Sermon Breviary | The Supremacy of Christ (Hebrews 1:1-14)

Big Idea

God has spoken decisively and finally through His Son, Jesus Christ, who reigns supreme over all creation and holds the ultimate place of honor at God's right hand.

Introduction

The first thing I want to point out is that the book is not simply titled Hebrews but To the Hebrews. While many Bibles abbreviate the title, the original and ancient title includes this distinction, emphasizing its intended audience. The title in Greek is Pros Hebraious (To the Hebrews), indicating that this is a letter written to Jewish Christians, likely in Rome.

This letter takes the form of a sermon, as we see in its content and structure. Additionally, it ends with a classic epistolary salutation: greetings and instructions to greet others (Hebrews 13:24). This dual nature—sermon and letter—makes it unique in the New Testament.

Authorship

The authorship of Hebrews has long been a topic of discussion. Was it Paul? Early traditions considered Paul a possibility, but Hebrews 2:3 makes it clear that the author was not an eyewitness of Christ but received the gospel from those who heard Him directly. This rules out Paul, who often emphasized that he received the gospel directly from Christ (Galatians 1:12).

Other suggestions include Barnabas, who was deeply connected to the early church, or Apollos, known for his eloquence and Alexandrian background (Acts 18:24-28). Martin Luther leaned toward Apollos because of the letter’s style and focus. For simplicity, I will refer to the writer as Apollos, though the exact authorship remains uncertain.

Date of Writing

The letter was likely written before the destruction of the temple in AD 70. The imagery in Hebrews heavily references the temple and its sacrificial system as present realities, which would have been irrelevant or confusing after the temple’s destruction. Additionally, the absence of any mention of this monumental event supports a pre-70 AD date.

First Point: God's Final Word Is in His Son (Hebrews 1:1-3)

Verses 1–3 present the opening contrast: God spoke in various ways in the past through the prophets, but in these last days, He has spoken to us through His Son.

"Long ago" refers to the previous epoch of God’s redemptive plan, where He spoke to the patriarchs and through prophets like Moses, David, and Isaiah. These were preparatory revelations, building up to the fullness of time when God’s ultimate revelation would come through His Son.

Jesus Christ is described as:

• The Heir of All Things: He is the promised heir of David’s throne and the one through whom all things were created.
• The Radiance of God’s Glory: Jesus reflects and manifests the very glory of God.
• The Exact Imprint of His Nature: The term here evokes the image of pressing a seal into wax or minting coins. Jesus is the perfect representation of God’s character and essence.
• The Sustainer of the Universe: Even as a baby in the manger, He upheld creation by the word of His power.
• The Purifier of Sins: By His sacrificial death, Jesus made purification for sins.
• The Exalted King: After completing His redemptive work, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on High, signifying both the completion of His priestly work and His exaltation.

These verses emphasize that there is no further revelation needed or expected beyond Christ. God’s Word has reached its climactic fulfillment in Him.

Second Point: The Supremacy of the Son Over Angels (Hebrews 1:4-14)

The rest of chapter 1 demonstrates Jesus' superiority to angels. This argument is important because angels played a significant role in the Mosaic covenant, serving as mediators (Galatians 3:19). However, Jesus is far greater.

Apollos supports this with seven Old Testament quotations:

1. Psalm 2:7: "You are my Son; today I have begotten you." No angel is ever called "Son."
2. 2 Samuel 7:14: "I will be to him a father, and he shall be to me a son." This refers to the davidic covenant, fulfilled in Christ.
3. Deuteronomy 32:43 (LXX): "Let all God’s angels worship Him." Jesus is the object of angelic worship.
4. Psalm 104:4: "He makes His angels winds, and His ministers a flame of fire." Angels are servants, not rulers.
5. Psalm 45:6-7: "Your throne, O God, is forever and ever." This explicitly refers to Jesus as God.
6. Psalm 102:25-27: "You laid the foundation of the earth in the beginning... You remain." This emphasizes Jesus' eternality and role as Creator.
7. Psalm 110:1: "Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool." This underscores Jesus’ exalted position.

The contrast is clear: angels are ministering spirits sent to serve God’s people, while Jesus is the Son of God, Creator, and King.

Third Point: The Preeminence of Christ in All Things

Christ is not only supreme in His person and work but must also be preeminent in every area of our lives. Colossians 1:18 says, "That in everything He might be preeminent." This includes:

• Families: Christ must be first in our homes.
• Marriages: Spouses must submit their union to His lordship.
• Professions: Work should glorify Him.
• Worship: He must be central to our devotion and service.
• Time, Love, and Pleasures: All aspects of life should reflect His supremacy.

Where Christ is not supreme, confession and repentance are needed. True believers strive to submit every part of their lives to Him.

Conclusion

The letter to the Hebrews is both a warning and a call to faithfulness. For believers, it is a reminder to persevere, trusting in the finished work of Christ. For those who reject Christ, it warns of the severe consequences of turning away from the only means of salvation.

Jesus, fully God and fully man, is seated at the right hand of the Father, reigning as King and interceding as our great High Priest. To reject Him is to remain in sin and under judgment. But for those who trust in Him, there is the assurance of eternal life and the unshakable love of God.

The challenge is clear: Let Christ reign supreme in every aspect of your life. Examine where He does not hold first place, and submit those areas to Him. Walk in the grace and mercy of God, knowing that He will forgive and transform you by His Spirit.

Closing Prayer

Lord God, we thank You that You alone are supreme and preeminent. Enable us, as Your sons and daughters, to put on Christ above all things, making Him first in our lives. For those who have not yet trusted in You, convict their hearts by Your Spirit so they may repent and believe. Transform us by Your grace and give us strength to walk in obedience, for the glory of Christ. In His name, we pray. Amen.