Fixing Our Eyes on Jesus' Supremacy and Authority
Summary
### Summary
We are embarking on a new series in the book of Hebrews, aptly titled "Fix Your Eyes on Jesus." Hebrews speaks to Christians who are weary and struggling with their faith in a culture that seeks to deconstruct their belief in Jesus. This ancient text is incredibly relevant today, offering encouragement and guidance to all believers, whether new or seasoned, single or married, struggling or thriving. The central message of Hebrews is not about mustering up our own strength but about fixing our thoughts and eyes on Jesus, who provides the power and resolve we need.
The writer of Hebrews, whose identity remains unknown, immediately establishes the supremacy of Jesus. He is portrayed as having unmatched authority, a unique identity, and great power. Jesus is described as the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of His being. This means that to know Jesus is to know God. The writer emphasizes that Jesus holds all authority, sits at the right hand of God, and sustains all things by His powerful word.
In a world filled with chaos and competing voices, the writer urges us to give Jesus the ultimate authority in our lives. Many of our struggles stem from giving authority to lesser things—people, institutions, or even ourselves. When Jesus is not the central authority, it leads to conflict, resentment, and potentially abandoning our faith. The writer of Hebrews challenges us to elevate our view of Jesus, recognizing His unmatched authority, unique identity, and sustaining power.
The sermon concludes with a poignant question: "What will you do with this Jesus?" Whether you are a new believer or have been following Jesus for decades, the call is to fix your eyes on Him. By doing so, you will find the strength and guidance needed to navigate life's challenges. The world needs the message of Hebrews now more than ever, and it is our responsibility to share it and live it out.
### Key Takeaways
1. Unmatched Authority of Jesus: Jesus holds all authority in heaven and on earth. This authority is not just a title but a reality that impacts every aspect of our lives. When we give Jesus the ultimate authority, we align ourselves with His will and purpose, leading to a more stable and fulfilling life. [08:40]
2. Unique Identity of Jesus: Jesus is the exact representation of God's being, the radiance of His glory. This means that knowing Jesus is knowing God. Our identity is deeply rooted in understanding who Jesus is, and this understanding helps us navigate our own identity struggles. [14:21]
3. Sustaining Power of Jesus: Jesus is not only the creator but also the sustainer of all things. Everything that exists is held together by His powerful word. Recognizing this helps us trust in His ability to sustain us through any challenge we face. [20:16]
4. The Danger of Lesser Authorities: Many of our struggles come from giving authority to lesser things—people, institutions, or even ourselves. When Jesus is not the central authority, it leads to conflict and potentially abandoning our faith. We must fix our eyes on Jesus to avoid these pitfalls. [10:11]
5. The Call to Action: The question "What will you do with this Jesus?" challenges us to evaluate our relationship with Him. Whether new in faith or seasoned, we are called to fix our eyes on Jesus, share His message, and live out His teachings. This is the path to a fulfilling and impactful Christian life. [23:09]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[01:32] - Introduction to Hebrews
[02:50] - Relevance of Hebrews Today
[04:21] - Establishing Jesus' Supremacy
[05:52] - Chaos in the World
[07:21] - Jesus' Unmatched Authority
[08:40] - Authority Language in Hebrews
[10:11] - Who Has Authority in Your Life?
[11:34] - Deconstructing Faith
[13:00] - The Voice of Jesus
[14:21] - Jesus' Unique Identity
[15:45] - Identity Struggles
[17:03] - Knowing Jesus vs. Going Through the Motions
[18:36] - Jesus' Radiance and Glory
[20:16] - Jesus' Sustaining Power
[21:42] - Greater Than Angels
[23:09] - What Will You Do with This Jesus?
[24:24] - Colossians Parallel
[25:47] - Daily Reliance on Jesus
[27:19] - Story of the Young Man
[29:08] - The Challenge to Care
[30:41] - Call to Prayer
[32:19] - Closing Prayer
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. Hebrews 1:1-4 (NIV)
> "In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe. The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven. So he became as much superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is superior to theirs."
2. Colossians 1:15-20 (NIV)
> "The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross."
### Observation Questions
1. According to Hebrews 1:1-4, how does the writer describe Jesus' authority and identity?
2. What does Colossians 1:15-20 say about Jesus' role in creation and his relationship to the church?
3. In the sermon, what examples are given of lesser authorities that people might give power to instead of Jesus? [10:11]
4. How does the writer of Hebrews emphasize the supremacy of Jesus over angels? [21:42]
### Interpretation Questions
1. Why is it significant that Jesus is described as the "radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being" in Hebrews 1:3? How does this impact our understanding of who Jesus is?
