" Don't Settle For Less"

Introduction

I read somewhere: Conscientious consumers shop for value, the best products for their money. Wise parents desire only the best for their children,nourishing their growing bodies, minds, and spirits. People of integrity seek the best investment of time,talent, and money. In any other area of life to settle for less would be wasteful foolish, and irresponsible. Yet it is a natural pull to move toward what is convenient and comfortable.

Author of Hebrews:

-The person God used through the Holy Spirit to pen this inspired letter or Epistle is unknown. The Epistle of Hebrews has unquestionable value for the Christian. Written to Hebrew Christians. I encourage you to commit to reading and studying and you will find that whatever you’re considering as Focus in life, Jesus Christ is better.

The Text

Hebrews 2:1-8

“For this reason, we must pay attention all the more to what we have heard, so that we will not drift away. 2. For if the message spoken through angels was legally binding and every transgression and disobedience received a just punishment, 3. how will we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? This salvation had its beginning when it was spoken of by the Lord, and it was confirmed to us by those who heard him. 4. At the same time, God also testified by signs and wonders, various miracles, and distributions of gifts from the Holy Spirit according to his will. 5. For he has not subjected to angels the world to come that we are talking about. 6 But someone somewhere has testified: What is man that you remember him, or the son of man that you care for him? 7. You made him lower than the angels for a short time; you crowned him with glory and honor 8. and subjected everything under his feet. For in that he subjected all things unto him, he left nothing that is not subject to him. But now we see not yet all things subjected to him.

Background

Early Jewish believers in Christ who turned from Judaism faced fierce persecution, socially, physically from fellow Jews(example Steven stone to death) and Romans. Often they found themselves slowly sliding back into familiar routines. something we all do.

See, Jesus had not returned to establish the promise Kingdom and the readers of Hebrews were wondering whether following Christ was worth all the trouble. The believers needed reassuring that Christianity was true, Jesus was indeed the promised Messiah.

The Superiority Of Christ

The writer warned his readers, early Hebrews believers to pay attention, to illustrate this point think about a boat on the dock. Unsecured boats drift away to sea.(secure oneself to the gospel truth) passed down to them from Jesus to the Disciples and confirmed by God through the gifts of the Holy Spirit (As we saw on Pentecost Sunday)

In our context:

I want to belief, all of us this morning have come to Christ through faith by the confession of sins and believing in our hearts that Jesus is Lord and Savior as we just sang -”Savior, We Are Hear” through the disciples testimonies and experiences in Scripture.(Bible)

Faith In Christ is the best investment of time, talent, gifting and treasurer you can make. The decision to follow Christ is and will always be the wisest decision you will ever make in your life.

It has generational impact and transient life on earth.

- Jesus alone can forgive our sins. He alone secured our forgiveness and salvation ( Acts 4:12 “There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to people by which we must be saved.”)

-We can find peace with God and meaning in life by believing in the Lord Jesus Christ.

-To accept any alternative to or substitute for Christ is settling for less and it is costly.

-Jesus guarantees our access to God our Heavenly Father. Don’t settle for less.

Warning for Neglecting

The writer of Hebrew caution his reader to hold on to the truth of the gospel if not, they will drift from Christ leading to disobedience and willful sin and that will bring just judgment. To make his point he remind them of the Old Covenant swift judgement for neglecting and drifting into sin and disobedience. Hebrews charter 2 tells us that new testament believers are not exempt from judgement and the consequences of sin.-Hebrews 9:27 “And just as it is appointed for people to die once and after this, judgment.”

Sinking Sand

How do we keep from drifting away from Christ? How do we keep from slowly slipping back into familiar routine, the old ways of doing things? One thing we must know, it’s not overnight. It’s one small decision build on another daily, weekly, monthly and yearly.

Edward Mote Pan these beautiful words in a song he says:

My hope is built on nothing less Than Jesus Christ, my righteousness; I dare not trust the sweetest frame, (comfort, protection) But wholly lean on Jesus’ name.

On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand; All other ground is sinking sand, All other ground is sinking sand

Maturity

-The process of maturing in our faith takes time and required daily commitment and service. So be patience with your process.

It does not come with age or length of service. Just because you a long time member of a Church or as a Christian does not mean you are a mature Christian. Apostle Paul says: 1 Corinthians 13:11 “When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put aside childish things.”

Spiritual Sluggishness

Developing and maintaining spiritual discipline of prayer, Scripture and good works. Keep your spiritual muscle in great Sharpe. There is nothing,no other faith that is superior then faith in Christ the son of the living God. Any other is sinking sand.

Don’t settle for anything less your life depend on it.

ENDING/ CLOSING

Around for a Long Time (Proverbs 8:1-4, 22-31)

I’ve been around a long time Before the shade tree was a seed in Big Mama’s backyard Before the spring flowed with cool sweet water Before the sky learned to paint a rainbow

Before the stars began to shine at night.

I’ve been around a long time Before people learned to hate Before nations learned to war. Before lying became an art form Before cursing became common.

I’ve been around a long time Calling out In bar rooms And board rooms In simple homes And magnificent mansions.

I’ve been around a long time Hoping someone will hear me and answer with understanding. My name is Wisdom And I’ve been around for a long time.

Kwasi Kena, The Africana Worship Book, Year C, edited by Valerie Bridgeman Davis and Safiyah Fosua, Discipleship Resources, 2008, 42.