1. The Greatness of Angels

   

   1. Angels Are awesome

      angels delivered the law

      Acts 7:38 - angels spoke to Moses

      Acts 7:53 - law delivered by angels

      Gal 3:19 - law put in place through angels

      angels are awe/fear inspiring

      Luke 1:13, 2:10 - fear not

      angels have direct access to God

      Isa 6:2-3, 6

      Rev 4:8-9

      people were tempted to worship angels

      Rev 19:10, 22:8 Col 2:18

   2. Angels in Hebrew Eschatology
      Some believed Michael the archangel would be the supreme figure in the Messianic kingdom.

2. But the Son is Better Than Angels - Heb 1:4-14
   1. He has a more excellent name, Son - Heb 1:4-6, Psalm 2:7, 2 Sam 7:14
   2. He has a more excellent function
      1. Angels are ministers - Heb 1:7, Psalm 104:4
      2. The Son is King - Heb 1:8-9, Psalm 45:6,7
   3. He has a more excellent being - Heb 1:10-12, Psalm 102:25-27
      1. Angels are created
      2. The Son is creator
   4. He has a more excellent station
      1. The Son has dominion - Heb 1:13, Psalm 110:1
      2. The angels are minions - Heb 1:14

1. The Greatness of Moses

   

   Moses was awesome

   Moses appeared before Pharaoh - Exo 7:1-2

   Moses led Israel out of bondage - Exo 12:50-51

   Moses met God on Mt. Sinai - Exo 24:12-18

   Moses interceded for the people - Exo 32:30-32

   The people were frightened by Moses’ glowing face - Exo 34:29-35

   God exalted Moses - Num 12:6-8

   Moses was one of the two OT figures on the Mt. of Transfiguration - Matt 17:1-3

   Moses was revered in NT times - Jhn 9:28, Acts 6:11, Acts 7:20-44, Acts 7:35, Acts 21:21

2. But the Son is Better Than Moses - Heb 3:1-6
   1. Notable Things - v1
      1. Jesus is Apostle and High Priest
      2. The readers have confessed this - “our confession”
      3. The readers are “holy brothers”, “share in a heavenly calling”
   2. Jesus and Moses - vv 2-6
      1. Likenesses Between Jesus and Moses
         1. Both were appointed - v2 Jesus, v5 Moses
         2. Both were messengers - v1 Jesus Apostle, v5 Moses testimony
         3. Both were faithful - v1 Jesus, v2 Moses
      2. Jesus is more excellent than Moses in …
         1. Function
            1. Jesus is builder - v3
            2. Moses was house - v3
         2. Glory
            1. Jesus as builder - v3
            2. Moses as house - v3
         3. Station
            1. Jesus is Son - v6
            2. Moses was servant - v5

1. The Greatness of the High Priest

   

   The high priests were awesome

   The high priest entered the holy of holies - Lev 16:1-28, Heb 9:7

   The high priest interceded for the people - Lev 16:1-28

   The high priest ruled the people - Acts 4:5-6

2. But the Son is Better Than The High Priest
   1. Notable Things
      1. Similarities and differences between 4:14 and 3:1
         1. Jesus is High Priest
         2. Jesus passed through the heavens vs. you share in a heavenly calling
         3. Jesus is Son of God vs. Apostle
         4. “our confession”
      2. “In the days of His flesh” - 5:7
   2. Jesus and the High Priest
      1. Likenesses Between Jesus and the High Priest
         1. Both were called or appointed - 5:6,10 Jesus, 5:1,4 high priest
         2. Both were/are mediators between God and man - 4:16 Jesus, 5:1 high priest
         3. Both atoned for sin - 5:9 Jesus, 5:1,3 high priest
      2. Jesus is more excellent than the high priest in …
         1. Sympathy
            1. Jesus was tempted in every way as we are - 4:15
            2. The high priest was like us but not like us
         2. Holiness
            1. Jesus without sin - 4:15
            2. The high priest with sin - 5:3
         3. Eternal priesthood
            1. Jesus’ priesthood is at a higher level, eternal - 5:6
            2. The high priest had a limited, temporal priesthood - 9:25
         4. Place of ministry
            1. Jesus’ ministry in the true heavenly tabernacle - 4:14
            2. The high priest’s ministry in the earthly model - 9:23
         5. Effective sacrifice
            1. Jesus provided the perfect, eternal sacrifice - 5:9
            2. The high priest’s sacrifice required repitition - 10:2

Jesus is better than …

• Angels
• Moses
• High Priests

The writer makes it clear that a retreat from Christ is a retreat from true faith.

What are you tempted to put in the place of Christ, to elevate above Him?