Just Drifting Along Heb. 2
Just Drifting Along Heb. 2:1-4
EBC 4/29/08
This is the first of five admonitions in Hebrews that are given as warnings to Christians. The purpose is to encourage readers to get serious about God’s word.
We need to understand that God doesn’t sit idly by and allow his children to lead any kind of life they want to.
I. Danger of Drifting (Heb. 2:2)
A. Defendant of the drifting -
1. “We” – Paul is writing to Christians because he has included himself in the writing.
2. KJV Commentary- This is a nautical term and refers to us drifting away from something as a boat drifts out of a harbor or drifts afloat as it’s anchor has broken loose from the ocean floor.
3. Since Jesus is so supremely great it would do us good to pay more attention to what He says and what He has done for us.
B. Condition of the drifting- Paul is telling us to be careful what we do with the word of God least we drift away from what it says and means. Drifting not only can come from intentional things but also from inattention and carelessness. Kent Hughes- drifting is the besetting sin of our day. And as the metaphor suggests, it is not so much intentional as from unconcern. Christians neglect their anchor—Christ—and begin to quietly drift away.
Alexander Maclaren- When our anchors begin to lift from our soul’s grasp of the greatness and supremacy of life, we become susceptible to subtle tows
1. Ernest heed- to giver greater adherence to
2. Heb. 5:11-12-
a. Dull- sluggish, indolent (disinclined to exert oneself). If this trait were not eliminated, then drifting away would follow.
3. Prov. 3:19-23-
a. Depart- drift away
b. v.22- they- wisdom and knowledge. They will be life and grace.
4. Deut 32:46-
a. Set- to place or establish
b. imperative- a command
5. Boat drifting around in lake, much farther from land because of elements.
a. Boat was drifting because of inattention and carelessness.
1. In calm waters this might not be very noticeable, in the stormy waters you will notice it.
b. Kent Hughes- There is no friction, no dramatic sense of departure. But when the winds of trouble come, the things of Christ are left far behind, even out of sight.
C. Cause of drifting-
1. Tide of years-
a. Know plenty of people who were once faithfully serving the Lord now they do nothing. They haven’t disowned Christ, but we no need in being faithful to his calling
b. In most cases their children have little in Christianity.
1. Kent Hughes- “a slow drift given enough time will take you to another continent”.
2. Familiarity with the truth-
a. Many times the familiar become commonplace.
b.
3. Business-
a. Today we are busy people but many things we are busy with won’t make any eternal difference.
b. Snowflakes are tiny things but the air being filled with them can overwhelm us.
D. Conclusion of drifting –
1. Haggai 1:5-7-