1 We must pay more careful attention to what we have heard lest at any time we should slip/drift by (fail to bring a ship to port)

2  For if the word spoken by angels was binding, and every transgression and disobedience received its just punishment  3  How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation  5...he not put in subjection the world to come, of which we are speaking.

{Our Story thus far: The author of Hebrews demonstrates the superiority of Christ over Judaism to Hebrew Christians (as well as the consequences of not pressing on to maturity), so they won’t be succumb to the temptation to go back to the way they were, but will make every effort to victoriously follow after Christ in faith, hope and love. The author begins in Chapter 1: demonstrating that Christ is superior to the OT law and angels, being the Final Revelation and Future Ruler of the world to come.}

I. We must pay more careful Attention

Focus our energies on hearing and obeying God (what He’s explicitly said and what He desires [letter & spirit])

We’ll miss the blessings God has in store for us; not so much by conscious rebellion; more by going with the flow 

Mt 4:17  From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. (Lk 17:21 ¹ in heart)

1) Lk 3:4 Promised Kingdom identified in Isaiah 40. 2) Isaiah 40:10 The King is coming to judge/reward  (look busy)

3) Lk 3:10 Stop living as if this is the only world there is...Start living as if a kingdom is coming in which God rewards righteousness.

II. Why we don’t pay Attention

No Benefits -we think our needs are being met by what we’re doing.  We’re ignorant of the blessings God has to offer

No Fear/Consequences - we think we’re immune to punishment.  We are ignorant of the infinite justice of God

Lk 12:47  And that servant, which knew his lord's will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes. 48  But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.

Self-centeredness/Self-sufficiency - we think we’re God. We’re ignorant of our dependency on God’s sufficiency

Looking at other things - we think we can make the rules.  We’re ignorant of the requirements God places on us.

Mk 12:30 thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength:

Mk 4:19  And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things  choke the word... unfruitful

III. Warning for Believers at Ease

Salvation is a reversal of the effects of the Fall:

a) Right to live forever; b) Right relationship (holiness) with God and others; c) Rulership {glory} over the earth

1) Justification = Accomplished escape from hell and the death penalty incurred by sin, and restoration of our relationship with God. (Tit 3:5; Rm 3:24)

2) Sanctification = Progressive deliverance from sin habits and restoration toward pre-Fall holiness and Christlikeness. (I Pt 2:2: Phil 2:12)

3) Glorification = Future restoration of glory and rulership with Christ in His future kingdom. (Heb 9:28; I Pt 1:5)

All three aspects of salvation are dependent upon faith or trust in God's grace & revelation.(Jn 1:12; Eph 3:5-10; II Cor 5:7; Heb 11:6)

1Pt 1:4  To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fades not away, reserved in heaven for you, 5 Who are kept by the power of God through faith to salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 6 Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: 7  That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perishes, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:

Heb 11:6  without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that comes to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

2 Jn 8 Watch out that you don’t lose what you have worked for, but that you may be rewarded fully.(NIV)

Questions for Reflection/Discussion/Response:

1. Why are we so content to go with the flow?  What’s wrong with complacency?

2. What does it look like when someone is paying more careful attention to God’s message? What is the message?

3. What’s the consequence of failing to understand the salvation God offers us?

4. Why are people content to let others tell them what the Bible says rather than study it for themselves?

5. How can you pay more careful attention to God’s message?