Sermon Breviary | Attentive to the Gospel (Hebrews 2:1-4)
Big Idea
Remove everything that distracts us from the gospel, for it is the faithful message of our salvation.
Introduction
Last week, we delved into Hebrews chapter 1, where we learned about the supremacy of Christ. The message of Christ, delivered directly from God, is superior to that which was mediated by angels when the law was given at Sinai. This week, in Hebrews 2:1-4, the writer builds on that foundation with a call to action: to pay closer attention to the message of Christ, lest we drift away.
Let’s read the passage:
"Therefore we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it. For since the message declared by angels proved to be reliable, and every transgression or disobedience received a just retribution, how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? It was declared at first by the Lord, and it was attested to us by those who heard, while God also bore witness by signs and wonders and various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will."
First Point: The Necessity of Attention
The writer begins with an urgent admonition:
"We must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it" (Hebrews 2:1).
The word "must" conveys obligation and necessity. The message of Christ—the gospel—is not something we can treat lightly or as optional. Distraction is a common challenge. How often do we pick up our phones to check a notification and lose thirty minutes scrolling? Or find our minds wandering during prayer? These distractions demonstrate our need to prioritize attentiveness to God’s word. The imagery here is of a person within reach of a life preserver but being swept away by the current because they fail to grasp it. The gospel is our life preserver, and to drift from it is to risk spiritual peril.
Second Point: The Peril of Neglecting Salvation
In verse 3, the writer poses a rhetorical question: "How shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation?" The implication is clear: we will not escape. Just as disobedience to the law of Moses resulted in just punishment, neglecting the gospel results in eternal judgment. This is not a message of fear but of urgency. The gospel is our only hope. Acts 4:12 reminds us: "There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved." To neglect the gospel is to forfeit eternal life. The world offers many substitutes for salvation—self-justification, moral therapeutic deism, escapism, and more—but none can save. Only Christ offers true and lasting hope.
Third Point: The Reliability of the Gospel
The writer of Hebrews supports the reliability of the gospel with four key points:
1. The Law was reliable: The message declared by angels, meaning the law given at Sinai, was proven trustworthy.
2. The Gospel came directly from the Lord: Jesus himself proclaimed this message during his earthly ministry.
3. Eyewitness testimony: The apostles and early disciples bore witness to Christ’s life, death, and resurrection.
4. God’s validation: Signs, wonders, miracles, and the gifts of the Holy Spirit confirmed the truth of the gospel.
The gospel is not a human invention but divine revelation. It carries the ultimate authority because its source is God himself. As 2 Timothy 3:16-17 affirms:
"All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work."
Conclusion
The writer of Hebrews calls us to pay closer attention to the gospel, for it is our lifeline in a world full of distractions. Like a boat drifting from safety, our lives can drift from Christ if we are not vigilant. But we are not without hope. The gospel, attested by Christ, the apostles, and the power of God, offers us salvation and eternal life. It is our anchor in the storms of life, our source of purpose and joy. The question remains: will we embrace this salvation or neglect it? To neglect it is to drift into eternal separation from God. To embrace it is to find life, hope, and redemption.
Call to Action
1. Engage Actively: Read Scripture, participate in worship, and meditate on the truths of the gospel.
2. Repent and Believe: Acknowledge your need for a Savior and place your trust in Christ.
3. Remove Distractions: Identify and set aside anything that pulls your focus away from Christ.
Today is the day of salvation. Whether you’ve heard the gospel many times or for the first time, respond now. Do not let this moment pass without fixing your eyes on Jesus.
Let’s pray: Gracious Father, thank you for the great salvation we have in Christ. Forgive us for the times we’ve been distracted or drifted away. Anchor us in your truth and empower us by your Spirit to live faithfully for you. May we cherish the gospel, proclaim it boldly, and live in its hope each day. In Jesus’ name, Amen.