Neglect by Gerald Van Horn
Questions are a great teaching tool. Questions are solemn and searching. Our Lord used many and varied questions to teach a lesson. Often He ended up answering His own questions. Never did He ever leave the hearer in doubt. A question is only as good as the answer. The writer of Hebrews has a very great question.
Hebrews 2:1-4 “Therefore, we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things, which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip. For if the word spoken by angels was steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompense of reward. How shall we escape, if we neglect so great a salvation, which at first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him, God bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will?
Text. v. 3 “how shall we escape, if we neglect so great a salvation?”
In the New Testament there are three questions that are unanswered:
Mark 8:36-37 “For what shall it profit a man, if he gain the whole world and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?
I Peter 4:17 “For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God; and if it first begin with at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?”
Hebrews 2:3 Which is our text.
1. A great problem-neglect.
To destroy a marriage you don’t have to go out and commit adultery, just neglect your marriage partner. Some else will pay attention to them and then you’re in trouble.
To destroy your finances you don’t have to write hot checks. Just ignore or neglect your bills. The wolf will be at your door before you know it.
You don’t have to backslide to loose your salvation. Just neglect it. Stop reading your Bible. Stop praying. Stop paying your tithes. Stop attending God’s house.
Note: The text does not say if we reject our salvation. It says if we neglect salvation. I am persuaded that our text is directed toward both believers and sinners. To neglect our salvation is to put our soul in terrible peril. It is far reaching.
2. The great peril.
Three words describe the situation:
1) Reject. A conscience and deliberate refusal to receive the gift offered. John 5:40 “And ye would not come unto me that ye might have life.”
Acts 28:24 “and some believed the things, which were spoken, and some believed not.”
2) Accept. When a gift is offered it can either be accepted or rejected. Accept mean to receive, to believe and to rely upon. The results are salvation.
3) Neglect. A deliberate act of your own will. It means that Satan has taken control by his lies. Such as “you are your own person.” “Do what feels good.” “Sin and repent later.” “Take control of your own life.” “Be successful and nobody or anything can touch you.” You need Jesus.
3. The great provision.
Our text does not say salvation. No. It says “so great a salvation.” Why would it use the words “so great”?
1) Salvation is “so great” because of the love that provided it.
Song; “Oh, the love that drew salvations plan, Oh, the grace that brought it down to man.”
God not only provided salvation from time and eternity but He brought down to man..
John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that he gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”
2) Salvation is “so great” because of the price that was paid for it.
Creation began with the Word.
Salvation cost God the Word.
God gave the best that He had. He gave His only begotten Son. What more could He give?
2 Corinthians 8:9 “For we know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that,though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that yethrough his poverty might be rich.”
I Peter 1:18-19 “For as much as we know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers, But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and with spot.”
3) Salvation is “so great” because of the benefits included with it.
Forgiveness.
Cleansing.
Joy.
Peace.
Grace.
Heaven for a home.
All of heaven is waiting. Do not neglect so great a salvation.” Lord Jesus come into my life and forgive me for neglecting my salvation.” Aman
