The Sovereign Saviour - Hebrews 2:8-18

By David Woods

A big, mean lion met a monkey in the jungle. The lion pounced on the poor monkey and said, "Who is king of the jungle?" The frightened monkey replied, "You are, O mighty lion."

So the lion let him go. The next animal the lion met was a zebra. He pounced on it and roared, "Who is king of the jungle?" "You are, O mighty lion." So the lion let him go.

The lion next met an elephant and asked the same question. The elephant grabbed the lion, twirled him around, then threw him 50 feet. The lion picked himself up and huffed, "Just because you don't know the answer is no reason to get so rough."

Have you ever met someone with the personality of this lion? This person is so full of himself it makes you sick. You wish could twirl him around and throw him 50 feet, but in Christian love you suffer this person's pride.

Discussion: What are some ways you have seen people strut their supposed superiority over others?

Discussion: How do you feel when you are around people who act as if they are superior to others, including you?

There seems to be something deep within our psyche that irritates us when we are around pompous people. American culture, especially, celebrates the worth of all people, regardless of our heritage, background, personality, or financial situation. America does have a culture of celebrating the "little man," yet many act as if they are superior over others.

Discussion: Why do people feel compelled to prove their superiority over others?

If there is any entity that is superior over others, it is God. Our scripture rightly proclaims Christ as "The Sovereign Saviour." Verse ten says concerning Christ that all things are for Him and by Him.

Discussion: In what ways is Christ sovereign? (The following list is far from exhaustive.)

In view of Christ's sovereignty, verse seventeen is shocking, "Wherefore in all things it behooved him to be made like unto his brethren." The Greek word translated "behooved" means "to be under obligation." How can sovereign God be under obligation to do anything? We realize that any such obligation is voluntary upon God's part.

Discussion: Why did Christ voluntarily obligate Himself to become man? (The following list is not necessarily exhaustive.)

Big Idea: God views His prerogative as expendable to achieve His purpose. (Note: Prerogative is defined as "An exclusive right or privilege held by a person or group, especially a hereditary or official right.")

An important companion scripture concerning Christ's condescension is found in Philippians 2:1-11. Note especially Philippians 2:5 which commands us, "Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus." Another important passage to consider is 1 Corinthians 9. In verse nineteen Paul states, "For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more." In verse twenty-two he says, "… I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some."

What does it mean to have the same mind as Christ, who is the sovereign Son of God, but was willing to humiliate himself in order to reach mankind? What would it mean for us to surrender our prerogatives in order to reach lost people for Christ?

Discussion: Do we hold prerogatives individually or as a church body that create barriers in our fellowship with brothers and sisters in Christ?

Discussion: Do we hold prerogatives individually or as a church body that create barriers in our evangelism of the lost?

(Note: I realize I asked these questions somewhat vaguely; that was sort of on purpose. I was hoping people would think about things that they take for granted, things that to them define Christianity or "going to church", that could be a barrier to others. Actually, "prerogative" may not have been the best word to use. But consider, what rights might we have to give up, in order to reach everyone in our sphere of influence for Christ? Maybe we would have to surrender our pew to the new person who doesn't know that is "our" seat. But also we might need to surrender our comfort and invite a new person to sit with us in the service (to make him/her feel welcome). We might even should surrender some of our time and food and invite this person over for dinner afterwards. Delving into a really touchy area, should we surrender our moral superiority and really try to reach and minister to undocumented immigrants, alcoholics, drug addicts, prostitutes, divorced and divorced-and-remarried people?)

Discussion: Christ is the perfect example of "holiness of heart and life." Can we experience true holiness while being unwilling to surrender personal rights and/or opinions in order to accomplish God's purpose?

(We tend to think of entire sanctification only in terms of cleansing from inbred sin and victory over "bad" sins. God has commanded all Christians to be involved in the Great Commission. Is willful neglect of the Great Commission compatible with a life completely submitted to the Holy Spirit?)

Discussion: Since Jesus surrendered His prerogative (sovereignty), how was He able to help us?

(He saves us from committed sin, v. 10, entirely sanctifies of inbred sin, v. 11, will destroy the devil, v. 14, delivers us from the bondage of sin, v. 15, reconciles us to God, v. 17, and helps us when we are tempted, v. 18.)

Discussion: If we surrender our prerogatives in our efforts to reach lost people, how might 1) the lives of others be changed, 2) we be personally changed, and 3) our church be changed?

"The mission of the Church of God (Holiness) is to exalt Christ, equip the Church, and evangelize the world."

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