The Tragedy Of Neglect Series

The Tragedy of Neglect Hebrews Series Pt. 2 2/19/2014

Introduction

A Living in Chester (So. IL) it’s not uncommon to see homes, old business buildings, farms in disrepair, dilapidated, testimonies of neglect.

1 Many nursing homes are sadly neglecting their senior residents, unfit parents regularly neglect their children.(Proper care, concern, attention)

a As sad as each of these instances of neglect may be, they fail to be as sad as when someone rejects God’s gift of salvation.

b Enter eternity lost, without God’s grace.

1 Paul exposes a situation that comes in a close 2nd on the scale of tragedy... a audience that hasn’t rejected salivation, but rather were neglecting it.

a Hebrews 2:1-4 (NASB) 1 For this reason we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away from it. 2 For if the word spoken through angels proved unalterable, and every transgression and disobedience received a just penalty, 3 how will we escape if we neglect so great a salvation? After it was at the first spoken through the Lord, it was confirmed to us by those who heard, 4 God also testifying with them, both by signs and wonders and by various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit according to His own will.

b Neglect (vs. 3) id also in Matthew.

Matthew 22:5 (KJV) 5 But they made light of it, and went their ways, one to his farm, another to his merchandise:

aa Aoriest, Perfect Tense: Not always that way; recent development.

bb Paul isn’t writing to a lost people, but to Christians who has simply began to not care about their salvation.

B It’s a sad sight to see Christians developing a lasse fair approach to their salvation.

1 We’re gonna look tonight at the tragedy of neglect.

a The reason for neglect.

b The results of neglect.

c The remedy of neglect.

I The reason for neglect. (Vs. 3-4)

Hebrews 2:3-4 (NASB) 3 how will we escape if we neglect so great a salvation? After it was at the first spoken through the Lord, it was confirmed to us by those who heard, 4 God also testifying with them, both by signs and wonders and by various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit according to His own will.

A People don’t grasp salvation’s greatness.

1 Paul’s audience were drifting back into the law wen they had already laid hold to salvation through grace, which was far superior to the law.

a The law required the constant shedding of blood from bulls, goats, rams.

b Salvation is great because God designed it & gave it to mankind.

2 Paul addresses the greatness of salvation by giving these three features:

a Proclaimed by the Lord. (Law was given by angels (vs2) Gospel of grace was given by God Himself)

b Confirmed by those who heard it.(Apostles witnessed it (vs.3))

c Certified by God by miracles that accompanied the message. (Miracles in the first century wasn’t primarily to ease suffering but rather to prove the One performing them was from God.)

B Salvation’s uniqueness is forgotten.

1 “How shall we escape?”

a We can neglect it, reject it... but we can’t escape it.

b Christ’s salvation isn’t the best way to heaven - it’s the only way!

aa Only one way, one door, one Savior, one fountain of living water exists... Jesus Christ.

bb There is only one way to heaven!

2 One can’t help but wonder how many throngs of people are in hell who were so close to salvation.

a They heard, close to dropping anchor... but drifted away.

b All one has to do to so to hell is do nothing.

c It’s possible to be saved & NEGLECT the provision, salvation, remaining a spiritual baby. (Immature)

II The results of neglect. (Vs. 1-2)

Hebrews 2:1-2 (NASB) 1 For this reason we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away from it. 2 For if the word spoken through angels proved unalterable, and every transgression and disobedience received a just penalty,

A Danger of drifting.

1 “Drift away” is an incredible word picture.

a Ring slipping from your finger - losing it.

aa Jar with a small crack in it, allowing it’s contents to slowly leak out - losing what was inside.

bb A boat drifting aimlessly out to sea.

b There is a danger to drifting, but I’m not saying you “lose salvation.”

aa I lost my wedding ring, not for long, but I never lost the one who gave it to me!

bb There is a danger when we become like leaky jars, lose our fullness - (Backslidden, lose the overflowing presence of the Lord.)

2 In the OT if you broke the law - it broke you. (Blasphemy, adultery, idolatry: stoned you)