Series: Jesus Is Better- The Better Messenger [#3]
WATCH OUT! YOU’RE DRIFTING
Hebrews 2:1-4
Introduction:
As my kids are starting their lives apart from home, I remember some of our vacations. I remember going to the ocean a few years ago and I remember that they had a system of signaling swimmers of the condition of the ocean.
A green flag represented safe conditions.
A yellow flag represented caution due to heavy waves and noted that swimmers could only go out into “waist deep” waters.
A blue flag represented the presence of poisonous animals in the water, and you were always at risk of being stung.
A red flag represented highly dangerous conditions and no one could be in the water.
With this system, comes the responsibility of the swimmers to follow these warnings. If someone was to break these guidelines and injure themselves or lose their life, it would be their own fault for a poor decision. The decision was their decision.
We have found in Hebrews so far that Jesus is better than the Prophets and angels. At this point in Hebrews, the writer stops the theme for a moment to give a very important warning. Our text this morning is that warning in which we all must make our own decisions upon.
Hebrews 2:1-4 (NIV)
“We must pay more careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away. For if the message spoken by angels was binding, and every violation and disobedience received its just punishment, how shall we escape if we ignore such a great salvation? This salvation, which was first announced by the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard him. God also testified to it by signs, wonders and various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will.”
I want us to look at the opposite of what we should be doing.
1. How to drift.
The warning given here is for the believer because in verse 1 the word “we” is used 3 times. So how do you drift apart or slip from God’s Word?
If you want to slip in your Christian walk…
Don’t read God’s Word.
Don’t make time for Bible study. Instead of reading God’s, Word for direction, seek man’s opinion; and if by chance you do read or hear God’s Word don’t apply it to your life.
If you want to slip in your Christian walk…
Don’t pray.
Why would you waste your time talking to someone you can’t see? Why would you try to build a relationship with someone you can’t see or audibly hear? Instead of praying to God, ask others for direction. If you do pray, just pray for things you want.
If you want to slip in your Christian walk…
Don’t attend church or serve God faithfully.
Don’t bother coming to church, there are better things to do- After all, everyone at the church is a hypocrite any ways. If you do attend church, don’t get involved in anything. Don’t forget, if you are unhappy about something not going your way at the church; then tell everybody in town the real reason and lie to the people in the church.
If you want to slip in your Christian walk…
Don’t tithe.
The church doesn’t need the money as much as I do and the church doesn’t spend my money like they should.
If you want to slip in your Christian walk…
Just remember that you are always right and everyone needs to realize that.
Don’t worry about the sin in your life, its nothing compared to the sin in other’s lives. Don’t worry about unity amongst God’s people, they just don’t hear God like you do. Don’t worry about God’s will, as long as you get your way, it is all right.
2. How to crash.
Now that we know how to drift, let me show you how to crash.
Hebrews 2:1-4 (NIV)
“We must pay more careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away. For if the message spoken by angels was binding, and every violation and disobedience received its just punishment, how shall we escape if we ignore such a great salvation? This salvation, which was first announced by the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard him. God also testified to it by signs, wonders and various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will.”
If you want to crash…
Continue to drift.
Just continue to drift from God and blame it on anyone or anything you can, but yourself. Don’t take God’s warning seriously- He loves you and He won’t do anything about your neglect.
If you want to crash…
Neglect your salvation.
With salvation come responsibility to Christ, but don’t be concerned about that. Don’t trust God to take care of you, although He has proved Himself faithful over and over again.
3. How to escape.
Do you want to escape the drifting from God in your life? I do.
If you want to escape…
Listen very carefully to God.
God speaks to His children in many ways, but if you are not listening, it does no good. You will only realize God is speaking to you and directing you when you have first humbled yourself before Him. In all of these ways of drifting from God, there is also a solution to them: It is simply doing the opposite of all of the negative things you heard and allowing God to direct you.
If you want to escape…
Use God’s Word as your guide.
God shows us how to live through Scriptures. God offers us the very best, yet we often settle for 2nd best.
Conclusion:
Are you drifting? You must put the anchor down, and get serious about being a Christian. Start now.
