Hebrews has the Fulness of Jesus Christ in View.
He is superior in every aspect of His earthly life. His is superior to the angels, the old covenant, the Priests, the sacrifices. He is the realization of the Old Testament. He is the hope that substantiated their faith. He is the visible demonstration of the unseen and invisible God. What made Him superior to every aspect of what had come before was His Sonship.
But in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. Hebrews 1:2
- Because of His Sonship, Christ has a better relationship with Creator God. (1 vs. 5)
- Because of His Sonship, Christ has an eternal throne (1 vs. 8)
- Because of His Sonship, Christ is the faithful manager of God’s House. (3 vs. 6)
- Because of His Sonship, Christ is made our Great High Priest (5 vs. 5)
- Because of His Sonship, Christ suffered and learned obedience (5 vs. 8)
- Because of His Sonship, there is punishment for all those who spurn Him (10 vs. 29)
Hebrews presents the truth that we can share in His Sonship
In illustrating vividly the power of the Sonship of Christ, God wants us to realize the power of our Sonship! Hebrews is a book about the Potential of our Sonship! God makes that crystal clear early in chapter 2:9-16:
But we see him who for a little while was made lower than the angels, namely Jesus, crowned with glory and honor because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone. For it was fitting that he, for whom and by whom all things exist, in bringing many sons to glory, should make the founder of their salvation perfect through suffering. For he who sanctifies and those who are sanctified all have one source. That is why he is not ashamed to call them brothers, saying, “I will tell of your name to my brothers; in the midst of the congregation I will sing your praise.” And again, “I will put my trust in him.” And again, “Behold, I and the children God has given me.” Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery. For surely it is not angels that he helps, but he helps the offspring of Abraham.
As Sons of God by faith, we are the offspring of Abraham, whose offspring are the children of promise.
Just as Christ grew in His Sonship through obedience during suffering, so we are challenged to grow through endurance in the face of hardship and tribulation. This requires FAITH!
This is where we are in Hebrews, at chapter 11, discovering the importance of Faith for our growth as Sons of God. The Hebrews in Rome knew fully what it meant to be the declared “Son of a Praetor”. Or a Senator. The father, who had absolute authority over his family, would declare one of his sons “toga virilis” and there would be a ceremony and celebration for the father has declared a son to oversee the inheritance when he was gone. The son had passed every test and endured years of training and education. Now he was a man, the “Son” of the Praetor, or the Senator. Birth into the home did not guarantee you would achieve toga virilis status. If there were no sons worthy, or no sons at all, then one would be adopted into the family. Sonship was everything in ancient Rome!
Hebrews 11 has OUR Sonship in View.
Without Faith, there can be no “Toga Virilis” Sonship!
Vs 1: Faith is two things-Substantiating and Demonstrating. Faith empowers our Unseen Hopes and Unseen Things.
A. Faith has three essential Attributes as noted in three men of faith:
- The Attribute of Sacrifice – Abel
- The Attribute of Pleasing God – Enoch
- The Attribute of Salvation – Noah
- Faith Substantiates His Reality in your life (HE IS)
- Sacrifice (Abel)
- Serving (Enoch)
- Saving (Noah)
- Faith Empowers (Proves) God’s Rewards
Acceptance (Abel)- Ascension (Enoch)
- Heir of Righteousness (Noah)
- Jesus Christ is the Center of our Faith
- The Sonship of Christ is the Focus of our Faith
- Abel pictures the perfect atoning blood sacrifice that is Jesus Christ.
- Abel pictures the acceptance that all Sons of Faith share in Jesus Christ.
B. Faith is the only way you can please God (Be well accepted)(Heb 11:6)
To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. Ephesians 1:6
- Enoch pictures the Risen Christ, who pleased God (This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased)
- Noah pictures the Righteousness that is Christ and the Salvation we have in Him alone.
The Result of our Faith
Not necessarily to heal or make you rich or a mighty preacher of God. The ultimate result of your Faith is to bring you into Full Sonship of God! As Christ is formed in your life by faith, you attain Sonship.
But as many as received him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: John 1:12
For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him. Romans 8:14-17
And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. Romans 8:23
For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. Romans 8:29
As indeed he says in Hosea, “Those who were not my people I will call ‘my people,’ and her who was not beloved I will call ‘beloved.’ ” “And in the very place where it was said to them, ‘You are not my people,’ there they will be called ‘sons of the living God.’ ” Romans 9:25-26 (Quoted Hosea 2:23)
The Importance of Faith in our Growth as Sons of God
Why is faith so important in our attaining Sonship? Look at these examples of faith and see that they typify the very author of faith-Jesus Christ! Faith is Jesus Christ. Our Sonship is through Jesus Christ. There is no sonship without faith, because faith and Jesus are synonymous!
By faith Isaac invoked future blessings on Jacob and Esau.
- ‘In Isaac your seed shall be called'” (Hebrews 11:18) Isaac is a type of Christ. He is the Son of Promise. We receive our sonship by trusting in the Promised Savior.
