The Question Without an Answer
Following Jesus: The Letter To The Hebrews • Sermon • Submitted
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The Question Without an Answer
Hebrews 2:1-4
1 So we must listen very carefully to the truth we have heard, or we may drift away from it.
2 For the message God delivered through angels has always stood firm, and every violation of the law and every act of disobedience was punished.
3 So what makes us think we can escape if we ignore this great salvation that was first announced by the Lord Jesus himself and then delivered to us by those who heard him speak?
4 And God confirmed the message by giving signs and wonders and various miracles and gifts of the Holy Spirit whenever he chose.
Introduction:
There is a question in scripture that has no answer. It is recorded for us in this passage of scripture.
I. THE HIDDEN DANGER WE ALL FACE (HEBREWS 2:1b).
I. THE HIDDEN DANGER WE ALL FACE (HEBREWS 2:1b).
1 So we must listen very carefully to the truth we have heard, or we may drift away from it.
A. Drifting away from the message of salvation.
A. Drifting away from the message of salvation.
1- It is imperative that we hear the message of salvation
(Rom. 10:16).
16 But not everyone welcomes the Good News, for Isaiah the prophet said, “Lord, who has believed our message?”
a. Once we have heard about God’s salvation it is dangerous not to act on what we have heard.
(1) All we have to do is nothing in order to reject salvation.
Illustration: If a boat on the Mississippi River is not anchored, it will drift away from port. All the captain has to do to drift is to neglect to put down anchor. If he does nothing, he will find himself downstream in very little time. Note what the scriptures say:
(2 Cor. 6:2)
2 For God says, “At just the right time, I heard you. On the day of salvation, I helped you.” Indeed, the “right time” is now. Today is the day of salvation.
(Prov. 27:1)
1 Don’t brag about tomorrow, since you don’t know what the day will bring.
B. Drifting away from the Words that we have heard.
B. Drifting away from the Words that we have heard.
1- It is possible for us to drift away from the Words God has given us.
a. We hear the Lord speak through his messenger and choose not to make specific application to our own lives.
b. We read a passage of scripture in our quiet time and choose not to seek to apply it to our lives.
(2 Pet. 3:14-18)
14 And so, dear friends, while you are waiting for these things to happen, make every effort to be found living peaceful lives that are pure and blameless in his sight.
15 And remember, our Lord’s patience gives people time to be saved. This is what our beloved brother Paul also wrote to you with the wisdom God gave him—
16 speaking of these things in all of his letters. Some of his comments are hard to understand, and those who are ignorant and unstable have twisted his letters to mean something quite different, just as they do with other parts of Scripture. And this will result in their destruction.
17 You already know these things, dear friends. So be on guard; then you will not be carried away by the errors of these wicked people and lose your own secure footing.
18 Rather, you must grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. All glory to him, both now and forever! Amen.
c. We choose the cafeteria approach to the scriptures.
d. Anytime we do nothing to put the principles of God’s word to practical use, we are drifting.
C. Drifting away from the opportunities God has given.
C. Drifting away from the opportunities God has given.
1. The opportunity to Accept Christ.
2. The opportunity to Identify with Him through open confession of faith and baptism.
3. The opportunity to share Jesus with others who need him.
4. The opportunity to repent of sin and obey God’s Word.
II. THE HELPFUL ADVISE WE HAVE BEEN GIVEN (Hebrews 2:1a).
II. THE HELPFUL ADVISE WE HAVE BEEN GIVEN (Hebrews 2:1a).
1 So we must listen very carefully to the truth we have heard, or we may drift away from it.
A- Pay attention to what you have heard.
A- Pay attention to what you have heard.
1- It does no good to hear God’s Word if we allow it to go in one ear and out of the other.
A. God never says anything that is not important.
(1) His warnings are never empty: He does not bluff.
(2) His commandments are not suggestions: there are consequences to disobedience.
B- Give close attention to the details God reveals.
B- Give close attention to the details God reveals.
1- All scripture (every word) is God-Breathed. (2 Tim 3:16).
16 All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.
A. Every detail and principle is vital
(Matt. 4:4)
4 But Jesus told him, “No! The Scriptures say, ‘People do not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”
C- Put into practice what God has taught you.
C- Put into practice what God has taught you.
1- Heed = προσέχω = apply one’s self to, to devote thought and effort to.
a. It entails obedience (Luke 6:46).
46 “So why do you keep calling me ‘Lord, Lord!’ when you don’t do what I say?
III. THE HORRIBLE QUESTION FOR WHICH THERE IS NO ANSWER (Hebrews 2:2-4).
III. THE HORRIBLE QUESTION FOR WHICH THERE IS NO ANSWER (Hebrews 2:2-4).
2 For the message God delivered through angels has always stood firm, and every violation of the law and every act of disobedience was punished.
3 So what makes us think we can escape if we ignore this great salvation that was first announced by the Lord Jesus himself and then delivered to us by those who heard him speak?
4 And God confirmed the message by giving signs and wonders and various miracles and gifts of the Holy Spirit whenever he chose.
A- There was an incomplete revelation given by the angels. (Hebrews 2:2)
A- There was an incomplete revelation given by the angels. (Hebrews 2:2)
2 For the message God delivered through angels has always stood firm, and every violation of the law and every act of disobedience was punished.
1- πολαλέω = spoken = same word used in 1:1 to denote the incomplete revelation given through the prophets.
a. The angels gave a revelation of God and His will for the time in which they spoke.
b. Disobedience to the angel’s revelation brought certain judgement.
c. There is a completed revelation given by the Lord himself.
B- God has completely revealed himself in two ways: (Hebrews 2:3-4)
B- God has completely revealed himself in two ways: (Hebrews 2:3-4)
3 So what makes us think we can escape if we ignore this great salvation that was first announced by the Lord Jesus himself and then delivered to us by those who heard him speak?
4 And God confirmed the message by giving signs and wonders and various miracles and gifts of the Holy Spirit whenever he chose.
1- The Living Word (John 1:1)
1 In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God.
2- The Written Word (Heb. 4:12)
12 For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.
a. Nothing can be added to this revelation (Revelation 22:18-19)
18 And I solemnly declare to everyone who hears the words of prophecy written in this book: If anyone adds anything to what is written here, God will add to that person the plagues described in this book.
19 And if anyone removes any of the words from this book of prophecy, God will remove that person’s share in the tree of life and in the holy city that are described in this book.
C- There is a question for which there is no answer.
C- There is a question for which there is no answer.
1- “What Makes us think we can escape if we ignore this great salvation?” (vs. 3)
a. If you neglect to act upon the offer of salvation being extended to you now, how shall you escape the judgement?
(Heb. 9:27)
27 And just as each person is destined to die once and after that comes judgment,
b. No answer is given in scripture…the implied answer is…there is no escape.
2- If judgment came for disobeying angel, how much more will judgment come for not heeding the very Words of the Living God!
Conclusion:
The story is told of the man who went to sleep in his boat one night on the Niagara River. Before long his boat drifted down to the rapids and he was caught. It was too late for him to do anything. He went over the falls and was killed.
Someone asks the question, “What must I do to be lost?” We are given the answer for “What must I do to be saved?” in Acts 16:31.
31 They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved, along with everyone in your household.”
But what is the answer for “What must I do to be lost?” Well, the answer is nothing .