Incomparable - Sermon on Hebrews 1:1 - 3

Incomparable

Hebrews 1:1 – 3

Introduction:

I don't know if you are familiar with the saying, “It's like comparing apples to oranges.” What the saying is pointing out is that certain things cannot be compared to other things, even if there are some similarities. Look again at the saying. While both apples and oranges are similar because they are fruits, yet they are very different because of their taste. The same is true for the vehicle I drive, which is classified as a multi-purpose vehicle, as compared to a Ferrari or a Porsche, which are sports cars. Yes, they are motor vehicles which brings you from one place to another, but you can't compare them to one another because an MPV is for transporting people and goods while sports cars are for racing or for showing off. Open the hood of both cars and you'll see a vast difference in the engines as well as other devices installed inside. A good word we use when talking about the inability to compare one thing to another is called incomparability.

What does it really mean when we say that certain things are incomparable? According to the dictionary, we have two definitions. The first definition for incomparable is “without an equal in quality or extent; matchless”. A second definition is “unable to be compared; totally different in nature or extent.” Although we may not use the word incomparable quite often, we understand what it means and we know how to use it.

This morning, we begin our series on the study of the Book of Hebrews. It is a New Testament epistle whose overall theme is the incomparability of Jesus Christ. Hebrews is a book very rich in imagery, whose author goes to great lengths (13 chapters in all!) to point out that Christ is beyond compare. Before we look into this morning's passage, I would like to take some time to share with you the background of the Book of Hebrews.

Background:

The writer of the Book of Hebrews does not identify himself, but he was obviously well-known to the original recipients. From 400 AD to 1600 AD, the book was commonly called the Epistle of Paul to the Hebrews, although there was no agreement regarding its authorship. After the Reformation, it has been widely recognized that Paul could not have been the author simply because the writing styles between Paul and the author of Hebrews are very different. Also, Paul usually identifies himself when he wrote his epistles, but the author of Hebrews never identified himself. Moreover, the author of Hebrews was evidently not part of the original band of apostles. If you read Hebrews 2:3, you will find that he experienced the salvation of Christ through the preaching of those who personally heard him.

Bible scholars suggest that there may be two possible candidates for authorship of the Book of Hebrews. First, we have Barnabas. The reason why Barnabas is a possible author is because it seemed that the author had authority in the apostolic church and was an intellectual Hebrew Christian well-versed in the Old Testament. Barnabas was a Jew of the priestly tribe of Levi, which may possibly explain why he understood a lot regarding the Old Testament, especially the worship ceremonies done in the temple as well as the priesthood. Also, he was respected and recognized as being a leader of the early church. The second leading candidate for authorship is Apollos. Apollos was also a Jewish Christian known for his intellectual and oratorical abilities. In Acts 18:24, he is described as being a learned man, with a thorough knowledge of the Scriptures. He was also associated with Paul in the early years of the church in Corinth (1 Corinthians 1:12; 3:4-6, 22). We do not have a firm conclusion as to the authorship, but one thing is sure, the author was a Jew who was well acquainted with the Old Testament which he quoted with regularity, and a master of the Greek language.

Hebrews was most likely written before 70 AD, the date when the temple in Jerusalem was destroyed by the Romans, since there is no mention of the temple being destroyed. It is addressed primarily to Christians familiar with the Old Testament and who were being tempted to turn their backs on Christ and go back to Judaism.

The theme of Hebrews is the absolute supremacy and sufficiency of Jesus Christ, such that no one can compare to Him. You will see this theme repeated constantly throughout the book. For now, I would like for us to pay attention to this morning's passage, Hebrews 1:1 – 3.

Who is Jesus Christ? To tell you very frankly, many people have different opinions about him. While we, as Christians, acknowledge Him to be the Son of God, or the Second Person of the Triune God, many think otherwise. There are people who think of him as merely being a prophet or a great teacher. Others view him as a spiritual being, somewhat similar to the angels but still lower than God. Still, there were some who view him as someone who has lost his mind, sincerely making claims to be God due to insanity. Worse, some people see him as a deceiver who has misled many into thinking that He is God. If we simply listen to the opinions of people, we are bound to be misled. We need to focus on what the Word of God says, and Hebrews 1:1 – 3 tells us who Jesus really is and why he is incomparable. It will tell us why he will always be superior to anything we compare him to. When you compare him to any great philosopher, any great teacher, any great founder of religion, Jesus will still be above them all. He will always be beyond compare.

