Heb. 2:1 “Drifting”  TPC 10a

 

Intro: The Book of Hebrews follows a particular pattern in that the writer lays down a Particular Doctrine / teaching or Point

A)He follows that doctrine or that teaching w/ an exhortation concerning how that Doctrine or teaching should practically impact/ influence our lives

 

B) So In Ch. 1 the Writer laid out his Doctrine Concerning the Superiority of Christ over the Prophets – Last days spoken His Son

1)   Jesus is the Rev. of God Climaxed – 7 fold description

 

C) Then he gives a 2nd teaching Concerning the superiority of Christ over the Angels- looked at 2 Wed. nights ago

1)   Superior Name – Son / 2) Superior Position – Firstborn / Right Hand

2)   Superior Honor – Worshipped

3)   Superior Vocation – Reigning

4)   Superior Destiny – Forever

 

D) So that was the Doctrine & teaching of Ch. 1 – Then in the first verse of Ch. 2 He makes His first Exhortation – when he says

1Therefore we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away.

 

I want us to look at this one verse today and Consider the subject of Drifting –

A)This morning. I want to talk about the Dangers of drifting as a Christian

   How it can happen to any of us / How it can be avoided !!!

 

B) Recall the writer of Heb. Is writing to a group of believers who had begun to drift – going back into Judaism

1)   They are in danger because they are drifting but they are  unaware of it

 

C) So the H.S. takes it upon himself to make them aware of the danger that they were facing / He warns them of PROBLEM of Drifting !!!

Now the word Drift & the Phrase: give the more earnest heed – are both Nautical terms – they have to do w/ Boats & Ships

A)The readers of this letter would have understood that to be the case

v.1 of Ch.2 would have immediately produced picture in minds Boats /Ships

 

B) The Picture this is intended to produce is that of a ship that is drifting past its HARBOR / Drifting past the place of SAFETY

1) And Because it is drifting past its Harbor & past its place of safety it is drifting towards the place of DESTRUCTION

 

C) And it is in this place because the Pilot of the ship is not paying attention to his Course

1)   Which is what the Phrase give the more earnest heed – refers to / paying attention to the course – eyes on the Goal

 

Now in this case here – the harbor / the place of safety they are drifting away from is the truth – The truth from God’s word about Jesus

A)These are truths that they have heard over & over & …& … again

    They have heard these truths 1,000 TIMES

 

B) Yet they find themselves drifting in the very areas that they should Know Better than to let Happen!!

 

C) Another reason they are drifting from that place of safety is they are allowing  the current to take them where it is going .

 

And just as there are currents in the ocean today & in the rivers there are also spiritual currents in this world & they are STRONG

A)More powerful than that which any Sailor will ever face out in the ocean- Currents that can cause us to become shipwrecked in the faith

 

B) Paul in Eph. 2 called Course of this world led by Satan

 

 

Lets Consider for a few Minutes some of the Different Currents that we can find ourselves drifting in . Discuss 4 Possible currents

A)1st there is the current of Worldliness – it is that current that speaks of all that is of Self

 

B) Self Gratification / Self Promotion / Pleasing of Self – the mantra of Doing what is best for you – no matter the cost or Consequences

1)    YOU DESERVE A BREAK TODAY. You are #1 – Do what is best for You is what this CURRENT SAYS

 

C) Worldliness promotes Pleasure above Principles

1)   Gratification above Godliness

2)   Happiness above HOLINESS

3)   Compromise above Character

 

D) It is a mind set Modeled by our former President  where the ENDS JUSTIFY THE MEANS –

1)   as Longs as it Promotes my cause or happiness I will not worry about it

And because of this current adultery in Marriages –/ flirtation at least

 

In movie Kramer vs. Kramer - Meryl Streep - is leaving - husband 

 Dustin Hoffman / her  friend says - "She is really doing a brave thing"

Hoffman - Since when is leaving your husband & 6 yr. old son act of bravery

 

Worldliness is not only doing what is forbidden but also wishing it were possible to do it. One of its distinctives is mental slavery to illegitimate pleasure

 

The world is a net; the more we stir in it, the more we are entangled.

 

2nd there is the Current of Liberalism

A)This is a current that says the Bible is too Narrow – denies that God’s word is  Infallible –Says that Christ is not Sufficient – not enough

 

B) Current which advocates – a Christianity that is a Potpourri of thought that might include Self Help Psychology / Philosophy / Eastern Mysticism

C) It is a current that takes a Believer from a life that is God energized / God inspired & Christ centered

1)   To a life that is ME CENTERED – me energized / inspired by a series of techniques / Principles & steps that are followed …happy… life

 

D) That person is moved from a life that is DEPENDENT on the spirit of God DIRECTED BY the word of God

1)    Constantly eating drinking & breathing in those things – To a life that is now inspired by various books / seminars & techniques

 

The Current of Liberalism can also be that current whereby I reintroduce into my life – things that the Lord yrs ago made it clear that I didn’t need.

