Russell Smith Guest Preacher

The BBC would like to cordially thank Russell Smith, who put together a fantastic church service yesterday Sunday September 4th, 2011. If you missed it you might be a little disappointed. But no worries I am hear to catch you up.

Pastor Russell Smith preached about Hebrews 1:1-14  which is a sermon on the subject of the necessity of a persevering faith. It is a warning against apostasy and an encouragement to these Jewish Christians to press on to the end. Throughout the letter we are told that if we want to receive the promise – by which this preacher means the fulfillment of salvation in the world to come – we must hold on firmly to the gospel and to Jesus Christ to the end. These Jewish Christians were being tempted to return to Judaism; some of them apparently already had.

The first 14 verses of chapter 1 convey this message: While God spoke to men in Old Testament times, He has spoken fully and finally in His Son, who is vastly superior to the angels. In the first 4 verses of chapter 2, the author pauses to make a pointed application: We dare not neglect the message God has spoken in His Son. He did this, not for angels, but for men. Having identified with men, He is able to help us in our time of need.

One comment from Pastor Smith that really hit home was:

Where would we be without the word of God?
Russell Smith

What a great question! I have to say it is unimaginable.

 

Hebrews 1:1-14

¹ In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, ² but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe. ³ The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven. ⁴ So he became as much superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is superior to theirs.

The Son Superior to Angels

⁵ For to which of the angels did God ever say,

“You are my Son;
today I have become your Father”?

Or again,

“I will be his Father,
and he will be my Son”?

⁶ And again, when God brings his firstborn into the world, he says,

“Let all God’s angels worship him.”

⁷ In speaking of the angels he says,

“He makes his angels spirits,
and his servants flames of fire.”

⁸ But about the Son he says,

“Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever;
a scepter of justice will be the scepter of your kingdom.
⁹ You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness;
therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions
by anointing you with the oil of joy.”

¹⁰ He also says,

“In the beginning, Lord, you laid the foundations of the earth,
and the heavens are the work of your hands.
¹¹ They will perish, but you remain;
they will all wear out like a garment.
¹² You will roll them up like a robe;
like a garment they will be changed.
But you remain the same,
and your years will never end.”

¹³ To which of the angels did God ever say,

“Sit at my right hand
until I make your enemies
a footstool for your feet”?

¹⁴ Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?