I am confident that most of you, if asked, believe that the Bible is God’s infallible word. But when you read your Bible do you stop and meditate on the things you read and then put them into action, or do you just read words?
- Let me give you some statistics about the Bible – these come from the Barna Research Group
- 92% of the households in America have a Bible – among those having bibles the average household has three
- In 2002, 42% of those questioned read their bibles in the past seven days
- 88% of Evangelicals have read their Bible in the past seven days
- 61% of those having bibles believe that the Bible is totally accurate in all its teachings
- 75% believe that the miracles mentioned in the Bible actually took place
- Those are the positive statistics – other statistics show that there is a real lack of knowledge about the Bible
- One out of four adults believe the whole Bible was written several decades after the death and resurrection of Jesus
- 12% believe that the name of Noah’s wife was Joan of Arc
- 16% believe there is a book in the New Testament called the Gospel of Thomas – written by the apostle of the same name – another one-third doesn’t know for sure
- 49% believe that the Bible teaches that money is the root of all evil
- 56% believe that the Bible teaches that the single most important task for a Christian is taking care of one’s family
- 75% believe that the Bible teaches that God helps those who help themselves
- Statistically, it becomes obvious that much of America, though they confess faith in the scriptures, have taken the Bible quite lightly
Our passage today gives us a warning about the danger of not taking God’s word seriously…..Read: (Hebrews 2:1-4)
I. The Danger of Apathy (v.1)
The first thing we want to see here is that the word “Therefore.” All of (ch:1) is spent showing us that though angels have a special place of ministry – Jesus Christ is much better than the angels.” The “Therefore” is referring us back to the supremacy of Christ. Notice (v.1)….Therefore we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away. It is our responsibility to pay close attention (to listen) to what God’s word says
(Colossians 2:8)….Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ.
We must take God’s word seriously (there is a word of caution added here)…lest we drift away. If you don’t care for the word of God (which proclaims Jesus Christ) you have no truth to anchor yourself to.
(Matthew 7:24-27)….”Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock. But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall.
Our Hebrews text has a nautical theme – tying or anchoring to something so you don’t drift away. We need to be careful not to pass by the only harbor of salvation that is provided for us – Jesus (Acts 4:12). It is important that we hear the message of salvation that God has provided for us.
(Romans 10:16-17)….But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, “LORD who has believed our report?” So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
Once we have heard about God’s salvation it is dangerous not to act on what we have heard. All we have to do is nothing in order to reject God’s salvation. We can hear the Lord speak through His messenger – then choose not to listen to the message. We can read a passage of scripture and choose not to apply it to our lives. So make sure you don’t drift passed your opportunity to come to Christ
But Pastor Dan I’m already a Christian! What does this passage do for me you might ask. It is your responsibility to not suffer shipwreck in the faith then. Read: (1 Timothy 1:18-19)
(2 Peter 3:14-18)….Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless; and consider that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation-as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given to him, has written to you, as also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which untaught and unstable people twist to their own destruction, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures. You therefore, beloved, since you know this beforehand, beware lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away with the error of the wicked; but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever.”Drifting away from the opportunities God has given.
II. The Promise of Judgment (v.2-3)
The word spoken through angels proved steadfast….
(Galatians 3:19)….What purpose then does the law serve? It was added because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was appointed through angels by the hand of a mediator.
The point being made is that, if the law, coming to man by the hand of angels, is to be respected, how much more is the word of God who came to earth to be revered. And if the law insisted that every aspect be obeyed or else judgment would be executed -then we can be sure that the Word of God, Jesus, must be obeyed or else there will be eternal judgment
(John 3:17-18)….For God did not send His son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
How shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation? The word “neglect” literally means – “to make light of” “to recognize something but ignore it” or “to know – but to fail to do”…it is indifference, carelessness, negligence…possible to know the truth, but not believe. The Bible reveals that each individual is on a collision course with God’s judgment
(Hebrews 9:27)….And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgement….
If judgment came for disobeying angel, how much more will judgment come for not heeding the very Words of the Living God! He has provided a safety device – Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit has been impressing this truth upon the hearts of many but they (maybe you) have resisted Him. If you neglect to act upon the offer of salvation being extended to you now, how shall you ever escape the judgment? – there is no escape.
III. The Validity of the Word (v.3-4)
(Hebrews 2:3)….which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed to us by those who heard Him…
The Hebrews would not have heard if those who already had a relationship with Christ had not shared the “good news” (gospel) of Jesus Christ. Read: (Romans 10:14-15). Are you telling others that they can be saved? Are we confirming to others that Jesus has changed our lives? God has confirmed that salvation is in Jesus Christ – using signs and wonders, with various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit. God does not work miracles or give gifts just for the sake of putting on a show. He gives miracles and gifts to show people His word is true – that Jesus is true. Yet many people want God to do some great miracle – then they will believe. But how much more does He have to do? He has already provided the greatest miracle of all, in providing life to those who are dead – so we will never perish
We are given the answer for “What must I do to be saved?” – (Acts 16:31)….Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you shall be saved….”
But what is the answer for “What must I do to be lost?” – the answer is nothing