Sunday Night Bible Study
Hebrews 2:1-18 
January 16, 1994
Hebrews 2:1-18
Hebrews 2
Introduction
The theme of Hebrews:
"Jesus is Better"
This is going to play into our chapter very heavily.
The author has spent much of chapter one discussing how Jesus is much better than the angels
Why is Jesus better than the angels?
Reason #1:  Jesus is God's Son, angels are not.
Reason #2:  All the angels worship Jesus
Reason #3:  Angels are servants, Jesus is The Almighty King
HEB 2:1-4 For this reason we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away {from it.} 2 For if the word spoken through angels proved unalterable, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompense, 3 how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation? After it was at the first spoken through the Lord, it was confirmed to us by those who heard, 4 God also bearing witness with them, both by signs and wonders and by various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit according to His own will. 
:1   lest we drift away {from it.}
drift away:
3901 pararrhueo {par-ar-hroo-eh'-o} from 3844 and the alternate of 4482; TDNT - omitted,omitted; vb
AV  - let slip (1)
1) to glide by: lest we be carried by, pass by; i.e. lest the salvation which these things heard show us how to obtain, slip away from us; a thing escapes me; slips my mind
Apparently, the readers of the letter, Jews who had come to trust in Jesus, were considering leaving the faith to escape persecution.  They were willing to let their relationship with Jesus just slip away.
We get more of these notions throughout the book (esp. chapter 12)
Maybe they thought it wasn't worth getting hastled over.  It would be better to take the easy way out and just let things slide.
Lesson:
The antidote to drifiting away is to pay much closer attention.
It's not hard to drift away from the Lord.  It happens all the time.
At times it seems that we must constantly be working to stay close to Him.
Don't take the Lord for granted.
Don't settle for shallow knowledge of the Lord.
Don't assume that just because you've heard all the pastor's stories that you know everything about the Lord.
Go for the deeper relationship.
Keep cultivating your relationship with the Lord.
:2  if the word spoken through angels proved unalterable
The writer is talking about the Mosaic Law, though there are no Old Testament references that clarify this.
There are some New Testament ones though that do:
ACT 7:38 "This is the one who was in the congregation in the wilderness together with the angel who was speaking to him on Mount Sinai, and {who was} with our fathers; and he received living oracles to pass on to you. 
ACT 7:53 you who received the law as ordained by angels, and {yet} did not keep it. " 
GAL 3:19 Why the Law then? It was added because of transgressions, having been ordained through angels by the agency of a mediator, until the seed should come to whom the promise had been made. 
We saw two weeks ago that God had spoken to the prophets in many ways, including through angels, yet now He has spoken with finality through His Son, Jesus.
Proved Unalterable:
steadfast, strong, stable, firm
Was God's word through Moses some kind of wimpy deal, where God promised one thing and did another?
Look at the promises of judgment:
If you look at God's promises of judgment (Lev.26) to the people if they should disobey the Lord, it reads like a blueprint for the destruction that they did later receive when Assyria and Babylon came through and carried them off and wiped out their cities.
The author is trying to say, "If the Mosaic Law, which came through angels, proved to be so heavy duty, what about the Word that comes through God's Son?"
:3  how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation?
If those who heard the Law and disobeyed did not escape the judgment connected to the Law, how could we possibly escape the judgment of not believing in this greater way of salvation?
:3  by those who heard,
Namely, the apostles.
Some feel that a statement like this would eliminate Paul from being a possible author of Hebrews, since he was considered an apostle.
:4  God also bearing witness with them
God used signs and wonders in the ministries of the apostles to confirm the words that they were speaking.
This was one of the things God was trying to accomplish in allowing such great miracles during the times of the apostles.
Signs, wonders, various miracles, gifts ...
Four different words conveying four things:
Signs:  Where God's purposes are revealed through a miracle
Purposes such as God's caring for us.
Wonders:  Something to attract attention to the Lord.
Miracles:  Dunamis, showing God's power.  We have an awesome God!
Gifts:  Actually, "distributions" of the Holy Spirit.  We understand them as the gifts of the Spirit.
When it comes to churches, it seems that there can be three categories:
1.  Those who emphasize the Word, but without signs and wonders.
It's nice to have the truth, but if there's no power, what good is the truth?
Shouldn't the truth set people free?
