Lest we Drift Away
Hebrews 2:1-4
Introduction
Though he was the Apostle to the Gentiles, Paul still loves his fellow Israelites that he wrote this Epistle. He wants to encourage them so that they can go on in maturity of their faith in Christ. In our text today, we will see the first admonition (a gentle or friendly reproof, a counsel or warning against fault or oversight). The admonition is written not only to the Hebrew believers, for the writer includes himself when he writes “we” but also for us all Christians. The danger here is that of neglecting our salvation. Please note that the author did not write “rejecting” but “neglecting.” It’s not about losing salvation. These warnings are designed to persuade obedience, promote maturity, develop perseverance, and build our faith.
I. Take Heed (Heb. 2:1)
A. “Therefore” refers back to everything that was said in chapter one. Jesus Christ is God’s final revelation. He is superior to the angels and prophets. Therefore, we are duty bound to give the more earnest heed to what He says.
B. The word heed means “to pay attention”, ” “be cautious about,” “have regard for,” “apply oneself to,” or “to adhere to.” It is a word that is used to describe a “vigorous, constant commitment to a cause or a conviction.” The urgency to do so is greatly intensified by the use of the words “more earnest”.
C. Lest at any time we should let them slip. (Literally, flow past them) or in other English word, “drift away from them”. It is a nautical term that speaks of a vessel drifting on the water. The idea is that of a ship slowly drifting past its dock and is carried along in the direction by the current.
D. If Hebrew believers thought the OT prophets should be heard, how much more the Lord Jesus Christ. The danger was that they might drift away from the truths that they heard.
Illustration/Application: To What Are You Listening?
A naturalist, walking with his friend through the busy streets of a great city, stopped suddenly and asked, “Do you hear a cricket?”
“Of course not,” laughed his friend. “You could never hear a cricket with all this roar of traffic.” “But I hear a cricket,” persisted the naturalist, and turning over a stone, he uncovered the insect. “Did you actually hear the cricket chirping above the noise of the street?” asked his friend in astonishment.
“Certainly,” said the naturalist. “I spend my time listening to nature, whether I am in the forest, the field, or the town. Everyone hears what he listens for.” Taking a coin from his pocket, he dropped it on the pavement, and each passer-by put his hand in his pocket to see if he was the one who had dropped it. They were listening for coins.
What a lesson! If we are listening for the truth—for that which is stimulating, elevating, inspiring, we will hear it, even above the noise and bustle of this busy world, above the din of lies, tattling or gossip so commonly heard by many. And if our ears are attuned to scandal, backbiting and false
reports, we will hear that, regardless of how loudly the principles of love, justice and truth may be proclaimed in our direction. A Treasury of Bible Illustrations.
II. Some important things we neglect
A. We neglect God’s Word in a way that we fail to read the Bible. Everybody knows that the Bible is God’s Word. When you pray you talk to God, but when you read the Bible, God talks to you. The Bible is the source of our daily spiritual nourishment, yet lots of Christians cannot even find time to read it. They have time to watch movies, TV’s, go around shopping, visit places, and do other things but no time to read the Bible.
B. Prayer. God’s command is for us to pray without ceasing. The Bible puts a strong emphasis on prayer. Nothing is more important in the Christian life and ministry, home and church, than effectual prayer. The Word of God and the gospel and prayer are the most powerful things on earth. That a man can pray, and that the God in heaven will hear and answer in His almighty power and infinite wisdom, is truly wonderful. Prayer is the solution to every problem in the personal life, home, and the church. Prayer is the saint’s most valuable privilege, and it was purchased at a great price by Christ’s blood. “No prayer, no power, little prayer, little power, much prayer, much power. (D. Cloud). Prayer is another thing we Christians often neglect, and whether we admit it or not, some believers only pray when they have problems, difficulties, and in sickness, Christ is the last one they call and run into. What a shame.
C. Worship with God’s people. Believers don’t realize it, but going to church every Sunday is very important. We go to church to obey the command of God (Heb. 10:25). We go to church to obey God’s command in Mat. 6:33. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
We go to church to worship God. We worship God in the church by our: Bible Reading, by our prayer, by our Singing, by our giving, by listening to God’s Word.
We have to grow spiritually and be a matured Christian. 2 Pet. 3:18. How do we grow spiritually in the church?
Rom. 10 :17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
Hymns are designed to teach Bible doctrines. Prayers, Lord’s Supper, even giving are means where we can go closer to God, yet some professing Christians neglect going to church.
