Our Prayer

Our Prayer

Heavenly Father, I know that I have sinned against You and that my sins separate me from You. I am truly sorry. I now want to turn away from my sinful past and turn to You for forgiveness. Please forgive me, and help me avoid sinning again. I believe that Your Son, Jesus Christ, died for my sins, that He was raised from the dead, is alive, and hears my prayer. I invite Jesus to become my Savior and the Lord of my life, to rule and reign in my heart from this day forward. Please send Your Holy Spirit to help me obey You and to convict me when I sin. I pledge to grow in grace and knowledge of You. My greatest purpose in life is to follow Your example and do Your will for the rest of my life. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.

Wednesday, August 21, 2024

Class Lesson August 25, 2024

Jesus is Better - Hebrews


Has there ever been a time in your life when you realized you were drifting away from your faith? How did you catch yourself? What did you do to stop drifting?


 

The Point 

Make sure you understand the truth about your salvation, or you will drift from it.

 

Hebrews 2:1-14

Warning Against Neglecting Salvation

Therefore, we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it. 2 For since the message declared by angels proved to be reliable, and every transgression or disobedience received a just retribution, 3 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, 4 while God also bore witness by signs and wonders and various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will.

The Founder of Salvation

5 For it was not to angels that God subjected the world to come, of which we are speaking. 6 It has been testified somewhere, “What is man, that you are mindful of him, or the son of man, that you care for him? 7 You made him for a little while lower than the angels; you have crowned him with glory and honor, 8 putting everything in subjection under his feet.” Now in putting everything in subjection to him, he left nothing outside his control. At present, we do not yet see everything in subjection to him. 9 But we see him who for a little while was made lower than the angels, namely Jesus, crowned with glory and honor because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone. 

10 For it was fitting that he, for whom and by whom all things exist, in bringing many sons to glory, should make the founder of their salvation perfect through suffering. 11 For he who sanctifies and those who are sanctified all have one source. That is why he is not ashamed to call them brothers, 12 saying, “I will tell of your name to my brothers; in the midst of the congregation I will sing your praise.” 13 And again, “I will put my trust in him.” And again, “Behold, I and the children God has given me.” 14 Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil”

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Heb 2:1–14.



Study Notes

WEEK 2 NOTES: Hebrews 2:1-14

The thing that makes drifting so dangerous is that you rarely ever notice it until it’s too late. One minute you’re safely in the harbor. Then, after just a little bit you look up and you are miles and miles from shore and safety. That’s how drifting works in your faith too. One day you’re close to the Lord, you’re pursuing Him and living a life that intentionally seeks to please Him. Then, you turn your head away for just a few moments. You take a couple of weeks off from your devotions and prayers. You skip church a few Sundays. No big deal. No big deal, until you look up and realize you’re not safely inside the arms of your Father anymore. Instead, you’re firmly in the grip of Satan. It sounds extreme, but it’s not. It’s reality.

The author of Hebrews will not allow us to drift. He’s yelling, “Wake Up! Pay Attention! Don’t Drift!” To stop our drifting, he invites us to pay attention to our salvation. The author of Hebrews knows that if we turn our eyes upon Jesus the drift stops immediately. So, he points to Jesus and invites us to gaze upon the Savior, reminding us: 

Jesus Suffers.

Jesus Christ saved us by embracing suffering on our behalf. Jesus suffered death and the wrath of God for sin so we might not ever have to suffer death ourselves. For the Christian, dying on this earth is just like going to sleep, because we know we aren’t dying. We’re simply entering the next stage of life. Our eternal life was made possible by the suffering of Jesus.



 

Jesus Relates.

We can sometimes foolishly begin to think Jesus doesn’t know what it’s like to be us. Nothing could be farther from the truth. Jesus understands exactly what it’s like to be us because Jesus became like us. The author of Hebrews tells us Jesus became like us in every way. The next time you’re tempted to take your eyes off Jesus because He couldn’t possibly relate to you, think again. Jesus can relate to you perfectly.

 

Jesus Destroys.

There are times when we drift out of despondence. It seems like we just can’t win. We are too sinful. Satan is too strong. The world is too appealing. Jesus kills despondence by destroying the enemy of our souls. The devil is the enemy of our soul. The author of Hebrew tells us Jesus, through His life, death and resurrection, has destroyed our enemy. Don’t despair. Jesus has destroyed the one who wishes to destroy us.



QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION

What are some things in your life that lead you to drift away from God instead of holding on tightly?

Does the fact we have an enemy like the devil cause you to worry? How does the truth that Jesus destroys the devil change your life?

