Summit Church
Jesus is Greater Pt 1 | God Has Spoken | Jim Ladd
Locations & Times
Summit Church
7200 S Clinton St, Centennial, CO 80112, USA
Sunday 10:00 AM
BIG IDEA: God has spoken fully and finally in Jesus - nothing more needs to be said.
Hebrews 1:1–4
“In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe. The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven. So he became as much superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is superior to theirs.”
“In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe. The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven. So he became as much superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is superior to theirs.”
1. God Has Always Spoken — but Now He Shouts
Hebrews 1:1–2 – “At many times and in various ways… but in these last days He has spoken by His Son.”
Hebrews 1:1–2 – “At many times and in various ways… but in these last days He has spoken by His Son.”
God used many voices before, but He spoke one final Word in Jesus.
* The prophets gave fragments; Jesus delivers the full message.
* God once whispered through many messengers—now He shouts clearly through His Son.
* The prophets gave fragments; Jesus delivers the full message.
* God once whispered through many messengers—now He shouts clearly through His Son.
John 1:1, 14
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us."
"We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.”
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us."
"We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.”
Jesus Reveals God's Glory
God's glory is revealed in Christ, displayed supremely in the cross, shared with us through salvation, and reflected through worship and personal transformation.
God's glory is revealed in Christ, displayed supremely in the cross, shared with us through salvation, and reflected through worship and personal transformation.
- Revealed in Jesus (the glory of God - Doxa - The glory of God is the radiant, weighty manifestation of His holy character, fully revealed in Jesus Christ)
- displayed supremely in the cross, (Philippians 2:6-8) (The cross reveals that God’s glory is cruciform—it is holy love, self-giving mercy, and redemptive power. The fullest revelation of God’s glory is not domination, but sacrificial love.)
- shared through salvation, (It is the glory of God to forgive) (“The LORD, the LORD, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness…” (Exod. 34:6))
- and reflected in worship and transformed lives. (2 Corinthians 3:18 – We are being transformed “from glory to glory.”) (1 Corinthians 10:31 – “Whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.”)
- displayed supremely in the cross, (Philippians 2:6-8) (The cross reveals that God’s glory is cruciform—it is holy love, self-giving mercy, and redemptive power. The fullest revelation of God’s glory is not domination, but sacrificial love.)
- shared through salvation, (It is the glory of God to forgive) (“The LORD, the LORD, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness…” (Exod. 34:6))
- and reflected in worship and transformed lives. (2 Corinthians 3:18 – We are being transformed “from glory to glory.”) (1 Corinthians 10:31 – “Whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.”)
God’s glory is who He is — and Jesus is the clearest way to see it.
Jesus is our Rabbi
He teaches the true meaning, teachings, and character of God from the Old Testament.
We read what the Old Testament (Covenant) says, but Jesus alone rightly interprets it, properly applies it, and flawlessly lives it.
He teaches the true meaning, teachings, and character of God from the Old Testament.
We read what the Old Testament (Covenant) says, but Jesus alone rightly interprets it, properly applies it, and flawlessly lives it.
Luke 24:27
“He said to them, “How foolish you are, and how slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Did not the Messiah have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?” And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.”
“He said to them, “How foolish you are, and how slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Did not the Messiah have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?” And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.”
Because Jesus is our Rabbi:
* We don’t guess what God means.
* We don’t invent our own interpretation.
* We don’t try to live God’s law without God’s help.
* We don’t guess what God means.
* We don’t invent our own interpretation.
* We don’t try to live God’s law without God’s help.
We follow Jesus—not just His words, but His way of life.
Worship is logical because revelation leads to awe.
Worship is logical because revelation leads to awe.
Declaration of Praise
Jim: God has always spoken— but in these last days, He has shouted to us through His Son.
All: We praise You, God, because You are not silent. You spoke through the prophets in many ways, but You have spoken fully and finally in Jesus Christ.
Jim: Jesus is the Word who became flesh and dwelt among us. We have seen His glory, full of grace and truth.
All: Where there were fragments, Jesus brings fullness. Where there was distance, Jesus brings nearness. Where there was uncertainty, Jesus brings clarity.
Jim: In Him, every promise is “Yes,” and through Him, we say our “Amen” to Your glory.
All: We praise You, God, because nothing more needs to be said. Your Word is Jesus. Your message is clear. Your revelation is complete.
Amen.
Jim: God has always spoken— but in these last days, He has shouted to us through His Son.
All: We praise You, God, because You are not silent. You spoke through the prophets in many ways, but You have spoken fully and finally in Jesus Christ.
