LEST WE DRIFT AWAY (Heb 1:1-14; 2:1-3) by : Ptr. Edward Barcial

During a tour of a large manufacturing plant, a visitor noticed a man using a fiery torch of high intensity to work on huge slabs of steel. Operating from a blueprint on a nearby table, a pointer traced the pattern and then by a clever system of levers enlarged the design as it was burned into the metal. There were times, however, when the flame would not make any impression. When this happened, a chemical substance was applied to the resisting patch, and immediately the cutting could be resumed. The worker explained that although the torch was able to go through clean steel 8 inches thick, if it encountered the slightest film of rust on the surface, the flame would not penetrate it. The Bible-believing visitor remarked, "It struck me forcefully that this is a picture of the Christian. The Holy Spirit is seeking to produce in us God's perfect design. If the life is unblemished, He is able to continue His efforts; but if we become carnal or backslidden, His work of shaping us is hindered until the area in question has been thoroughly cleansed."  (www.sermonindex.net)

 

This illustration shows us that it doesn’t take much to backslide from God. Any tiny amount of sin or worldly interest is enough to keep the fire of God from burning through our hearts. Let us be careful of drifting away from Christ.

 

David J. Riggs in his notes on “STUDYING THE BOOK OF HEBREWS,” he explains to us that the intention of the author why he wrote this book.  He mentions that the epistle was given to encourage the Jewish Christians to endure under persecutions and to remain faithful to Christ.    The superiority of Jesus Christ is clearly the theme of the book. The Superiority of Christ to: The Prophets, angels, Moses & Aaron and in His Revelation, Salvation, Service, Priesthood, Covenant & Sacrifice.   (http://oakridgechurch.com/riggs/hebrews2.htm)  

 

Why Does Hebrews Start with Angels? According to Jewish Christian Literature (January 30, 2010), the writer of Hebrews begins his argument concerning the superiority of Christ to everything by discussing his superiority to angels. Why start with the angels? Angels were very popular in Jewish mythology from the second century B.C. through the first century A.D. A whole hierarchy of angels was developed along with some theological teachings that were not present in the Old Testament. In the re-telling of Biblical stories writers often had angels performing acts that were acts of God in the Hebrew Bible. Although the imagery is found in Daniel 10, the appearance of angels as glowing white, fiery, glowing, etc. was developed during this time as well. What is more, the angels are associated with the giving of the Law in early Judaism. This tradition appears in the Hebrew Bible as early as Deut 33:2, although the “holy ones” merely accompany the Lord as he arrives at Sinai. Stephen refers to the Law as “delivered by angels” in Acts 7:53.

 

This tradition is found in later Judaism as well: “The presence of angels at the event of the giving of the law was a favourite bit of embroidery in rabbinic tradition, and was meant to enhance the glory of Sinai” (H. Schoeps, Paul, 182). The emphasis in this literature is on the angels as intermediaries, delivering the Law to Moses. When God revealed himself to Moses, he used angels.

 

Since the writer of Hebrews began his book by saying that God is now revealing himself through his Jesus, it is possible a Jewish reader might think of Jesus as an angel, like a Michael or Gabriel. He must therefore begin by showing that Jesus is something other than an angel; he is the “Son of God.”

 

One last observation: Is this a “difference” between Jewish Christian literature and the Pauline Letters? Perhaps not. While Paul cannot be accused of emphasizing angels, he does use the same sort of language as Stephen in Gal 3:19: The law was “put in place through angels” (ESV).   (http://readingacts.wordpress.com/2010/01/30/why-does-hebrews-start-with-angels/)

 

7 REASONS WHY WE SHOULD NOT DRIFT AWAY

 

Heb 1:1-14 (NKJV)

1 God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, 2 has in these last days spoken to us by His Son,

 

By looking unto Jesus (The Son) , we acknowledge Him as the:

1)      THE HEIR  - whom He has appointed heir of all things

 

This truth is against materialism. Materialism means we tend to own worldly things that will draw us away from Christ. Verse 1 clearly teaches that all things will be Christ’s inheritance. If we have the Son, we have everything. Whatever God has blessed us with; know now that it will not be forever. Having Jesus will be for all eternity.

 

2)      THE CREATOR - through whom also He made the worlds

 

This is against atheism. Atheism is the belief that there is no Creator God. Many Christian nations have drifted away from God when they just believe in the theory of evolution and not creationism by God Almighty. Knowing that you are not an accident of nature but created in His image will make us draw closer to Him.

 

3)      THE SAVIOR - 3 who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high

 

This is against sin and unforgiveness. Sin separates us from God and the thought of not being forgiven by a Loving Father will cause us to backslide. Believe that Jesus has already purged us from our sins and this will draw us near unto Him. Feeling condemned by ours sins and feeling that God will never take us back will cause us to drift away.

