1. The Epistle to the Hebrews The Superiority of Christ

2. Introduction to Hebrews Written to Hebrew Christians who were familiar with the Old Testament Scriptures. –The recipients had a thorough knowledge of the Mosaic system and 1 st century Jewish practices –Hebrews contains more than 30 O.T. quotations Written to encourage Jewish Christians to hold fast their faith despite being persecuted and ostracized (4:14;10:32-36) –“LET US”  This encouraging phrase of exhortation occurs 12 times in Hebrews (4:1,11, 14, 16; 6:1; 10:22, 23, 24; 12:1, 28; 13:13,15)

3. Thematic Outline: The Superiority of Christ As God’s Son, He is superior both to the angels and to Moses (1:1 — 4:11) As High Priest after the order of Melchizedek, He is superior to the Levitical Priests (4:12—7:28) He is the Mediator of a better covenant (8:1— 10:29) He is the Author & Finisher of our faith (11:1—13:25) KEY PHRASE: “Looking Unto Jesus” (12:2)

4. Theme: The Superiority of Christ Everything that Christ has accomplished and established is “better” than what came before: –A better hope (7:19) –A better covenant (7:22) –Better promises (8:6) –Better sacrifices (9:23; 12:24) –A better [heavenly] country (10:34; 11:16) KEY PHRASE: God has “provided something better for us!” (Hebrews11:40)

5. Author of Hebrews The Lord may have used Paul as His instrument to write to the Hebrews (cf. 2 Timothy 3:16-17), but some of the evidence is conflicting. –Some early Christians attribute the letter to Paul, but others do not. –The writer was a companion and friend of Timothy (13:23) –The writer had been in chains; he hoped to “be restored to” the Hebrews soon (10:34; 13:19) –The epistle was written from Rome, where Paul was imprisoned at least once (13:24) –The writer was thoroughly familiar with the Law of Moses (Acts 22:2-3; Philippians 3:4-6) –Pauline authorship best explains the omission of his name to a Jewish audience.

6. God Has Spoken Through His Son (Hebrews 1:1-3) God “at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets” –The unity of the message despite the variety of methods of communication proves that the Bible is the product of One Mind – God’s! –Although God used 40 different men over a period of 1,500 years to convey His word in written form (and more to convey it orally). Yet the message is always consistent. (2 Peter 1:20-21)

7. God Has Spoken Through His Son (Hebrews 1:1-3) In contrast to His previous methods, God now speaks to “us” through “His Son” THENNOW –In Time Past “In these last days” –To the Fathers To us –By the prophetsThrough His Son The prophets foretold that in the last days the Kingdom would be established and God’s Spirit would be poured out. (Daniel 2:28, 44; Isaiah 2:2; Joel 2:28) We are now in the last days (Acts 2:16-17) These are the days in which we must heed Jesus as the prophet of God (Acts 3:22-24)

8. God Has Spoken Through His Son (Hebrews 1:1-3) The Superiority of Christ Heir of all things (Psalm 2:7-8; Philippians 2:5-11) Through whom He made the Worlds (John 1:1-3; Colossians 1:16-17) The brightness of His glory and the express image of His person (John 1:18; 17:24-26; Colossians 1:15; 2:9; 1 Timothy 3:16) Upholding all things (Col. 1:17; Acts 17:28) Purged our sins (Ephesians 1:7; Heb. 9:24-28) Sitting at God’s right hand (Hebrews 8:1; Ephesians 1:20-23)