A Focused Life

Heb. 1:1-6, 10-14; 2:1-4
Related Sunday School Lesson Bible Studies for Life, Aug. 3

Today, we’re beginning a series of lessons from the book of Hebrews, and we’re dealing with the theme “Life At Its Best.” The first lesson is entitled “A Focused Life.” And if we want to live life at its best, then our focus must involve more than developing a healthy self-image while Christ remains in the periphery. We must focus upon divine truths.

Details of the revealed son - Hebrews 1:1-6

Jesus’ exceptional nature

Adam Clarke wrote, “We can scarcely conceive anything more dignified than the opening of this letter; the sentiments are exceedingly elevated.” This elevation of thought can be attributed to the fact that Christ is the subject. The writer of Hebrews said that the voices of the prophets have been replaced in these last days by the voice of God’s Son.

The Son is “the brightness of God’s glory,” which according to one writer means “the resplendent outbeaming of the essential glory of God.” And just as a king would press his signet ring into a wax seal as an emblem of his royal personage, Christ was “the express image of God’s person,” suggesting that He is the exact representation of all that God is.

Jesus’ excellent name

How did Jesus obtain “a more excellent name than” the angels (vs. 4)? As John MacArthur asserts, “He had not always had the title of Son. That is His incarnation title.” Paul explained in Acts 13:33 that the phrase “Thou art my Son” (vs. 5) is from Psalm 2, and it refers specifically to God raising Jesus from the dead.

Verse 6 recalls that time when God brought “the first-begotten into the world” and said, “let all the angels of God worship Him.” As Warren Wiersbe noted, “God commanded them to do so, which proves that Jesus Christ is God.” Nor did the angelic host have any problem distinguishing Him from all of the other babies in Bethlehem, for He alone was God’s Son.

Dominion of the revered sovereign - Hebrews 1:10-14

His timeless existence

In Hebrews 1:10 God “laid the foundation of the earth.” The writer already mentioned in verse 2 that God made the worlds by Christ, and now he elaborates on that event that happened “in the beginning” (vs. 10). The heavens as “the works of God’s hands” remind us of Psalm 104:2 where we’re told that God stretched “out the heavens like a [massive, hand-woven] curtain.”

There is a vivid analogy in verses 11 and 12 where the heavens and the earth are compared to old clothes. When the seasons change, you put away your winter coat – your “vesture” – and change your wardrobe for something more appropriate. Similarly, creation shall “wax old”; it shall be “changed.” “But,” he says, “thou (God) art the same, and thy years shall not fail” (vs. 12).

His triumphant exaltation

Verse 13 is a picturesque image of putting one’s feet on the necks of those whom they have conquered. The old Puritan writer John Owen said, “The work of subduing enemies is a work of power and authority,” and this power “is given unto the Lord Christ by the Father.”

Referring again to angels in verse 14, the writer asks, “Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister …?” Who is sending these angelic beings out on their ministerial missions? As Albert Barnes explained, “They are … appointed by God for this. They are sent … under His control.”

Danger of rejected salvation - Hebrews 2:1-4

A careless response

Because we have seen the revealed Son and the revered Sovereign, “therefore,” the writer says, “we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard.” There is a nautical imagery used in Hebrews 2:1. Giving “earnest heed” or careful attention has the idea of putting out the anchor, and letting them “slip” has the idea of carelessly drifting past the harbor of salvation.

The message of angels was binding and disobedience punishable (vs. 2). But “How shall we escape if we neglect [the message of God’s] great salvation?” This word “neglect” means to be careless. As Matthew Henry indicated, lost men do not think that saving grace is “worth their while.” But, apart from God’s “great salvation,” there is no escape from the prison of depravity and condemnation.

A confirmed report

Don’t you love the way the writer of Hebrews expressed it in verse 3? He does not merely speak of “salvation,” nor is it simply “great salvation.” But he refers to “so great salvation,” and this speaks of salvation that is mighty. Eugene Peterson paraphrased it as “this magnificent salvation.”

A message this great deserves to be shouted from the rooftops. And so it has. As John MacArthur said, “The gospel was first given by Christ and was then confirmed by the apostles who had heard Him in person. Even more importantly, however, it was confirmed by God Himself.”

Over the years, I have attempted to take photographs only to have the subject be completely missing from the picture, or the image was so out of focus the subject was unrecognizable. Similarly, many people try to develop a picture of eternal life, but they leave Jesus out of the picture.

Others have trusted in Jesus for salvation, but His image is so out of focus that Christ and His influence cannot be recognized. Jesus should be the focal point in your life. And once in the picture, make sure He can be clearly seen.

For a more detailed outline of this subject, please see David Owen’s sermon under this same title at www.PastorLife.com.