Better

Introduction

1. Watching the Super Bowl this year reminded me of something my dad told me a long time ago; that no matter how good someone is, there is always someone better. This was certainly the case on Super Bowl Sunday, when the "perfect" Patriots were beaten by the Giants, a team that no one even thought would make it to the big game.
2. Everyone thought the Patriots were a sure thing, perhaps the best football team of all time, but on that day, the Giants were better.
3. These words have helped me keep a proper perspective of myself and others, not only in athletics, but in everyday life, in which, time and time again, the people and events that I looked to as being pretty good, were always bettered by something later.
4. However, it all has to stop somewhere or with someone, and that Someone is God.
5. Consider the book of Hebrews...

1. Jesus is better

   1. Better spokesman (Heb. 1:1-4)
      1. Though many men of importance and great influence have arisen, relatively few of the billions and billions of people that have lived actually make a lasting impression, though many have claimed to be somebody special (Acts 5:36-38). Out of the few, no one has made a greater impact on human history than Jesus Christ.
      2. All of time counts down toward and away from Jesus.
      3. Of all the teachings of men, His are the most profound, and can make the largest impact on those practicing them. His word pierces to our very souls and can reveal just what type of person we are (Heb. 4:12).
      4. Not even the great prophets of the Old Testament match up to Jesus. Compared to Him, their messages are just times when God spoke in "various times and in various ways..."
      5. The angels are greater in power and might than men (2 Pet. 2:11), yet Jesus is better than they (Heb. 1:4).
      6. The words of the Son of God are the very best, to which we should all pay careful attention (Heb. 2:1-3), and by which we will be judged in the end (Jn. 12:48).
   2. Better ruler (Heb. 1:8-9)
      1. Prophets, priests, and kings were men anointed by God (1 Kings 19:16; 1 Chr. 16:22; Ex. 30:30; 1 Sam. 15:1; 16:1-3), and given authority to deliver His message, make requests on behalf of the people, and rule over the land.
      2. He is the better prophet (approached man on behalf of God), for reasons mentioned above.
      3. He is the better priest (approached God on behalf of man), for He can sympathize with our weaknesses (Heb. 2:17-18; 4:15), makes intercession for us in heaven (Rom. 8:34; Heb. 8:1-2), and gave the sacrifice of Himself for the forgiveness of our sins (Heb. 9:11-14).
         1. He is better even than the great Moses (Heb. 3:1-6), and is now the only mediator between man and God (1 Tim. 2:5).
         2. Better sacrifice (Heb. 9:23-26). It was a perfect sacrifice (Heb. 4:15; 1 Pet. 1:19). It was a loving sacrifice (Jn. 3:16).
      4. He is the better king, for He has all authority in heaven and earth (Matt. 28:18; 1 Tim. 6:15).
      5. All of the great men of the Bible combined cannot hold a candle to Jesus (Matt. 12:42).
   3. Better friend
      1. He will never leave us nor forsake us (Matt. 28:20; Heb. 13:5).
      2. He loved us so much that He gave His life (Jn. 15:13-14).
   4. Better Savior
      1. Heroes abound, yet He came to save the entire world (Jn. 3:17; 1 Jn. 4:14), and is the only One through whom we can be saved from our sins (Jn. 14:6; Acts 4:12).

2. Christianity is better

   1. Better covenant (Heb. 8:6)
      1. No covenant made between man and God is better than what is found in the New Testament.
      2. The Old Testament, as a covenant, was exclusively for the Jews (Deut. 5:3; Rom. 2:14), and has now passed away (Heb. 8:13), having been nailed to the cross (Col. 2:14; Eph. 2:15). It could not take away sins (Heb. 10:4).
      3. The New Testament is for everyone (Rom. 1:16; Gal. 3:28). The promises of forgiveness of sins and eternal life are found in none other (Heb. 8:12; Acts 3:25-26; Acts 4:12; Jn. 3:16; Eph. 1:7).
   2. Better religion
      1. It is the only religion that is consistent and makes sense. It is truth (Jn. 8:31-32; 17:17) when it comes to serving God (Jn. 4:24; 14:6).
      2. While many religions and cults claim to be the one and only way to live, only Christianity has the infallible proofs to trump them all (Acts 1:3; Rom. 1:4).
      3. True Christianity is a single, united, religion, not a jumble of diverse ideas (1 Cor. 1:10-13; Eph. 4:3). There is one faith (Eph. 4:5; Jude 6), not many.
      4. No religion is better than the gospel it proclaims (Matt. 28:18-20; Rom. 1:16; Gal. 1:8).
   3. Better life
      1. Christianity has the promise of the life that now is, and that which is to come (1 Tim. 4:8; Jn. 10:10; Heb. 6:9).
      2. Though things can get rough, in this life we have hope for a better tomorrow, knowing that God will take care of us (Phi. 4:19; 1 Pet. 5:7; Rev. 7:15-17), and also the hope of eternity (1 Thes. 4:18; Heb. 6:19; Heb. 11:35; Rev. 21:4).

3. Heaven is better

   1. Better rest (Heb. 4:9-11)
      1. Everyone appreciates rest, but (most of us) always have to get out of bed in the morning. Imagine how much better will be an eternity of rest (Rev. 14:13).
   2. Better possession (Heb. 10:34)
      1. This earth and this country we live in are wonderful places, but do not even compare with the "country" to come (Heb. 11:16). Heaven is described as a place with many mansions (Jn. 14:2), an incorruptible inheritance (1 Pet. 1:4).
      2. There is nothing we can obtain in this life, in which moth and dust corrupt, that is better than heaven (Matt. 6:19-21).
   3. Better reward
      1. Though we accumulate perishable rewards in this life, we can have an indescribable reward waiting in the next (Matt. 5:12; Rom. 8:18; 1 Cor. 9:25; 2 Tim. 4:7-8).

Conclusion

1. No matter how good someone is, there is always someone better, until it comes to Jesus Christ, His church, and the heavenly reward that awaits.
2. Every parent wants what is best for their children, and God has given us just that, if we only accept it.
3. If you're looking for something better, the best of the best, look no further than Jesus.