PAY ATTENTION
Hebrews 2:1-4
“Therefore we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away.”
Pay attention! Teachers, how many times have you had to say this to your students? You are teaching something they need to know but their minds are somewhere else.
How is your hearing? Now I know that some of us just can’t hear as well as we used too. Some of us hear a noises that we would rather not hear such as a ringing or buzzing in the ear. However, I‘m not talking about your ability to hear but are you paying attention to what you hear? We need to give heed that we hear, what we hear, and how we hear. Are you paying attention to the message of Jesus Christ?
The word “therefore” connects this passage to chapter one where we learned that Jesus Christ is God’s final revelation of himself. We learned that Jesus is better than the prophets and the angels. He is the divine Son of God. Moreover, by his own blood he purged our sins. Are you paying attention to the gospel of Jesus Christ.
The writer encourages us to give “earnest heed to the things we have heard.” Or as the NIV puts it, “Pay more careful attention therefore to what we have heard.” As I examine this passage, I find at least three reasons why we should pay careful attention to what we have heard.
I. WE SHOULD PAY ATTENTION BECAUSE OF THE DANGER OF DRIFTING.
While we often use this passage to speak to the lost, the primary message is to believers. Because of persecution, the Jewish believers were in danger of drifting back into Judaism. Therefore the writer urges them to give “earnest heed to the things WE have heard, lest WE drift away.”
Note the phrase, “Lest we drift away.” This is translated as “slip” or “drift.” To slip means to flow past, to glide by, to slip past. It might be used of a ring slipping off a finger, or of a truth slipping out of memory.
To drift might be used of a ship drifting at sea. For example, on March 24, 1989, the oil tanker Exxon Valdez grounded on Bligh’s Reef and spilled 11,000,000 gallons of oil, causing one of the greatest ecological disasters in American history. The disaster was caused by a third mate who was greatly fatigued and somewhat inebriated. I’m sure he did not mean to cause the disaster. He just carelessly drifted into it.
NOTE: It is not the gospel that slips away, it is the one who hears who drifts away from the gospel. It is not the Word of God that drifts away from us, it is we who drift away from the Word of God. The gospel has not changed. The Word of God has not changed.
Most people do not intend to go to hell. They just drift along in life and ultimately wind up there. They drift by their opportunities for salvation. They just drift along with the crowd. They sleep when they should be listening. What they hear just seems to go into one ear and out the other.
II. WE SHOULD PAY ATTENTION BECAUSE OF THE CERTAINTY OF GOD’S DISCIPLINE.
We know that in the past, God spoke in many different ways. Sometimes, God spoke through angels. When the Old Testament believers rebelled against that word, they invited the discipline and chastisement of God. “For if the word spoken through angels proved steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just reward…..” We will see several times in Hebrews that God disciplines His children.
The word “transgression” or “violation” means to step aside, to step over a line. It means to go against what the law says and do what it forbids. To violate God’s moral law is to receive God’s judgment. Transgression carries with it an intentional and willful act. Transgression is a sin of commission.
The word “Disobedience” means to neglect, refuse, and fail to obey the law. Disobedience involves imperfect hearing. Disobedience is a sin of neglect, a sin of omission.
Every transgression and disobedience had it appropriate punishment. One is an active sin while the other is a passive sin. Both incur the chastisement of God.
That brings me to my final reason why we should pay attention to what we have heard.
III. WE SHOULD PAY ATTENTION BECAUSE OF THE GREATNESS OF SALVATION.
If what the angels said in their part of the Old Testament revelation was true, and their words came to pass, then we must face a serious question. “How shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation.” We often think that Christians can get by with certain things because we are under grace not law. As a result, too many Christians neglect the Word of God and take it for granted. However, neglect of the Word of God is the cause of spiritual drifting.
Robert Robinson was converted under the mighty preaching of George Whitefield, and for a time was greatly used as a pastor. However, neglect of spiritual things led him astray. In his search for peace he began traveling. Once on a journey he met a young woman who was very spiritually minded. “What do you think of this hymn I have been reading?” she asked Robinson. As he looked at the hymnal, he discovered that it was his own hymn. For a time he tried to avoid her question, but finally broke down and confessed who he was and how he had been living away from the Lord.
“But these ‘streams of mercy’ are still flowing,” the woman assured him, and through her encouragement, Robinson was restored to fellowship with the Lord. Have you drifted away from the Lord? PAY ATTENTION: God is speaking to you today calling you back to himself. You too can be restored.
Note three things about this great salvation. First, This salvation was spoken to us by the Lord. Salvation is not an invention man. Salvation is of the Lord. Hebrews 12:2 calls Jesus, “The author and finisher of our faith.” Salvation began with Jesus and He will bring it to completion. To neglect our Lord is to trample under foot the grace of God.
This salvation was confirmed by those who heard it. While this refers primarily to the apostles who were with the Lord in His earthly life and ministry, it also relates to those who have experienced the gospel down through the ages.
Finally, this salvation was attested to by God. God Himself bears witness to this great salvation by signs and wonders, by various miracles, and by gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to His own will.
CONCLUSION: As we conclude, I want to say that this text speaks to all of us. However, it especially speaks to two groups of people. These two groups need to PAY CAREFUL ATTENTION.
First, it speaks to those who are in danger of drifting back into the old life. Some of the Hebrew believers were in danger of drifting back into Judaism. Some of you may be in danger of drifting back into the old life of sin. I want to say to you, PAY ATTENTION. God is speaking to you today.
Second, There is another group that needs to pay careful attention. I am speaking to those of you who have never trusted in Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. Perhaps you have heard the gospel many times. Perhaps you even have good intentions to trust in Jesus some day but right now you are just drifting. You will never get to heaven on your good intentions.
I want to say to you, PAY ATTENTION. You will never have a better opportunity than right now to turn around and place your trust in Jesus Christ. Invite Jesus into your life today.
Pay attention to the gospel
For the message is still the same,
Salvation is available for you
In Jesus’ precious name.
But you must listen to the message
And give earnest heed,
Because salvation in Jesus,
Is your greatest need.
You can be saved
If you’ll just trust Him today,
Don’t let this golden opportunity
Quietly slip away.
Don’t be careless
And let life drift by,
Or you just might miss Jesus
When He comes in the sky.
God’s Judgment is sure and certain
For those who drift away,
But great salvation is still available,
Just call on Jesus today.
Frank Lay © 1/15/04
