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Context- Hebrews was written with the Hebrew learner in mind by an author we do not know for sure—two likely possibilities Barnabas or Apollos.  The Hebrew learn who knew OT scriptures but has not understood how Jesus is the fulfillment of all things needs this letter.  This letter is all about Jesus—a full Christology drawing from the old to see how they pointed to something better.  It is my hope that you will fall in love with Jesus all over again and your heart grow in passion.   

Prayer of Dedication—To fall in love with Jesus anew. 

Read Hebrews 1:1-4 [Thesis statement] 

God has been speaking to humanity from the beginning in various ways, but today He is speaking through a better way—His Son Jesus.  (1) 

• Previous ways God spoke:   prophets, angels, and other various ways. 
• Today God speaks through Jesus: prophets, angels, teachers, pastors, and believers armed with the Spirit and the Word all messengers of and through Jesus.  

Why should we listen to Jesus? 

Jesus is both heir and maker of all things including you.  (2) 

• Heir- The world is his possession.  He is owner.   
• Maker- He has the right as creator to own, but he intimately knows created things because he designed and made us.   
• Only God (deity, divine) can claim such things.   

Why should we listen to Jesus? 

Jesus is the source and not a reflection of God’s glory seen on earth. (3a) 

• He is THE Radiance! 
• The Sun is the source of light for earth, and the moon reflects the sun’s light. 
• The Son is the source of light and we reflect that glory.   

John 8:12b “…I [Jesus] am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life.” 

Matthew 5:14, 16b “You are the light of the world a town built on a hill cannot be hidden…let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” 

Why should we listen to Jesus? 

Jesus is the EXACT representation of who God is. (3b) 

• His “being” is same with the Father making this relationship unique to us.  
• “Representation”—(Greek) carakter character, an impression embossing or a coin with a template.   
• There are no two persons on earth that are identical or exact representations of another.
• No being on earth can claim such a thing as exact. 

John 14:5-9 “Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?” 6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 7 If you really know me, you will know[b] my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.” 8 Philip said, “Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us.”9 Jesus answered: “Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? 

Why should we listen to Jesus? 

Jesus’ powerful word holds together and preserves all created things. (3c) 

• God spoke and things came into existence. 
• All created things would go into chaos without the powerful voice of Jesus. 
• He upholds, conserves, and sustains creation.  
• Illustration- Meta physicists commonly believe in a God because the math points to something creating order.   

Why should we listen to Jesus? 

Most importantly, Jesus is the exclusive path for reconciliation with God.  (3d) 

• Sin is the barrier between man and God. 
• Sin must be atoned for and eradicated for mankind to have fellowship with God. 
• Jesus provides that purification through his death on the cross and his resurrection from the grave. 

Why should we listen to Jesus? 

Jesus is superior in name and word to even the angels—the elite messengers of God.  (4) 

• The angels gave words to the prophets. 
• The angels were the most revered of messengers of old. 
• Jesus’ name is the only one that brings life and to whom every knee will bow.   

Philippians 2:9-11 “Therefore God exalted [Jesus] to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” 

Why should we listen to Jesus? 

Because there is nothing better than Jesus… 

1. Look to Jesus’ radiance and study Him. 
2. Listen to what He says to know how to live. 
3. Live a life like Jesus as reflection of His glory.  2 Corinthians 3:18 “And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit. (Love God, Love People, Live Truth, Proclaim Jesus.)

Benediction:   John 12:44-46 “Jesus cried out, ‘Whoever believes in me does not believe in me only, but in the one who sent me. 45 The one who looks at me is seeing the one who sent me. 46 I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness.”