Now, why do we say that Jesus is incomparable? There are three things that makes Jesus incomparable.

I. The Incomparable Person of Christ

Jesus was greater than all who came before him here on earth. The author of Hebrews tells us that Jesus is superior to the prophets. The prophets were the greatest men of the Old Testament era. They had visions of God and they served God with manifestations of power. Prophets who had visions of God included those who wrote the prophetic books of the Old Testament. Those who served God with manifestations of power included Elijah, Elisha, and Samuel. God spoke to the people of Israel and to the other nations through the prophets. However, God only revealed a few aspects about himself to these prophets such that no prophet, alone or combined with others, could ever give us a full picture of who God really is. Furthermore, the prophets were mere men, creatures only. God revealed himself fully through the person of Jesus Christ. In fact, verse 2 tells us that God spoke to us by his Son or through his Son. It is no wonder that the apostle John, when he wrote his gospel account, described Jesus as being the Word, the logos of God. Though the prophets spoke the word of God faithfully, Jesus himself is the Word of God.

However, Jesus isn't just superior to the prophets. In verses 4 to 14, Jesus is also greater than the angels. Angels, as we know, are spiritual beings who minister to God and are powerful. In the Old Testament, we find the angels delivering Lot and his family from Sodom. We also find an angel who brought death upon the firstborn of the Egyptians during the Passover. It was an angel whom God sent in order to administer punishment upon Israel for the sin of David. In the New Testament, we know that it was the angel Gabriel who delivered the important message to Mary that she was pregnant with the Messiah. Gabriel also spoke to Joseph, telling him that the child in Mary's womb was the Christ child. In the Book of Revelation, we find the archangel Michael waging war against Satan. Now, why did the author mention that Jesus was superior to the angels? It is probable that some people invoked on the names of the angels for deliverance. It is also probable that some people had excessive interest in the angelic hierarchies. Still, some believed that angels were sort of mediators between God and humanity. Thus, it was important for the author to point out that the angels cannot compare to the person of Jesus Christ because He is God himself. Only Jesus Christ is worthy of worship, by both men and angels. The prophets were men created by God; the angels likewise were created spiritual beings. Jesus however is God who is eternal in nature. Prophets and angels brought important messages from God to men. Jesus however is the very message of God to men. Only Jesus Christ is the full revelation of who God really is. So, Jesus is incomparable because of who he is. All other claimants to being gods cannot stand up to Jesus because only Jesus is the true Son of God.

II. The Incomparable Position of Christ

The second thing regarding Christ that is incomparable is his position. Christ is superior to the angels and the prophets not only because he is God but also because of his position. The angels, though mighty, are but servants. Likewise, the prophets may be heroes in the eyes of the Jewish people and even for Christians, but they were also servants. Jesus, on the other hand, is the appointed heir of all things, according to verse 2. He is the one whom the angels and the prophets serve.

Not only is Jesus the heir of all things, he is also the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being (v. 3). The Greek word which is translated in the English as “exact representation” is the word χαρακτηρ (charakter), where we get the English word, character. This word was basically used when talking about a stamp or a seal. This Greek word is used only once in the New Testament, namely our passage this morning. What the word means is that it is through Christ that God is represented and acts. It is through Christ that people can know who God truly is. It is no wonder that Jesus could boldly claim that He and the Father are one (John 10:30; John 17:20-26). He also made a bold statement to his disciples when he told them that anyone who has seen him has seen the Father (John 14:9). When we read from the New Testament, especially the Gospels, about the teachings of Jesus and the life he lived, the power he manifested, we are seeing God himself at work. We can know God in a personal way through Jesus.

In other parts of Hebrews, Jesus is also our great high priest. He is the one who can perfectly act as our mediator, who has perfectly atoned for our sins through his blood. We will be studying about this in the weeks ahead. Nevertheless, the position he holds as our great high priest is way much better than the high priest during the time when the Jewish temple was still standing.

