July 27, 2003
Morning Service
Text: Hebrews 2:1-4
Subject: Eternal Security
Title: Don’t Let Go
There is a characteristic of human nature of which, I believe, we are all guilty of. That is taking things for granted. Let me give some examples. You get into your car and turn the key and what happens? The car starts. You flip a switch and the lights come on. You come to church and the singers sing and the preacher preaches. That is what always happens and should continue to happen. We just expect that those things will never change and we just don’t think about the consequences if those things didn’t operate the way we think they should. We just take them for granted. All these things have a common point. For them to continue to function properly, there needs to be some maintenance. Cars have to have maintenance to run smoothly. Electricity must have adequate connections for the power to flow. The worship team practices and the pastor studies in order for a church service to happen. Because those things take place behind the scenes, we don’t notice them.
Today we want to talk to you about a very important topic that I feel is often neglected. That is paying close attention to the teaching of the Bible. Now I am confident that most of you will read your Bible. And all of you surely believe that the Bible is God’s infallible word, His revelation of Himself to His people. But when you read your Bible do you stop and meditate on the things you read and then put them into action, or do you just read words?
Let me give you some statistics about the Bible. These come from the Barna Research Group.
92% of the households in America have a Bible.
Among those having bibles the average household has three.
In 2002, 42% of those questioned read their bibles in the past seven days.
88% of Evangelicals have read their Bible in the past seven days.
61% of those having bibles believe that the Bible is totally accurate in all its teachings.
75% believe that the miracles mentioned in the Bible actually took place.
Those are the positive statistics. Other statistics show that there is a real lack of knowledge about the Bible.
One out of four adults believe the whole Bible was written several decades after the death and resurrection of Jesus.
12% believe that the name of Noah’s wife was Joan of Arc.
16% believe there is a book in the New Testament called the Gospel of Thomas, written by the apostle of the same name. Another one-third doesn’t know for sure.
49% believe that the Bible teaches that money is the root of all evil.
56% believe that the Bible teaches that the single most important task for a Christian is taking care of one’s family.
75% believe that the Bible teaches that God helps those who help themselves.
Statistically, it becomes obvious that much of America, though they confess faith in the scriptures, have taken the Bible quite lightly. Our passage today gives us a warning about the danger of not taking God’s word seriously. As we search the Word, today we will see:
There is danger in apathy.
There is a promise of judgment.
There is validity in the Word.
I pray that today we all would receive a renewed hunger for the word of God.
I. The danger of apathy. (Verse 1)
A. The first thing we want to see here is that the word "therefore" refers us back to what was said previously. The writer has already established a principle in chapter 1. Verse 14, "Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to minister for those who will inherit salvation?" Angels are sent to minister to the saved. They are God’s messengers. Yet the whole of chapter 1 is spent showing the reader that though angels have a special place of ministry Jesus Christ is much better than the angels. 1:5, For to which of the angels did He ever say: "You are My Son. Today I have begotten You?" "I will be to Him a Father, and He shall be to Me a Son." Verse 6, "Let all the angels of God worship Him." Verse 13, "But to which of the angels has He ever said, "Sit at My right hand, till I make Your enemies Your footstool." The "therefore" is referring us back to the supremacy of Christ.
B. We must give "more earnest heed". The NIV says, "We must pay more careful attention to the things we have heard." "We" refers to those who have trusted Christ. "The things we have heard" is the proclamation of the gospel message and the doctrine set forth by the teachings of Christ and the apostles. We pay closer attention because the word we have received from the gospel is greater than any other word you might receive - because Jesus is greater than the angels. Paul wrote in Galatians, "But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed." It is our responsibility to pay close attention to the word of God. Colossians 2:8, "Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ." As you read the Bible, ask yourself questions. Is there something here for me to see? Does this pertain to me? Is this meant to be taken literally? Look, for instance, at God’s warning to Israel in Deuteronomy 28. If they failed to obey the law, they would suffer hard times and go into exile. Verse 58, "If you do not carefully observe all the words of this law that are written in this book, that you may fear this glorious and awesome name, THE LORD YOUR GOD, then the Lord will bring upon you and your descendants extraordinary plagues." Does this apply to me? If you read all of Deuteronomy 28 about the curses for disobedience, it applies to Israel specifically. But there is a spiritual principle that is clearly stated. If you do not heed God’s law, you will suffer consequences. Deuteronomy 29:9, "Therefore keep the words of this covenant, and do them, that you may prosper in all that you do." We must take God’s word seriously. There is a word of caution added here. "lest we drift away."
C. Slip-sliding away. There was a song in the 70’s by Paul Simon that said, The nearer your destination the more you’re slip-sliding away. I believe that this warning in verse 1 is for Christians. If you do not really grasp the significance of the scriptures and hold on to it, you will be just like the song, slip-sliding away. Many Christians get saved and think that’s the end when it’s just the beginning. If you don’t care for the word of God you have nothing to anchor on. Matthew 7:24-27, "Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that housel and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock. But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall." As Christians, we have the responsibility of "working out our own salvation". If we think that we can get saved and then hold on till Jesus comes without the word of God dwelling in us, we are sadly mistaken. The closer we get the further away we will slide. If we take our position in Christ for granted, we are asking for trouble.