- Isaac was taken to be sacrificed, yet at the last moment God stopped Abraham and said, there is a sacrifice, for I am Jehovah Jireh, God will provide. Jesus is our sacrifice.
- Isaac blessed his two sons. We are blessed in Jesus Christ, by faith.
- By Faith you can bless your children and grandchildren.
By faith Jacob, when dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, bowing in worship over the head of his staff.
- Jacob was the son chosen to receive the birthright, for his brother was a fleshly man (Jesus the second Adam)
- Jacob wrestled with the angel of God, and his name was changed to Israel, for he had power with God and man.
Jacob here is blessing the sons of Joseph, worshipping God, and leaning upon his staff. He is a picture of the Savior, broken through the discipline of the Cross, and through his suffering, bringing blessing to sons.- Jacob is a reminder that our sufferings and trials will bring blessing as long as they lead us to lean upon our Savior.
By faith Joseph, at the end of his life, made mention of the exodus of the Israelites and gave directions concerning his bones.
Then Joseph made the sons of Israel swear, saying, “God will surely visit you, and you shall carry up my bones from here.” Genesis 50:25
- Joseph is a type of Christ. There is no mention of any failing in his life. He was sacrificed by his brothers, which later led to their salvation.
- The Passover Lamb was not to have any bones broken.
- Jesus had no bones broken, because He is our Passover Lamb.
- So when Joseph gave instructions about his bones, it is a reminder that God gave directions regarding the bones of His Son.
And Ephesians says: For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones. Ephesians 5:30
- Our strength of faith is in His bones!
By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden for three months by his parents, because they saw that the child was beautiful, and they were not afraid of the king’s edict.
- There is no greater beauty to God than His Son Jesus Christ
- Mary & Joseph took Jesus into Egypt because of the edict of King Herod.
- God protected His son from the onslaught of Satan.
- By faith we trust God to protect our children.
By faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, choosing rather to be mistreated with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin.
- Jesus denied the temptations of Christ, choosing rather to follow the will of His Father, rather than his own will.
He considered the reproach of Christ greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking to the reward.
- Jesus set His face as a flint to the Cross, enduring the pain and shame, looking to the joy before Him
By faith he left Egypt, not being afraid of the anger of the king, for he endured as seeing him who is invisible.
- Jesus endured the Cross, never fearing the anger of the crowd, for His face was set upon the joy of His Father
By faith he kept the Passover and sprinkled the blood, so that the Destroyer of the firstborn might not touch them.
- Jesus became the Passover Lamb, sprinkling His Holy blood upon the wrath of God upon man, destroying the destroyer, death and sin.
By faith the people crossed the Red Sea as on dry land, but the Egyptians, when they attempted to do the same, were drowned.
- Jesus walked on water as on dry ground, and promises His power in the storms of life, but all those who embrace the world will be overcome and judged.
By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they had been encircled for seven days.
- Jesus entered the walls of Jerusalem with the shouts of Hosanna ringing throughout the city. Seven days later He tore down the veil that separated Holy God from sinful man.
By faith Rahab the prostitute did not perish with those who were disobedient, because she had given a friendly welcome to the spies.
- Rahab hung a scarlet cord outside her window. By that cord she was saved. Jesus hung on the bloody cross, securing forgiveness for the vilest sinner. He underscored that when he lovingly dealt with the woman taken in adultery.
- Jesus is a friend of sinners. His great-great-great-great-great-great-great grandmother was a converted prostitute.
And what more shall I say?
For time would fail me to tell of Gideon,
- Gideon brought a solitary action against the adversary
- He built an altar, and himself offered sacrifice, as though he were a priest.
- The altar was named Jehovah-Shalom — the Lord of Peace.
- His own people cried out against his worthy action.
- A sign, a prophecy, of dew — first on the fleece, the ground being dry — and then on the ground, the fleece being dry: thus is foreshadowed the work of the Holy Spirit, first in Israel and later more fully among the Gentiles.
- Those who were gathered unto him, by the sound of the trumpet, were reduced to a faithful remnant, being separated to him by water, and the expression of their abhorrence of all false worship. Those who lapped like dogs foreshadowed Gentiles, faithful to their leader.
- The destruction of the Midianite host prefigures the greater destruction of the Last Day oppressor, in the same plain of Jezreel.
- A victory without weapons for the Lord’s people who “look on me and do likewise”.
- These enemies meet their end at the very place which means an entering into inheritance for the people of God (Jdg 8:17,18).
- Gideon’s words: “The Lord shall rule over you” — it is the Kingdom!
- Seventy sons correspond in number with the nations of the world. (Gen 10 lists 70 names.)
Barak,
- Barak the judge displays a timid and cowardly spirit,
- Jesus is meek and lowly of spirit.
- Barak would not battle without Deborah.
- Jesus could do noting apart from His Father, and battled Satan in the power of the Holy Spirit.
- The message of the Cross is that the weak and lowly triumph over the strong and arrogant devil.