 

4)      THE SONSHIP - 4 having become so much better than the angels, as He has by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they. 5 For to which of the angels did He ever say:"You are My Son, Today I have begotten You"? And again: "I will be to Him a Father, And He shall be to Me a Son"?   

 

This statement is against fatherlessness or what I call the “orphaned spirit.” Angels could never be sons of God. By receiving Jesus we have the authority to be children of God (John 1:12). Having a Father who loves us brings us closer to Hm. Not being able to understand the fatherhood of God has caused many Christians to backslide since they feel they are abandoned or unloved. Know Him as Father and you will not drift away.

 

5)      THE RIGHTEOUS RULER -  6 But when He again brings the firstborn into the world, He says: "Let all the angels of God worship Him." 7 And of the angels He says: "Who makes His angels spirits And His ministers a flame of fire." 8 But to the Son He says: "Your throne, O God, is forever and ever; A scepter of righteousness is the scepter of Your Kingdom. 9 You have loved righteousness and hated lawlessness; Therefore God, Your God, has anointed You With the oil of gladness more than Your companions."

 

This is against lawlessness. Righteousness causes us to be close to God. Lawlessness will cause us to drift away. God hates lawlessness but love those who love righteousness.

 

6)      THE UNCHANGING ONE - 10 And: "You, Lord, in the beginning laid the foundation of the earth, And the heavens are the work of Your hands. 11 They will perish, but You remain;And they will all grow old like a garment; 12 Like a cloak You will fold them up, And they will be changed. But You are the same, And Your years will not fail."  

 

This is against unfaithfulness. Knowing that the unchanging God is always faithful to His Word, we as His children will be encouraged to be faithful. Some believers failed to see God as unchanging. Thus they themselves change their hearts and minds and become unfaithful. Unfaithfulness causes us to drift away.

 

7)      THE CONQUERING LORD - 13 But to which of the angels has He ever said: "Sit at My right hand, Till I make Your enemies Your footstool"? 14 Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to minister for those who will inherit salvation?

 

This is against defeat and failure. Who would you rather side with? A losing team or a winning team? Of course everyone would like to be with a real winner. Suppose your belief in God is that He is not able to defeat the devil, would you still remain with Him? You will drift away!  Many Christians have drifted away because they thought that God is powerless. Angels are mighty beings but they only exist to serve us Christians. The Father has put all our enemies under Jesus’ feet. Seeing Him as a Mighty Conqueror causes us to be comforted and remain faithful to His winning side.  I will always side with a real WINNER, JESUS!

 

Conclusion:

 

Heb 2:1-18 (NKJV)

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,

 

Heb 12:1-3 (NKJV)

1 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.3 For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls.

 

The only way to remain faithful to God is to simply look unto Jesus. Looking unto our own strength will only cause us to drift away. We are weak but with Jesus we are strong. Everytime you experience backsliding, discouragement, persecutions, difficulties, problems, etc., and you drifted away, know for sure that you have turned your eyes off of Him. Return to God and look unto Jesus as the Heir, the Creator, the Savior, The Son Of God, The Righteous Ruler, the Unchanging One and our Conquering Lord.

 

God bless us all!

 

Ps Edward

Counting & Paying by: Bro. Ezekiel Panela

Matthew (8:18-22) NKJV

¹⁸ And when Jesus saw great multitudes about Him, He gave a command to depart to the other side. ¹⁹ Then a certain scribe came and said to Him, “Teacher, I will follow You wherever You go.” ²⁰ And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.” ²¹ Then another of His disciples said to Him, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father.” ²² But Jesus said to him, “Follow Me, and let the dead bury their own dead.”

In Jesus’ early earthly ministry, He was often followed by large multitudes drawn by His teachings & response to His sermon (Matthew 7:28-8:1) and were attracted by His miracles (Matthew 8:16-18). Jesus would later command His apostles to make disciples of all the nations (Mt 28:19-20). Clearly Jesus wanted people to become His disciples.

In our text for today's study (Mt 8:18-22), we find Jesus responding to two individuals regarding the matter of discipleship.

REQUIREMENTS TO FOLLOW JESUS CHRIST:

I. COUNT THE COST

THE SCRIBE'S OFFER...

¹⁹ Then a certain scribe came and said to Him, “Teacher, I will follow You wherever You go.”

JESUS’ ANSWER...

²⁰ And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.”

Two things we can conclude here:

      1. Jesus informed the scribe that He will be homeless as a disciple

      2. To follow Jesus at that time would mean to leave all as was necessary for Peter, Andrew, James, and John (Mt 4:18-22) Another example was the rich young ruler(Matthew 19:21)

COUNT THE COST BEFORE BECOMING A DISCIPLE...