2.  Those who emphasize the signs and wonders, but lack depth in the Word.
The danger in putting signs and wonders first, is that often the truth of the Word is put on the back burner.
These churches find themselves open to being swayed by every new doctrine that sweeps by the church.
3.  Those who try to put the Word first, and let the signs and wonders follow.
Jesus said:
Mr   16:15-18 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. 16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. 17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; 18 They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.
Notice the order:
Preach the gospel (the Word)
Signs would follow
Hopefully, this is where we try to be.
We don't want to shrink from signs and wonders, we want the power of God in our midst.
But we don't want to sacrifice the truth of the Word of God just to give someone a thrill show.
HEB 2:5-8 For He did not subject to angels the world to come, concerning which we are speaking. 6 But one has testified somewhere, saying, #"\What is man, that Thou rememberest him\? \Or the son of man, that Thou art concerned about him\? 7 "\Thou hast made him for a little while lower than the angels\; \Thou hast crowned him with glory and honor\, \And hast appointed him over the works of Thy hands\; 8 \Thou hast put all things in subjection under his feet.\ "#For in subjecting all things to him, He left nothing that is not subject to him. But now we do not yet see all things subjected to him. 
:5  He did not subject to angels the world to come
We're again going to contrast Jesus with the angels.
God has not said that He would be putting the angels in charge in the world to come.
:6  one has testified somewhere, saying, ...
Again, the writer quotes the Old Testament: (I like the idea that he didn't know just where, but it was "somewhere")
Ps   8:4-8 What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him? 5 For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour. 6 Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands; thou hast put all [things] under his feet: 7 All sheep and oxen, yea, and the beasts of the field; 8 The fowl of the air, and the fish of the sea, [and whatsoever] passeth through the paths of the seas.
:6  the son of man
A technical term for the Messiah.
:7  made him for a little while lower than the angels
In becoming a human, in taking on human flesh, Jesus became lower than the angels, for a little while (33 years).
:8  Thou hast put all things in subjection under his feet
JOH 5:22 "For not even the Father judges anyone, but He has given all judgment to the Son, 
We sing, "Our God reigns" ...yet ...
:8  now we do not yet see all things subjected to him
We don't yet see Jesus in control of all things, not yet.
In a way, ultimately God is in control, yet the time has not yet come when things are in their places, where they should be.
Maybe it's a little like my son David being in control of his toys.  And since he's in control, I ask him to clean up his toys.
But he's not finished cleaning everything up, not yet.
Here's where we struggle, because we long for the day when Jesus is finished with this world.
We pray:
MAT 6:10 'Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, On earth as it is in heaven. 
HEB 2:9-10 But we do see Him who has been made for a little while lower than the angels, {namely,} Jesus, because of the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, that by the grace of God He might taste death for everyone. 10 For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things, and through whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to perfect the author of their salvation through sufferings. 
:9  But we do see Him
We may not see all things coming into subjection to Jesus as yet, but we do see Jesus.
:9  He might taste death for everyone
The essence of the gospel.
Jesus tasted death so you wouldn't have to.
:10  For it was fitting for Him ...to perfect the author of their salvation through sufferings
the "Him" here refers to the Father, not Jesus.
author:  leader, captain
0747 archegos {ar-khay-gos'} from 746 and 71; TDNT - 1:478,81; adj
 AV  - prince (2)     - captain (1)     - author (1) [4]
1) the chief leader, prince
2) one that takes the lead in anything and thus affords an   example, a predecessor in a matter, pioneer
3) the author
Q.  How was it fitting for God to perfect Jesus through sufferings?
It wasn't that Jesus was less than perfect, but that His ministry was perfected through His sufferings.
His identifying with us was made perfect in His suffering.
We suffer, and if we are going to have someone leading us, it sure would be nice to have someone who can identify with the troops!
Note:  If Jesus is our "captain", or our "Leader", and he was perfected through suffering, the idea is that maybe we will be too.
1PE 4:1-2 Therefore, since Christ has suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same purpose, because he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, 2 so as to live the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for the lusts of men, but for the will of God. 
God uses suffering in our life to help get the gunk out.
When my drain is clogged, I don't pat it on the back, I use a plunger, or Draino, or a snake or something.  But my drain has to suffer a little to get the gunk out and to flow freely again.
Don't shrink back from the uncomfortableness that comes from not giving in to sin.  If it means suffering a little, it's going to produce a good result in you, in perfecting you.
