Hebrews 2:1-4 | Hang On For Your Life

You can stop drifting through life when you start holding tightly to God.

INTRODUCTION - Homeless man going to float to NC with dog on air mattress.

Reasons to hold on tight:

Hebrews 2:1 ESV

1 Therefore we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it.

Therefore

- builds off of Hebrews 1.

We must pay much closer attention to what we have heard -

pay attention - of the highest importance. fastening your anchor.

heard - good news! We heard it from the Son (1:2)

lest we drift from it.

drift. If your anchor is not fastened down you will drift. Only here in NT.

(Niagara Falls illustration) - Hawaii tour, people getting sick?

The message is reliable.

Hebrews 2:2 ESV

2 For since the message declared by angels proved to be reliable, and every transgression or disobedience received a just retribution,

For since the message declared by angels proved to be reliable -

since the message -

declared by angels - Likely referring to the commandments or the Mosiac law.

proved to reliable - another boat termed. Fully secure. The first step on dry ground.

We are punished if we don’t believe.

and every transgression or disobedience received a just retribution -

every transgression or disobedience - transgression - sin by stepping over the line (Levi illustration). disobedience, refusal to listen (child/husband illustration,can’t hear

Old Testament punishments - were severe but fair.

just retribution - fair punishment. literally - exact payment.

Illustration: Parent asking child fair punishment????

Hebrews 2:3 (ESV)

3 how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? It was declared at first by the Lord, and it was attested to us by those who heard,

how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? - The punishment is always fair. You deserve death, how then is the punishment for rejecting salvation.

Unbelief is the only sin that will not be forgiven. There will be murderers in heaven, but not unbelievers.

(ILLUSTRATION - Prisoner escape story?)

It was declared first by the Lord, -

declared - preached

by the Lord - Jesus. (1:2)

Witnesses confirmed it.

and it was attested to us by those who heard

500 witnesses, (proofs of the bible)

Miracles testified to it.

Hebrews 2:4 ESV

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

while God also bore witness by signs and wonders and various miracles and by gifts - The purpose of miracles was to verify the message.

Miracles discussion - which is why I we don’t see miracles frequently.

Luke 16:31 “31 He said to him, ‘If they do not hear Moses and the Prophets, neither will they be convinced if someone should rise from the dead.’ ””

Iran - miracles happening. verifying the faith.

Miracles in the Bible proved the truth Jesus was preaching - (which is easier? to say get up and walk)

of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will.

CONCLUSION

Verses about returning to the Lord??????

story of trying to hang on....boys????

early symbol of church is anchor.