Hebrews 1:1-4 (NKJV) 1 God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, 2 has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds; 3 who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person…

Hebrews 1:1-4 (NKJV) and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, 4 having become so much better than the angels, as He has by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.

Why Christ Is Better Hebrews 1:1-4

Why Christ Is Better We spend time in our lives comparing things How many of us have compared ourselves to someone else, whether in a positive way or a negative way? We compare homes, cars, accomplishments, sports teams, etc.

Why Christ Is Better The point is to see which is better We want to go with the better person, the better product, the better team Certainly, the Hebrew writer took the same approach when it came to Jesus Christ

Why Christ Is Better In Hebrews 1, the Bible speaks of Christ as being “better” Specifically, it mentions Christ as being better than the angels There are 8 ways that the writer here lists out in which Christ is “better” than the angels So what makes Christ better?

Why Christ Is Better 1. More Excellent Name (v.4) ◦ He obtained this name by inheritance ◦ Names are important ◦ With a name comes a reputation and what people think of you ◦ Who would name their child Judas or Jezebel?

Why Christ Is Better 1. More Excellent Name (v.4) ◦ Prov. 22:1 – “A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches.” ◦ Ecc. 7:1 – “A good name is better than precious ointment.” ◦ v.5 – He is God’s son, and the angels were never called “Son”

Why Christ Is Better 2. He is worshipped (v.6) ◦ The angels worship Him ◦ Matt. 4:10 – “You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve.” ◦ Rev. 19:10; 22:8-9 – John was told not to worship the angel, but rather to “Worship God”

Why Christ Is Better 3. He is God (v.8) ◦ No angel can claim to be God ◦ This verse plainly declares the deity of Christ ◦ Jn. 1:1,14 – Word was God ◦ Col. 2:9; Tit. 2:13; I Jn. 5:20 – Christ is God

Why Christ Is Better 4. He has a kingdom (v.8) ◦ That would by nature make Him a king ◦ His kingdom is greater than all other kingdoms, making Him the greatest King ◦ Rev. 17:14; 19:16 – King of kings ◦ The angels do not, of course, have a kingdom

Why Christ Is Better 5. He is anointed by God (v.9) ◦ Anointed with the “oil of gladness” ◦ Because Christ is God, and because He is anointed we can all rejoice ◦ We rejoice because we know He is who He claimed to be and can keep His promises to save us! ◦ No angels have been anointed by God

Why Christ Is Better 6. He was involved in creation (v.10) ◦ Gen. 1:1 – Jn. 1:1-3 ◦ All things were made through Him ◦ The angels did not have the power nor authority to create ◦ This too makes Christ better than the angels

Why Christ Is Better 7. He is seated at the right hand of God (v.13) ◦ We understand that is the seat of honor ◦ That seat has been reserved for Christ ◦ The apostles even wanted to be seated at His right hand – Matt. 20:20-23 ◦ Christ, not angels, will be seated on God’s right hand

Why Christ Is Better 8. Angels are Christ’s ministering spirits (v.14) ◦ They have the job of ministers or servants ◦ They serve under Christ, therefore Christ is over them ◦ This shows that Christ is greater than the angels due to his charge over them