Christ – the Upholder of all things

For the Lord’s Day:  the 3^rd of November 2002

 

Hebrews:  1: 3c

 

In these last days he has spoken to us by his Son,

 he upholds the universe by the word of his power.

Introduction:  Years ago, when I was wrestling with the claims of science against the foundational background of my biblical teaching, I ran across a striking verse in Job 26: 7 which reads simply and eloquently: “[God] stretches out the north over the void and hangs the earth on nothing.” That chapter goes on to glowingly display the almighty power of God in the creation and maintenance of planet earth.  Then in verse fourteen we find this amazing revelation:  “Behold, these are but the outskirts of his ways, and how small a whisper do we hear of him!  But the thunder of his power who can understand?”

 

Again, in years gone by, whenever the worldly make a movie of the grandeur of space and dress up the multitude of pin-pointed lights with the subtlety of suitable classical music, it is almost like walking into a grand Cathedral to stand in awe not only of the architect but the also the providential purpose of the One who created and sustains all things.  Why is it that the worldly so magnify the awesome realm of space where in the countless stars of heaven hang in their assigned place and go on to dance the dance of gravity according to the choreography allowed unto them.

 

Isn’t it because even the heathen pagan realizes in the sense of general revelation – here is something other, something grandeur and greater?  Of course, without the wisdom and of specific revelation the providentially blind would worship the creation instead of the Creator, and mistake the obvious details for the facts of the power behind!

 

According to even worldly scholars, the book of Job is the oldest written composition in the Old Covenant – and has not the truth that eludes the wise man and the scholar in our time been revealed to him; from the whisper of what we know about God to the thunderous ignorance of those who neither know nor care.

 

Development:  Last week as I wrestled with the text, I could not see the end of the sermon from the beginning until I realized what you needed to hear was the assurance that you could know by the power of the Spirit what the Apostle was preaching in the text.  Today’s theme is the opposite, I knew the obvious at the beginning where the ending was, but how to get there eluded me for several hours.

 

Raymond Brown describes the cosmic sustenance of our Lord in these words:  “This letter’s introductory exposition of the superiority and adequacy of Christ moves on to its dramatic climax as mention is made of Christ’s present work in the universe. … It is the author’s compelling way of emphasizing Christ’s equality with God.” 

 

It is no real stretch for those who know Christ to move from the teaching of Isaiah 40: 18 and 25 to Colossians 1: 15-17.  In the beautiful poetry of Isaiah, the Lord asks the faithful “To whom then will you liken God, or what likeness compare with him?”  and “To whom then will you compare me, that I should be like him says the Holy One.”  Compare that text with the words of Paul to the Colossians: “[Christ] 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.  And he was before all things, and in him all things hold together.”

 

It is an intellectual stretch that the natural man cannot make without the aid of the Holy Spirit!  And that is the great tragedy of the Jewish religion since the time of Paul.  All of the arguments presented thus far in the letter of Hebrews are sufficient for the elect of God to comprehend but not for those who are perishing!  And yet the Apostle to the Hebrews truly loves his own tribe and faithfully sets out within the tenants of their own religion the obvious rhetorical conclusions that should and can be drawn from the life and ministry of Jesus Christ.

 

Just as the Hebrew God created, so also He sustains the universe and all its component parts: that the Jewish leaders will assent to.  However, to identify the plurality of God’s person with Jesus Christ – is beyond the compartmentalization of their thinking.  And we know that while many members of the first century Old Covenant Jewish Church came over to the New Covenant Christian Church, the transition was not always easy.  Judaizers plagued the work of Paul and the other Apostles throughout the first generation.  Even to this day, there are many who would impose the law of behavior in place of the gift of grace.  And that is where we may profit from the study of this great book written not only for the Jewish, but also for the Gentile Christian. 

 

In the course of reading a second commentary by Raymond Brown, I have become familiar with the similar trends of Christianity in his life and times.  These are similar to my own, different county – same ongoing problems.  For the benefit of both the English and American Churches, he draws the conclusions of this study of Hebrews out for us.  “Possibly our vision of Christ is limited.  We are in danger of confining him to our restricted experience or limited knowledge.  We need a vision of Christ with these immense cosmic dimensions, a Christ who transcends all our noblest thoughts about him and all our best experience of him.  These first-century readers would be less likely to turn from him in adversity if they had looked to him in adoration.  The opening sentences of the letter are designed to bring them and us to our knees; only then can we hope to stand firmly on our feet.”

 

That is certainly an apt description of the contemporary church:  “limited knowledge”, praise and “adoration” mentality, to those we might add an “experiential” instead of doctrinal appreciation and a thoroughgoing democratization of relationships within the cosmic as well as the national governmental sphere.  There, I think we finally have four points to address in some detail for the remainder of this morning.

 

1.  Let us begin with the last issue of democratization of government, as it relates to all levels of experience.  We in America have been without a royal house, whose personage was law in and of itself, for so long, that even the Clintonian style of Rex Lex rubs us raw in numerous ways that our ancestors would have gotten fighting mad about.

 

Commentator John Brown reminds us that “the term uphold seems to refer both to preservation and government. ‘By Him the worlds were made’ – their materials were called into being, and arranged in comely order, and by Him, too, they are prevented from running into confusion, or reverting into nothing.”  Further, he adds: “His unsearchable wisdom and boundless power are manifested in governing and directing the complicated movements of animate and inanimate, rational and irrational beings, to the attainment of His own great and holy purposes; and He does this by the word of His power, or by His powerful word.  All this is done without effort or difficulty.  He speaks, and it is done; He commands and it stands fast.”