Jim: Jesus is the Word who became flesh and dwelt among us. We have seen His glory, full of grace and truth.
All: Where there were fragments, Jesus brings fullness. Where there was distance, Jesus brings nearness. Where there was uncertainty, Jesus brings clarity.
Jim: In Him, every promise is “Yes,” and through Him, we say our “Amen” to Your glory.
All: We praise You, God, because nothing more needs to be said. Your Word is Jesus. Your message is clear. Your revelation is complete.
Amen.
2. Jesus Reveals God’s Character Perfectly
If you want to know what God is like, look at Jesus—there are no surprises.
* Jesus doesn’t just speak for God; He shows us God.
* You never have to guess God’s heart when you’ve seen Jesus.
If you want to know what God is like, look at Jesus—there are no surprises.
* Jesus doesn’t just speak for God; He shows us God.
* You never have to guess God’s heart when you’ve seen Jesus.
Hebrews 1:3a
“The radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of His being.”
“The radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of His being.”
The Perfect Imprint
In the ancient world, a king’s signet ring left an imprint in wax. That imprint wasn’t an approximation—it carried the full authority and identity of the king. Hebrews says Jesus is the exact imprint of God’s being.
Not a sketch. Not an artist’s interpretation. The real thing.
So when Jesus touches lepers, forgives sinners, confronts hypocrisy, or weeps at graves—that is exactly how God acts.
In the ancient world, a king’s signet ring left an imprint in wax. That imprint wasn’t an approximation—it carried the full authority and identity of the king. Hebrews says Jesus is the exact imprint of God’s being.
Not a sketch. Not an artist’s interpretation. The real thing.
So when Jesus touches lepers, forgives sinners, confronts hypocrisy, or weeps at graves—that is exactly how God acts.
John 14:9-10
“Jesus answered: “Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? Don’t you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you I do not speak on my own authority. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work.”
“Jesus answered: “Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? Don’t you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you I do not speak on my own authority. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work.”
Colossians 1:15-23
“The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross. Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation— if you continue in your faith, established and firm, and do not move from the hope held out in the gospel. This is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a servant.”
“The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross. Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation— if you continue in your faith, established and firm, and do not move from the hope held out in the gospel. This is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a servant.”
Confession fits here because right revelation exposes wrong assumptions. When we see Jesus clearly, we confess the ways we’ve misjudged God or trusted a distorted picture of Him. "Confess" is from the Greek, "homologeo" - "to say the same thing as". When we confess the Supremacy of Jesus, we say the same thing that God says.
Confession of the Supremacy of Jesus (All read together)
We confess that Jesus Christ
is the radiance of God’s glory
and the exact representation of His being.
We confess that in Jesus,
the invisible God has been made known,
and that whoever has seen the Son
has seen the Father.
We confess that all things were created through Him and for Him,
that in Him all things hold together,
and that God was pleased to have all His fullness dwell in Him.
We confess that Jesus does not merely speak for God—
He shows us God.
We confess that through the blood of His cross,
we have been reconciled to God and made holy in His sight.
We confess that Jesus alone
is the true image of the invisible God,
and we hold fast to the hope of the gospel.
Amen.
We confess that Jesus Christ
is the radiance of God’s glory
and the exact representation of His being.
We confess that in Jesus,
the invisible God has been made known,
and that whoever has seen the Son
has seen the Father.
We confess that all things were created through Him and for Him,
that in Him all things hold together,
and that God was pleased to have all His fullness dwell in Him.
We confess that Jesus does not merely speak for God—
He shows us God.
We confess that through the blood of His cross,
we have been reconciled to God and made holy in His sight.
We confess that Jesus alone
is the true image of the invisible God,
and we hold fast to the hope of the gospel.
Amen.
3. Jesus Completed What No One Else Could
(It Is Finished)
Hebrews 1:3b–4 – Purification for sins; seated at the right hand of Majesty.
Jesus didn’t just speak truth—He finished the work and sat down.
* What we could never clean up, Jesus completely cleansed.
* When Jesus said “It is finished,” heaven agreed.
(It Is Finished)
Hebrews 1:3b–4 – Purification for sins; seated at the right hand of Majesty.
Jesus didn’t just speak truth—He finished the work and sat down.
* What we could never clean up, Jesus completely cleansed.
* When Jesus said “It is finished,” heaven agreed.
Hebrews 10:11–14
“Day after day every priest stands and performs his religious duties; again and again he offers the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. But when this priest had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, and since that time he waits for his enemies to be made his footstool. For by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy.”
“Day after day every priest stands and performs his religious duties; again and again he offers the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. But when this priest had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, and since that time he waits for his enemies to be made his footstool. For by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy.”
