Hebrews: The Superiority of Christ (Part 4) Jesus: Loving Sacrifice Hebrews 2:5-9

Hebrews 2:5-9 (ESV) 5 For 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 honor,

Hebrews 2:5-9 (ESV) 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 honor because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.

3 Parts of this passage

1) God's DESIGN (verses 5-8a) 5 For 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 honor, 8 putting everything in subjection under his feet.”

1) God's DESIGN (verses 5-8a) A) Man is PUNY compared to this universe 3 When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, 4 what is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him? (Psalm 8:3-4 ESV)

1) God's DESIGN (verses 5-8a) A) Man is PUNY compared to this universe Perspective: If our solar system was the size of a quarter Our galaxy would be the size of the United States

1) God's DESIGN (verses 5-8a) A) Man is PUNY compared to this universe Perspective: Scientists estimate there are hundreds of BILLIONS of galaxies in the universe

1) God's DESIGN (verses 5-8a) B) Man is PRECIOUS to God “...you have crowned him with glory and honor,” (Hebrews 2:7b) 26 Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness...” (Genesis 1:26a ESV)

1) God's DESIGN (verses 5-8a) C) Man is PRIVILEGED in this world...And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” (Genesis 1:26 ESV)

1) God's DESIGN (verses 5-8a) C) Man is PRIVILEGED in this world [8] putting everything in subjection under his feet.” (Hebrews 2:8a ESV)

1) God's DESIGN (verses 5-8a) Man is suppose to rule this world Man is suppose to run this world Man is suppose to rejoice in this world

2) Man's DISTRESS (verse 8b) 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. (Hebrews 2:8b)

2) Man's DISTRESS (verse 8b) A) Sin is RAGING in this world There are over 16,000 homicides in America each year The pornography industry generates $97 billion in annual revenue worldwide, and $13 billion of annual revenue in the United States

2) Man's DISTRESS (verse 8b) A) Sin is RAGING in this world In America 6.5 percent of the U.S. population has a felony record, and one in 15 people have gone to prison at some point.

2) Man's DISTRESS (verse 8b) B) Christ is not RULING in this world “At present, we do not yet see everything in subjection to him.” Hebrews 2:8b

2) Man's DISTRESS (verse 8b) B) Christ is not RULING in this world Then: Christians were facing a world that followed other gods, were hostile to Christ and could easily miss the reality of Almighty God in the world around them.

2) Man's DISTRESS (verse 8b) B) Christ is not RULING in this world Now: Christians face a world that has faith in no religion or gods, do not trust religious organizations and we can still easily miss the reality of Almighty God in the world around us.

2) Man's DISTRESS (verse 8b) B) Christ is not RULING in this world 33 So Pilate entered his headquarters again and called Jesus and said to him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” 34 Jesus answered, “Do you say this of your own accord, or did others say it to you about me?” 35 Pilate answered, “Am I a Jew? Your own nation and the chief priests have delivered you over to me. What have you done?”

2) Man's DISTRESS (verse 8b) B) Christ is not RULING in this world 36 Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world.” 37 Then Pilate said to him, “So you are a king?”

2) Man's DISTRESS (verse 8b) B) Christ is not RULING in this world Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world— to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.” (John 18:33-37 ESV)

3) Jesus' DESTINY (verse 9) 9 But we see him who for a little while was made lower than the angels, namely Jesus, crowned with glory and honor because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone. (Hebrews 2:9)

3) Jesus' DESTINY (verse 9) A) Christ ACCOMPLISHED what angels could not 5 For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time. (1 Timothy 2:5-6 ESV)

3) Jesus' DESTINY (verse 9) B) Christ ACQUIRED what we desperately needed 18 knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot. (1 Peter 1:18-19 ESV)

3) Jesus' DESTINY (verse 9) Be patient for we will soon see Christ ruling from on high Be thankful for our salvation is real and shows God's love for us Be studious for the Bible has blessings for us to comfort us in our most desperate times