D. Thanksgiving – another thing Christians neglect is thanks giving. The Word of God commands us to give thanks in the Old Testament (Psalm 50:14), as well as in the New Testament (Phil. 4:6). Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. Christians most of the time fails to thank God even appreciate all the good things the Lord has given them. Instead, they murmur and complain and often express their dissatisfaction for what the Lord has given them. The Israelites murmured and complained in the wilderness and as a result, the Lord punished them. Always give thanks to the Lord and be contented for your lot. (Phil. 4:11)
E. Another thing is failing to apply God’s Word in our lives. We may know all the Bible doctrines, we may even have memorized lots of verses, but if you fail to obey, and apply what you have heard and learned, this is a very serious neglect.
Illustration/Application: Busy Bees
We often fail to consider the gradual, cumulative effect of sin in our lives.
In Saint Louis in 1984, an unemployed cleaning woman noticed a few bees buzzing around the attic of her home. Since there were only a few, she made no effort to deal with them. Over the summer the bees continued to fly in and out the attic vent while the woman remained unconcerned, unaware of the growing city of bees.
The whole attic became a hive, and the ceiling of the second-floor bedroom finally caved in under the weight of hundreds of pounds of honey and thousands of angry bees. While the woman escaped serious injury, she was unable to repair the damage of her accumulated neglect.
Robert T. Wenz
III. The Reason for Warning (Heb. 2:2-4)
A. For if the word spoken by angels was stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompence of reward; How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation… (Hebrews 2:2-3) The “word spoken by angels” is an allusion to the use of angels by the Lord at Sinai (Acts 7:38; Gal. 3:19; Deut. 33:2).
1. Every transgression of the divine law received its righteous punishment. Since God’s word has now has come to us through Jesus Christ, not through angels, our responsibility is then greater (Lk. 12:47-48).
2. The word transgression means to trespass; to go beyond the bounds; to step over the line
3. The word disobedience speaks of failure to heed or obey. It didn’t matter why or how the law was disobeyed; every violation received a just recompence of reward.
B. Since every violation of the law was noted by God and just punishment was given, how shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation… This is a rhetorical question with an obvious answer. There is no escape! Notice the word “we.” This warning is not written to the unsaved as it is often applied. It is not talking about rejecting salvation as the unsaved do.
C. It is talking about neglecting the salvation one already has. This is a passage warning believer not to fall back on their commitment to Christ by failing to hear and obey the word of God. Disobedience and neglect for God’s Word will bring judgment.
D. Salvation is called “so great” (Heb. 2:3). We should never lose sight of the greatness of our salvation in Jesus Christ. It is great to save any sinner regardless of what sins he has committed. It is great because of what it saves us from and great because of what it saves us to. It is great to save the sinner from the everlasting fires of Hell unto the everlasting comforts of Heaven. It brings the believer into a great relationship with God, as an adopted son and heir. It exalts worthless, hell-deserving sinners to eternal glory.
1. It stems from God’s great love (Eph. 2:4).
2. It is part of a great mystery (Eph. 5:32).
3. It was purchased with a great price paid by a great high priest (Heb. 4:14).
4. It brings great joy (Philemon 1:7).
5. It is accompanied by great and precious promises (2 Pet. 1:4).
6. It provides entrance into a great city (Rev. 21:10). (D. Cloud).
E. Note:
1. For the unbeliever who rejects the so great salvation, the punishment is eternal punishment in hell.
2. The believer’ s punishment for neglecting this so great salvation is not eternal punishment in hell. A child of God can never lose his salvation. He has Eternal Security. An erring child of God however, will receive chastisement or divine discipline, losing his testimony, his joy of salvation, even suffer physical death, but he will never be unsaved. He will still be in heaven but will lose his rewards at the judgment seat of Christ. We will all prove this as we go on in this study of this very important Epistle.
F. Signs and wonders, and with divers’ miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost. The supernatural powers demonstrated by our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ and His Apostles are God the Father’s divine confirmation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. This authenticates the message of salvation which they delivered.
Illustration/Application: The Majesty of the Lawgiver
“It is not the importance of the thing, but the majesty of the Lawgiver, that is to be the standard of obedience. Some, indeed, might reckon such minute and arbitrary rules as these as trifling. But the principle involved in obedience or disobedience was none other than the same principle which was tried in Eden at the foot of the forbidden tree. It is really this: Is the Lord to be obeyed in all things whatsoever He commands? Is He a holy Lawgiver? Are His creatures bound to give implicit assent to His will?”
Andrew Bonar, referring to the laws found in Leviticus, quoted J. Bridges, The Pursuit of Holiness, p. 23.
IV. Conclusion:
We have a great responsibility to obey God’s Words and commands. There is no escape from disobeying and neglecting God’s word. The challenge for us all is, will you obey God’s word and follow his commands? The decision is yours my friend
