Don’t neglect this great salvation

Greeting:

Passsage: Hebrews 2:1-4

English Standard Version Chapter 2

2 Therefore we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it. 2 For since the message declared by angels proved to be reliable, and every transgression or disobedience received a just retribution, 3

Prayer:

Introduction:

In Pilgrims Progress, John Bunyan introduces us to an interesting Character. Early in Christian’s journey, after leaving the City of Destruction, he becomes burdened under the weight of his sin. He meets a man named Worldly Wiseman, who tells him that instead of going toward the Wicket Gate (representing Christ), he should take an easier path—go to the village of Morality, and speak to a man there named Mr. Legality.

Worldly Wiseman says that Mr. Legality can help relieve Christian of his burden by teaching him to live a good, moral life—essentially, to deal with his guilt through obedience to the law rather than through grace.

But as Christian tries to follow this advice, he finds himself climbing up Mount Sinai, which becomes steep, dark, and terrifying. The mountain begins to shake under him—symbolizing how the Law, rather than removing his burden, only increases his fear and shows him his inability to save himself. Christian, sees how he started neglecting his pilgrims journey toward Christ and the Celestial city by stoping in this town, that have kept many people from entering through the Wicket Gate of Christ. This town heard the goodnews, and its citizens too left the city of Destruction, but still settled in the wrong city.. If they stoped their journey their, they too would end up like destruction city..Many of us today have begun to follow Christ and have turned from our sinful ways, yet the Gospel has not fully wrought its effect on many of our hearts.

We have settled with what we know about Christ, and believe its because we know enough, and now its time to move on to deeper, fuller, more practical truths in Christianity. However we have lost the call to persevere in the faith. To fight the good fight of “Faith”, not works. And in slowly moving beyond the gospel , we have neglected tending to its growth in our lives.

Transition to Text:

The Holy spirit through the author of hebrews warned, “How shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation?” (Hebrews 2:3). Bunyan simply illustrates the answer: we won’t.

Textual Background:

Again by way of reminder. This epistle and sermon was delivered to Those who who were formally Jews practicing Judaism that recently became Christian. They have been raised under the Torah and many of them have begun to doubt the sufficiently of Christ in their righteousness before God. The recent persecution, and stagnation for many has caused them to question this new gospel they have accepted. So the preacher and author of Hebrews, right after reminding them of the glories of Christ, moves to the first command and warning. His command is “Listen” or “pay attention” to what we have heard as Erik showed us last week. And this week we will be looking at the warning, within the context of these 4 verses.

Objective of Sermon:

To call us as all to examine our hearts and lives, and to see if we ourselves have been neglecting the Great salvation given to us in Christ, and to examine some ways we do this

Probing Question: Have you been Neglecting Your Great Salvation?

1. We start neglecting This great salvation, When we stop paying attention to it

Verse 1 “We must pay closer attention to what we have heard, (Why?), lest we drift away from it.”

What does “Attention” (prosecho) here mean?

“To attend with diligence and submission of mind unto the words of another, or unto any business that we are employed in.”

There is nothing in our lives that are able to flourish or grow, without our constant attention to it

Our families

If the only way I cared for my family was by telling them I love them, I soon wouldnt have a family to say that to.

Our Homes

My grandparents home

Our Friendships

Cant even remember every names in my graduation class of 30

Our gardens

My gardens growing up. The racoons and deer eating our crops

Our relationship with Christ

Our relationship with Jesus is a journey. And our hearts, much like a garden, are soils that the gospel seed grows in. Growth takes time

Jesus paints a serious picture about the gospels effect on the lives of its listeners in the parables of the four seeds.

Luke 8:4–8 “And when a great crowd was gathering and people from town after town came to him, he said in a parable, “A sower went out to sow his seed. And as he sowed, some fell along the path and was trampled underfoot, and the birds of the air devoured it. And some fell on the rock, and as it grew up, it withered away, because it had no moisture. And some fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up with it and choked it. And some fell into good soil and grew and yielded a hundredfold.” As he said these things, he called out, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.””

Do you think about the gospel every day? Do you even think this is necessary

When you read your Bible, do you get excited about meeting with God, or by discovering something new? Are you running to it to hear from your Father, examine more of Christ, be confronted with areas of need in your own heart, or do you run to it just for information or out of pure duty?

2. The Gospel, is for Gods people

Romans 1:15 “So I am eager to preach the gospel to you also who are in Rome.”

It is our Guardian

“Lest We drift away…how shall we escape…”

The author of hebrews says WE

Look at this humilty and hunger for the gospel

Philippians 3:12–14 “Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”

1 Timothy 4:16 “Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers.”

Christians need to regularly hear the true gospel message alone. Because Faith Comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God. And Faith in this word, is what guards you till the end

1 Peter 1:5 “who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.”

Brothers and sisters, What you intake the most in your life, will affect how you live your life

Paul Tripp “No one is more influential in your life than you are. Because no one talks to you more than you do.”

Pay attention to the thoughts that come into your head about God when you sin..Those thoughts revela your understanding of the gospel

Charles Spurgeon - “We have heard them; do not let us forget them. Do not let them be like the driftwood which goes floating down the stream. Let us make a desperate effort to retain them in our memories; and above all, to ponder them in our hearts.”