      1. As Jesus told the multitudes that followed Him

Luke 14:25-33 (CEV)

Large crowds were walking along with Jesus, when he turned and said:  ⁽²⁶⁾  You cannot be my disciple, unless you love me more than you love your father and mother, your wife and children, and your brothers and sisters. You cannot come with me unless you love me more than you love your own life.  ⁽²⁷⁾  You cannot be my disciple unless you carry your own cross and come with me.  ⁽²⁸⁾  Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. What is the first thing you will do? Won't you sit down and figure out how much it will cost and if you have enough money to pay for it?  ⁽²⁹⁾  Otherwise, you will start building the tower, but not be able to finish. Then everyone who sees what is happening will laugh at you.  ⁽³⁰⁾  They will say, "You started building, but could not finish the job."  ⁽³¹⁾  What will a king do if he has only ten thousand soldiers to defend himself against a king who is about to attack him with twenty thousand soldiers? Before he goes out to battle, won't he first sit down and decide if he can win?  ⁽³²⁾  If he thinks he won't be able to defend himself, he will send messengers and ask for peace while the other king is still a long way off.  ⁽³³⁾  So then, you cannot be my disciple unless you give away everything you own.

The true followers of Christ must at once build and fight, and therefore be ready and prepared to endure all types of hardships.

      2. One does not have to become homeless to follow Jesus today, but we must still:

         a. Love Him more than family and life (First Priority)

         b. Forsake all by making Him the Lord and Ruler of our lives

      3.  We need to tell people the cost of becoming a disciple of Jesus

a.      The cost of observing or holding fast to all that Jesus commands

Mat 28:20 (NIV)

“…and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."

                b.   A cost that might require a radical change in one's life

2 Corinthians 5:17

¹⁷ Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.

This would at times require

            1) Quitting jobs that interfere with holy living

            2) Leaving friends who seek to lead one astray

            3) Changing lifestyles, or getting out of unlawful relationships

c. Need of repentance in our lives & be baptized in the name of our Jesus Christ

Acts 2:38 NKJV

³⁸ Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

II. PAY THE PRICE

THE DISCIPLE'S REQUEST...

²¹ Then another of His disciples said to Him, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father.”

1.       He desires to forego following Jesus in order to bury his father first

JESUS’ ANSWER...

Matthew 8:22 (NKJV)    ²² But Jesus said to him, “Follow Me, and let the dead bury their own dead.”

a.      Jesus often made it clear...to follow Him meant putting Him before family as we saw earlier

Luke 4:26 NKJV

²⁶ You cannot be My disciple, unless you love Me more than you love your father and mother, your wife and children, and your brothers and sisters. You cannot come with Me unless you love Me more than you love your own life. 

     

b.      As He taught His disciples in preparing them for The Limited Commission – (Limited to the Jews)

Matthew 10:34-37 (NKJV)

³⁴ “Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword. ³⁵ For I have come to ‘set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law’; ³⁶ and ‘a man’s enemies will be those of his own household.’³⁷ He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me.

Without exception, nothing is to be preferred before our duty to God.

         c. As He set a pattern on one occasion when His family was seeking Him

Mat 12:46-50 (NKJV) 

While He was still talking to the multitudes, behold, His mother and brothers stood outside, seeking to speak with Him.  ⁽⁴⁷⁾  Then one said to Him, “Look, Your mother and Your brothers are standing outside, seeking to speak with You.” ⁽⁴⁸⁾  But He answered and said to the one who told Him, “Who is My mother and who are My brothers?”  ⁽⁴⁹⁾  And He stretched out His hand toward His disciples and said, “Here are My mother and My brothers!  ⁽⁵⁰⁾ For whoever does the will of My Father in heaven is My brother and sister and mother.”

Christ teaches by his own example that all things ought to be set aside in respect of God's glory.

III. WE NEED TO PAY THE PRICE OF BEING DISCIPLES...

1.       As disciples, we are taught there may be a price to pay to remain faithful

A.      As Paul taught the new disciples on his first journey…

Acts 14:20-22 (NIV)

But after the disciples had gathered around him, he got up and went back into the city. The next day he and Barnabas left for Derbe.  ⁽²¹⁾  They preached the good news in that city and won a large number of disciples. Then they returned to Lystra, Iconium and Antioch^{, (22)} strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith. "We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God," they said.

B.      As Paul wrote to Timothy at the end of his life…

2Timothy 3:10-12 (NIV)

You, however, know all about my teaching, my way of life, my purpose, faith, patience, love, endurance,  ⁽¹¹⁾  persecutions, sufferings--what kinds of things happened to me in Antioch, Iconium and Lystra, the persecutions I endured. Yet the Lord rescued me from all of them.  ⁽¹²⁾  In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted

      2. Far too often, disciples today want to first "bury the dead" such as:

        

a. Putting family responsibilities before the Lord

            1) E.g., missing services to entertain visiting family or friends

            2) Did not Jesus tell Martha some things take precedent over the desire to be a gracious host?

