Hebrews 2:10-13

Order of Service

• Introductory Remarks — Responding to the Election as Christians
• Scripture Reading — 2 Corinthians 5:17
• Scripture Reading — Colossians 3:17
• Scripture Reading — 1 Peter 2:9-12
• Scripture Reading — 1 Peter 3:15
• Prayer of Invocation
• Sunday School Lesson — Scripture Reading: Hebrews 2:5-13
• Sermon
• Closing Prayer

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Sermon Title: Christ the Pioneer and Elder Brother

Scripture: Hebrews 2:10-13

I. The Problem of the Fall That Christ Came to Remedy

A. The fall resulted in the loss of original righteousness, holiness, and knowledge

1. These traits were necessary to fulfill humanity's creational purpose — the dominion mandate of Genesis 1:26-28
2. Christ came to fulfill what Adam failed to do, crowned with glory and honor in our place

B. The fall broke fellowship with God

1. Humanity became enemies of God (Romans 5) and children of wrath (Ephesians 2)
2. Adam and Eve were expelled from the garden — separation placed between humanity and God (Genesis 3)

C. Understanding the full problem magnifies the glory of the remedy Christ provides

II. The Fitting Work of God — Verse 10

A. "It was fitting" signals that God is acting in accord with his own character

1. Ephesians 2:4 — God is rich in mercy and great in love
2. Titus 3:5 — God saved us according to his own mercy

B. The result: bringing many sons to glory

1. The ultimate aim of God's fitting work is the glorification of his people
2. Glory lost in the fall is restored and exceeded through Christ

C. The instrument: the founder (pioneer) of salvation

1. The Greek word may also be translated "pioneer" or "author"
2. Like Lewis and Clark blazing the trail westward, Christ blazes the trail back to God — back into the promised land of salvation
3. Christ goes before us as the one who has trodden the path we must follow
4. This theme recurs in Hebrews 12:2 — Jesus the founder and perfecter of our faith

D. The means: perfected through suffering

1. Christ is not lacking in character or person — he is the eternal, perfect Son of God (Hebrews 1)
2. He is perfected not in character but in his office as Christ — consecrated as the priest through suffering
3. His suffering publicly qualifies him as the Pioneer of salvation and as our high priest
4. William Lane: God fully equipped and qualified Jesus through suffering to accomplish his redemptive purpose

III. Christ as Our Elder Brother — Verses 11–13

A. Christ identifies with humanity not merely as a comparison but as a brother

1. He who sanctifies and those who are sanctified all have one source (Hebrews 2:11)
2. He is not ashamed to call us brothers

B. Three Old Testament quotations demonstrate Christ's identification with his people

1. Psalm 22:22 — "I will tell of your name to my brothers; in the midst of the congregation I will sing your praise"
2. Isaiah 8:17 — "I will put my trust in him" — Christ in his incarnate ministry trusts the Father just as we are called to
3. Isaiah 8:18 — "Behold, I and the children God has given me" — reconciliation to God is possible only through our elder brother

C. Reconciliation and adoption as sons and daughters

1. We were enemies of God; through our elder brother we are made children of God
2. Romans 8:16-17 — the Spirit bears witness that we are children of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him so that we may also be glorified with him
3. Galatians 3:29 — if you are Christ's, you are Abraham's offspring and heirs according to promise
4. Titus 3:7 — justified by grace, we become heirs according to the hope of eternal life

D. Sanctification included in the work of the elder brother

1. Christ restores the original righteousness, holiness, and knowledge lost in the fall
2. Colossians 3 and Ephesians 4 — the new creation involves restoration of righteousness and holiness
3. Christ's righteousness is credited to those who believe in him as their elder brother