If you start to intake and digest, a diluted gospel, you put your soul in danger of judgement.

“How shall We escape.”

This section is not about losing your salvation. Or about who is saved or who isn't. This section is simply addressing those who have received the gospel

Its a gift then because its a test!

There is no greater test in discovering what you think about the attributes and work of Jesus , then by examining how often you think on attributes and work of Jesus, and how your heart and soul respond to them

Colossians 3:10 “and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator.”

If you have ceased paying attention to and depending on Christ, by getting in the Word, by wrestling with him in prayer, by fellowshipping with believers and being built up by them, by cutting off sinful avenues and removing sinful obstacles that keep you from clearly seeing him, You have already begun neglecting this great salvation that Christ has offered you.

2. We start neglecting this great salvation, when we feel like its missing something

“For since the message declared by angles proved to be reliable, and every transgression or disobedience received a just retribution, How shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation?”

What does this verse mean?

Angels is the word angelos in greek which literally means “Messengers”

Is not “The message (Logos) declared by angels” The mosaic covenant?

Deuteronomy 33:2 “He said, “The Lord came from Sinai and dawned from Seir upon us; he shone forth from Mount Paran; he came from the ten thousands of holy ones, with flaming fire at his right hand.”

Acts 7:53 “you who received the law as delivered by angels and did not keep it.”

Galatians 3:19 “Why then the law? It was added because of transgressions, until the offspring should come to whom the promise had been made, and it was put in place through angels by an intermediary.” (that intermediary being Moses)

So, the author of hebrews is once again making a comparison between the two messages. The two covenants.

What was this message, this word that was delivered by the angels?

In summary Deuteronomy 30:19 “I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore choose life, that you and your offspring may live,”

Albert Mohler “the message is simple: You obey, you live; you disobey, you die. Under the old covenant, every transgression of the law demanded a just penalty.”

Is this the gospel to you brothers and sisters?

We ought to learn from the old covenant, not live by it. For if we try to live by it, we will surely die by it

This is not just a problem the jews faced

Today many people, young people and young families, have bought into the lie of the benefit of adopting jewish practices in their faith..There is a very strong movement happening in our peripherals today, that states “since Christ did not come to abolish the law, we as gentile believers get to now participate in it because we have been grafted in..” But in saying this they reveal that they 1.) do not believe Christ HAS fulfilled the law, and 2.) That they believe we have been grafted into the old covenant and not Christ.. This is a tragic misunderstanding of the gospel and what Christ has done for us..They Quote so many verses, Ive listened to many debates, and my heart hurts for this subtle bewitching from satan that has crept into the Church because there are so few bastions and defenders of the Gospel. What does Jude say to the Church in the beginning of his epistle? “Content for the Faith” Jude 3. So when and if you hear someone tell you of the benefits they have personally experienced form starting to follow the torah. The happiness they have from no longer eating pork, the fun they have adopting and celebrating the feasts and festivals, and how trendy they feel growing out their beard and wearing vests and

The the more mature Christian walk, is not the walk that sins less, but the walk that loves more

Luke 7:47 “Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven—for she loved much. But he who is forgiven little, loves little.”

guess what….No one who pays attention to the gospel loves little, because no one who is forgiven has been forgiven “little”.

Thats what happens when you think you are following Christ, while telling people in order to be loved and approved of you have to follow the Law… You love little, revealing you know very little about this “Great Salvation”

This is why it is so incredibly vital that we do not drift from the Gospel message we have heard. Because it daily shows us what Christ has done for US, which moves us to contend for the faith, and extend that faith and love towards us

3. We start neglecting this great salvation, when we lose sight of the greatness of it

“…Great salvation..”

Before we look at what makes it so great, look at how God himself proves and validates this message himself..

“while God also bore witness by signs and wonders and various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will.”

Beloved, we feel unloved when we look at our selves and cant see a spiritual gift clearly. We look at other peoples giftings and think “Man God must really love them to trust them with that gifting.” No! God doesnt give gifts us to because weve been good Christians…Look at the church of Corinth…Holiness does not equal a spiritual gift.. No God gave gifts to validate and prove that he loves His Son Jesus, and the good news that he has given us!

We get this backward so often Church! We treat spiritual gifts as personality tests. You can hop on Facebook and figure out which avatar you would be, or what harry potter house you would be in, and what spiritual gift you have, because you want to feel special, noticed, and loved…..But listen to What Jesus says to his disciples after they have received the authority of the Holy Spirit

Luke 10:17–20 “The seventy-two returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in your name!” And he said to them, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you. Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”

Do you see what Jesus just did? He made Spiritual Gifts a Salvific lesson….What gets you more amped. Prophesying to a brother or sister? Praying for the sick and watching them be healed? Or the fact that those small and few between instances whether through you or in someone you know, is meant to validate and remind you that the great gospel and salvation through Jesus Christ is true, true, trustworthy, and worthy of our highest praise!

So, What makes it so Great?

Jesus Fulfilled the Law, for you to reap its rewards and escape its penalty..

