THE TRAGEDY OF NEGLECT

SERIES: LIVING BY FAITH.

TEXT: HEBREWS 2:1-4.

It is common in rural Kenya to see shops, farms and some homes in disrepair and dilapidated. These are testimonies of neglect. Looking at many christians you can see the neglect of God’s gift of salvation. Unfit parents regularly neglect their parents through lack of proper care, concern and attention. Many people have rejected God’s gift of salvation. The Apostle Paul exposes a situation in the Hebrew church that was near tragedy. The church had not neglected salvation but rather were neglecting salvation-Heb. 2:1-4.

This neglect is spoken of in Matthew 22:5, “but they made light out of it, and went their ways one to his farm, another to his merchandise.” The word “neglect” in Verse 3 is in Aariest perfect tense: they were not always that way (neglecting) but it was a resent development.

Paul was not writing to lost sinners but to Christian who had simply began not to care about their salvation. My dear friends it is very sad to see saved people developing a laissez faire approach to the salvation.

Today let us look at tragedy of neglecting our salvation. Let us learn:-

THE REASON FOR NEGLECTING SALVATION-2:3-4.

• Paul’s audience were drifting back into the law when they had already laid hold of salvation through grace.
• Grace is superior to the law just as Jesus Christ is superior to Moses.

The law required the constant shedding of blood from bulls, goats, rams.

• Can you just imagine if today when you come to church you have come with a bull, a goat or a ram for the forgiveness of your sins!!
• Salvation is great because God designed it and gave it to mankind.
• Paul addresses the greatness of salvation by giving these three features:-

1. Salvation was proclaimed by the Lord Himself. Law was given by angels (Vs. 2) the gospel of grace was given by God Himself.
2. Salvation gospel was confirmed by those who heard it-the apostles witnessed it-Vs. 3.
3. Salvation message was certified by God through miracles, signs and wonders.
4. Salvation is unique and should not be forgotten.

“How shall we escape?”

• We can neglect it, reject it but we cannot escape it.
• Salvation through Christ is not the best way to heaven-it is the only way!!
• The danger if ecumenism and comparative religions is setting aside the uniqueness of Christianity-salvation-Acts 4:12.
• There is only one way, one door, one Savior and only one fountain of Living water-Jesus Christ.
• There in only one way to heaven.
• All one has to do to go to hell is do nothing with Jesus Christ.
• It is possible to be saved and neglect the provision of salvation and remaining a spiritual baby (immature).
• Are you neglecting your salvation which is in Christ Jesus?

RESULTS AND SIGNS OF NEGLECTING SALVATION-2:1-2.

“For this reason we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard so that we do not drift away from it. For if the word spoken through angels proved unalterable and every transgression and disobedience received a just penalty.”

Danger of drifting.

• “Drifting away” is an incredible word picture.
• A ring may slip away from your finger-losing it.
• A jar with a small crack in it, allowing its contents to slowly leak out-losing what was inside.
• A boat drifting aimlessly out to sea.
• There is danger when we become like leak jars, we lose our fullness (backsliding) lose the overflowing presence of God.
• In the Old Testament if you broke the law, it broke you (blasphemy, adultery, idolatry) men stoning to death.
• Under grace, rebellion is not taken kindly by God-discipline.
• When we neglect our salvation through lack of prayer, worship and other “means of grace” we drift.

Danger of destruction-Vs. 2.

• There are two kinds of sin: transgression and disobedience.
• Transgression is trespassing on someone’s property. It is going beyond the boundaries established by God.
• Disobedience is the sin of not doing what we ought to do.
• Disobedience is failing to obey what God told us to do.

“Received a just recompose.”

• If believers live in sin God will discipline them.
• Lost people who die in sin will be eternally punished in hell.

1. Six signs of drifting from God.
2. Loss of focus-your heart changed from things of God to the things of the world-1^st Kings 11:1-4-King Solomon loved many foreign women.
3. Loss of priorities-you are more concerned about yourself than others including God-Pride-Matthew 6:33.
4. Loss of passion-you no longer have passionate love for God, His word, His people- Psalm 119:11.
5. Loss of discipline- your lifestyle becomes more sinful- Eph. 5:5.
6. Loss of commitment- your church attendance becomes less important to you- Heb. 10:25.
7. Loss of emotions- you no longer respond to altar calls- Hosea 6:1-3.

THE REMEDY FOR NEGLECTING SALVATION- 2:1

“For this reason we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away from it.”

• 1. holds the key remedy for neglect of the “so great salvation.”

We are to keep our eyes open and our ears attentive to what we’ve heard with total concentration- pay attention to the word.

• Remember, “with familiarity, the truth tends to lose their influence and the result is gradual backsliding.
• Please hear and do the word of God.

CONCLUSION

• Are you neglecting your salvation? Are you rejecting the opportunity to accept salvation?
• Woe to the person who neglects salvation and to the Christian who takes their salvation lightly.
• If we neglect salvation, we can never escape the judgement of God.