What does his incomparable position mean for us? Let me use an illustration to help us understand this point. Let's say you're feeling sick, you're coming down with a very bad case of the flu. Do you call me up at my office to ask for medical advice as to what you can do so you'll feel better in no time, or do you call up a doctor to seek for professional help? If you call me up, all I can tell you is to get enough rest, drink lots of fluid and vitamin C. But if you go to the doctor, he can tell you way much more about the problem, he'll be able to diagnose you properly and how you can get better soon. In a similar way, there are many people who have so-called “remedies” for how to solve your spiritual problems, but Jesus himself is the Great Physician. The pastors, elders and deacons of the church may be competent spiritual leaders, but Jesus Christ himself is God. He is able to do what I cannot do at all because he possesses a superior position. His position is unique and incomparable.

III. The Incomparable Purpose of Christ

Finally, there is the incomparable purpose of Christ. The work that Jesus accomplished is totally different from what the prophets, the angels, and other religious personalities did. His work comes as a result of his person, being God's son, and of his position, being the very likeness of God in human form.

The angels were messengers of God. They delivered important messages to people in a convincing manner. The prophets were also messengers of God who wrote the books of the Bible and who announced impending judgment. Yes, they were important in the spiritual realm; however, they cannot compare to the work that Jesus accomplished. Jesus came in order to be the Savior of the World. This was his purpose for coming. Only he could do the work. The angels couldn't die on the cross for us, although they were holy spiritual beings, because they do not possess human bodies. The prophets were just as sinful as any human being and would not qualify to die for our sins. Only Jesus was qualified to become our Savior, being both God and perfect man at the same time. Look at verse 3 of Hebrews 1. We read that he had provided purification for our sins. Not only that, he sat down at the right hand of the majesty in heaven, signifying that his work has been completed. Through his death on the cross, Jesus took away your sins and my sins.

The Lord Jesus is uniquely and fully qualified for the work he was given to accomplish. In fact, there is no one else who can do what he accomplished. There are no other qualified candidates. Buddha does not qualify. Mohammed does not qualify. Even the so-called saints of the church do not qualify. Only Jesus is qualified because of who He is and what His position is.

Conclusion:

The author of Hebrews wanted his readers to be certain regarding their understanding of the Lord Jesus. He wanted for them to know with certainty that Jesus Christ is the unique Son of God who is heir over all things and who is the exact representation of God in human form. He also wanted for them to understand that only Jesus Christ is qualified to bring salvation to this world through his death on the cross.

The same message that the author wanted for his readers to understand is the same message we all need to understand right this moment. Jesus Christ is not just one of many supernatural beings nor is he just a morally upright man. He is God the Son who came in the flesh. Jesus Christ is not like any angel or prophet, although their position may be noble, but He is the exact representation of God and the heir of all things. Jesus is not just a messenger from God who brings an important message, He is the message himself. He is the one foretold who will deliver people from their sins and restore them to God.

Incomparable. That's who the Lord Jesus is. The question I want to leave you is this: Who is Jesus to you? Is he the incomparable Son of God who saved us from our sins through his death on the cross? Is he the incomparable Son of God who invites us to align with Him and to follow Him as His disciple, to carry our crosses daily? Is he the incomparable Son of God who will one day judge this world, seated on his heavenly throne? I hope, in your life, he is a “yes” to all the questions I posed. May he indeed be your Savior and Master.

The Perils of the Bottle - Preached at GGC March 25, 2012

-->

The Perils of the Bottle

Introduction:

I do not know if you have noticed this when you're watching local news on TV. There is a rise in vehicular accidents, involving both motorcycles and automobiles. As I watch the morning news, I would hear of vehicles bumping into other vehicles, or of vehicles hitting non-moving objects like electric posts or concrete barriers. Now, accidents do happen. Even I get involved in vehicular accidents. However, what is alarming is that many of the drivers involved in these accidents, according to investigators, had the smell of alcohol lingering in their breaths. We have been taught that when you drink alcohol, its better not to drive. If you plan to drive, then don't drink in the first place. It is because driving under the influence of alcohol is extremely hazardous. Your judgment plus your physical capabilities are greatly impaired.