Luke 10:38-42 (NKJV)

Now it happened as they went that He entered a certain village; and a certain woman named Martha welcomed Him into her house.  ⁽³⁹⁾  And she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus’ feet and heard His word.  ⁽⁴⁰⁾  But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she approached Him and said, “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore tell her to help me.” ⁽⁴¹⁾ And Jesus answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things.  ⁽⁴²⁾ But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her.”

b.      You might think them necessary to support family, but did not Jesus promise that God will provide if you put the kingdom first?

            1) E.g., occupations that are so demanding, one has little time or energy left

            2) Accepting jobs when they know it will hinder their service to the Lord

Mat 6:31-34 (NKJV)

“Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’  ⁽³²⁾  For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.  ⁽³³⁾  But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.  ⁽³⁴⁾  Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.

      3. In our passion to provide for our families, do we forget that we are disciples of Christ?

There are many good and noble things that can be done in relation to kin and occupation but as disciples of Christ, we have a higher and nobler calling.

1Peter 2:9-10 (NKJV)

But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; ¹⁰ who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.

CONCLUSION:

My Commitment As A Christian: (Source: ddick@wlgore.com)

I'm part of the fellowship of the unashamed. I have stepped over the line. The decision has been made. I'm a disciple of Jesus Christ. I won't look back, let up, slow down, back away, or be still. My past is redeemed, my present makes sense, my future is secure. I'm finished and done with low living, sight walking, small planning, smooth knees, colorless dreams, tamed visions, mundane talking, cheap living, and dwarfed goals. I no longer need preeminence, prosperity, position, promotions, plaudits, or popularity. I don't have to be right, first, tops, recognized, praised, regarded, or rewarded. I now live by faith, lean on His presence, walk by patience, lift by prayer, and labor by power.

My face is set, my gait is fast, my goal is heaven, my road is narrow, my way rough, my companions few, my Guide reliable, my mission clear. I cannot be bought, deluded, or delayed. I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice, hesitate in the presence of the adversary, negotiate at the table of the enemy, or meander in the maze of mediocrity. I won't give up, shut up, let up, until I have stayed up, stored up, prayed up, paid up, preached up for the cause of Christ. I am a disciple of Jesus. I must go till He comes, give till I drop, preach till all know, and work till He stops me. And when He comes for His own, He will have no problem recognizing me—my banner will be clear!

THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS PARTIAL COMMITMENT.

We either committed to Christ or we are not. We either trust Him or not. When we do, then we will have greater perspective on the everyday affairs of our life. We will be prompted by what He asks for us. This passage isn't so much speaking about a lack of care Jesus has for honoring our parents. Clearly that's not what Jesus is trying to say. I don't believe He is against burying our parents when they die. HE IS HOWEVER EMPHASISING THE ABSOLUTE NECESSITY OF PUTTING CHRIST FIRST IN MY LIFE.

Putting Christ first is urgent, not just a possible option for our life! It is to be immediate, not just when we feel like it! It is to be our total commitment not our half hearted loyalty! All our excuses are inadequate! Even a trial or tragedy in our life is not an excuse, but actually a reason and opportunity to trust God more completely!

Luke 14: 28-33(CEV)

Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. What is the first thing you will do? Won't you sit down and figure out how much it will cost and if you have enough money to pay for it?  ⁽²⁹⁾  Otherwise, you will start building the tower, but not be able to finish. Then everyone who sees what is happening will laugh at you.  ⁽³⁰⁾  They will say, "You started building, but could not finish the job."  ⁽³¹⁾  What will a king do if he has only ten thousand soldiers to defend himself against a king who is about to attack him with twenty thousand soldiers? Before he goes out to battle, won't he first sit down and decide if he can win?  ⁽³²⁾  If he thinks he won't be able to defend himself, he will send messengers and ask for peace while the other king is still a long way off.  ⁽³³⁾  So then, you cannot be my disciple unless you give away everything you own.

When a person wants to follow Jesus, this is wonderful!  But we should remind people there is a cost involved, one they need to consider before they commit. For those who are already disciples, we must not forget "The Challenge of Following Jesus". Salvation that Jesus offers is a free gift, but it comes at a high cost.  Jesus truly "paid it all", so one cannot earn their salvation; but as our Savior and Lord, He requires that we have the servant mentality: He should rules over our life.

2 John 1:8 (NIV) Watch out that you do not lose what you have worked for, but that you may be rewarded fully.

Have you counted the cost?  Are you willing to pay the price?