Hebrews 1:1-3 (Part 1)

Series Theme: The Preeminence of Christ.

1) Superiority over all things.
2) Superior to the angels.
3) Superior to Moses.
4) Superior to Joshua.
5) Superior to Aaron and the priesthood.
6) Superior to the Old Covenant.
7) Superiority of His sacrifice to the OT sacrifices.
8) Superiority of His faithful people to the faithless.
9) Superiority of His testimony to any other.
(These nine summary statements of Hebrews are borrowed from John MacArthur)

I. God has spoken.
a. God previously spoke through the prophets.
-many portions = polumeros = many parts, many portions
-"The word points to the fragmentary character of former revelation; it came in multiple segments or portions." The New Linguistic and Exegetical Key to the Greek NT.
-many ways = polutropos = in many ways, in various manners
b. God has now spoken through His Son.
-Greek text literally reads "Many portions and many ways formerly after God spoke to the fathers in the prophets..."
-MacArthur "Just as children are first taught letters, then words, and then sentences, so God gave His revelation. It began with a 'picture book' of types and ceremonies and prophecies and progressed to final completion in Jesus Christ and His New Testament."
-Matt. 11:1-6
-O'Brien "Son, without the definite article, emphasizes the exalted status of the final messenger and may be rendered, 'one who is Son.'"

Ephesians 6:21-24

I. Believers are to express brotherly concern for one another.
Paul's description of Tychicus
1) Beloved brother.
-Acts 20:4, II Tim. 4:11-12
2) Faithful minister
-minister = diakonos = servant, minister, deacon

II. Pray for continued blessing of God for one another.
a. The gracious gifts God has given to believers.
i. Peace
ii. Love
iii. Faith
iv. Grace
b. The glad response by those who believe.
-incorruptible = aphtharsia = not corruptible, imperishable, undying
-Numb. 6:24-26

Ephesians 6:10-20 (Part 3)

I. Prayer is the foundation for the operation of our spiritual weapons.
-prayer = proseuche = prayer, general request
-petition = deesis = entreaty, petition; specific requests, specific needs
-Elements of prayer for the operation of our spiritual weapons
a. Continual
-times = kairos = time, season, epoch, age, occasion
-What does continual prayer, praying without ceasing mean?
--Living with a constant posture of the heart, a "God consciousness" or awareness.
b. Spirit-directed
-I John 5:14, Rom. 8:26-27
-MacArthur "To be 'filled with Spirit' and to walk in His leading and power is to be made able to pray in the Spirit, because our prayer will then be in harmony with His."
c. With perseverance.
-alert = agrupneo = stay awake, lie sleepless; idea of being vigilant, watchful
-perseverance = proskarteresis = persevere, diligence, persistence; used to describe diligently remaining at one's work
-Luke 18:1
d. In intercession
e. For the glory of God
-MacArthur "God answers prayer in order to put His power on display."
i. Speak with clarity.
ii. Speak with boldness.
-boldness = parresia = speak openly, boldness, confidence
iii. Speak with dependence upon our Master.
-may be given = didomi = give; passive verb

Ephesians 6:10-20 (Part 2)

istemi = set, place, stand, fix; in military setting, used for holding critical position on battlefield

I. Stand your ground by the strength of God's armor.
-stand firm = istemi; here grammarians note it is an "ingressive aorist" which means it is the idea of "take your stand" "stand your ground"

1) Girded with the belt of truth
-girded = perizonnumi = bind around oneself, wrap around
-lions = osphus = hips, waist
-Is. 11:5
2) Put on the breastplate of righteousness
-breastplate = thorax
-Is. 59:17
3) Feet shod with the gospel of peace
-shod = hupodeomai = bind under
-preparation = hetoimasia = readiness, equipment
-Is. 52:7
4) Take up the shield of faith
-shield = thureos = large door-shaped shield; door = thura
Prov. 30:5
5) Take the helmet of salvation
-helmet = perikephalaia = around the head
-Is. 59:17
-Heb. 6:19
6) Take up the sword of the Spirit, God's Word
-sword = machaira = short doubled-edged sword; 6-18 inches long. Not the rhomphaia = 4 foot doubled edged sword
-Is. 49:2
-Three aspects of this weapon
a. It can be used for defense.
b. It can be used for offense.
-Heb. 4:12
c. It must be used with precision.
-II Tim. 2:15