- His name means “lightning flash[1].”
- For as the lightning flashes and lights up the sky from one side to the other, so will the Son of Man be in his day. Luke 17:24
- From the throne came flashes of lightning, and rumblings and peals of thunder, and before the throne were burning seven torches of fire, which are the seven spirits of God, Revelation 4:5
Samson,
Everything about Samson and Jesus Christ is connected with three things: a promise, a sacrifice, and a name.
A PROMISE
- Samson was born, lived and died according to the merciful promise and purpose of God to save his people (Jud. 13:5).
Judges 13:5 “For, lo, thou shalt conceive, and bear a son; and no razor shall come on his head: for the child shall be a Nazarite unto God from the womb: and he shall begin to deliver Israel out of the hand of the Philistines.”
A NAME
- Everything about this man was related to and for the glory of the name by which the Angel of the LORD revealed himself to Manoah and his wife (Jud. 13:18).
Judges 13:18 “And the angel of the LORD said to him, “Why do you ask my name, seeing it is wonderful?” - Jesus is Wonderful (Isaiah 9:6)
- It is his name which is the name of salvation (Acts 4:12).
- It is in his name that we are accepted of God and forgiven (Eph. 4:32; Rom. 12:1-3; 1 Pet. 2:5).
A SACRIFICE
- Everything Samson was and did for Israel was connected with, arose from, and pointed to a sacrifice (Jud. 13:19-21).
- Judges 13:19-21 “So Manoah took a kid with a meat offering, and offered it upon a rock unto the LORD: and the angel did wondrously; and Manoah and his wife looked on. 20 For it came to pass, when the flame went up toward heaven from off the altar, that the angel of the LORD ascended in the flame of the altar. And Manoah and his wife looked on it, and fell on their faces to the ground. 21 But the angel of the LORD did no more appear to Manoah and to his wife. Then Manoah knew that he was an angel of the LORD.”
His Love Choices
- He loved harlots
- Jesus loved publicans and harlots, the sick and needy
Jephthah,
- Name means “He will open” (Jesus is the Way)
- Mighty man of valor (Jesus is our Victory)
- Born of a harlot (Jesus was born of one accused of adultery)
- Rejected by the leadership because of his birth (Jesus was rejected becasue he was from Nazareth)
of David and Samuel and the prophets— who through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, were made strong out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight. Women received back their dead by resurrection.
What does a life of Faith do for You?
1. Spiritual Fullness in Christ.
Christ is the very definition of faith. Faith is built upon the qualities and characteristics of Jesus Christ. Take Jesus away and there is no faith.
2. Sonship with Jesus Christ.
By Faith, TODAY, you can:
- Conquer the world
- Grow Justice
- Live in Promises
- Stop the accusations of Satan
- Quench his fiery arrows
- Win in battle by the Sword of the Word
- Become strong in your weakness
- Become mighty sons of God
- Put the enemy to flight
Sonship comes on the shoulders of those who have suffered for Christ
Some were tortured, refusing to accept release, so that they might rise again to a better life. Others suffered mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, and they were killed with the sword. They went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, mistreated— of whom the world was not worthy— wandering about in deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.
No matter what you may endure, Jesus Christ is always with you in your sufferings. His faith will sustain you in your weakness. His faith will empower you to reach the finish line.
And all these, though commended through their faith, did not receive what was promised, since God had provided something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect. Hebrews 11:20-40
We are Sons of God, and those who have suffered before us share with us in our Savior, our brother, Jesus Christ.
What Does This Mean to You
- You are not alone if you are living in Christ by Faith
- His promises are sure, no matter the struggles you face.
- This life is but preparation for Life with Him
- As His Son or Daughter, “Be strong in the Lord and in the Power of His Mighty!” Your faith is in Him and His promises.
- You are important for your faith joins you with faithful martyrs of the past.
We share faith with those who never received the Promise
“In the year 64 A.D. during the reign of Nero, fire broke out in Rome. For six days and nights the fire burned. The greater part of the city was laid in ashes. The rumor got around that Nero himself had caused the city to be set on fire. This aroused great hatred in the people of Rome against the emperor. To turn this hatred away from himself, Nero accused the Christians of having set fire to Rome. The accusation certainly was not true, but large numbers of Christians were arrested and a terrible persecution followed. Many Christians were even crucified. Some were sewn up in the skins of wild beasts; then big dogs were let loose upon them, and they were torn to pieces. Women were tied to mad bulls and dragged to death. After nightfall Christians were burned at the stake in Nero’s garden (human lamp stands!). The Roman people who hated the Christians were free to come into the garden, and Nero drove around in his chariot wickedly enjoying the horrible scene” (The Church in History, by B.K. Kuiper, p.8).
[1] Warren Baker and Eugene Carpenter, The Complete Word Study Dictionary – Old Testament, (Chattanooga, TN: AMG Publishers, 2003), WORDsearch CROSS e-book, Under: ” בָּרָק”.
Loving the Word with the MudPreacher 