Standing vs. Sitting
In the temple, priests always stood—because their work was never done. There were no chairs in the Holy Place. But Hebrews says Jesus sat down.
Sitting is the posture of completion.
No more sacrifices. No more striving. No more earning.
The cross was not the beginning of your effort—it was the end of it.
In the temple, priests always stood—because their work was never done. There were no chairs in the Holy Place. But Hebrews says Jesus sat down.
Sitting is the posture of completion.
No more sacrifices. No more striving. No more earning.
The cross was not the beginning of your effort—it was the end of it.
John 19:30
“When he had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.”
This is the ultimate "mic drop"
“When he had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.”
This is the ultimate "mic drop"
Romans 8:1-4
“Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death. For what the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.”
“Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death. For what the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.”
Communion is the natural response because we don’t remember an idea—we remember a finished sacrifice. We come not to add anything, but to receive what has already been accomplished.
* God has spoken clearly.
* God has shown Himself fully.
* God has saved us completely.
Jesus is God’s final Word, perfect image, and finished work.
* God has shown Himself fully.
* God has saved us completely.
Jesus is God’s final Word, perfect image, and finished work.
Response:
- Behold the glory of God in Jesus alone
- Embrace the cross as your path of giving glory to God
- Behold the glory of God in Jesus alone
- Embrace the cross as your path of giving glory to God
Discussion Guide
Hebrews 1:1–4
Big Idea: God has spoken fully and finally in Jesus—nothing more needs to be said.
Icebreaker Question:
Who is a teacher, mentor, or voice in your life that helped things “click” for you spiritually or personally? What made their words trustworthy?
Discussion Questions
1. Read Hebrews 1:1–4 together. What stands out to you about how the author describes Jesus compared to the prophets or angels?
2. How does the “weak radio signal vs. live voice” illustration help you understand the difficulty you may have with knowing the God of the Old Testament?
3. According to John 1:1, 14, what does it mean that the Word became flesh? Why is this essential to our faith?
4. Hebrews 1:3 calls Jesus “the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of His being.” How does that challenge common ideas like “God is unknowable” or “God is whatever you imagine Him to be”?
5. “You never have to guess God’s heart when you’ve seen Jesus.” Where do people most often misjudge God’s heart?
6. The “perfect imprint” illustration emphasizes accuracy and authority. How should that shape the way we read the Gospels?
7. The word confess (homologeo) means “to say the same thing as God.” What are some distorted views of God that Christians—even unintentionally—can hold?
8. Hebrews says Jesus sat down after making purification for sins. What does that say about striving, earning, or proving ourselves before God?
9. Romans 8:1 says there is “now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” Why is this truth hard to live out, even when we believe it?
10. Communion reminds us that we receive what Christ has already done. What would it look like this week to live from a place of “It is finished” instead of “I need to do more”?
Invite (not require) anyone in the group to pray aloud using this sentence frame:
“Jesus, because You are God’s final Word, perfect image, and finished work, help me to trust You this week in __________.”
Big Idea: God has spoken fully and finally in Jesus—nothing more needs to be said.
Icebreaker Question:
Who is a teacher, mentor, or voice in your life that helped things “click” for you spiritually or personally? What made their words trustworthy?
Discussion Questions
1. Read Hebrews 1:1–4 together. What stands out to you about how the author describes Jesus compared to the prophets or angels?
2. How does the “weak radio signal vs. live voice” illustration help you understand the difficulty you may have with knowing the God of the Old Testament?
3. According to John 1:1, 14, what does it mean that the Word became flesh? Why is this essential to our faith?
4. Hebrews 1:3 calls Jesus “the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of His being.” How does that challenge common ideas like “God is unknowable” or “God is whatever you imagine Him to be”?
5. “You never have to guess God’s heart when you’ve seen Jesus.” Where do people most often misjudge God’s heart?
6. The “perfect imprint” illustration emphasizes accuracy and authority. How should that shape the way we read the Gospels?
7. The word confess (homologeo) means “to say the same thing as God.” What are some distorted views of God that Christians—even unintentionally—can hold?
8. Hebrews says Jesus sat down after making purification for sins. What does that say about striving, earning, or proving ourselves before God?
9. Romans 8:1 says there is “now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” Why is this truth hard to live out, even when we believe it?
10. Communion reminds us that we receive what Christ has already done. What would it look like this week to live from a place of “It is finished” instead of “I need to do more”?
Invite (not require) anyone in the group to pray aloud using this sentence frame:
“Jesus, because You are God’s final Word, perfect image, and finished work, help me to trust You this week in __________.”