Danger of Drifting
The book of Hebrews, although originally written to Christians who were Jewish, and were in danger of leaving Christ to return to their previous faith, is also for Christians who:
- Are being drawn back into the world.
- Are growing weak in their faith.
- Have experienced tragedy or loss,
- Have lost their first love – Christ
- Have sacrificed to become & live as Christians.
- Have traded the good news for ritual,
- Have stopped growing & become desensitized to a need for growth in their spiritual lives.
It’s written to revitalize and renew them spiritually. Its teachings are critical if we’re to persevere – to persist in one direction in our walk with Jesus.
Hebrews 2:1-4:
- Know the danger of __________________________.
The Word for “drift” is the Word used for a boat unsecured, slowly drifting away from the dock. Or a ring slipping off of our finger. Or snow slipping off a landscape.
THE DANGER OF DRIFTING
The easiest way to drift away – is to _____________.
The Philippian jailer asked Paul in Acts 16:30, ‘What must I do to be saved.’ Paul answered him. The question, ‘What must I do to be lost?’ also has an answer: nothing. To do nothing is to just drift along by the currents of the world around you. - Appreciate what _______________________.
Hebrews 12:1:
We must pay the most careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away.
In effect, the writer is saying, do you know and value what you have in Christ?
He offers them a contrast between what they had in Judaism and what they have in Jesus.
Vs. 2: For since the message spoken through angels was binding, and every violation and disobedience received its just punishment, 3 how shall we escape if we ignore so great a salvation?
Earlier, he started this letter by saying: Hebrews 1:1-3:
OURS IS A GREAT SALVATION! - Remember that we have a great ________________!
Hebrews 12:9:
In effect, the writer asks, “why would we, how could we” ignore such a great savior and such a great salvation?”
Hebrews 12:1-3:
Before we lose our faith, we first lose our focus! Therefore, don’t give up. Don’t walk away. Endure!
Hebrews 10:35-36:
QUESTIONS & EXERCISES
For Daily Devotionals or Bible Study Group
- Name 2 times in the past where perhaps persistence paid off.
- Think of 2 times this week failed short. Could persisting have been helpful?
- What hinders persistence? What could be the solution to more persistence?
- How can one persist and not be singled out as a pushy person?
- Name three scriptures which encourage a person to persist.
