Hebrews 2:1-4

1. Hebrews 2:1-4

2. How to Avoid Spiritual Failure The Danger of Drifting

3. The Danger of Drifting Who is in danger of drifting?the contextto see who is being addressed Why do Christians drift?the cause of drifting How can we prevent drifting?the curefor drifting

4. The Danger of Drifting Who is in danger of drifting?the context to see who is being addressed Hebrews 2:1: Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip. Who are the “we” of our passage?

5. The Danger of Drifting Who is in danger of drifting?the contextto see who is being addressed Hebrews 3:1 “Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling” Hebrews 10:32-35 v. 32 But call to remembrance the former days, in which, after ye were illuminated [received the light], ye endured a great fight of afflictions [ you endured a hard struggle with suffering];

6. The Danger of Drifting Who is in danger of drifting?the contextto see who is being addressed Hebrews 10:33: Sometimes you were publicly exposed to insult and persecution; at other times you stood side by side with those who were so treated Hebrews 10:34: You sympathized with those in prison and joyfully accepted the confiscation of your property, because you knew that you yourselves had better and lasting possessions.

7. The Danger of Drifting Who is in danger of drifting?the contextto see who is being addressed Hebrews 10:35: Cast not away therefore your confidence[don’t throw away your confidence], which hath great recompense of reward

8. The Danger of Drifting Who is in danger of drifting?the context to see who is being addressed Hebrews 2:1: Therefore weought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip. They are Christians!

9. The Danger of Drifting We are either making spiritual progress or we are spiritually drifting! There is no standing still

10. The Danger of Drifting Who is in danger of drifting? Christians are in danger of drifting! Why do Christians drift?the cause of drifting

11. The Danger of Drifting Why do Christians drift?the cause of drifting We fail to hold fast to the things we have heard. Hebrews 2:1: Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip.

12. The Danger of Drifting We fail to hold fast to the things we have heard. Hebrews 2:1: Therefore weought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip. “to give the more earnest heed” = pay close attention to; be really concerned about; be in a state of alert attention; let your ears be attentive

13. The Danger of Drifting We fail to hold fast to the things we have heard. Hebrews 2:1: Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip. “things which we have heard” = the Biblical truths of Scripture; things about which God has talked to us. “let we should let them slip” = to drift away from, gradually neglect; like a ship drifting without anchorage; to drift off course or to be pushed off course; to be careless.

14. The Danger of Drifting We fail to hold fast to the things we have heard. The Hebrew writer does not define the “currents” with which these Christians are struggling, but it is clear they are in danger of drifting spiritually. Illustration of a air plane – cross winds pushing it off course. We are constantly being pushed by the winds of: opinion – our friends, co-workers, peer pressure, culture, things we read or see; pressure – our work, things we must do, things we want to do.

15. The Danger of Drifting We fail to hold fast to the things we have heard. We neglect appropriatng all of God’s provisions. Hebrews 2:3: How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him; He is writing to Christians! - They are already saved. God has provided more than “getting saved” in His “great salvation.” He has provided entire sanctification – to cleanse our hearts of self-centeredness and fill us with the Holy Spirit.

16. The Danger of Drifting We fail to hold fast to the things we have heard. We neglect appropriatng all of God’s provisions. He is writing to Christians! - They are already saved. God has provided more than “getting saved.” He has provided entire sanctification – to cleanse our hearts of self-centeredness and fill us with the Holy Spirit. If you don’t purposefully appropriate truth, if you don’t walk in all the light God gives you, you are neglecting part of God’s plan of “salvation.” If we fail to press on in our walk with God, fail to stay filled with the Spirit, it will be from failing to hold fast and neglecting.

17. The Danger of Drifting Who is in danger of drifting? Christians are in danger of drifting! Why do Christians drift? Christians fail to hold fastwhat they have heard and they neglect to appropriate all God has provided in His plan of salvation.

18. The Danger of Drifting We are either making spiritual progress or we are spiritually drifting There is no standing still

19. The Danger of Drifting Who is in danger of drifting? Why do Christians drift? How can we prevent drifting?the cure for drifting

20. The Danger of Drifting How can we prevent drifting?the cure for drifting HEED what you have heard – pay careful attention to it; be mentally and spiritually alert! HOLD FAST to what you have heard – don’t drift away from it. Don’t let yourself be pushed off course. Appropriate all of God’s provisions!

21. The Danger of Drifting How can we prevent drifting?the cure for drifting HEED what you have heard! HOLD FAST to what you have heard! HAVE CONFIDENCE in what you have heard from God’s Word.

22. The Danger of Drifting How can we prevent drifting?the cure for drifting HAVE CONFIDENCE in what you have heard from God’s Word. (Three reasons why) a. It was communicated to us from God through Jesus. Hebrews 2:3 How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard

23. The Danger of Drifting HAVE CONFIDENCE in what you have heard from God’s Word. a. It was communicated to us from God through Jesus. b. It was confirmed to be trustworthy. Hebrews 2:3 How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard Hebrews 2:4God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will?

24. The Danger of Drifting Who is in danger of drifting? the context to see who is being addressed Why do Christians drift?the cause of drifting How can we prevent drifting?the cure for drifting

25. The Danger of Drifting HEED what you have heard – pay careful attention to it; be mentally and spiritually alert! HOLD FASTto what you have heard! HAVE CONFIDENCE in what you have heard from God’s Word.

26. The Danger of Drifting We are either making spiritual progress or we are spiritually drifting There is no standing still

27. How to Avoid Spiritual Failure The Danger of Drifting

28. I will mind God no matter what others do, I will mind God and do as He bids me do; Whether the way be rough or steep, I will mind God, I will mind God!

29. Yes, Lord, yesTo Your will and to Your way.I’ll say, “Yes, Lord, yesI will trust You and obey. When Your Spirit speaks to me,With my whole heart I’ll agree,And my answer will beYes, Lord, yes!”