2. How does recognizing Jesus' unmatched authority and sustaining power help believers navigate their personal struggles and challenges? [04:21]
3. What are the dangers of giving authority to lesser things, as mentioned in the sermon? How can this lead to conflict and potentially abandoning faith? [10:11]
4. How does the call to "fix your eyes on Jesus" provide practical guidance for believers today? What does this look like in everyday life? [23:09]
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your own life: Who or what have you given authority to that might be competing with Jesus' authority? How can you begin to shift that authority back to Jesus this week? [10:11]
2. The sermon mentioned that many people have a "too small" view of Jesus. How can you expand your understanding and view of Jesus' identity and power? What steps can you take to deepen your knowledge of Him? [04:21]
3. Think about a current struggle or challenge you are facing. How can recognizing Jesus' sustaining power help you trust Him more in this situation? [20:16]
4. The sermon posed the question, "What will you do with this Jesus?" How can you actively respond to this question in your daily life, whether through sharing your faith, serving others, or deepening your relationship with Him? [23:09]
5. Identify one area in your life where you have been listening to lesser voices instead of Jesus. What practical steps can you take to focus more on His voice and guidance? [13:00]
6. How can you encourage someone in your life who is struggling with their faith to fix their eyes on Jesus? What specific actions or words can you offer to support them? [01:32]
7. Reflect on the hymn "Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus" mentioned in the sermon. How can you make this a daily practice in your life? What changes might you need to make to keep your focus on Jesus? [18:36]
Devotional
Day 1: Jesus' Unmatched Authority
Jesus holds all authority in heaven and on earth. This authority is not just a title but a reality that impacts every aspect of our lives. When we give Jesus the ultimate authority, we align ourselves with His will and purpose, leading to a more stable and fulfilling life. The writer of Hebrews emphasizes that Jesus sits at the right hand of God and sustains all things by His powerful word. In a world filled with chaos and competing voices, it is crucial to recognize and submit to Jesus' unmatched authority. By doing so, we find the strength and guidance needed to navigate life's challenges. [08:40]
Hebrews 1:3-4 (ESV): "He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs."
Reflection: What areas of your life are you struggling to give Jesus authority over? How can you begin to surrender these areas to Him today?
Day 2: Jesus' Unique Identity
Jesus is the exact representation of God's being, the radiance of His glory. This means that knowing Jesus is knowing God. Our identity is deeply rooted in understanding who Jesus is, and this understanding helps us navigate our own identity struggles. The writer of Hebrews portrays Jesus as having a unique identity that sets Him apart from all others. By fixing our eyes on Jesus, we gain a clearer understanding of our own identity and purpose. This knowledge empowers us to live confidently and authentically in a world that often challenges our beliefs. [14:21]
Colossians 1:15-16 (ESV): "He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him."
Reflection: How does understanding Jesus' unique identity help you navigate your own identity struggles? What steps can you take to deepen your knowledge of Jesus?
Day 3: Jesus' Sustaining Power
Jesus is not only the creator but also the sustainer of all things. Everything that exists is held together by His powerful word. Recognizing this helps us trust in His ability to sustain us through any challenge we face. The writer of Hebrews highlights Jesus' sustaining power, reminding us that we are not alone in our struggles. By fixing our eyes on Jesus, we can find the strength and resilience needed to endure difficult times. Trusting in His sustaining power allows us to face life's uncertainties with confidence and hope. [20:16]
Nehemiah 9:6 (ESV): "You are the Lord, you alone. You have made heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all their host, the earth and all that is on it, the seas and all that is in them; and you preserve all of them; and the host of heaven worships you."
Reflection: In what areas of your life do you need to trust in Jesus' sustaining power? How can you remind yourself of His ability to hold all things together?
Day 4: The Danger of Lesser Authorities
Many of our struggles come from giving authority to lesser things—people, institutions, or even ourselves. When Jesus is not the central authority, it leads to conflict and potentially abandoning our faith. The writer of Hebrews challenges us to elevate our view of Jesus, recognizing His unmatched authority, unique identity, and sustaining power. By fixing our eyes on Jesus, we can avoid the pitfalls of giving authority to lesser things and find true peace and stability in our faith. [10:11]
Jeremiah 10:23 (ESV): "I know, O Lord, that the way of man is not in himself, that it is not in man who walks to direct his steps."
Reflection: What lesser authorities have you been giving power to in your life? How can you refocus your attention on Jesus as the ultimate authority?
