Introduction:
1. As we seek to make this year better than the last, we will spend some time in the book of Hebrews pondering the better things God has granted in Christ.
2. This evening, we consider the background to help us more clearly grasp its contents as we progress through the text.
3. The purpose of every component is to encourage steadfastness in our faith.
Discussion:
I. The Purpose of the Letter
A. No author is named in the letter, so we will not be dogmatic.
B. The recipients must be Jewish Christians as:
1. The first line speaks of “the fathers” to whom God spoke through the prophets.
2. The letter is saturated with OT concepts, quotations, and allusions.
3. They were clearly Christians (1:2; 2:3-4; 5:11-6:6; 10:19-25).
4. They seem to have been waffling on their commitment to Christ due to various struggles (10:32-39; 12:1-13).
C. The letter is an exhortation to steadfastness (2:1-4; 3:7-4:16; 5:11-6:6; 10:19-25).
D. The phrase “let us” occurs at least eleven times (4:1-3, 11-12, 16; 6:1-3; 10:22, 23, 24-25; 12:1-3, 28-29; 13:13-14, 15-16).
E. Over half the text is part of an exhortation: 172 out of 305 verses.
II. The Foundation of the Exhortations
A. The simple message is that Jesus is better than Judaism in every conceivable way.
B. At least nine elements are listed describing His supremacy to the Old Covenant:
1. He is better than angels (1:4-14).
2. He is better than Moses (3:1-6).
3. His rest is better than Joshua’s (4:1-10).
4. Offering better things of salvation (6:9).
5. His priesthood is better than Aaron’s (7:11-8:5).
6. His covenant is better being founded on better promises (7:22; 8:6-13).
7. He offered a better sacrifice (9:11-10:18; 12:24).
8. He grants a better possession (10:34).
9. In a better country the faithful of old sought (11:16).
III. Its Timeless and Universal Application
A. Though none of us likely face the same threat to our faithfulness, the message of this great book speaks to our unique threats.
B. Every true Christian left some false system of belief to enter into Christ’s eternal covenant.
C. Just as a return to Judaism spelled disaster for them, so a return to our previous belief system would doom us (2:1-4; 10:36ff).
D. Just as Jesus is superior to Judaism, so He is superior to our previous belief system.
Conclusion:
1. We must remember the words near the close of this great book saying, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever” (13:8).
2. In light of this reality, we must “…not be carried about with various and strange doctrines…” (13:9).
3. As we unpack the better things in Christ in this study, may our faith be more steadfastly anchored to the Christ who is its author and finisher (12:2).