July 20, 2008

NOTE: This week I was compelled to spend much time ministering to a young man in hospital due to a serious motorcycle accident. As a consequence I preached from hand written notes and have not transcribed the message for you here. I apologize and will try to resume next week. Enjoy the outline. Thanx Steve

Adam Where Are You
Hebrews 2:5-9

Heb 2:5 -9 For he did not put the world to come, about which we are speaking, under the control of angels. Instead someone testified somewhere:

"What is man that you think of him or the son of man that you care for him?

You made him lower than the angels for a little while.

You crowned him with glory and honor

You put all things under his control."

For when he put all things under his control, he left nothing outside of his control. At present we do not yet see all things under his control,

but we see Jesus, who was made lower than the angels for a little while, now crowned with glory and honor because he suffered death, so that by God's grace he would experience death on behalf of everyone.

Major Premise: The Superior Christ becomes Lower than angels for a time to rescue Adam’s race.

1. Man’s Domain destiny vv 5-8a

Man was created in righteousness and holiness to have dominion over the world, to care for it and oversee it. In the world to come the saints (humans) will be the overseers, ruling and reigning with Christ. Mankind lost the position of dominion due to the fall and angels temporarily assumed a higher rank. Angels, both holy and unholy have charge. so if anyone asks “if Jesus was a man how can he be better than angels?” you answer. “man is the one granted dominion, angels only fill the gap and it will be man who rules with Christ.

Psalm 8 asks How God could consider mere man in light of the vastness of creation. Daniel 7:18 “But the saints of the most high shall take the kingdom and posses the kingdom forever and ever.” Saints, redeemed men, not angels .

2. Man’s Downfall v. 8b

Genesis 3:14 and following shows a great tragedy. Man’ fell and we live in a cursed earth, with a crownless human and because Adam fell 2:8 says “we do not yet see all tings under his feet.” Man’s destiny was restricted by Man’s downfall because the adversary usurped the crown. Now earth rules man. Man has to fight earth for his existence. After the fall was murder, polygamy, immorality, so bad tha 3 chapters later God wipes out the whole world.

Creation groans to be set free from it’s curse (Romans 8:18ff)

3. Man’s Deliverance v. 9

Someone said “God formed us, sin deformed us but Jesus Christ transformed us.”

The payment for sin is death and we cannot pay that eternal debt without an eternal death.

But Jesus did it. (Romans 6:10) (Romans 6:3)

I died, years ago. Like Paul in Gal. 2:20 I am crucified with Christ. The moment I put my faith in him I died and was resurrected to walk in newness of life.

I am a king in waiting the crown for you and I has been restored.

Heb 2:9 says that Jesus became a man to restore man’s dominion. He had to taste death for every man, but he also conquered death.

As we identify ourselves by faith with Christ the curse is gone and our destiny is restored and we are no longer subject to angels.

As God called to Adam after the fall “Where are you?” Where is the destiny I had planned for you/” he heard only anguish, but the second Adam replies “Tetelestai” It is finished, and I am here Father, Here where I belong.

Can you answer God with that confidence?