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Hebrews (Part Three): Who Was Jesus? (cont.)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

Jesus Christ, as the Image of God, stands uniquely above all who have ever lived, embodying a divine relationship with the Father that is unoriginated and unparalleled. He took on humanity to fulfill God's purposes, becoming our Savior through His sinless life and sacrificial death, which made peace between us and God possible. His uniqueness is emphasized by the apostle John in the prologue to his gospel, where He is identified as the Word, the creative energy of the universe, existing with God from the beginning and being God Himself. All things were made through Him, and He is the source of life, sustaining and upholding the creation with His power. John further distinguishes Jesus by using the term "monogenes," translated as "only begotten," to highlight His singular relationship with the Father, sharing His character and standing alone as the sole Son in this divine context. This relationship is not originated in the human sense, nor even in heaven, setting Him apart from all other beings referred to as sons of God in Scripture. Jesus is revealed as having always been with the Father, with no time of separation, confirming His unoriginated nature and full deity, equal in character yet distinct in personality. As the Word, Jesus not only created but continues to preserve and sustain all things, demonstrating an immense power that keeps the universe functioning as He designed it. His role extends to providing spiritual light, enabling understanding and purpose for life through His teachings and conduct, surpassing any other source of guidance. Despite this overwhelming witness, many rejected Him, remaining in spiritual darkness, though some accepted His message and began a transformative journey through faith in Him, receiving the right to start a new spiritual life. Jesus, with titles such as Savior, Teacher, elder Brother, Head of the church, and King with all authority in heaven and earth, remains central to God's purpose, critical to the building of God's Family and the eternal future.

Hebrews (Part Five): Who Was Jesus?

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

Jesus Christ stands as the centerpiece of the epistle to the Hebrews, embodying the image of God with profound significance. He is the brightness of God's glory and the express image of His person, reflecting the Father's purpose and character in every way. As stated in Hebrews 1:3, He is the exact representation of God's being, ensuring that whatever glorious excellency resides in the Father is also in the Son. This connection reveals the Father to mankind, for without Christ, the Father's existence and glory would remain vague and undefined to us. Through Him, we perceive the Father's true nature, as He Himself declared that He and the Father are one. Further, Colossians 1:15 affirms that He is the image of the invisible God, not in physical appearance but in internal characteristics, embodying the fullness of deity in bodily form. This means that to see the Son is to see the Father, providing a clear insight into God's reality that humanity could not otherwise attain. All true knowledge of God proceeds through Christ, preventing us from creating false images out of our own imagination. His role as the image of God assures us of continuity and faithful administration, demonstrating that He is in no way inferior to the Father except in overall authority, and solidifying His qualifications as our High Priest and Mediator.

The Glory of God (Part 3): From Glory to Glory

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

We must not limit God's glory to something physical like fire or cloud, but rather recognize God's glory as radiating from His character, which we can share.

The Father-Son Relationship (Part Five)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Although Christ is not the Absolute Deity, He is nevertheless the complement of the Father. He had a pre-existence as the God of the Old Testament.

The Father-Son Relationship (Part Two)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Christ Himself asserted the superiority of the Father. Jesus serves as the revelator of the great God, providing the only means of access to Him.

The Father-Son Relationship (Part One)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

The Father is the source of everything and the Son is the channel through which He carries out His purpose. Jesus declared that the Father is superior to Him.

The Ultimate Father's Day

Article by Staff

Father's Day is a time we honor our human fathers, but a time is coming when our ultimate Father in heaven will be honored for eternity.

The Father-Son Relationship (Part Three)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

The Father and Son are separate; the Father is the source of all power, while the Son serves as the channel through which we interface with the Father.

In The Likeness of Men!

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

Jesus was subjected to the same experiences as the rest of us, having the appearance, experiences, the capability of receiving injury and suffering temptation.

Philippians (Part Four)

Sermon/Bible Study by John W. Ritenbaugh

Paul teaches that individual overcoming in lowliness of mind, putting others ahead of self, leads to the whole body being strengthened.

The Third Commandment: Idolatry

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

In the the Third Commandment, God's name describes His character, attributes, and nature. If we bear God's name, we must reflect His image and His character.

Does Doctrine Really Matter? (Part Fourteen)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

God has sanctified no day other than the Sabbath. Sunday worship is a pagan deviation, perpetuated by Gnosticism, a movement that despises God's laws.

Sovereignty, Election, and Grace (Part Seven)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

In terms of building character, God does the creating, assaying, testing, and proving; we do the yielding and walking in the pathway He has set for us.

Childrearing (Part Three)

Sermon/Bible Study by John W. Ritenbaugh

Our children internalize our values; we teach largely by example. If we do not take seriously the responsibility for rearing our children, somebody else will.