The Danger of Drifting
November 2, 2025, Morning Service
Immanuel Baptist Church, Wagoner, OK
Rick Boyne
Message Point: We must anchor ourselves in the truth of Christ, lest we drift into destruction.
Focus Passage: Hebrews 2:1-4 (Pew Bible page 1373)
Supplemental Passage: Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. (Hebrews 12:1-2 NASB)
Introduction: Years ago, my family went out on Mom and Dad’s pontoon boat. We pulled into on of the many small covers around Western Hills. Dad asked me to set the anchor. I threw it out and tied it off on one of the cleats scattered around. The kids were swimming, and we were having a ball. Then we noticed that the boat was pretty close to the shore. I told Dad that I’d tighten up the line and pull us out a little bit. But when I went to where I had tied the rope, there was no rope. It took me several seconds to realize that I hadn’t tied the rope properly. It and the anchor were gone and, despite our efforts, they were lost to us forever. Drifting never requires effort, only neglect. The writer of Hebrews warns believers not to let the gospel slip through careless hands. This passage is a wake-up call to vigilance, reverence, and response.
I. The Necessity of Paying Attention (v.1)
a. “For this reason we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard” — because Christ is superior to angels (Hebrews 1:1–14).
b. The danger is not rebellion but drifting—slow, subtle, and often unnoticed.
c. “So that we do not drift away from it” — the Greek word for “drift” evokes a boat slipping past the harbor.
II. The Certainty of God’s Justice (v.2–3a)
a. “For if the word spoken through angels proved unalterable” — the Law given at Sinai came with consequences (Deuteronomy 33:2; Acts 7:53).
b. “Every violation and act of disobedience received a just punishment” — God’s justice is consistent and holy.
c. “How will we escape if we neglect so great a salvation?” — neglect, not rejection, is enough to bring judgment.
III. The Confirmation of the Gospel (v.3b–4)
a. “It was first spoken through the Lord” — Jesus Himself proclaimed the message of salvation.
b. Confirmed to us by those who heard” — the apostles bore witness with their lives and deaths.
c. “God also testifying… by signs, wonders, various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit” — divine endorsement through supernatural means.
Application/Call to Obedience: The gospel is not merely information—it is an invitation. To neglect it is to drift toward eternal loss. But to receive it is to be anchored in hope. Romans 10:9–10 says, “That if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation.” Today is the day to stop drifting. Confess. Believe. Anchor your soul in Christ.
