2. Superior in position . 2:1-8
a. Encouragement – because of His person and because of His position. 2:1
b. Exhortation. 2:2-3

Paul needed to answer the question, if Jesus is superior to the angels, why did He become man? We will continue today to see that the superiority to the angels is established by His Person, by His Position, through the –

c. Exhibition of proof. Hebrews 2:3b,4 “God also bearing them witness..”

Last week we spoke of signs, wonders, miracles, and the Holy Spirit. I want to make sure that we understand that God is still working among us today, just in a different way. He does not give a man these works today. He has given to man His completed Word which is perfect in every way and is all that we need to verify God’s will. When a man hears the Word of God, the Holy Spirit of God begins to use His Word to convince the man of the truth and brings him to a decisions of accepting or rejecting.

We learned of God’s working in His People as a testimony to Himself Thursday night in the Music Seminar by Dr. Ron White. He brought forth the meaning of –
Psalm 40:1-3 To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. I waited patiently for the LORD; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry. He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings. And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the LORD.

Paul testified to this very truth in –

2 Corinthians 4:1-7 Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not; But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God. But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus’ sake. For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.
God is still working miracles today!

Today we continue and will look at the –
d. Explanation of the position of angels and man. Hebrews 2:5-8

1). Angels – The Position of Ministers 5:5

Angels do not occupy the earth as their home. Their home is in Heaven in the presence of God. They come to earth on specific missions, but do not dwell here.

Hebrews 1:14 Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?

Note: The dwelling place of Satan and the angels that have rebelled against God and followed him dwell on earth. They have lost their estate in Heaven.

2). Man – The Position of Management. 5:6-8

a). The purpose of God for man was to be prince of the creation –

Genesis 1:27-28 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.

b). The Plight of man is that he sinned against God and gave up his position to the Devil. 2:8 “But now we see not yet all things put under him.”

Satan is at this time the prince and the power of this earth. Yet, Satan’s power has been defeated and a day is coming that it will be destroyed.

Remember when Satan tempted Jesus in the wilderness immediately following the baptism by John –

Matthew 4:8-10 Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me. Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.

This was a real offer as the kingdoms of the earth are under his rule at this time.

The power over the place will be yielded up to the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
Paul completed his presentation of the superiority of Jesus in His Person and Position over that of the angels by declaring the purpose of God in giving His Son that we might have life. We want to remember today the wonderful name of –
3). Jesus – and His Majesty Refer to –

Philippians 2:6-9 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:

We can rejoice in His Majesty displayed in Heaven as revealed in –

Revelation 5:12-13 Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing. And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever.

Now, does man know that God gave him the responsibility and the power to rule over creation and yet man gave up the privilege and the power to accomplish that purpose. Does he understand what he has done? No, most do not. But, God declared this in His Word –

Psalm 8:1-9 To the chief Musician upon Gittith, A Psalm of David. O LORD our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth! who hast set thy glory above the heavens. Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings hast thou ordained strength because of thine enemies, that thou mightest still the enemy and the avenger. When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained; What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him? For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour. Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands; thou hast put all things under his feet: All sheep and oxen, yea, and the beasts of the field; The fowl of the air, and the fish of the sea, and whatsoever passeth through the paths of the seas. O LORD our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth!

We are but creations, unworthy of God’s love, and yet He loves us and became one of us that He might take our sin upon Himself!
Man cannot rule in his own power!
Man cannot manage in his own power!
We do have the will to do so –
We do not have the wisdom to do so –
We do not have the wherewithal to do so –
We cannot save ourselves!
We must have Jesus! Look to Him!

Are you saved? Have you turned to God in faith through His blessed Son Jesus Christ?