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Sermon Introduction

Christ is superior to the prophets, and He is superior to the angels. The author of Hebrews asserted that Christ is the heir of all things and inherited a better name. He purified our sins, and He sits at the highest authority, much higher than the angels. The writer of Hebrews stated that Christ is the exact representation of God’s glory and nature. Moreover, Christ is God. God called His Son as God and that the Son is eternal.

The author of the epistle then gave a warning to the recipient, which could be a combination of Jewish believers and non-believers. The non-believing Jewish recipients were probably familiar with the gospel. The writer of Hebrews warned them to make them pay close attention to the gospel, not drift away, and not return to Judaism.

Dr. Ed Pilapil Jr. Senior Pastor

Hebrews 2:1-4 NASB

1 For this reason we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away from it. 2 For if the word spoken through angels proved unalterable, and every transgression and disobedience received a just penalty, 3 how will we escape if we neglect so great a salvation? After it was at the first spoken through the Lord, it was confirmed to us by those who heard, 4 God also testifying with them, both by signs and wonders and by various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit according to His own will.

Notes

Christ is superior to the prophets, and He is superior to the angels. The author of Hebrews asserted that Christ is the heir of all things and inherited a better name. He purified our sins, and He sits at the highest authority, much higher than the angels. The writer of Hebrews stated that Christ is the exact representation of God’s glory and nature. Moreover, Christ is God. God called His Son as God and that the Son is eternal.

The author of the epistle then gave a warning to the recipient, which could be a combination of Jewish believers and non-believers. The non-believing Jewish recipients were probably familiar with the gospel. The writer of Hebrews warned them to make them pay close attention to the gospel, not drift away, and not return to Judaism (2:1).

1.  The messages spoken through angels proved to be reliable. Consequently, punishment followed those who disobeyed (2:2). The reliability of the messages and the consequences of disobedience probably led the Jews to hold angels in high regard.

2. The author asked a rhetorical question. How can we escape if we ignore such great salvation, especially that the One who delivered the gospel message was not an angel, but One superior to them (2:3)? And it was confirmed by witnesses.

3. God affirmed the gospel preached by the apostles through signs and wonders and miracles. And He distributed gifts to each as He chose (2:4). Worth mentioning that the Lord Jesus Himself performed wonders.

Application

1. Let us not drift from the gospel of Jesus Christ. The Lord suffered, died, and resurrected from the dead. His purpose was to pay for our sins and give us eternal life. Christ suffered God’s justice on our behalf. He alone purged our sins. He alone shall we serve.

2. Let us fear God by not neglecting the message of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. We should bear in mind that if we neglect to repent, there would be consequences. Punishment will follow all who reject God’s Son. Many who suffer eternal damnation heard the gospel but ignored it.

3. Let us trust that God will confirm His message as we preach it. He may confirm it through signs and wonders or through the working of His Spirit in a person's heart. Our focus should be to preach an accurate gospel.

Discussion Questions

1. What reasons did the author give to warn the recipients of the epistle?

2. How did God confirm the message concerning His Son?

3. How should we heed this warning in our lives?