There is nothing better in this world to be saved. Salvation is essential. What you do does not determine salvation. If you could work your way into salvation then Jesus did not need to die upon the cross. Salvation is a wonderful gift from God. The book of Hebrews is written to the saved. The words “we” and “us” are used throughout the book. Lost people cannot neglect something they do not already have.

1 – The gift of salvation (vs. 1)

Notice two things about this gift of salvation.

• We have a duty. We have to give earnest heed to the things we have heard. There was no New Testament yet. He is taking about salvation. This is God’s final word to man. Salvation is too wonderful to miss. Your salvation should mean so much. Your sin problem has already been dealt with through the blood of Jesus Christ. Salvation means abundant life. Salvation means we have been lifted by love. If you are saved that is big news. It is page one news! Salvation brings joy into our lives. Salvation is a peace that passes all understanding. Salvation means that I am not going to die. The believer has everlasting life. A Christian does not really die.
• There is also a danger. The word “slip” means to “pass by”. It was used for water that would leak out of a container. We can let slip the things we have heard. We can lose the joy, peace and power in out Christian lives. It was also used of a wedding ring that has slipped off the finger. If you lose your wedding ring that does not mean you are not married. You do not lose salvation but you lose the preciousness of your salvation. A Christian cannot lose their salvation. A Christian can allow the glory of their salvation to flow past them. Salvation is like a mighty flowing river. You can just get your feet wet or you can plunge into the river. You need to go deeper as a Christian or the glory of your salvation will pass by you.

2 – The gravity of salvation (vs. 2)

The word of law – See Acts 7:37ff. When Moses was up on Mount Sinai receiving the Ten Commandments, it was angels who brought it to him. If you break God’s law, He will break you. There is a price to pay when you break God’s law. Suppose you decide you don’t like the law of gravity. Would you go to the top of a building and jump off? If you do it is your own fault! Can you blame gravity? You did it to yourself. You can’t blame the law. You blame the person who decides to break it. In the Bible marriage and sex is to be between a man and a woman. If you break God’s law you have no one to blame but yourself. See Romans 1:26-27. Jesus spoke that marriage is between a man and a woman. See Matthew 19:4-6. It is worse when a Christian sins. They will face the chastisement of God. You can run as fast as you can but God will catch you. We cannot escape.

3 – The greatness of our salvation (vs. 3-4)

Have you ever thought about how great our salvation is? It is wonderful!

• The communication of this salvation (vs. 3) – We heard about salvation from Jesus Christ. He went about preaching about salvation.
• The confirmation of this salvation (vs. 4) – It was confirmed by the disciples who were eyewitnesses of the message of Jesus Christ. See 2 Peter 1:16. You could not be an Apostle unless you were an eyewitness of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit was the comforter who brought these things to their remembrance. God also brought confirmation by signs and wonders. The Gospel was confirmed by the power of signs and wonders of the Apostles. Today we don’t need to go on what was heard. We have the New Testament. It is god-breathed. We don’t need signs to confirm the Gospel when it is preached.
• The character of this salvation (vs. 3) – It “so” great salvation. Remember God “so” loved the world. See John 3:16. How great was it? Who could have come up with the plan to save man? Only God could have so great a plan. It was so great a price to God. It is not free. See Revelation 5:9. Jesus paid with his own blood. It was so great power. See Romans 1:16. It is the power of God unto salvation for everyone who believes.

Categories: Hebrews