Son of God | Heaven's Son Pt. 1

Advent begins with a problem: we live in the dark. Hebrews 1 tells us that long ago God spoke in many ways—through prophets, visions, even long silences—but all of it was partial. Now, in these last days, God has spoken fully and finally in his Son. That means we don’t have to guess what God is like, what he wants, or where to find him. Jesus is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact imprint of his nature. If you can see and hear Jesus, you can see and hear the Father.

I pressed us to think beyond seasonal slogans. Many in the first century chased spiritual speculation—angels, secret knowledge, apocalyptic charts—while neglecting the clear voice of the Son. We’re not so different. We say we want Jesus, then try to fill our souls with money, achievement, control, kid success, or a quieter calendar. But the Son is enough because he carries the Father’s authority and character. He’s the heir of all things; the wind and waves obey him, and so must we. That’s good news because nothing in our life sits outside his care. It’s also confronting because he has the right to command our obedience where we resist.

The Son also shares the Father’s holy character. His glory attracts and exposes at the same time. He will not make peace with our sin, and that is precisely why he made purification for sins. The cross is where his holiness and love meet: sin is judged, sinners are welcomed. Having finished that work, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high. From there he advocates for us, granting access—not merely to a future place called heaven—but to the Father himself and all his benefits now: love that steadies, joy that cannot be stolen, peace that does not depend on circumstances.

So, as we say “Son of God” this season, let’s mean it. Let’s receive the Son as God’s final word, submit to his rightful authority, trust his holy love, and come boldly for what only the Father can give us through him. If you’ve only wanted Jesus as an escape plan, come to him as your life, your portion, your satisfaction.

Key Takeaways

• 1. Jesus is God’s final word God’s former speech came in pieces—true but partial. In Jesus, God has spoken in a way that is whole, clear, and personal. Stop looking for secret ladders to heaven when the ladder has come down to you. Listen to the Son, and you’ll hear everything the Father intends for you to know. [07:31]
• 2. The Son bears the Father’s authority Jesus is the heir of all things and exercises real authority over creation and over us. That comforts us—nothing we fear sits outside his rule. It also corrects us—his call defines our obedience, even when it crosses our preferences. Authority in his hands is both shelter and summons. [19:50]
• 3. The Son radiates the Father’s character Jesus is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact imprint of his nature. His holiness doesn’t merely inspire; it exposes our impurity and heals us by leading us to repentance. The God you meet in Jesus is not a softer deity—he is the Holy One who refuses to love us superficially. [21:42]
• 4. Purification opens access to the Father After making purification for sins, Jesus sat down, which means the work is complete. From the Father’s right hand he advocates for us, granting real access to the Father’s presence and all his gifts—joy, peace, and sustaining grace. Through the Son, we don’t just get in; we are welcomed all the way home. [26:11]
• 5. Find real satisfaction in Christ Our hearts run after possessions, position, control, and calendar fixes, but none can carry the weight of our hope. The Son gives what those pursuits only promise: rest, identity, and joy that endure. Advent is an invitation to re-order desire around the only One who can fill it. [14:39]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [00:34] - Scripture Reading: Hebrews 1:1-4
• [02:28] - Why Christmas sermons feel hard
• [03:44] - Who is this Child? Titles of Jesus
• [06:52] - Advent begins with the darkness
• [07:31] - God’s former speech vs. the Son
• [08:47] - Fragmented revelation and long silences
• [10:40] - The Incarnation: God made visible
• [12:05] - Chasing angels vs. knowing Jesus
• [13:26] - Our modern substitutes for satisfaction
• [15:17] - Sonship means authority and inheritance
• [19:50] - The promise and demand of his authority
• [21:42] - Radiance and exact imprint of God
• [24:53] - Purification, enthronement, and our access
• [28:54] - Invitation to believe and respond

Bible Reading

Hebrews 1:1–4 — 1 Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, 2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. 3 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, 4 having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs.

Observation Questions

1. What contrast does Hebrews 1:1–2 draw between “long ago” and “in these last days”? How does the sermon explain why the earlier revelations were “fragmentary” while Jesus is full and final? [07:31]
2. Which specific descriptions of the Son appear in verses 2–3 (heir, creator, radiance, exact imprint, sustainer)? How do those descriptions show both authority and identity? [00:34]
3. What does the phrase “after making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high” tell you about the work Jesus accomplished and its completion? How did the sermon connect that finished work to our access to the Father? [26:11]
4. Verse 3 calls Jesus “the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature.” From the sermon, what are two implications of that language for how people see God when they look at Jesus? [21:42]

Interpretation Questions

1. How should a listener understand the claim that “the Son bears the Father’s authority” when considering everyday worries and decisions? What tension does that create between comfort (nothing is outside his rule) and summons (obedience he may call for)? [19:50]
2. How does describing Jesus as “radiance” and the “exact imprint” of the Father shape a person’s view of both God’s holiness and God’s love? Does this make God seem more distant or more approachable, and why? [21:42]
3. The sermon says purification by the Son opens access not only to future heaven but to the Father’s present gifts (joy, peace, sustaining grace). How should someone reconcile “already” access with still living in a broken world? [26:11]
4. The preacher contrasts chasing spiritual curiosities or modern substitutes (money, achievement, calendar fixes) with finding satisfaction in the Son. How should a listener interpret the claim that Jesus “gives what those pursuits promise”? [14:39]

Application Questions

1. Identify one concrete thing you currently look to for satisfaction (money, position, control, a child’s success, a quieter schedule). This week, what single, practical step will you take to turn that hope toward Christ (e.g., a 10‑minute prayer when the urge hits, a Scripture to memorize, an accountability conversation)? [14:39]
2. Where in your life is obedience to Jesus uncomfortable because he might ask you to do something you don’t want? Name one specific area (home, work, finances, speech, relationships) and one immediate action you will take this week to obey (confess, apologize, change a schedule, set a boundary). [19:50]
3. Spend 10–15 minutes this week meditating on Hebrews 1:3. Write one sentence that summarizes what “radiance of God’s glory” reveals about God’s character and one sentence about how that should change the way you speak about God to someone who doubts. Share both with the group next time. [21:42]
4. Think of a request you have been hesitant to bring to God because you felt unworthy or unsure. Remembering that Jesus “made purification for sins” and now advocates for us, what one bold prayer will you offer to the Father this week, and who will you tell about it so you can be accountable? [26:11]
5. If you’ve been treating Jesus as an “escape plan” rather than your life and portion, what is one small, concrete habit you will start this week to re‑order your desire around him (example: replace 15 minutes of scrolling with 15 minutes of Scripture and silence each morning)? Commit to the day/time. [14:39]
6. For those exploring faith or not yet trusting Jesus as Savior: what is one practical next step you will take this week (read John’s Gospel one chapter a day, meet with the pastor, come to a newcomers class)? If you feel ready to respond now, make a plan to talk with someone after the group. [28:54]
7. Examine your weekly rhythms: what is one habit you will change in the next seven days to create space to hear the Son as God’s final word (e.g., remove one recurring activity, schedule a 20‑minute Sabbath slot, sign off social media for an evening)? Try it and report back next week. [01:53]