However, alcoholism not only causes vehicular accidents. Alcoholism is often the reason why homicides and sexual crimes are committed against others. In terms of health, Alcoholism has caused many people to suffer from liver illnesses such as hepatitis and liver cirrhosis. In the United States, it is reported that one in four hospital admissions is the result of alcohol abuse.

I am sure you know what I am going to talk about today from the Book of Proverbs. It is a topic that I have never really heard many churches preach on. I do not know if it is because someone's sensitivities might get trampled upon, or because we think its not a problem among people who come to church. The reason why I believe I have to share this somewhat sensitive topic from Proverbs is because alcoholism is a real problem that has affected not only non-believers but even believers in Christ. The fact that the apostle Paul, prior to telling the Ephesian Christians to be filled with the Holy Spirit, had to warn them not to get drunk with wine or alcoholic beverages, implies that there were people in the church who were indulging in drunkenness and this had greatly and adversely affected their behavior.

If you were to ask me as to what is my conviction about drinking, I would tell you that I do not find drinking alcoholic beverage to be outright wrong. Instead, it is drunkenness that is the problem. It is drunkenness that is condemned in the Bible. Also, I am of the opinion that when the Bible talks of wine and fermented drinks, these drinks usually have some alcoholic content. Now, I base my conviction on what I have read from a reliable Bible Dictionary. Now, does my understanding of wine and fermented drinks in the Bible mean that I am giving a blanket endorsement of drinking? Am I saying that the Bible teaches that it is all right to drink alcoholic beverages?  No. I do not think that the Bible endorses drinking alcohol when you could easily drink water or milk or juice. I do not think that it is absolutely all right to drink alcohol. At the same time, I do not think that the Bible condemned drinking alcohol. What is condemned is drunkenness.

Before we look into the Book of Proverbs, I would like to share two Bible passages with you. The first passage is from Deuteronomy 14:22 to 26. The passage is all about setting aside one tenth of one's harvest in order to bring it to the Lord as well as to partake of God's blessings in his presence. In verse 26 we read the following: “Use the silver to buy whatever you like: cattle, sheep, wine or other fermented drink, or anything you wish. Then you and your household shall eat there in the presence of the LORD your God and rejoice.” From this particular verse, one can surmise that God does not really prohibit people from partaking of alcoholic beverages. However, we must realize that this statement is not a blanket endorsement for partaking alcoholic beverages nor does it give permission for people to get drunk. God allowed the people to partake of alcoholic beverages within the context of feasting in God's presence, and it would have probably been done with the Levites and priests keeping things from getting out of control. If you drink a glass of red wine or champagne during a wedding reception because you are celebrating a joyous occasion, I do not think that would constitute as a sin, provided you don't end up getting drunk or that you just take one glass and no more.

Another verse I would like to share with you is a passage from the New Testament, 1 Timothy 5:23 – “Stop drinking only water, and use a little wine because of your stomach and your frequent illnesses.” Now, some people have taken this passage and twist it to mean that its alright to drink. Again, the context is important. The passage is addressed to Timothy who probably has some health issues and Paul was telling him to drink a little wine so as to cure his illnesses. It is sort of like something that had happened to my father when he was still young. My father had some health problems and he went to the doctor. The doctor prescribed him to drink one bottle of beer a day for a certain period of time, I think no more than one week. Now, I do not know exactly why the doctor prescribed beer, but the purpose was purely medicinal. My father never drinks, and I can imagine the agony he went through trying to finish one bottle of beer. For the mothers here, after you bore a child, you are given bottles of iron-rich wine in order to help your body recuperate. Drinking alcoholic beverages is allowed if there is a clear medical purpose associated to it.

In the book of Proverbs, I found three reasons why we should not let alcohol take control of our lives. However, there could be more than three. What I am going to state now are what I would call as the obvious reasons as cited by the Book of Proverbs. If you have never ever touched alcohol in your life, then today's message is a warning for you to not even try at all in the first place. For those who have the habit of drinking, today's message is a warning for you to either stop altogether because it is already an addiction that has you in bondage, or to be more responsible in keeping yourself from getting drunk.

Reason # 1: Alcohol Can Lead to Poverty

Proverbs 21:17

He who loves pleasure will become poor; whoever loves wine and oil will never be rich.