How does the incarnation of Jesus, the fact He became like us, encourage you when you are struggling?

Do you ever fear death? How does Jesus’ death change how we face death?



END
Teacher Notes:


Today, we’re talking about the dangers of drifting





Could we be at risk?



In January 1977 there was a song…




Think for a minute about your walk with the Lord.

Has there ever been a time in your life when you realized you were drifting away from your faith? How did you catch yourself? What did you do to stop drifting?




My devotion yesterday...



MOTIVATED BY LOVE, God provided a way for our sins to be forgiven: He sent Jesus to be our Savior.

When we trust in the Lord’s substitutionary sacrifice on our behalf, we receive the gift of forgiveness.

Before placing our faith in Christ, we were dead in our sins and objects of divine wrath. However, our merciful heavenly Father sent His Son to redeem us. At the cross, Jesus took our sins upon Himself and experienced God’s fury for our sake.

We are saved by grace — through faith in Christ and what He accomplished. Our salvation is a free gift from the Father.

Charles Stanley Devotions


This is the gospel message of SALVATION. And our lesson begins with a warning about neglecting it.



Hebrews 2:1-4

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.


What does drifting even mean?





What are some things in your life that lead you to drift away from Jesus?

 

Spiritual drifting refers to the gradual movement away from one’s faith or spiritual beliefs. It often happens slowly, over time, and can be difficult to recognize until one has drifted far from their original beliefs. This can have a significant impact on a person’s life, as their worldview and values may shift without them realizing it.


What makes drifting so dangerous?

The thing that makes drifting so dangerous is that you rarely ever notice it until it’s too late. One minute you’re safely in the harbor. Then, after just a little bit you look up and you are miles and miles from shore and safety. That’s how drifting works in your faith too. One day you’re close to the Lord, you’re pursuing Him and living a life that intentionally seeks to please Him. Then, you turn your head away for just a few moments. You take a couple of weeks off from your devotions and prayers. You skip church a few Sundays. No big deal. No big deal, until you look up and realize you’re not safely inside the arms of your Father anymore. Instead, you’re firmly in the grip of Satan. It sounds extreme, but it’s not. It’s reality.




Hebrews 2:5-9

For it was not to angels that God subjected the world to come, of which we are speaking. It has been testified somewhere, “What is man, that you are mindful of him, or the son of man, that you care for him? You made him for a little while lower than the angels; you have crowned him with glory and honor, putting everything in subjection under his feet.” Now in putting everything in subjection to him, he left nothing outside his control. At present, we do not yet see everything in subjection to him. But we see him who for a little while was made lower than the angels, namely Jesus, crowned with glory and honor because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.

 

The author of Hebrews is yelling,

“Wake Up! Pay Attention! Don’t Drift!”

 

Pay attention to your salvation.

Turn your eyes upon Jesus and the drift will stop.

The author called for his readers to pay attention to the truth they had heard so that they wouldn’t drift away into false teachings. Paying careful attention is hard work. It involves focusing our minds, bodies, and senses. Listening to Christ means not merely hearing, but also obeying. We must listen carefully and be ready to carry out His instructions.

 

 

He points to Jesus and reminds us of 3 things:

1.   Jesus Suffers

Jesus saved us by embracing suffering on our behalf. His sacrifice exemplifies the ultimate act of love and redemption. By embracing suffering on our behalf, He granted us the gift of eternal life. Jesus conquered death and paved the way for us to transition to the next stage of life without fear.

 

Do you ever fear death? How does Jesus’ death change how we face death?

 

2.   Jesus Relates

We sometimes foolishly think Jesus doesn’t know what it’s like to be us. Jesus understands exactly what it’s like to be us because He became like us. The author of Hebrews tells us Jesus became like us in every way. Jesus relates to you perfectly.

 

How does the fact that Jesus became like us, encourage you when you are struggling?

 

Hebrews 2:10-14

For it was fitting that he, for whom and by whom all things exist, in bringing many sons to glory, should make the founder of their salvation perfect through suffering. For he who sanctifies and those who are sanctified all have one source. That is why he is not ashamed to call them brothers, saying, “I will tell of your name to my brothers; in the midst of the congregation, I will sing your praise.” And again, “I will put my trust in him.” And again, “Behold, I and the children God has given me.” Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil”

 

3.   Jesus Destroys

There are times when we drift out of despondence. It seems like we just can’t win. We are too sinful. Satan is too strong. The world is too appealing. Jesus kills despondence by destroying the enemy of our souls. The devil is the enemy of our soul. The author of Hebrew tells us Jesus, through His life, death and resurrection, has destroyed our enemy. Don’t despair. Jesus has destroyed the one who wishes to destroy us.

