21 Feb Sermon Recap | Hebrews | Don’t Drift Away
In the opening verses of Hebrews 2, the author warns Christians of their ongoing responsibility to hold close the message of Jesus. He warns that if we do not continually process the hope of the gospel, we may drift away from the Truth. We must recognize the reality of our own sin to truly see the good news of Jesus.
Scripture References
Love Shines | Austin Stone Worship | iTunes
1 Corinthians 12:4-8 • Matthew 27:45-46 • 1 Corinthians 15:54-57 •1 John 4:8-9
Whole Again | Grace Church Worship | iTunes
John 6:53-54 • Mark 14:24 • Ephesians 1:7 • 1 John 1:7
Lamb of God | Vertical Church Band | iTunes
John 1:29 • Hebrews 4:14-16 • Romans 6:5-11
But God | Village Church Worship | iTunes
1 Peter 2:9, Ephesians 2:4-7
Raised to Life | Elevation Worship | iTunes
Romans 6:4-11, 2 Corinthians 12:9-10, Ephesians 2:4-7, Colossians 2:12
Fully Devoted | Life Church Worship | iTunes
Romans 12:1, 1 Corinthians 6:19, Philippians 1:20, Deuteronomy 6:5
1. Listening carefully to the message of Jesus is to hold it close in your mind and heart—it takes effort. The author of Hebrews gives a warning that we may drift away if we do not hold tight to the Truth. As believers, part of our ongoing responsibility is to create spiritual disciplines in our lives in order keep God’s truth close. What spiritual disciplines do you have in place to avoid drifting? Can you identify a time in your life that your spiritual life was on autopilot? How did this affect your focus on the Truth?
2. If there’s judgment for disobeying the sacred message of angels, how much greater is the judgment for disobeying or dismissing Jesus? We have access to the Creator and King of the Universe—we cannot dismiss Him without consequences. Is it difficult for you to understand the severity of God’s judgment? In what ways do you minimize the message of Jesus?
3. The message of Jesus was confirmed by physical miracles and wonders and is now also confirmed by the Holy Spirit living inside of believers. There is proof of what Jesus has done through the new hearts, thoughts, feelings, and motivations of His followers. In what ways do you see the fruit of the Holy Spirit in your own life? Is your life walking proof of the message of Jesus?
4. Matt identified four categories of people with regard to how we relate to the Scripture we read. Which one do you most closely identify with?
a. Non-Christian: You must understand there is no good news of the gospel without the bad news of sin. Jesus came for the sick—for those who understand they are sinful and separated from God. It takes humility to know we need Him. Do you understand the extent of your sinfulness in light of God’s grace?
b. Religious: You come from a very religious background and may trust in something that is not trustworthy, an event or action that is your work, not God’s. Instead of trusting in God’s grace that came through a moment, are you trusting in the moment itself and the way you engaged it?–a prayer, an aisle you walked, a retreat or camp, etc.
c. “The American dream”: You are living a busy life making idols of your career, husband, children, or other things of this world that do not fulfill your deepest desires. You are not awake to the reality of the Lord Jesus who is Creator and Judge. What things of this world are taking the place of time spent with your Creator?
d. Arrogant and lazy: You are not being diligent in holding close to the message of Jesus. You are not living a life of continual repentance. You might plan everything else in your life, but do not plan around your spiritual life. Are you just a Christian consumer?
Thoughts to Consider
– It can hard to reconcile God being both Creator and Judge. But the one who started will finish. The One who is the beginning is the One who stands in judgment.
– We are surrounded by the pride and arrogance of our culture. We have to humble ourselves and realize we cannot dismiss the Creator and King of the Universe and there be no consequences.
– As we see in Hebrews 2:4 and an illustration in Mark 2, Jesus can heal us against the power of sin, and He can heal our soul of sin itself. Proof of this message of the gospel is demonstrated through the work that we do supernaturally because God’s Spirit lives inside of us.
