Don t Neglect Your Salvation

Transcription

1 Don t Neglect Your Salvation Hebrews 2:1-9 Lesson 3 Picking up where he left off in chapter 1, the author of Hebrews continues his conversation regarding angels. As we learned, angels are real and have a significant place, but they cannot begin to compare to Jesus! With that issue settled, Paul presents the first of several warnings found in the book of Hebrews. He warns Christians of the danger of neglecting their salvation. Specifically notice that the Holy Spirit uses the word neglect, not reject. The word neglect means to disregard, abandon, ignore, forget or avoid. We are not to neglect God s Word, prayer, worship, fellowship or any other spiritual opportunity or we will soon drift away, according to Hebrews 2:1. The picture here is one of a boat that is not anchored, so when faced with the wind and waves, it slowly begins to drift from its place. Christians today who take the Word of God for granted by disregarding it or ignoring it begin their spiritual drifting. The current of the world pulls them in and before they know it, they are far from their great salvation purchased by the blood of Jesus. He alone is the answer to man s dilemma of drifting. We will learn later in Hebrews that He is our anchor. The point being made in our text is that we ought to carefully anchor ourselves to the Lord. We ought to give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard (Hebrews 2:1) so we don t find ourselves drifting. You have an Anchor be sure and use it! 1

2 Open your Bible and begin with a word of prayer This Week s Scripture: Hebrews 2:1-9 Therefore we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away. 2 For if the word spoken through angels proved steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just reward, 3 how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation, which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed to us by those who heard Him, 4 God also bearing witness both with signs and wonders, with various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to His own will? 5 For He has not put the world to come, of which we speak, in subjection to angels. 6 But one testified in a certain place, saying: What is man that You are mindful of him, Or the son of man that You take care of him? 7 You have made him a little lower than the angels; You have crowned him with glory and honor, And set him over the works of Your hands. 8 You have put all things in subjection under his feet. For in that He put all in subjection under him, He left nothing that is not put under him. But now we do not yet see all things put under him. 9 But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, for the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, that He, by the grace of God, might taste death for everyone. NKJV This Week s Memory Verse: But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, for the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, that He, by the grace of God, might taste death for everyone. Hebrews 2:9 1. Whenever we see a therefore (vs. 2:1), we must find out what it is there for. Review last week s scripture and note why the writer of Hebrews wrote the therefore. a. What is the warning stated here? b. What cures for drifting away are given in Colossians 1:23? c. Which one do you identify with and grab hold of to anchor you? 2

3 Have you ever realized that you can give things to God that are of value to Him? Or are you just sitting around daydreaming about the greatness of His redemption, while neglecting all the things you could be doing for Him? I'm not referring to works which could be regarded as divine and miraculous, but ordinary, simple human things - things which would be evidence to God that you are totally surrendered to Him. Oswald Chambers ( ) b. What encouragement does 1 John 1:9 give us, if we have drifted away? a. Have you ever drifted away? If so, what was it that drew you back to Jesus? 3. Psalm 51 is a psalm written by King David after he had sinned greatly against God. Read this psalm and note the comfort we can draw from these words. a. According to Psalm 51:12-13, what should be a natural outcome of such forgiveness? 4. If we see a sister or brother who has drifted away, what does Galatians 6:1 tell us to do? 3

4 "Remember that if you are a child of God, you will never be happy in sin. You are spoiled for the world, the flesh, and the devil. When you were regenerated there was put into you a vital principle, which can never be content to dwell in the dead world. You will have to come back, if indeed you belong to the family." Charles Spurgeon ( ) 5. Last week, we studied the greatness of our Lord Jesus Christ. This week, we now see that according to Hebrews 2:9, Jesus was made lower than the angels. Why do you think this happened? a. According to Matthew 27:46, what did Jesus cry out as He was being crucified? b. Why do you think He said that? Read Isaiah 59:2 to help with your answer. 6. Read and mediate on Psalm 22: What reaction do you have to the fact that Jesus tasted death for you? Write your thoughts. 7. But that wasn t the end of the story. Read Revelation 17:14 and 19:11-16 and note what happens to the Lamb of God. How does this encourage you not to neglect so great a salvation? 4

5 Reflect What has touched your heart during this week s study? Respond How has this study encouraged your spiritual growth? Result In what practical ways can you apply what you have learned this week? 5

6 Thoughts & Prayers 6