October 11, 2009 - More on Hebrews 1 ...

Last week, we spent some thoughtful time with the Text … we went home with a phrase that seemed to engage our spirit.

"He is the reflection of God's glory and the exact imprint of God's very being." Norm

"By the grace of God he might taste death for everyone" Shari

"What are human beings that you are mindful of them...?" Patty

“What are human beings that your mindful of them or mortals, that you care for them?” Nic

“Jesus is not ashamed.” Tom

Today, a little more time with the Text …

Prayer – then first reading …

Hebrews 1:1-4; 2:5-12

Long ago God spoke to our ancestors in many and various ways by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by a Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, through whom he also created the worlds.

He is the reflection of God’s glory and the exact imprint of God’s very being, and he sustains 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, having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs.

Now God did not subject the coming world, about which we are speaking, to angels. But someone has testified somewhere,

“What are human beings that you are mindful of them,

or mortals, that you care for them?

You have made them, for a little while, lower than the angels;

you have crowned them with glory and honor,

subjecting all things under their feet.”

Now in subjecting all things to them, God left nothing outside their control. As it is, we do not yet see everything in subjection to them, but we do see Jesus, who for a little while was made lower than the angels, now crowned with glory and honor because of the suffering of death, so that, by the grace of God, he might taste death for everyone.

It was fitting that God, for whom and through whom all things exist, in bringing many children to glory, should make the pioneer of their salvation, perfect, through sufferings.

For the one who sanctifies, and those who are sanctified, all have one Father. For this reason, Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers and sisters, saying,

“I will proclaim your name to my brothers and sisters,

in the midst of the congregation I will praise you.”

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Second reading … in phrases repeated after Pastor Tom …

What catches your attention today?

Take some time now to meditate on the passage – begin by saying, “LORD Jesus Christ, son of the Living God, give me insight through your Word that I might be more faithful to you and to the world,” and then begin meditating …

A moment of prayer … Pastor Tom …

Groups of three or four – no more than five …

Work on the following pieces:

Hebrews 1:1-4 is all about Jesus … what words or phrases does the author use to describe who and what Jesus is?

Jesus is the reflection of God’s glory … so when we think about Jesus, we’re thinking about God. When you think about Jesus during the week, what are you likely to think about? When you think about Jesus, does it occur to you that you’re thinking also about God?

Vs. 6, a quotation from Psalm 8 – a celebration of God’s creation and how big it is, and how small we are.

But at the same time, God created us just a tad bit lower than the angels and given the world to us for our care, crowning us with honor and glory.

But the writer of Hebrews looks around her world and says: we have yet to see this worked out. Yet, what we CAN see is Jesus, who was made, like us, a little lower than the angels, but now is crowned with glory and honor, because of the road he traveled for us (and now is infinitely greater than all the angels).

What was your chosen phrase from last week?

Did you have a chance to use that phrase during the week? If so, what was that like?

Choose a phrase for the week ahead - the same phrase, or is there something else here you’ll choose?

Craft a newspaper headline from our Text this morning.

I’d like to have each group read their “headline” when we finish!

Unison reading of the Text.

For the Benediction - Remember the gospel:

1. You are loved more profoundly than you could ever imagine and more than you will ever know.

2. Though your sins be many, they are as if they never were, for when Jesus tasted death for our sake, our sins were wiped away!

3. Even now, the Holy Spirit is at work binding your life to Jesus, enabling you to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world.

4. When you die, you, and everyone you love, will be with Jesus forever!