Thursday Night Service, October 4th, 2018 - Hebrews 1:1-14

Photo by Christian Begeman

I apologize for being slow in getting the sermons from last week up and online.  Last week was a bit hectic with me having to go up to Saint Paul, MN on Friday and Saturday for the Regional Biennial Conference for the American Baptist in Iowa and Minnesota (Mid-American Baptist Churches).  It was an interesting trip and I did get the chance to visit briefly with the new Regional Minister Reverend Jacquline Saxon.  She was interested in our being the only (currently) dually affiliated Disciples of Christ and American Baptist Church in the Region.  During our visit, she promised to come and visit us for a worship service; I hope she is able to, as she seemed to be a delightful lady and I would enjoy getting to know more about her and her plans for the Region.

At any rate, this week has also been hectic and will remain hectic with a packed calendar really through next Thursday... so let's get to last Thursday's sermon!

Last Thursday found us jumping into the book of Hebrews.  We don't know the author of Hebrews but there are various names suggested, Barnabas, Timothy, the author of Luke & Acts, and also Clement of Rome, along with there being a few that would still promote Paul as the author.  I do think that the level of the Greek along probably rules Paul out of the running and I do confess that I'd love for it to be Clement of Rome just because I'd like to think he got some of his writings into the New Testament.

The 'hook' that I really took in the sermon hinged upon the use of the Greek word "Apaugasma" which is translated as either reflection or radiance.  I combine this with the use of the Greek word "Charakter" which means an exact reproduction.

Jesus is the perfect reflection, the exact reproduction of God's radiance into this lost world.  Christ alone is the last of the prophets, the last and lasting message of God's grace and love to this world.  We too are called to be reflections of God's love and grace to this world... we however unlike Christ are far from perfect... but, in spite of our flaws, our cloudy nature, our brokenness... we can and do reflect a bit of God's nature... His radiance to those who so desperately need His loving message.

Be a blessing to someone today, be God's reflection for them!

In His Glory,
Roy

Other men had the threads of truth; but Christ took the threads, and wove them into a glorious robe, put it on, and came forth clothed with every truth of God.
Charles Spurgeon

Hebrews 1 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)
God Has Spoken by His Son
1 Long ago God spoke to our ancestors in many and various ways by the prophets, 2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by a Son,[a] whom he appointed heir of all things, through whom he also created the worlds. 3 He is the reflection of God’s glory and the exact imprint of God’s very being, and he sustains[b] all things by his powerful word. When he had made purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, 4 having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs.

The Son Is Superior to Angels
5 For to which of the angels did God ever say,

“You are my Son;
    today I have begotten you”?

Or again,

“I will be his Father,
    and he will be my Son”?

6 And again, when he brings the firstborn into the world, he says,

“Let all God’s angels worship him.”

7 Of the angels he says,

“He makes his angels winds,
    and his servants flames of fire.”

8 But of the Son he says,

“Your throne, O God, is[c] forever and ever,
    and the righteous scepter is the scepter of your[d] kingdom.
9 You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness;
therefore God, your God, has anointed you
    with the oil of gladness beyond your companions.”

10 And,

“In the beginning, Lord, you founded the earth,
    and the heavens are the work of your hands;
11 they will perish, but you remain;
    they will all wear out like clothing;
12 like a cloak you will roll them up,
    and like clothing[e] they will be changed.
But you are the same,
    and your years will never end.”

13 But to which of the angels has he ever said,

“Sit at my right hand
    until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet”?

14 Are not all angels[f] spirits in the divine service, sent to serve for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation?

Footnotes:
a) Hebrews 1:2 Or the Son
b) Hebrews 1:3 Or bears along
c) Hebrews 1:8 Or God is your throne
d) Hebrews 1:8 Other ancient authorities read his
e) Hebrews 1:12 Other ancient authorities lack like clothing

f) Hebrews 1:14 Gk all of them