HEBREWS 2:1-4

LISTEN TO JESUS, OR ELSE...

September 27, 2015

Todd Chapman

Hebrews 2:1-4: Therefore we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it. 2 For since the message declared by angels proved to be reliable, and every transgression or disobedience received a just retribution, 3 how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? It was declared at first by the Lord, and it was attested to us by those who heard, 4 while God also bore witness by signs and wonders and various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will. 

In Chapter 1 of Hebrews, the big idea is to LISTEN TO JESUS:

  • He is God’s Son.

  • He is God. 

    • Heir of all things

    • Creator 

    • Radiance of God’s glory

    • The exact imprint of God 

    • Upholds the universe

    • Made purification for sins

    • His throne is forever

    • Filled with uprightness

    • Loves righteousness

    • Anointed with oil of gladness

    • Laid the foundation of the earth

    • Laid the foundation of the heavens

    • Will remain forever

    • Changeless

    • Eternal

  • He sits at God’s right hand.

Differences Between Protestant Church and Roman Catholic CHurch

Differences Between Protestant Church and Roman Catholic CHurch

LISTEN TO JESUS CAREFULLY BECAUSE WE ALL COULD UNKNOWINGLY DRIFT FROM HIM.  

  • All of us are potentially vulnerable.

  • The risk could be that we think there is no risk.  

  • The danger is that our drifting is imperceptible to us.

 LISTEN TO JESUS BECAUSE NEGLECTING HIM WILL LEAD TO DISASTER.  

  • Those who didn’t listen to the prophets were appropriately punished. 

  • Those who don’t listen to Jesus have even less reason to think they will avoid their appropriate punishment.  

  • “Drifting” is actually neglecting the “great salvation.”

    • God’s complete forgiveness. 

    • God’s adopting us as His children. 

    • God committing to use all circumstances for our good.

    • God committing to always be with us. 

    • God’s committing to so filling us with His love we genuinely love our enemies. 

    • God committing to welcoming us to heaven when we die.  

    • God committing to transforming the world when Jesus returns.

    • God committing to giving us imperishable bodies and enjoying His immediate presence forever. 

LISTEN TO JESUS BECAUSE THE EVIDENCE FOR HIM IS OVERWHELMING.  

  • Jesus preached this salvation. 

  • Those closest to Jesus promoted this salvation.  

  • God’s miracles through Jesus and apostles attest to this salvation.  

  • Gifts of the Holy Spirit affirm this salvation.  

TAKE-AWAYS

SIGNS OF DRIFTING: 

  • Not concerned with drifting. 

  • Consumed  by other things.

  • Not that interested in listening to Jesus.  (Less interested in being a 1st hander.) 

  • Minimal focus on Jesus.

  • Not interested in introducing others to Jesus.   

  • Not treasuring Jesus above all else. 

WHAT WE CAN DO TO “PAY MUCH CLOSER ATTENTION” TO JESUS: 

  • Acknowledge we may be susceptible. 

  • Look for warning signs of drifting.

  • Hang with those who “pay close attention” to Jesus. 

  • Read the Bible. (Hebrews)

Life Group Questions

What does it mean?

  1. How would you summarize the author’s big idea in chapter 1?
  2. “Therefore” is the first word of this paragraph.  Why is it here?
  3. What specifically are the readers to pay much closer attention to?   What have they “heard”?
  4. What does it mean to “drift away”?  What are signs of drifting?
  5. What was the message of the angels that proved to be reliable?
  6. Who received their just “retribution”?  What did they do to get their “just retribution?
  7. The author says, “…how shall we escape if we neglect such a salvation?”  Who is the “we”?  How is the thought about those who are neglecting salvation, connected to the prior thought, those who had already received their “just retribution”?  How are they “neglecting” such a great salvation?
  8. What is the “great salvation” that the author is referencing?
  9. What evidences has God given, according to the author, of the “great salvation”?
  10. What’s the big idea of 2:1-4?

How does it apply?

  1. When you think back on the last week, on what have you been the most focused?
  2. What do you do to pay attention to Jesus?
  3. What might be the signs of someone drifting from Jesus?
  4. Do you know anyone who has drifted from Jesus?  No names, but what did their drifting look like?
  5. Are there people who keep you paying attention to Jesus?  What do they do?
  6. Are there people you are attempting to keep their attention on Jesus?  What do you do?
  7. What would help you pay “much closer attention” to Jesus?