“Christ, True Representation of God”

Text: Hebrew 1:1-4
Sermon:

• Now, before we go over the scripture, let’s investigate the context of the book of Hebrews. At the time this book was written, the Jews followed the teaching of the OT, but most of them rejected Jesus as the long-waited messiah. The original audience Hebrews Christians (perhaps second-generation Christians). This letter is probably written before the destruction of the temple in Jerusalem in 70 AD. Since the Jewish Christians were facing harsh persecution, many of them were considering a return to Judaism.
• The recipient of this letter seems to have been Jewish Christians. They were well-versed in scripture, and they had professed faith in Christ. Whether through doubt, persecution, or false teaching, they may have been in danger of leaving the Christian faith. These Jewish Christians were probably undergoing fierce persecution, socially and physically, both from Jews and Romans. Christ had not yet returned. The listeners needed to be reassured that the Gospel was true.
• The purpose of this letter is to present the sufficient and superiority of Christ. The author is not specifically named; it could be Paul, Luke, Barnabas, Apollos, Silas, Philip or Priscilla.
• Now, let’s investigate the scripture itself: the scripture states that Jesus was the exact representation of God. Jesus is the exact representation of God because he is God himself. He is the full of revelation of God. We have no clearer view of God than by looking at Jesus. He is the complete expression of God in a human body.
• Since Jesus is the exact reflection of God, we only need to look at the life of Jesus to see how we should treat our neighbors and our friends. The Gospels show that Jesus was an all-inclusive, all-loving who allowed people to heal and find hope in his words.
• Jesus shows the importance of loving those that are different than he is. Jesus never saw anyone as his enemy, even the Roman army that arrested him and forced him into his trial, where he was crucified. In fact, Jesus showed compassion for them and even prayed for them to be forgiven while he hung from the cross.
• Since Jesus is the exact reflection of God, Jesus’ love is God’s love. Jesus’ compassion is God’s compassion. Jesus’ inclusion of all people is God’s inclusion of all people.  

 
Conclusion: Let us be people who properly represent Jesus with our actions; through love.