The writer to the Hebrews gives the first of many strong exhortations to persevere in the faith in this section, admonishing them not to neglect so great a salvation.
Teaching Notes:
Hebrews 2:1-4
Intro:
Theme: Superiority of Christ (better). Chapters 1 & 2 – Christ is Better than Angels. 1:4. Lays out intro to Christ’s superiority in 1:1-3. Proves them in 1:5-14. Son – 1:5; Heir – 1:6; Made worlds – 1:10; Radiance and Representation – 1:8; Upholds – 1:12; Purification – 1:14; Sat down at Right hand – 1:13.
Chapter 1 = Deity of Christ. Chapter 2 = Humanity of Christ. In passing from Divinity and Royalty in Ch.1 to His humanity, H.S. moves him to make practical application. 2:1-4 are parenthesis. Writer pick up discussion of Christ and angels in 2:5,9. This parenthesis is beautiful. When does an analytical teacher break off from his logical and orderly teaching? When heart moved & emotions deeply stirred? Paul’s heart yearned for salvation of Jews. 9:1-3; 10:1. So turned from theme to address their consciences. What is his theme in 2:1-4? Gospel. (what we have heard, so great a salvation, at the first spoken through the Lord, confirmed by apostles). 1. The Duty Regarding the Gospel: 2:1a. 2. The Danger in Neglecting the Gospel: 2:1b-2:3a. 3. The Demonstration of the Trustworthiness of the Gospel: 2:3b-4.
1. The Duty Regarding the Gospel: 2:1.
For This Reason: for what reason? Ch.1. Cuz Jesus is God’s son, pay attention! Cuz Jesus is the heir, cuz made world, cuz is radiance of His glory, cuz is exact representation of His nature, cuz upholds all things, cuz made purification of sins, cuz sat down at right hand, pay attention! Gospel concerns Christ. Cuz of glory of Christ, pay attention to gospel! 1:2 – in these last days God has spoken to us in His Son – thus, must pay much closer attention to this Word He has spoken!
We Must Pay Much Closer Attention: This is 1st duty recorded in book. Closer attention than who? Those who heard the Word through Angels – the Israelites. Must: this is not a suggestion or option; it is a command! Pay Attention: Kindergarten teacher tells kids this. Children so easily distracted. 5:11 – 6:1. Evidently these were babes in Christ who needed to mature. Way to maturity was to pay attention to Gospel. KJV = “give the more earnest heed”. Opposite of neglecting, being careless about something.
Application: What do you pay attention to? Favorite TV shows, favorite talk radio host? Favorite author? Favorite band? We take pains, pay money, and set aside time to listen to these people! How much more to Word of Christ! We must do this. Not just if in crisis, or at Church. But every day. This is word for all Christians in every period of life. How do we do this? Navigators hand illustration: hear, read, study, memorize, meditate. Listen to Jesus: not a hard command unless don’t want to do it. 1st command not work for Jesus, but listen to Jesus. Ch.1 makes this light burden & easy yoke. Why wouldn’t want to listen to someone as glorious as Jesus?! So great a salvation: why would anyone scorn Jesus’ importance and neglect so great a salvation? Only if regarded something else as more important to listen to. Most people do neglect greatness of salvation! How many people do you know who give serious sustained attention to salvation, love it, think of it, commend it to others, set hope on it? Really saying don’t neglect being loved by God, forgiven, accepted strengthened, guided, sacrifice of Christ, free gift of righteousness, removal of wrath, reconciled smile of god, indwelling H.S., fellowship w/ Christ, free access to throne of grace, inexhaustible treasure of God’s promises! Commit yourself to meditate on Word day and night!
2. The Danger in Neglecting the Gospel:
Drift Away: like children playing in rowboat on the Niagara River. Boat tied to dock. Children are safe as long as boat secured to dock. But if rope comes untied and begin to drift in danger. Drifting may take place so slowly almost imperceptible. Don’t realize it until are being carried swiftly down stream and too late to get safely to shore. Gospel is our dock. We must pay attention to it so that don’t drift to destruction down Niagara Falls. Takes no energy to drift. Only do nothing and will drift! What are the currents that cause us to drift? Familiarity, Worldliness, Our Flesh, Daily concerns (Lu.8:14).
Word Spoken Through Angels: what is this? Mosaic Law. Acts 7:38,53; Gal.3:19. Unalterable: translated (certain, firm, sure, steadfast). Once given, Law wasn’t going away. Can’t be changed. Governed your life, brought God’s just punishment if disobeyed. Whether liked it or not, didn’t matter. Every transgression & disobedience: if broke Law of Moses were punished. Many capital crimes. What is point? Jesus is far greater than angels. If Law which came through them was unalterable, gospel even more unalterable. If law brought judgment and punishment, much more so will Gospel do same. Gospel is unalterable: may not like it that only way of salv. is through Christ, that can’t be saved through own righteousness, that must repent and believe. Doesn’t matter. It is unalterable! Gospel not just invitation to accept, it is a command to be obeyed! 2Thess.1:8. Heb.10:28-29. Mk.1:14 Jesus “repent and believe the gospel.”
Escape: escape what? Mt.23:33 “how shall you escape the sentence of hell?” Rom.2:3 “do you suppose you will escape the judgment of God?” 1Thess.5:1-3. Heb.12:25.
Neglect: Notice not “reject”, just neglect. Opposite is paying much closer attention to Word. Why is it such an evil thing to neglect gospel? Why should a person be punished for just neglecting it? Because by neglecting it he is saying that it is not great. It is commonplace, ordinary. He is despising it, belittling it. Saying it is not worthy his pains, his attention, his obedience.
So great a salvation: doesn’t say “a great salvation” or “the great salvation”. Like “so loved the world.” Unspeakably great. Why? Evils saves from: power of salvation in this life, everlasting wrath of God in life to come. Blessings bestows upon us: full, free, everlasting remission of all sins; enjoyment of favor of infinitely powerful and wise and good Jehovah; transformation of our lives; a new heart and new spirit; gift of righteousness, adoption, reconciliation, sealing of Holy Spirit; peaceful conscience; good hope; perfect purity and happiness in life to come; everlasting enjoyment of God.
3. The Demonstration of the Trustworthiness of the Gospel:
Witnesses: how do we know if we can trust word of Christ? Can we rely on it? How do we know if gospel of Christ is of God or not? To confirm us in the truth, have 4 witnesses:
God: “through angels”. Implies God Father was 1st speaker. Same wording as 2:2. Exactly what would expect. 1:1-2. God spoke first through prophets, but in these last days, has spoken in His Son.
Jesus Christ: in His earthly ministry as He preached and taught the gospel of the kingdom.
Apostles: eyewitnesses. They heard Christ directly. Apostles had told stories of Jesus to readers of this book. W/o these witnesses would be no faith. They are indispensable link to speaking of God through Christ. Firmness of our faith rests on these witnesses. They are foundation.
God: begins and ends with God. God speaks great salvation into being through Jesus, and now witnesses to His own Word. Mk.16:20.
Application:
We have no excuse! God has done everything necessary to assure us of the truth. If we neglect Gospel, have no one to blame but ourselves, & bring everlasting destruction upon ourselves.
Pay Attention to Word! Commit yourself to be in Word as much as can. Devour it! Long for it like newborn longs for milk. Meditate on it day and night. Memorize it. Saturate yourself in it! Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly!
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