Proverbs 23:19 – 21

Listen, my son, and be wise, and keep your heart on the right path. Do not join those who drink too much wine or gorge themselves on meat, ²¹ for drunkards and gluttons become poor, and drowsiness clothes them in rags.

The author of Proverbs rightly observed that those who indulge in alcohol to the point of drunkenness usually end up poor. It is because they spend whatever money they have for drinking. Those who work in the morning and drink after work, spend whatever money they could actually save up for their future. Others just spend the whole day drinking. I have seen people in urban poor areas having drinking sprees even before the sun has set. These people have become poor because they have chosen to become drunk rather than be responsible to go out and work or to at least make a living. For those who drink regularly, I want you to do some math. Take the number of bottles of beer or bottles of liquor you drink every week and multiply it by the price of the drink, then multiply it by four. You will arrive at a figure which is the total amount you've spent on drinking in a month. That money could have been spent for something better. You could have put that money in the bank or you could have used it to buy more food for the family. You could have saved that money in order to buy something for the family or for yourself. By choosing to drink, you actually impoverish yourself and your family because you bring home lesser money or you use up whatever money you have just to maintain your vice.

A survey was done in the U.S. to determine the causes of homelessness in the U.S. It was discovered that 38% of people who are homeless are alcohol dependents. Alcoholism is responsible for making people poor. It renders people incapable of working. It eats up whatever money one has. Therefore, don't let alcohol become your master or else you will be driven to poverty.

Reason # 2: Alcohol Impairs Judgment

The second reason why we must not indulge in alcohol is because alcohol can impair one's judgment. In Proverbs 31, the mother of King Lemuel gave this sound advice to his son  – - “It is not for kings, O Lemuel – not for kings to drink wine, not for rulers to crave beer, lest they drink and forget what the law decrees, and deprive all the oppressed of their rights. (vv. 4 - 5)” Lemuel's mother knew that, for his son to be a godly and wise king, he must never allow alcohol to have control over him. In fact, the requirement for a king is quite high here. He is not to even drink or crave for alcohol. His mind must not be clouded as an effect of drinking.

When someone is drunk, he is usually in a state where he can no longer judge between what is right and wrong. When a person is sober, he will not go about doing things that would violate his conscience. He will not do things that would violate other people. But when a person gets drunk, the line between right and wrong is blurred. Lots of bad things happen as a result. Studies conducted in various countries reported that many domestic violence incidents are related to alcohol use. For instance, in Uganda, 52% of the women who experienced domestic violence reported that their partners had consumed alcohol. In India, 33% of abusing husbands use alcohol. Alcohol abuse has also led to the increase of teenage pregnancy as the state of drunkenness makes them lose their inhibitions and restraint all too easily.

While the proverb we just read was addressed directly to King Lemuel, its application is actually universal, meaning it applies to all people, and especially to Christians. We must not allow alcohol to take away our ability to think and act wisely and justly.

Reason # 3: Alcohol Destroy Lives

Proverbs 23:31 – 32 

Do not gaze at wind when it is red, when it sparkles in the cup, when it goes down smoothly! In the end it bites like a snake and poisons like a viper.

Thirdly, alcohol destroys lives. In Proverbs 23:32, drunkenness is compared to the bite of a snake and the poison of a viper. Excessive alcohol in one's body functions like poison. It destroys people's internal organs. People who drink excessively suffer from cirrhosis of the liver, hepatitis, heart problems and so much more. However, more than the physical suffering, alcohol destroys lives because marriages are wrecked. Children of alcoholic parents are deprived of the care and love that they should be having. Others fall victim to drunken drivers who are reckless. According to a U.S. research, between the period of 1982 and 1993, more than 260,000 deaths in the U.S. were alcohol-related. More than 300,000 people were injured in crashes where the police reported that alcohol was present.