 

I once had a student give me a compliment after two years of study.  She said, she didn’t know how I had done it, because she was never fond of reading and thinking gave her headaches, but she had to admit she had learned a lot more than she ever anticipated.  If a mere human teacher can accomplish that with a resistant scholar – how much more can we appreciate what the Lord God of heaven and earth can do with materials such as we!  As I have said several times in the last year – it is amazing to me that the Church grows at all in our day and time, given all of the heresies, incompetence and every sordid problem that comes from maladministration in so many places and levels of responsibility!

 

2.  Our second point involves the all too modern focus on experiential religion rather than upon sound doctrine.  Like the Hebrews of old, we are none too familiar with the contents of our scriptures, otherwise we would do better to teach the doctrines of grace more clearly and give them the full attention that they so well deserve.  Instead, all kinds of charlatans preach a prosperity gospel, that depends upon better behavior and various and assorted recipes for success.  Duh, as if being aware of how much you spend, keeping the same spouse and keeping the kids out of trouble wouldn’t make everyone healthier, wealthier and wise.  But try teaching those essential habits to the worst offender in the realm: our own governing bodies!

 

In more places – it is shear emotionalism that is tickled to a fine art!  Entertaining our way to heaven may be family fun and cozy fellowship with likeminded people, but how do enjoyment and feelings relate to the eternal gospel of salvation?  Certainly, we understand the Reformed emphasis to know and enjoy God for all of eternity.  But – knowing God should have its primary and proper emphasis.  And to know God, one has to move beyond the popular simple mantra “Jesus is Lord”.  Time and effort must be put into considering the details of that statement, with which we have been concerned in our study of the first three verses of Hebrews.

 

Who is the man Jesus, how is He the Messiah and what has God accomplished in and through Him for all eternity?  Knowing just who and what He is makes us appreciate how much has been accomplished on our behalf.  And as Calvin hints in one place:  that knowledge makes us careful in our deportment and truly informs and guides our daily life before God.

 

3.  Our third issue is that of the mindless praise and adoration services which have become the modern replacement of biblical worship in truth and spirit.  What was it Moses heard when he was coming down the mountain with the tablets of the law?  Wasn’t it an unholy noise with hundreds of voices raised in celebration before a graven image?  There must be meaning and substance to the words of the songs and hymns.  There must be solid teaching in the meditations, homilies and sermons.  If everyone walks out at the end of every service feeling good about themselves and towards all manner of men, one should begin to wonder about the contentlessness of the proceedings that transpired. 

 

Now, my concern here is not that every ounce of joy should be quashed in and about the work of the church.  No indeed – but there should develop a certain fondness for the doctrines of grace and the spiritual food to be found in the Word of God.  And by and large, an increasing awareness of the deity of Christ and the ongoing work of the Trinity in every area of life should be better known and thankfully recognized.

 

Application:  Our final point is one that is so easily changed, if we be but willing to open the book and our hearts before the greater wisdom of our Creator.  “Limited knowledge” is not a mandatory curse upon the members of Christ’s Church.  Almost anyone can learn to read, and in so reading – to grow in grace and knowledge.  That was the original purpose of public schools in America, to give every person the ability to fathom the scriptures on their own and to then go on and consider the implications for themselves, their lives and relationships.

 

Over ninety per cent of the population has a limited knowledge of things holy, since they will admit to the reasonableness of a Creator God being necessary given all of the worldly evidence they are aware of.  But, of what use is that limited knowledge?  Well, what the heck – many people drive cars and use all sorts of sophisticated equipment with a minimal or limited knowledge.  I remember a young lady’s experience with her first car that overheated.  “Oil for the engine: what’s that for?”, she was heard to respond when the mechanic complained that she should have taken better care of the brand new car that had been given to her.

 

“Food for the soul?, what’s that and why should I have cared” will be a popular refrain on the last day when all of humanity will be assembled for the final judgment.  But, that question is the last thing on your mind; you didn’t stay in bed this morning, but got up, dressed and drove some distance to exercise your mind and soul.  Praise be the Lord, that He has managed your estate for your eternal benefit.

 

I better make certain that I quote from John Owen today, or one of our scholars will have my hide!  Owen goes beyond the immediate meaning of the word for “upholding” from merely defining “his ruling, governing, and disposing of all things made by him and sustained by him.  So it may denote the power over all things given to the Son as mediator, or else that providential rule over everything that he has with his Father.”

 

And that going beyond that to suggest “It is a word that is effectual and operative – namely, exerting his divine power with authority to accomplish his purpose in and through all things.”  Further, Owen tells us how in Ezekiel’s vision, this upholding and sustaining “is the communication of a spirit of life to the cherubs and wheels, to act and move them as seems good to him by who they are guided.  This, then, is what the apostle assigns to the Son, as he sets out the dignity of his person, so that the Hebrews may think carefully before they reject his teaching.”

Finally he challenges us in just the same way that the Apostle to the Hebrews challenged the people in his day:   “Just as he had power and authority to change the Mosaic institutions, so he also possesses truth and faithfulness in the revelation of God’s will, and that it is their duty to embrace and adhere to this.”

 

What we are about today in the very simplest terms - is teaching God’s kind and benevolent control of all things for the benefit of His chosen people, what ever their ethnic heritage may be!  “His eye is on the sparrow”, the spiritual song tells us – so is it upon us day by day. And most importantly, the same creative and sustaining Lord of all the earth is praying for us on the highest throne of heaven.  He is praying that we realize who He is and just as the disciples learned first hand from the Father of lights, He requires us to: “Listen to Him.” May we be so powered by the Holy Spirit.  Amen.

 

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PREACHING RESOURCES

 

Brown, John.  A Geneva Series Commentary: Hebrews.

Brown, Raymond.  The Bible Speaks Today: The Message of Hebrews.

Bruce, F.F. The Epistle to the Hebrews.

Owen, John:  Commentary on Book of Hebrews.

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version

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