HEB 2:11-15 For both He who sanctifies and those who are sanctified are all from one {Father}; for which reason He is not ashamed to call them brethren 12 saying, #"\I will proclaim Thy name to My brethren\, \In the midst of the congregation I will sing Thy praise.\"# 13 And again, #"\I will put My trust in Him.\"# And again, #"\Behold, I and the children whom God has given Me.\" 14 Since then the children share in flesh and blood, He Himself likewise also partook of the same, that through death He might render powerless him who had the power of death, that is, the devil; 15 and might deliver those who through fear of death were subject to slavery all their lives. 
:11  He who sanctifies
The "He" here refers to Jesus.
:11  from one Father
If two people have the same Father, then they are brothers (or, sisters) 
:11  He is not ashamed to call them brethren
Typical movie theme:  An older brother is embarrassed to be seen with his younger brother.  Younger brother is a jerk, or wimp, or something.  Then younger brother proves himself, and older brother is proud.
Is God ever ashamed of us?
I was going to make a blanket statement that God is never ashamed of us, then I decided to check it out first.
There is an instance where God would be ashamed of us:
Mr   8:38 Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.
And so Paul writes to us:
Ro   1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
2Ti  1:8 Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God;
About the heroes of faith we read:
Heb  11:13-16 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of [them], and embraced [them], and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.14 For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country.  15 And truly, if they had been mindful of that [country] from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned. 16 But now they desire a better [country], that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.
When we aren't ashamed of Him, He isn't ashamed of us.
God give us boldness.
:12  saying, ...
Here the author of Hebrews again quotes the Old Testament to prove his point that Jesus calls us "brethren".
He quotes:
Ps   22:22 I will declare thy name unto my brethren: in the midst of the congregation will I praise thee.
2Sa  22:3 The God of my rock; in him will I trust: [he is] my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my high tower, and my refuge, my saviour; thou savest me from violence.
Isa  8:18 Behold, I and the children whom the LORD hath given me [are] for signs and for wonders in Israel from the LORD of hosts, which dwelleth in mount Zion.
The writer has a wonderful habit of backing up his points with Scripture.
Lesson:
Can you back up what you believe with Scripture?
:14  Since then the children
Referring to the "children" in verse 13, that is, us.
:14  He Himself likewise also partook of the same
Jesus didn't just start out a nice guy who ascended into god-hood.
He was God, humbling Himself by becoming a man.
PHI 2:5-11 Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, {and} being made in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 9 Therefore also God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus \every knee should bow,\ of those who are in heaven, and on earth, and under the earth, 11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. 
Note:  Jesus adapted Himself into our image in order to deliver us.
:14  through death He might render powerless him who had the power of death, that is, the devil
render powerless:
One of Satan's main roles against us is the accuser of the brethren.
But if Jesus paid the price for our sins by His death, then as far as God is concerned, our debts have been paid, and there is nothing to accuse us of.
Re   12:10-11 And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night. 11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.
the power of death:  
Satan's power of death was in using our fear of death to his advantage (vs.15)
:15  through fear of death were subject to slavery
We no longer need to be afraid of death.
Do you know people who are afraid of death?
I think about Claude.  He's ready.  He's not afraid.
HEB 2:16-18 For assuredly He does not give help to angels, but He gives help to the descendant of Abraham. 17 Therefore, He had to be made like His brethren in all things, that He might become a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. 18 For since He Himself was tempted in that which He has suffered, He is able to come to the aid of those who are tempted. 
:18  since He Himself was tempted ... He is able to come to the aid
We're told later in Hebrews:
HEB 4:15-16 For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as {we are, yet} without sin. 16 Let us therefore draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and may find grace to help in time of need. 
There are times when I hear people say, "You don't know what I'm going through".
That may be true, I don't know.  But Jesus does.
Jesus has gone through all the things you have gone through and are going to go through.
He's faced all the temptations.  He knows what you're going through.
Ever faced the temptation to throw your relationship with God away and cash in on the big money?
So has Jesus.  Satan offered it to Him.
Going through the pain of divorce?
So has Jesus.  God has been "divorced" from Israel (Hosea)
Ever been deeply hurt or betrayed by someone close to you?
So has Jesus.  He cared very much for Judas.
Let Jesus come to your aid.