THE QUESTION WITHOUT AN ANSWER
Hebrews 2:1-4 (KJV)
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 slipa . 2 For if the word spoken by angels was stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompence of reward ; 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 ; 4 God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will ?
Introduction:
There are some questions that seem to have no answer, such as:
Q: Why do we park on driveways and drive on parkways?
Q: If those “Black Boxes” they have flight recorders in are indestructible, why don’t they make the whole airplane out of them?
Q: How do they make Teflon stick to pans when nothing sticks to Teflon?
Q: How many politicians does it take to change a light bulb?
A: Two. One to assure everyone that everything possible is being done while the other screws the bulb into the water faucet.
There is a question in scripture that has no answer. It is recorded for us in this passage of scripture.
I. THE HIDDEN DANGER WE ALL FACE (V.1B).
A. Drifting away from the message of salvation.
1. It is imperative that we hear the message of salvation
(Rom. 10:16). “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”
2. Once we have heard about God’s salvation it is dangerous not to act on what we have heard.
a. All we have to do is nothing in order to reject salvation.
i. Illustration: If a boat on the Mississippi River is not anchored, it will drift away from port. All the captain has to do to drift is to neglect to put down anchor. If he does nothing, he will find himself downstream in very little time.
ii. Note what the scriptures say:
(2 Cor. 6:2) “(For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)”
(Prov. 27:1) “Boast not thyself of to morrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.”
B. Drifting away from the Words that we have heard.
1. It is possible for us to drift away from the Words God has given us.
a) We hear the Lord speak through his messenger and choose not to make specific application to our own lives.
b) We read a passage of scripture in our quiet time and choose not to seek to apply it to our lives.
c) We choose the cafeteria approach to the scriptures.
2. Anytime we do nothing to put the principles of God’s word to practical use, we are drifting.
a) We do not drift toward God but away from him.
(2 Pet. 3:14-18) “4Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless; 15and consider that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation—as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given to him, has written to you, 16as also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which untaught and unstable people twist to their own destruction, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures. 17You therefore, beloved, since you know this beforehand, beware lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away with the error of the wicked; 18but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever.”
C. Drifting away from the opportunities God has given.
1. The opportunity to Accept Christ.
2. The opportunity to Identify with Him through open confession of faith and baptism.
3. The opportunity to share Jesus with others who need him.
4. The opportunity to repent of sin and obey God’s Word.
II. THE HELPFUL ADVISE WE HAVE BEEN GIVEN (V.1A).
A. Pay attention to what you have heard.
1. It does no good to hear God’s Word if we allow it to go in one ear and out of the other.
2. God never says anything that is not important.
a) His warnings are never empty: He does not bluff.
b) His commandments are not suggestions: there are consequences to disobedience.
B. Give close attention to the details God reveals.
1. All scripture (every word) is God-Breathed (2 Tim 3:16).
2. Every detail and principle is vital
(Matt. 4:4) “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.”
C. Put into practice what God has taught you.
1. Heed = ðñïóÝ÷ù = apply one’s self to, to devote thought and effort to.
2. It entails obedience (Luke 6:46).
III. THE HORRIBLE QUESTION FOR WHICH THERE IS NO ANSWER (VS.2-4).
A. There was an incomplete revelation given by the angels.
1. ðïëáëÝù = spoken = same word used in 1:1 to denote the incomplete revelation given through the prophets.
2. The angels gave a revelation of God and His will for the time in which they spoke.
3. Disobedience to the angel’s revelation brought certain judgement.
B. There is a completed revelation given by the Lord himself.
1. God has completely revealed himself in two ways:
a) The Living Word (John 1:1)
b) The Written Word (Heb. 4:12)
2. Nothing can be added to this revelation (Revelation 22:18-19)
C. There is a question for which there is no answer.
1. “How shall we escape if we neglect so great salvation?”
a) If you neglect to act upon the offer of salvation being extended to you now, how shall you escape the judgement?
(Heb. 9:27) “ …It is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgement.”
b) No answer is given in scripture…the implied answer is…there is no escape.
(1) If judgment came for disobeying angel, how much more will judgment come for not heeding the very Words of the Living God!
Conclusion:
The story is told of the man who went to sleep in his boat one night on the Niagara River. Before long his boat drifted down to the rapids and he was caught. It was too late for him to do anything. He went over the falls and was killed. Someone asks the question, “What must I do to be lost?” We are given the answer for “What must I do to be saved?” in Acts 16:31 : “…Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved….” But what is the answer for “What must I do to be lost?” Well, the answer is nothing .
