Subtitle: The Appointed Heir
Text: Heb 1:1 God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, 2 Hath in these last days deal with later spoken unto us by his Son, whom he God hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; 3 Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;
Introduction: We want to take advantage of the Holy Day season and where we are in Hebrews to learn something about the Lord Jesus Christ that has the potential to change your life, your walk and help us to understand who we really are “in Christ”.
Rom 16:25 Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began,
We do not preach Christ according to the kingdom program given to the nation of Israel in time past. We do study those books historically, dispensationally and practically looking for the spiritual principles we can apply.
We do not preach the mystery but we do preach Jesus Christ according to the revelation of the mystery.
2 Cor 4:5 For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus’ sake.
Gal 4:19 My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you,
Col1:27 … Christ in you, the hope of glory:
What is wrong with the religious systems of the world, both catholic and protestant, is that it has made the saints, the walk of the saints, the life of the saints, a part of a performance system that limits or removes the life of the Lord Jesus Christ from the equation!
This system blinds our minds to the infusion of the life that God has imparted to us through his son. It is not me, nor you, nor the priest or preacher it is Christ!
And this truth has been lost… and it is in the life of Christ, during his earthly ministry that we can learn something that will energize your life as nothing else can do.
Gal 2:20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
We quote this verse over and over in hopes that one day the real meaning and significance of it will surface in our thinking and begin to have a real impact on who we really are.
His life is put on public display every day in the lives of those who have trusted him for justification before God… And the perfect example of how we are to live our lives is demonstrated in the humanity of Christ during his earthly ministry.
So the question I want to ask this morning is “When was Christ appointed heir of all things” as indicated in Hebrews 1:2.
Heb 1:1 God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, 2 Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he God hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds
The answer to this question of course is found in Romans 1.
Rom 1:1 Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God, 2 (Which he had promised afore by his prophets in the holy scriptures,) 3 Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh; 4 And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead:
Seed of David = the birth of Christ
Son of God = the hypostatic union
Verse 4 = Declared to be the Son of God “with power”.
Adoption: The Bible viewpoint
Gal 4:1 Now I say, That the heir, as long as he is a child, differeth nothing from a servant, though he be lord of all; 2 But is under tutors and governors until the time appointed of the father.
What this means:
1. There was a time when God the father appointed Christ to be heir of all things.
2. Hebrews tells us he was made the Son of God – with power (full authority)
3. Romans tells us that was by – (not at) the resurrection of Christ.
4. This indicates then that there was a time when the Lord Jesus Christ, preemptively chose not to use his deity.
What this means to us:
1. It means that the Lord Jesus Christ went through exactly what we went through equipped with the same means as we do to deal with the problems and temptations of life.
Heb 4:15 For we have not an high priest the Israel connection which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
NOTE: Listen… Life is NO challenge, temptation is NO problem, faithfulness is NOT an issue for God. But what the Lord Jesus Christ did was to divest himself of all his power and authority in order to be fully identified with mankind.
It would be no big deal if I picked up a 100 pounds of weight. But it would be a really big deal if I could lift 10,000 pounds. But if I lifted that 10,000 pounds using some mechanical device the glory would go to the device… not me.
What the Lord Jesus Christ did was something that we cannot do, in ourselves. He lived a perfect God pleasing life “in his flesh” without assistance from his inherit deity.
Rom 8:3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:
Christ dealt with and was always victorious in his life.
He was always faithful
He always overcame temptation
He always made the right life choices
HOW? – not through his deity – but through his humanity.
A humanity that depended completely, totally on his heavenly father.
Let’s digress for just a bit….
Let’s see him in his full deity before the world began in eternity past!
Titus 1:2 In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;
1. Who all was back there?
2. What did they do?
3. Let’s move forward a bit now…
John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 The same was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.
4. We see him over and over in the Old Testament!
1 Cor 10:4 And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.
5. We read of his coming for the nation of Israel!
Isa 7:14 Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.
Isa 9:6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. 7 Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.
6. We find him in Bethlehem!
Luke 2:8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. 10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. 12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, 14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
7. We see him growing up
Luke 2:40 And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him.
8. We see him becoming the “man Christ Jesus” completely, totally dependent on his heavenly father.
Phil 2:5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus earthly ministry: 6 Who, being in the form of God eternity past, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. 9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: 10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; 11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
a. mind = he was of a mind to do something
b. earthly ministry
c. form of God = eternity past
d. form of a servant
John 15:15 Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: …
Mark 13:32 But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father.
e. humbled himself >> before whom? God folks!
f. became obedient to whom? God folks!
The Godhead created a plan for the redemption of mankind. And the Lord Jesus Christ willingly, faithfully and dependently carried out his part.
Heb 2:16 For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham. 17 Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people. 18 For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted. 3:1 Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus; 2 Who was faithful to him that appointed him,…
Heb 5:5 So also Christ glorified not himself to be made an high priest; but he that said unto him, Thou art my Son, to day have I begotten thee. 6 As he saith also in another place, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec. 7 Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared; 8 Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered when was the last time you learned obedience from suffering?; 9 And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him; 10 Called of God an high priest after the order of Melchisedec.
Question>> And I want you to listen to the question.
What would God have you to do?
As you sit here this morning you are a part of something…
You are a part of family, a part of a marriage, a part of a home, a part of an assembly of believers.
What would God have you to do?
I ask this because I fear that we sometimes take the path of least resistance.
It is easier to follow the course of this world.
It is easier to find something else to do rather than…
To be a mother or To be a father or To be good kid
To be a wife or To be a husband or To be like Christ
It is easier not to set the standard.
It is easier not to be the example.
To your children
To your family
To your community
To your church
It is easier to be ok and not be the best
What would God have you to do?
God would have you to be the best kid on the planet!
God would have you to be the best mom ever born!
God would have you to be the best father there is!
God would have you to be the best saint he has ever made!
Be if you would do what God would have you to do you are going to have to do it the way that Christ did. You are going to have to put your trust, all of it, in Him.