah’s Witnesses.
Hebrews 1: The Supremacy of God's Son
1 Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets,
2 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.
3 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,
4 having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs.
5 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"?
6 And again, when he brings the firstborn into the world, he says, "Let all God's angels worship him."
7 Of the angels he says, "He makes his angels winds, and his ministers a flame of fire."
8 But of the Son he says, "Your throne, O God, is forever and ever, the scepter of uprightness is the scepter of your kingdom.
9 You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness beyond your companions."
10 And, "You, Lord, laid the foundation of the earth in the beginning, 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 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."
13 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"?
14 Are they not all ministering spirits sent out to serve for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation?
Hebrews 2: Warning Against Neglecting Salvation
1 Therefore we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it.
2 For since the message declared by angels proved to be reliable, and every transgression or disobedience received a just retribution,
3 how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? It was declared at first by the Lord, and it was attested to us by those who heard,
4 while God also bore witness by signs and wonders and various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will.
The Founder of Salvation
5 Now it was not to angels that God subjected the world to come, of which we are speaking.
6 It has been testified somewhere, "What is man, that you are mindful of him, or the son of man, that you care for him?
7 You made him for a little while lower than the angels; you have crowned him with glory and honour,
8 putting everything in subjection under his feet." Now in putting everything in subjection to him, he left nothing outside his control. At present, we do not yet see everything in subjection to him.
9 But we see him who for a little while was made lower than the angels, namely Jesus, crowned with glory and honour because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.
10 For it was fitting that he, for whom and by whom all things exist, in bringing many sons to glory, should make the founder of their salvation perfect through suffering.
11 For he who sanctifies and those who are sanctified all have one source. That is why he is not ashamed to call them brothers,
12 saying, "I will tell of your name to my brothers; in the midst of the congregation I will sing your praise."
13 And again, "I will put my trust in him." And again, "Behold, I and the children God has given me."
14 Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil,
15 and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery.
16 For surely it is not angels that he helps, but he helps the offspring of Abraham.
17 Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people.
18 For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.
Things to think about…
1. What authority does the Son have? He created the world and reflects the glory and is the exact imprint of God, Heb 1:2,3. The Jehovah’s Witnesses New World Translation says “He is the reflection of God’s glory and the exact representation of his very being”. I would have thought this was enough to prove Christ’s deity from their scriptures, but apparently not.
2. The stumbling block for Jehovah’s Witnesses of course is Heb 1:5 which says Jesus is the Son and vs 6 ‘the firstborn into the world’. They interpret vs 6 as saying God’s Son was created rather than being eternal. Verse 8 however leaves no doubt by referring to the Son as God, “of the Son he says, "Your throne, O God, is forever and ever”. Unfortunately this is where the Jehovah’s Witness distort scripture to deny the obvious; their version of Heb 1:8 says “But about the Son, he says: “God is your throne…””. A subtle but very unfortunate edit. I Jesus isn’t God, then God did not pay for our sin. No-one other than the Lord Himself can pay for and secure our salvation. If God the Son was created and not God the Creator, then we are still dead in our sins.
3. We have angels that serve us, Heb 1:14. This is a wonderful promise for those who inherit salvation. May our angels protect us throughout the year. The writer says these are important things to know lest we drift away Heb 2:1. Note in Heb 2:3,4 that part of our witness in Christ is to bear witness to His signs, wonders and miracles – past and present. While a wicked and adulterous generation seeks them instead of faith, we still have them confirmed because of faith. Pray our witness has an obvious supernatural element.
4. There is so much encouragement in the verses Heb 2:10-18. They speak of adoption, identity and victory in Christ. But more than this – they speak of a Saviour who identifies with His ‘brothers’ by becoming just like them, taking on flesh and blood, vs 14. Why? To deliver those who were in fear of death to be given life.
5. Jesus alone identifies with those He saves, Heb 2:14-18. There is no saviour to be compared with our Lord Jesus. He alone as God took on flesh and blood to redeem those who have the same. He suffered when was tempted and He is able to help those who are being tempted, Heb 2:18. Such an encouraging word for those who struggle with temptation. Our Saviour understands and is faithful even when we are faithless, 2Tim 2:13.
Vision Point for cell groups
CBC’s Vision :- To be a growing biblical church community, significantly influencing our city and beyond, through intentional outreach, fulfilling our mission.
Title was “The humble will be exalted” – Reading Esther 8.
1. The pastor mentioned the loss of his first job and the events that followed. What has been the most humiliating time or low point in your life? What were the circumstances that led you out of it? Were you a Christian did your faith play a part?
2. Recall what you remember of the story of Esther and Mordecai and what led to the ascension of Mordecai to be second in charge of the empire. God is not mentioned at all in the book but is clearly orchestrating events in the background. How would you describe coincidences?
3. We are called to follow Christ, to take up our cross and follow Him. After the suffering of the cross Acts 5:31 says “God exalted him at his right hand as Leader and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins”. What does this mean for you, your faith and your future?
Prayer Points
1. Pray for the 2 families that received CBC’s flood relief in Queensborough parade in Karalee.
2. Safety for those travelling over the school holidays coming up.
3. Peace to rest over Ukraine.
4. Folk sick with Flu A and Covid – relief and healing.
5. Pray for other building projects – café roof, the repair of the house roof.
6. Growth, conversions, joy in the Word and Spirit to remain and increase.
Praise Points
1. More new folk came to CBC on Sunday.
2. Worship on Sunday – thankyou and technical team.
3. Café helpers on Sunday – thanks Melinda and Maddison.
4. All those who faithfully serve in ministries, Worship, Sound/Technical/Kids Church/ Cell Groups/Admin - Bulletins/Finances/Property/Welcoming/Spiritual Leadership/Cafe
5. Joy, peace and grace we see at CBC. Thankyou Lord
Announcements
1. Remember to check your duty rosters.
2. Church bank details bsb:- 704 913 and Acc number:- 4000 4388 1
3. Tune in again this week on our youtube page. Subscribe to the CBC channel Chuwar Baptist YouTube channel.
Catechism question for June...
Q. 4. What becomes of men when they die? A. The body returns to dust, and the soul goes back to God to be judged.
