August 3^rd. 2003

Sunday Night

The Book of Hebrews

Sermon # 4

Subject: BUT WE SEE JESUS

Text: Hebrews 2: 5-18

Intro: Last Sunday evening we spoke about the greatness of salvation. The remainder of this chapter literally defines in detail the great work that it took so salvation could be great..

This is seen in chapter one as he exalts Christ in his deity above all. He is above all likewise in his humanity. He has not so given this charge to angels...

I... " WE SEE CHRIST MADE LOWER THAN ANGELS IN ORDER TO MAKE HIM SOVEREIGN OVER ALL..VS 7-8

We know that Christ after his resurrection declare publicly to his disciples that he was ruler both in heaven and in earth.... Matt 28:18 We also know that in the book of Revelation chapter 4 & 5 that it is acknowledged in heaven and earth..that he is Sovereign...

There is no contradiction in this verse as to the final statement, we see not yet all things put under him... This rule of Christ is like anything else it is a gradual rule, it is like he was a lamb slain from the foundation of the world, but did not actually die for our sins until he came in the flesh...

a. Christ died the death of the cross...Philippians 2:8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

According to Roman sources this was the most in humane way to put people to death. The prisoner would be beaten severely in order to throw the prisoner into shock...The throwing down of the body on the cross to nail it to it caused the wounds to open and be filled with dirt so as to intensify the pain.

The ability to breathe on the cross was very difficult. The body was place into a position were it could inhale the air of the lungs, but would have to raise up the knees in order to expel it.

Christ died a horrible human death... no wonder Isaiah said: Isaiah 52:14 As many were astonied at thee; his visage was so marred more than any man, and his form more than the sons of men:

No wonder the Psalmist said: Psalm 22:14-15 I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint: my heart is like wax; it is melted in the midst of my bowels. 15 My strength is dried up like a potsherd; and my tongue cleaveth to my jaws; and thou hast brought me into the dust of death.

2^nd. Crowed with glory and honor: Luke says of Christ: Acts 3:13-15 The God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob, the God of our fathers, hath glorified his Son Jesus; whom ye delivered up, and denied him in the presence of Pilate, when he was determined to let [him] go. 14 But ye denied the Holy One and the Just, and desired a murderer to be granted unto you; 15 And killed the Prince of life, whom God hath raised from the dead; whereof we are witnesses.

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3^rd. That he might taste death for every man:

This is one of the key verses that the Arminians use to teach a general atonement by Christ was made. It does not take a theologian to see in context who the every man that the writer is talking about...

The every man is: many sons in verse 10

The every man is: those sanctified in verse 11

The every man is: his brethren in verse 11

The every man is: the children of God vs 13

The every man is: the seed of Abraham vs 16

So you can see that it God’s people for whom Christ tasted death for.

4^th. That he might be made perfect through his sufferings... vs 10

Here the word "perfect" is not talking about perfection but rather maturity or completeness.. Christ did not need to made perfect in the sense of sinlessness for he knew no sin... Christ did not need to made perfect in the sense of holiness for he was holy born...

It is talking about his maturing as a man... listen to another passage that I feel connects this thought...

5^th. So that he might have some brethren...vs 11-13

In fact Paul in Romans says: Romans 8:29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate [to be] conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.

Note the verse says that he is not ashamed to call us brethren...He then quotes Psalm 22:22 that he declares the father’s name unto his brethren that he God had given him.

6^th.. That he might destroy the devil..vs 14

Barnes says: that he might subdue, or that he might overcome him, and destroy his dominion. The word destroy here is not used in the sense of closing life, or of killing, but in the sense of bringing into subjection, or crushing his power.

This is exactly what Christ did when he entered into the strong man’s house...

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There are several facts that indicate clearly that the devil is powerless unless he is given permission by Christ...

1^st. It is seen in the fact that we can defend ourselves against him: Ephesians 6:11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

2^nd. It is seen in the fact that we can resist him: James 4:7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

1 Peter 5:8-9 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: 9 Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.

7^th. So that he could deliver his people...vs 15

The lost have reason to fear, the save have no reason to fear death, for Christ hath removed the fear from it..listen to what the ancient Job said concerning those who died without Christ...

8^th. So that he could take on the seed of Abraham...vs 16

Note the contrast in the verse not angels but man...Christ became a man so that he could die, angels do not die, men do.

9^th. So that he could be a merciful high priest...vs 17-18