In Proverbs 23:34 – 35 we read, “You will be like one sleeping on the high seas, lying on top of the rigging. 'They hit me,' you will say, 'but I'm not hurt! They beat me, but I don't feel it! When will I wake up so I can find another drink?” People who drink have a false sense of security. They feel as if they are invincible. This explains why drunk people are reckless. Alcohol gives them a false sense of courage which leads to danger, danger to the drunk as well as to those surrounding him. Alcohol also makes people violent. Do you know which song, when sung in a karaoke bar, often results in violence and death? It's the song, “My Way” by Frank Sinatra. However, I don't think its about the song itself that is dangerous, but the context wherein the song was being sung – by people who were drunk and surrounded by others who were drunk. This explains why violence takes place when people have too much to drink.

Alcoholism destroys lives. Don't be a fool to think that you are invincible and it won't happen to you. The Bible has warned that it is like the poison of a viper. Don't allow alcohol to destroy you as well as those who surround you.

Conclusion:

I have shared my personal conviction that drinking alcohol is not wrong; rather it is drunkenness that is the problem. The Book of Proverbs warns us against allowing alcohol to control our lives. I think we are clear about these points. I know that some of you may then argue that since you are a moderate and responsible drinker, then you're ok. Well, let me say that the answer is “no”.  Paul, in Romans 14 warns that all of us have to give an account to God on how we live our lives. Are we putting up stumbling blocks along the way, causing others to fall? We may have the opinion that drinking isn't bad, but other believers may not feel the same way. They don't agree with my point of view or with your point of view? So, what do you do? Do we keep on drinking because it is our right, or do we refrain because we don't want people to stumble in their faith on account of us? Paul also wrote in 1 Corinthians 10:23 that everything is permissible but not everything is beneficial. We should therefore not seek our own good, but the good of others. Will drinking alcohol really benefit me? Will my drinking be good for other people? Think through those questions before you ever think of sipping alcohol. Another reason why I don't think we should drink alcohol comes from a letter that I found from a website. It is written by a person named Jeanie who has lost five people who are closest to her due to alcoholism. Let me read her letter.

I have no idea where to start as my heart is deeply grieved and broken as I lost a cousin yesterday who was like my brother and best friend. Tommy died from drinking so much that he was bleeding internally and by the time they got him to the Hospital yesterday he died, it was too late.

I lost a brother in 2005 to alcohol and Heroin - he was murdered. I had a friend just last month take her life ... she too was an alcoholic. I lost an uncle in 2004 to liver failure and liver cancer from drinking alcohol and his younger brother, my other uncle was drunk and fell and hit his head and it killed him.

My other uncle that was related to the the above who was the youngest out of all of them over-dosed by shooting up. My aunt is an alcoholic and so is my Mother and Father, The ones I am talking about above are the ones who are all related to each other as sisters and brothers and cousin. My heart feels like it has stopped beating and every day I feel like I cannot breath. The loss is too much and overwhelming. I used to be one of them and the Lord pulled me out and cleaned me up back in 2003. Because of the Lord I am alive and I am being healed more and more every day. Addiction is not a drug or alcohol problem it is a heart issue. When we walk in deep rooted pain we use what is available to dull the pain which leads to death. When pain lives in the heart it leaves room for the invitation of addiction.

The only one I know who can clean up a life and heal a wounded heart is Jesus Christ. I do not know where I would be today walking through death after death when it could and should have been me right along with them.

From the letter, it is clear that some people drink because they want the pain that they're experiencing in life to go away. Isn't that what drugs and alcohol supposedly do? Its supposed to help you forget your problems even for a while? Unfortunately, its all temporary, and its nothing more than escapism. Instead of turning to drugs and alcohol, why don't we turn to Jesus? What are the pains that you are feeling in your heart right now? Don't turn to alcohol. Don't turn to drugs. Don't turn to anything the world is offering that will ease the pain. I invite you to turn your life to Jesus. He is the one who can help us in our time of need, in our time of pain. Jesus invites us all to come to him and to cast our anxieties upon him and he will help us. Alcohol can't help you solve your problems. It can't lift your burdens. Only Jesus can.

Brothers and sisters. I invite you all to seriously consider the ill-effects of getting drunk on alcohol. Alcohol leads to poverty. Alcohol impairs judgment. Alcohol destroys lives. I am sure we can all survive and flourish in life without having to drink a single drop of wine, strong drink or beer. It is God's will for us to be filled with his Spirit, much more than being filled with the spirit of alcohol.