Sheldonville Baptist Church
May 23, 2021
      • Bible Trivia
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  • Wake Up My Soul
  • Greater Is He That Is In Me
  • Sweet By And By
  • The Way of the Cross Leads Home

      • John 15:13–15NKJV

  • What A Friend We Have In Jesus
  • Because He Lives
  • I'll Fly Away
  • So Far To Go
  • Since I Have Been Redeemed
  • He's Able
  • He Is Able To Deliver Thee
  • Introduction
    We like deals where we get way more than we pay for. As the author of Hebrews attempts to motivate his readers to greater commitment, he does so by being very clear on what they—and we—get for our effort.
    Transition
    What will be clear, if it isn’t already, is that we get way more than we give when it comes to our faith in Jesus.

    Jesus Made Salvation Available, 1-4

    There are five warning passages sprinkled throughout the book of Hebrews. We run across the first in chapter 2, verses 1-4.
    Hebrews 2:1–4 NKJV
    1 Therefore we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away. 2 For if the word spoken through angels proved steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just reward, 3 how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation, which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed to us by those who heard Him, 4 God also bearing witness both with signs and wonders, with various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to His own will?
    There is a danger that we would “drift away” if we do not pay close attention. To “drift away” is to gradually and slowly come to a place of disbelief. It has the idea of being carried along due to a water current.
    Kind of like tubing down a river in the summer.
    This is exactly what we are seeing in many now-former Christian influencers.
    As one commentator asked...
    Believer’s Bible Commentary B. Christ Superior to the Angels (1:4–2:18)

    If those who broke the law were punished, what will be the fate of those who neglect the gospel? The law tells men what they must do; the gospel tells men what God has done. By the law is the knowledge of sin; by the gospel is the knowledge of salvation.

    To neglect so great a salvation is more serious than to transgress the law.

    The good news of the Gospel was given by Jesus Himself, confirmed by the Father through miracles, and by the Spirit through gifts. When God goes to these lengths to give us a message, we should pay attention.
    The author of Hebrews does not want his readers—in any generation—to arrive at a place of disbelief. The stakes are simply too high.
    The drifter is left in danger of damnation
    The community of believers is left with questions (can we lose our salvation? No. Were they ever really saved? Who knows?)
    The world is left with another reason not to believe at all
    It is far better to pay attention to our faith than to face consequences we could have avoided.
    Having warned his readers to pay attention, the Apostle returns to his argument that Jesus is better. But he does so with a small change. Where he argued that Jesus, the Son of God, was better in chapter 1, he now argues that Jesus, the Son of man, is better in chapter 2.

    Jesus Made Lower Than Angels, 5-9

    Hebrews 2:5–9 NKJV
    5 For He has not put the world to come, of which we speak, in subjection to angels. 6 But one testified in a certain place, saying: “What is man that You are mindful of him, Or the son of man that You take care of him? 7 You have made him a little lower than the angels; You have crowned him with glory and honor, And set him over the works of Your hands. 8 You have put all things in subjection under his feet.” For in that He put all in subjection under him, He left nothing that is not put under him. But now we do not yet see all things put under him. 9 But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, for the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, that He, by the grace of God, might taste death for everyone.
    What did Adam throw away when he sinned? We don’t know all of the details, but we do know that the result was we are inferior to angels now.
    In the resurrection, the limitations that we received will be removed and we will be superior to angels and will join Jesus in inheriting creation and ruling over it…including angels.
    BUT…because we are currently lower than angels, Jesus had to be made lower than angels “for the suffering of death” in order to save us.
    The good news is that Jesus WAS made lower but WILL BE crowned with glory and honor and we will join Him.

    Jesus Made Perfect in Suffering, 10-18

    It was “fitting” for Jesus to suffer. Like a bespoke suit, Jesus’ suffering was tailored to His person and purpose.
    Hebrews 2:10–13 NKJV
    10 For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings. 11 For both He who sanctifies and those who are being sanctified are all of one, for which reason He is not ashamed to call them brethren, 12 saying: “I will declare Your name to My brethren; In the midst of the assembly I will sing praise to You.” 13 And again: “I will put My trust in Him.” And again: “Here am I and the children whom God has given Me.”
    It was beneficial for Jesus suffer
    Hebrews 2:14–18 NKJV
    14 Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, 15 and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. 16 For indeed He does not give aid to angels, but He does give aid to the seed of Abraham. 17 Therefore, in all things He had to be made like His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. 18 For in that He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted.
    He destroyed our spiritual enemies
    He released us from fear and bondage
    He aids us in our temptation
    Conclusion
    Though we see Jesus, the Son of Man, as better, we also see more reason for the warning this chapter began with. Paying attention to our salvation is both necessary and logical when we consider all that Jesus gave and all that we receive.
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      • Hebrews 2:1–4NKJV

      • Hebrews 2:5–9NKJV

      • Hebrews 2:10–13NKJV

      • Hebrews 2:14–18NKJV

Sheldonville Baptist Church
information@sheldonvillebaptist.org
(508) 384-2397
http://sheldonvillebaptist.org
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