Hebrews 2: 1-4
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.
There is a grave warning in this passage, and it is addressed to us as Christians. This passage is about the danger that those who have heard Christ’s message, have responded and been baptised and have been living lives as Christians, end up ‘drifting away’ after a period of time.
The passage tells us there is punishment for those who fall into this: it says ‘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?’
Escape what? The ultimate answer is eternal punishment here, but I think the author – by speaking of “the word spoken through angels” – is hearkening back to “those things which were written” from the old times as an example to us.
In this sermon we discuss this passage by referring back to the old testament and prior and then comparing it with the present; discussing what is meant by “How will we escape if we neglect so great and salvation?”; and finally the dangers of drifing away and the solution as offered through the Word.