Pay Attention

Hebrews 2:1–4 CSB

1 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.

Pay attention the greek work is:

The Complete Word Study Dictionary: New Testament 4337. προσέχω proséchō

from prós (4314), to, and échō (2192), to have. To have in addition, to hold the mind or the ear toward someone

The Complete Word Study Dictionary: New Testament 4337. προσέχω proséchō

to pay attention. As a nautical term, it means to hold a ship in a direction, to sail towards. Intrans. it means to hold on one’s course toward a place

The Complete Word Study Dictionary: New Testament 4337. προσέχω proséchō

Generally and with the dat. of person or thing spoken (Acts 8:6; Heb. 2:1; 2 Pet. 1:19; Sept.: Deut. 1:45; Ps. 141:1). In the sense of to yield assent, believe, embrace

1. Pay Attention to what you are hearing

For this reason

God has spoken through prophets

God has spoken by His Son

God has spoken by ministers

Hence, God is speaking and has spoken

If God were silent, (He is NOT), He has said enough for us to listen to

Pay attention

Ps 19:1-2 “1 The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. 2 Day after day they pour out speech; night after night they communicate knowledge.”

Prophetic speech

Dreams and Visions

Preaching

Teaching

Theophany experiences (An appearance of God)

Angel visitations

A still small voice

Signs and wonders

Ps 19:7-11 “7 The instruction of the Lord is perfect, reviving one’s life. The testimony of the Lord is trustworthy, making the inexperienced wise. 8 The precepts of the Lord are right, making the heart glad. The command of the Lord is radiant, making the eyes light up. 9 The fear of the Lord is pure, enduring forever. The ordinances of the Lord are reliable and altogether righteous. 10 They are more desirable than gold, than an abundance of pure gold; they are sweeter than honey, than honey dripping from a honeycomb. 11 In addition, your servant is warned by them; and in keeping them there is an abundant reward.”

2. Don’t let the pressure derail you

Pressure is the signal that you are on the right path

Attacks let you know that you are moving in the right direction

Pay attention when you are being attacked, God is at work

Jer 7:21-26 “21 “ ‘This is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says: Go ahead, add your burnt offerings to your other sacrifices and eat the meat yourselves! 22 For when I brought your forefathers out of Egypt and spoke to them, I did not just give them commands about burnt offerings and sacrifices, 23 but I gave them this command: Obey me, and I will be your God and you will be my people. Walk in all the ways I command you, that it may go well with you. 24 But they did not listen or pay attention; instead, they followed the stubborn inclinations of their evil hearts. They went backward and not forward. 25 From the time your forefathers left Egypt until now, day after day, again and again I sent you my servants the prophets. 26 But they did not listen to me or pay attention. They were stiff-necked and did more evil than their forefathers.’”

You haven’t been this way before

You will go over bumps

Pay attention so that you are not derailed

3. Pay Attention to where your leader is going

Heb 13:7-9 “7 Remember your leaders who have spoken God’s word to you. As you carefully observe the outcome of their lives, imitate their faith. 8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. 9 Don’t be led astray by various kinds of strange teachings; for it is good for the heart to be established by grace and not by food regulations, since those who observe them have not benefited.”

It looks familiar but you are not going the same way

The road has a specific turning

Although all lanes are moving in a similar direction they don’t have the same destination

If you are in the wrong lane you will miss the turn, the yield, the merger, caravan

Moving in the same direction but out of position

Something new comes with suddenly movements

Funeral processing must pay attention because there are many distractions and interference, if you don’t pay attention you can be moved out of your lane

Heb 13:16-17 “16 And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased. 17 Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who must give an account. Obey them so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no advantage to you.”

Pay attention to your leaders life

If they are burdened it is not a benefit to you

Be a blessing to your leader

Be a blessing to your leader’s family

4. Pay Attention to the leading of the Holy Spirit

Gal 5:25-26 “25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another..”

When I joined the Navy, I thought I knew how to walk; in bootcamp, I learned that I didn’t know how to walk with others. I had to learn to be a team member. I had to learn to keep in step with my team. I had to keep in step with the leader’s cadence.

Cadence: a regular and repeated pattern of activity

God is speaking repeatedly about what He is doing

Listen to the cadence

Keep in step

Keep the rhythm

Stay on the current

God is doing something new

Pay attention for the miracles

If you are praying for miracles, then look for miracles

If you are believing God for something, then start paying attention

Listen to the cadence

God is doing something new