Day 5: The Call to Action
The question "What will you do with this Jesus?" challenges us to evaluate our relationship with Him. Whether new in faith or seasoned, we are called to fix our eyes on Jesus, share His message, and live out His teachings. This is the path to a fulfilling and impactful Christian life. The writer of Hebrews urges us to give Jesus the ultimate authority in our lives and to share the message of His supremacy with others. By doing so, we can make a significant difference in our own lives and in the lives of those around us. [23:09]
James 1:22-25 (ESV): "But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing."
Reflection: What specific actions can you take today to fix your eyes on Jesus and share His message with others? How can you live out His teachings in your daily life?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "Every one of us is similar in this one fact. We all need encouragement from time to time. And Hebrews is not going to encourage you to go out there and pull yourself up by your own bootstraps. That's not what Hebrews is going to say. Hebrews is not going to teach you to muster up all the strength you can, all the resolve you can to carry on. That is not what Hebrews will tell you. What Hebrews is going to tell you is to fix your thoughts and your eyes on Jesus. That if you rest in his power, in his strength, in his power, in his strength, in his strength, in his strength, is resolve. He will give you what you need and you will make it through whatever you may be facing right now." (38 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Knowing that Jesus has all authority, that he truly is in control. Even when it doesn't seem like he's in control, he's in control. Even when it doesn't seem like he's in control, he's in control. Even when it doesn't seem like it, he is, gives us comfort. It allows us to hold on to our faith in the midst of any kind of struggle. Placing anything else on the throne, anything else, anyone else is only going to lead to an unstable reign. And so if you know who Jesus is, why would you ever stop listening to him?" (25 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "The only way to truly know who you are is to know who God is. And Jesus is the exact representation of God. Therefore, we have to know him so that we can know the Father. Our personal struggle with identity, and I believe our country's struggle right now with identity, comes down to the fact that we have a lack of knowing who Jesus is." (22 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "No matter what you're facing today, no matter what you're going through, no matter what season of life you're in, I'm telling you, you can find the answers. You can find them in Hebrews. You can find them in all of scripture. I suppose the final question should be this. What will you do with this Jesus?" (17 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "If you are struggling this morning, I'm telling you, you need a bigger picture of who Jesus is. And maybe today is the day that you just are going to say, I'm going to stop listening to those powerless voices around me and I'm going to start listening to the one who holds all the power, who sustains everything that you see and don't see and who will actually sustain you. Maybe you need to just listen to that voice instead." (27 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "What if your view or even my view of Jesus is too small? What if our view of Jesus is too small? I know that he needs to be our savior. I know he needs to be our Lord, but how can Jesus really help me with all the problems of life? That's the reason you feel like he can't is because you have a view of Jesus that is just too small. And right out of the gate, the writer of Hebrews, who, by the way, we don't know who the writer is. It could be Paul. It could be Apollos. He does not introduce himself. He hits the ground running because right away he wants us to understand who Jesus is." (38 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Who do you give authority to over your life? When I give complete authority over my life to Jesus, I can be a better husband. I can love Abby like Christ loved the church. You can be a better single parent. You can sacrifice for your children just like Christ sacrificed for us. You can come back from the point of anger, back from the point of doubt, if you allow Jesus to be the authority in your life. Because when Jesus begins to compete with other authorities, it leads to conflict in your life. And that conflict leads to resentment towards him. And that resentment might eventually lead to some sort of rebellion. And that rebellion could lead to complete abandonment." (42 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "If we aren't careful, it is possible to develop a faith that will help us to know God. And if we don't, we won't. And if we don't, we won't. If we don't, we won't. And if we don't, we won't. And if we don't, we won't. And if we don't, we won't. In other words, we become people who think of ourselves as knowing Jesus, but really all we're doing is going through the motions. Well, I attend church regularly. I mean, I give some offering. I'm a decent person. I pray before meals. And so doesn't that mean that I know Jesus? Not necessarily. Not if you have sort of disassociated your faith from the object of our faith, which is Jesus." (33 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "My hope, my salvation, my ministry, my life is founded on the one who sustains all things by his great power. So this is not about my strength. It's not about your strength. It's not about our power or our resolve. It's not about... It's not about any of that. It is simply about relying on Jesus and his power, maintaining a close connection and relationship to an awesome Jesus who is and will always be enough." (30 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "Fix your thoughts and your eyes on Jesus, because he will see you through everything and anything that comes your way in this life. I'm going to ask our prayer partners to come forward because I think this is a great time to have some prayer partners up here. I don't know where you're at. As I went down that list at the beginning of the sermon, I know that some of you are on that list. I know that some of you are on that list. Some of you need to come up and you need to receive prayer because you're in that spot, whether it's in a tough marriage or you're single or you're the single parent you're the follower who's been following Jesus for decades, but it's been a long time since you shared your faith or you're a brand new Christian and you're just not even sure how to do that." (48 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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