Lest we slip

"Lest we slip" - Hebrews 2:1-4 In the previous chapter, chapter one, tells us that the Son is greater than the angels. His argument that Christ is supremely (supreme, ultimately, to the most high, enormous, "to the end") better than the angels because He is the Son of God. (Hosea 9:9) The day of punishment has come. They would not be on earth to observe "the appointed feasts," but would go into captivity. Ephraim's dwellings would be populated with nettles (a plant that stings and inflames the skin) and hawthorns (thorns in the branches) in "the place of the people". Exile was approaching, as was the condemnation of every false prophet. And what moves evil in the people: and "great hatred" (antipathy, rejection). Hatred is always directed towards someone who is considered important and who mobilizes the individual. That was how Israel was judged.

I. More diligence to what we have heard (learned).

A. Let's pay attention lest we slide (drag).

1. This is a warning against drifting (without direction or fixed purpose) away from the gospel message.

2. Because of "the greatness" of the "Giver and the greatness of His gift, those who hear the gospel are to give much greater attention to it."

3. "There is always the danger" of drifting away from the Person of Christ and relapsing into a religion of images.

4. This means falling into apostasy—the sin for which there is no repentance.

5. We have already mentioned (Hebrews 2:2) that the Jews attached special importance in their history to the ministry of angels.

6. Perhaps the main example of this was the promulgation (official publication) of the law, when numbered (very large, endless number) of angelic beings were present. (Deuteronomy 33:2; Psalm 68:11).

7. It is true that the law was spoken through angels.

8. It is true that it was valid.

9. It is true that every transgression was punished in a consequential way (which follows something).

10. (Hebrews 2:3) But now the argument turns from the least to the greatest.

11. If those who broke "the law were punished"; What will be the fate of those who "neglect" the gospel?

12. The law tells men what they should do, the gospel tells "men what God has done."

13. (Psalm 68:17) The chariots of God number scores of thousands upon thousands; there is no end to millions of millions; and this is the least; what will be the fate of those who neglect the gospel? Jesus gave His life, Emmanuel, God with us.

14. By the law is the knowledge of sin; By the gospel is the knowledge of "salvation."

15. "Neglecting" "so great a salvation" is more serious than transgressing the law.

16. The law was given through angels to Moses and then to the people.

17. But the word of the gospel was given directly by the Lord Jesus Himself.

18. And not only this: it was "confirmed" to the early Christians by the apostles and others "who heard" the Savior.

19. (Hebrews 2:4) "God" Himself certified (deemed true or confirmed) the message "both with signs and with wonders and various miracles and gifts distributed by the Holy Spirit.

20. The signs were those miracles of the Lord and the apostles that meant spiritual truths.

21. For example, the feeding of the five thousand (John 6:1-4) was the basis of the discourse on the Bread of Life that followed (John 6:25-59).

22. The "prodigies" (exceeding the limits of nature) were miracles that were intended to arouse (generate, provoke, cause) awe in the spectators; the resurrection of Lazarus illustrates this. (John 11:1-44).

23. "Miracles" were any display of "supernatural" power, which contravened the laws of nature.

24. The "gifts" of the "Holy Spirit" were special (ability and possibilities) given to men to be able to speak and act in a way totally beyond their natural capacities. Glory to You, my good Holy Spirit. (affirm, declare).

25. The purpose of all these miracles was to testify to the truth of the gospel, especially to the Jewish people, who traditionally asked for some sign before they believed.

26. The words "according to His will" indicate that these miraculous powers are given by the Holy Spirit as He pleases."

27. They are the sovereignly given gifts (the one who has authority over the rest) by God.

28. They cannot be "demanded by men," nor pretended (supposedly, pretending, has nothing of what he intends) in answer to prayer, because God has never promised them to all. Amen.