He did not come to abolish the law. which many take to believe “The law or mosaic covenant is for us today.” But do not believe this! This is evident of one who is drifting from the gospel and one who is neglecting this great salvation. Look at what Jesus says

Matthew 5:17–19 “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished.”

Jesus proves he has fulfilled the law, by allowing you and I to participate in this fulfillment of it by giving us a new heart and his Holy Spirit.

Ezekiel 36:26 “And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.”

Romans 13:8–10 “Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law. For the commandments, “You shall not commit adultery, You shall not murder, You shall not steal, You shall not covet,” and any other commandment, are summed up in this word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.”

The new Covenant is not a new list of rules to follow, nor is it purely strength to obey the Law, but an actual love and deep affection for the One who came to fulfill the Law!

Thats it right there…Love. Love for who? God and your Neighbor as yourself. The New heart God gives his children bears witness to the Spirit at work on it, by Love.

Let me ask you..Do people get in your way of loving God? Many of us ignore the second part of the greatest commandment, because we have neglected this great salvation. “Love God, Love others.”

1 John 4:20 “If anyone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen.”

Because of the Work of Christ, you, beloved, are now the object of Gods Affection….

Your his Child.

Hes not like your earthy Father

Your his Heir

You are Loved by the Creator of the Universe

What can stand against you?

Romans 8:38–39 “For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

What about sin? NO!

Your now able to silence the enemies accusations!!

Revelation 12:11 “And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death.”

Martin Luther in his commentary on Galatians says - “When the devil accuses us and says, ‘You are a sinner and therefore damned,’ we should answer, ‘Because you say I am a sinner, I will be righteous and saved.’ ‘No,’ says the devil, ‘you will be damned.’ And I reply, ‘No, for I fly to Christ, who gave himself for my sins. Satan, you will not prevail against me when you try to terrify me by setting forth the greatness of my sins and try to bring me into heaviness, distrust, despair, hatred, contempt and blasphemy against God.“On the contrary, when you say I am a sinner, you give me armor and weapons against yourself, so that with your own sword I may cut your throat and tread you under my feet, for Christ died for sinners. . . . As often as you object that I am a sinner, so often you remind me of the benefit of Christ my Redeemer, on whose shoulders, and not on mine, lie all my sins. So when you say I am a sinner, you do not terrify me but comfort me immeasurably.’”

The only ongoing sin that will send you to hell is unbelief in this great salvation and Our Great Savior, God, King and Friend, Jesus.

so what is this great salvation?

He alone. God incarnate, Jesus Christ, lived the perfect life that the law requires. Where millions have tried and failed and many continue to do so today, yet not one person other than Jesus ever has or ever will. He, because of his perfect life, laid down his life to fullfill what not only the moral law required, but also what the sacrificial law requires. Hebrews 9:22 “Indeed, under the law almost everything is purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins.” And Christ did shed his blood for our sins brothers and sisters. And the Father accepted his sacrifice by raising him from the dead on the third day. Now we remember him and what he alone did (not what we do or how good our walk may appear). He has become “our passover lamb” . 1 Corinthians 5:7 “Cleanse out the old leaven that you may be a new lump, as you really are unleavened. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed.” Through his life, death, and resurrection he has fulfilled the entirety of the Law on our behalf..so that “He who knew no sin, became sin, so that we might become the righteousness of God. (2 Cor 5:21) Not him plus you following the torah…Not him plus where you are at in your sanctification. Not him plus your assistance. Christ and Christ alone has secured for your the very righteousness of his perfect life. Believe this glorious truth, that has been attested to God himself. Treasure this truth, and daily pray and labor to work this truth deeper into your heart. And never cease submitting to this message with your life. This is truly a great salvation indeed!

Closing:

Brothers and sisters, Hebrews 2:1–4 calls us to take inventory of our hearts: Have we been neglecting this great salvation? Not rejecting it outright—but drifting, minimizing, forgetting, settling for substitutes, or adding to it. And if we’re honest, we all do at times.

So how should we respond?

First, pay much closer attention to the gospel—daily. Build habits that keep your heart close to Christ: open your Bible not out of duty, but with hunger; pray with honesty, not formality; gather with believers who will stir your affections for Jesus.

2. Second, guard your heart against any “Jesus plus” gospel—whether it’s law-keeping, spiritual experiences, performance, or comfort. Anything we add to Christ subtly subtracts from Him. And the moment we feel like Christ isn’t enough, we’re already drifting.

3. Third, fight to remember the greatness of your salvation. Preach it to your soul. Rehearse it in your small group. Sing it in your home. Talk about it with your kids. Let the gospel be not just the entry point of your faith, but the daily power source of it.

And here’s the good news: if you're convicted this morning—not condemned, but convicted—that’s not a sign that you're too far gone. It’s a sign the Spirit is working. It's an invitation to return. To repent. To re-center your life on Christ alone.

There is no sin too deep, no drift too far, no heart too cold, that Jesus cannot forgive, restore, and reignite. That’s what makes this salvation so great. So let’s not drift. Let’s pay closer attention. Let’s treasure Christ together.

Amen.