II. The promise of judgment. (Verses 2-3)
A. The word spoken through angels proved steadfast. This refers to the Law of Moses. The Old Testament does not tell us that the law was handed over to Moses by angels but Deuteronomy 33:2 says there were angels present. It is not until Acts 7:53 we see that Stephen accused the Jews of "receiving the law by the direction of angels and have not kept it." Galatians 3:19, "What purpose then does the law serve? It was added because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was appointed through angels by the hand of a mediator." The point being made is that, if the law, coming to man by the hand of angels, is to be respected, how much more is the word of God who came to earth to be revered. And if the law insisted that every aspect be obeyed or else judgment would be executed, then we can be sure that the Word of God, Jesus, must be obeyed or else there will be eternal judgment. The word delivered by angels is faithful and true but the words of Jesus are eternal. "For God did not send His son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God." "If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love." (John 15:11)
B. How shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation? The word that is translated neglect literally means, "to make light of". It is used in the parable of the ten virgins. The virgins neglected to keep themselves supplied with oil till the Bridegroom’s return and they were not participants of the wedding feast. We have been given the gift of eternal life. It is the greatest gift we could ever receive. And now that we have received it, we treat the words of the living God as if they were just some casual words to be read at our leisure. Paul wrote to the Corinthians, "For who makes you differ from one another? And what do you have that you did not receive? Now if you did indeed receive it, why do you boast as if you had not received it?" If you have received eternal life, how can you go on acting like you have not? That is what this Word of God is all about. If we neglect the Word, how can we expect to escape the punishment that is due us? Yes, we are saved by grace, but remember it is through faith. If we accept that great salvation then we are responsible to live it out by reading the Word, meditating on the Word and being doers of the Word and not hearers only. This Word of God that was given by inspiration of the Holy Spirit (Paul says it is God-breathed) was given as holy men of God were moved along by the Holy Spirit. If we are saved by grace, then God will continue to give the grace needed to understand the scriptures. Why? So, we can work out our own salvation with fear and trembling. If we neglect the word there is no escape. How can we be sure that the Word of God is true?
III. The validity of the Word.
A. The words were spoken by Jesus himself. Matthew 24:35, "Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away." Jesus told the parable of the sower about the "Word" being sown on different types of ground. Jesus talked about the significance of speaking the word. Mark 11:23-24, "For assuredly I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ’Be cast into the sea.’ And does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says. Therefore I say to you, whatever you ask for when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them." John 8:31-32, "If you abide in My word, you are my disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free."
B. The word was confirmed by the apostles. John 20: 30-31, "And truly Jesus did many other signs in the presence of His disciple which are not written in this book, but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name." 2 Peter 2:16, "For we did not follow cunningly devised fables when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of His majesty," One final scripture - Acts 8:4, "Therefore those who were scattered went everywhere preaching the word." It was the same word of God they had heard from the apostles
C. God confirms the word with signs and wonders. He is bearing witness this way. In Mark 16:17 Jesus said signs would follow those who believe. Rest assured that if there are no signs and wonders then the problem is not with God. There is either a lack of belief or else the word of God is not being proclaimed. We have to give God something to confirm. God does not work miracles just for the sake of putting on a show. He does work miracles when He has a spiritual point to make. Miracles stir people up in the natural in order to make them hungry to receive in the supernatural. The moment that God works a great miracle people are drawn to it. That is why the Jews often approached Jesus wanting to see miracles. Miracles open the door for the word to be spoken. An alcoholic became a believer, was asked how he could possibly believe all the nonsense in the Bible about miracles. "You don’t believe that Jesus changed the water into wine do you?" "I sure do, because in our house Jesus changed the whiskey into furniture." R. Stedman, Authentic Christianity.
D. Confirmed by the gifts of the Spirit. Just what is the purpose of the spiritual gifts? To be used in love for the building up of the church. Why is it important that the church be built up? To keep people from drifting away. One of the ministries of the Holy Spirit is to lead believers into all truth. God’s word is truth. Jesus said that when the Holy Spirit came He would bring to remembrance all the things that Jesus had taught. The Holy Spirit knows the importance of the word of God. He knows that the word is sharper than any two edged sword. He knows that the word of God is the sword of the Spirit by which we can move into enemy territory and tear down strongholds. Everything that the Holy Spirit does glorifies Jesus Christ. Confirming the word through spiritual activity draws attention to Jesus that He may be glorified in the world.
How do you read the word of God? Is it like a novel that you cannot wait to get to the end? Can you open up the bible and not find something that is significant for you personally? It may require thinking in a different way. As you study, ask the Holy Spirit to reveal truth to you. There is great danger in not taking the word of God seriously. There is the possibility that those who do not rightly divide the word of God may be deceived. Blessing comes from meditating on the word.
Taking the word seriously means believing that what the word says is true. If it isn’t true how can you be serious about it?
Do you believe that God gives us benefits, forgives all our iniquities, and heals all our diseases? The Bible says He does.
Can we say to a mountain, "be cast into the sea" and expect it to happen? The Bible says we can.
Can we pray for workers in the harvest and expect God to provide them? The Bible says we should.
Should we be sharing the gospel so God can confirm His word with signs and wonders? The bible says that is exactly what we should be doing.
Stop for a moment and ask yourself, "Am I taking the word as seriously as I should? Am I believing in all the benefits that God has for me? Am I in danger of judgment because of my lack of affection for the living word of God?"
I know we all say that we believe the Bible. But believing is more than a positive confession. Believing is being fully persuaded, without a doubt, that what God says in His word, He is able to and will perform. Faith is the word in action. Faith is believing and expecting. Faith is paying more earnest heed to the things we have heard. Doubt is neglecting so great a salvation.
Make up your mind now to pay greater attention to the Word of God.