 

The Screwtape Letters highlights interaction between Screwtape, a senior demon and instructor, and Wormwood, a demon in training. Screwtape lays out effective ways to undermine the Words of God and cause those who follow God to abandon their belief and Christian commitment. Wily Screwtape gives Wormwood this gem of wisdom regarding the temptation necessary to cause one to abandon belief in God:

The Drift

You will say that these are very small sins; and doubtless, like all young tempters, you are anxious to be able to report spectacular wickedness. But do remember, the only thing that matters is the extent to which you separate the man from the Enemy [God]. It does not matter how small the sins are provided that their cumulative effect is to edge the man away from the Light and out into the Nothing. Murder is no better than cards if cards can do the trick. Indeed, the safest road to Hell is the gradual one — the gentle slope, soft underfoot, without sudden turnings, without milestones, without signposts.



 

Signposts of the Drift

There are indeed marks along the way that inform us of our spiritual condition. These are signposts that tell us of our affections and desires and ultimately reveal if we are indeed following Christ or drifting away from the One whom we once professed to be our Lord.

 

1.   A Fixation on the Here and Now

An early warning sign in a believer’s heart is turning our eyes off Jesus and a fixing them on things that are temporary in nature. Nothing wrong in having things of this world: a nice car, a nice house, a good job. But when they find their way into the inner place of one’s being where identity is formed and protected – that’s dangerous. Even supportive friends, a loving spouse, and wonderful children can become a danger if we put them ahead of Christ. Our innermost part is where only Christ should sit and rule; this is why Christ repeatedly told those who followed Him that it’s impossible to serve two masters.

So, how do you know if the things of my life have found their way into this most inner part of my being?

Are the temporary things in my life, including family, demanding more of my affection, work, and focus than I am willingly and actively surrendering to Christ?

Do I spend my energies physically, mentally, and emotionally centered on building and protecting these things?

To gain more of this world, am I willingly and actively compromising on the things that Christ has called me to do and be?

These are the very questions that Christ asked those who wished to follow Him. This signpost is warning us of the danger of compromise. As we fixate on the things of this world over and above the reign of Christ in our lives, compromise becomes the practice of our lives.

 

2.   A Failure to Be Cautious

In the church, there was a rather cavalier attitude developing of which the leader, Timothy, needed to be aware.

Just as in Timothy’s Day there is in our time a tremendous danger with the cavalier way the truths of Scripture are treated both personally and publicly. When the words of Christ are read as a suggestion rather than the authoritative Word of the Creator of the universe, we will find ourselves in significant danger of abandoning His teachings all together.

Those who have abandoned the faith publicly have long before abandoned a healthy respect, surrender, and obedience to the Word of God.

As Paul wrote to Timothy to keep watch on himself and his teachings, so too we must be vigilant in the way we interpret the teachings of God’s Word to ensure that our wayward hearts are not compromising these truths, allowing them to become relative suggestions. We must pour our engagement with God’s Word through the filter of God’s Word rather than our human emotions.

 

3.   Dwelling in Doubt

Some assert that in Christianity doubt is not welcome. A quick perusal of the book of John will reveal that Christ dealt generously with one of His disciples who doubted all that he had witnessed and experienced (John 20:24–29). So, doubt is not a problem in the life of a Christian.

Doubt - though has a slippery and sneaky side to it that tells us the answers to our doubts are found in more questions and more doubt. This is the spiritually deadly side of doubt, where answers are not the goal of doubt.

Am I saying that we should pretend we don’t have these moments of doubt? Not at all. A Christian’s doubts can be moments of growth as we prayerfully and genuinely go deeper to God for the answers He will give. In Jeremiah 29:13, we are told, “You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.”

Doubts, in the Christian life, are not evidence of a lack of faith, but rather an opportunity to grow in trust of the One who promises to hear His children when they cry and seek Him. Far too often, we fall prey to the fleshly pull and don’t seek God for the answer for which our soul is crying out. Doubt for the sake of doubt creates plenty of intellectual fodder but is deadly for the soul.





The Screwtape Letters remind readers of the vital truth: following Christ and growing in affection for Him and the Words of God, requires staying intentionally focused on the things of God rather than allowing the lesser things of this world to control one’s heart.

A familiar refrain is given in Hebrews 2:1, “Therefore we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it.”




























If I have Jesus…

If we trust Him, we are secure, because we stand on the firmest foundation in the universe – Jesus Christ. A famous hymn captures this truth – you know it: “On Christ the solid rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand.”