A)Things that were only going to trip me up / ensnare me / but because I see others believers doing or having those things “exercising their Liberty”

   1)  I rationalize it must be ok for me as well – really not that Bad

 

 

3rd Current : LEGALISM

A)When I am floating down this current – I begin to forget the patience the Lord displayed in my own life – allowing me time to grow

 

B) Forget the patience that other older believers also showed as I struggled w/ different habits & attitudes in Process of Sanctification

1)   The Legalist believes that Now He has some how arrived at some higher spiritual Plain

 

C) He develops this Judgmental attitude – this Critical spirit – where he begins to Judge & classify people he doesn’t know – doesn’t know heart

1)   Classified by some standard of Spirituality that he himself has developed –

 

D) Puts these people into Categories / Spiritual compromising / carnal / based on that Self imposed standard

 

The Legalist focuses on outward things like Dress – How could she wear that - / or she is so into her appearance

A)The legalist are those who start making rules for everyone else to follow – Concerning things like  Clothes/ hair length/ Music  etc.

 

B) Legalism is one of the enemy’s favorite weapons. He loves to get Christians to be legalistic, Thru it he robs believers of their joy 

1)    And he can use them to spread havoc among a generation or a company of believers, and ruin a vital, active, and growing Christian group.

 

C) That is exactly what happened in Galatia, Judiazers came into the Church really saved and spiritual …… circumcised

 

D) Here was a group of young Christians who had a fantastic beginning. Their response to the preaching of the gospel was heartwarming.

1) They had given themselves totally to Christ. Paul was very enthusiastic about this group of growing young Christians.

 

E) But, after a while, word came to him that legalism had set in, & was taking its toll.

1)    What had been a bright and marvelous testimony of the grace and glory of God was being turned into a dull, apathetic group of religionists –

 

F) A cold, barren, and empty, almost devoid of spiritual life.

That is what legalism will do it  destroys!

 

The Legalist would stone the woman caught in Adultery / chased out the Harlot who washed Jesus feet / Written off Peter as a Major Failure

A)And Joined w/ James & John calling fire from heaven on Samaria

 

B)The Legalist – forgets – what God is seeking to do is transform us into the image of Christ –

1)    Their Christianity resembles more of the Pharisees – Holier than thou mentality – than Paul’s accept for the Grace……. Go I !!!

 

Quote Stedman Legalism can also be described as false Christianity because that is essentially what it is. It uses Christian language and biblical terms. It sounds evangelical. It loves to use phrases like "evangelism," "fundamentalism," "biblical literacy,". It sounds Christian, and looks Christian, but it is emphatically not true Christianity. It is an imitation Christianity, an empty, hollow counterfeit of the real thing. It is a burdensome drag upon the spiritual life that creates a sense of bondage and guilt. It is a sickening, nauseating fraud in the eyes of others. God describes it in the Scriptures as a stench in his nostrils.

I know of no affliction in Christendom which is more widespread, and more devastating in its destructiveness, than this. Across the world today many churches are sunken into a state of boredom and futility largely because of the legalistic spirit which has throttled their spiritual vitality.

                                      Very Dangerous Current

 

4th Current of Emotionalism –

A)This is a stream that contradicts what Paul declared in 2Cor. 5 when he said that we walk by faith & not by sight

 

B) Paul was stating a truth reiterated often in the scriptures that our faith is based on inward conviction derived from God’s word – Not outward senses

1)   / Not based on what I can see / feel / but a trust in the Word of God – Rom.10:17 Faith comes by hearing ….. of God

 

C) But this is a current that many find themselves drifting down a current that says what matters most is how we feel

1)   Experience supercedes the scriptures – although I may not see this experience in the word – Life of Jesus – doesn’t matter

 

D) Current creates a hunger for one more emotional High – One more radical meeting / One more moving sign / one more wonder

1)   Craving that is never satisfied – a Spiritual life that is never deep – because of a lack of building & growing on the word

 

E) That believer is being set up for sure disappointment when the feelings stop & the emotions dry up / the miracle doesn’t happen in THEIR life

How does drifting Start : 2 things

A)1st it happens when I take my eyes off of the goal – off of the destination ( Our Goal is Know / Love / be like Christ)

 

B) Drifting occurs when I lose sight of my aim / not aware of the currents that can suck me into their pull.

 

C) These are strong currents – But the wise captain is always aware of the Power of these currents –

1)    he is not going to allow them to take his ship just anywhere lest they bring that ship to destruction

 

D) He has His eyes on the Mark / the destination – Paul 1 cor.9

    like a runner – running for the prize / Boxer not hitting Air!!!

 

Apollo 13 turn engines off – make burn only way stay on course pick a fixed object window keep eyes on it – Earth

A)Jesus is that target – we are to run keeping our eyes on Him – He is the measuring stick – Why it is good – always read a gospel – see Him

 

B) Measure ourselves by Him/ I find there is a lot of things in life that I get upset about that didn’t seem to upset Jesus ( We need His eyes & heart)

 

C) Listen You can be very active in your Christianity moving 1,000 miles an hour in Your Christianity and in ministry

   1) and still be drifting because – not moving  toward the goal .

 

2nd Way that drifting can occur is when we just kind of put things in Neutral & just go w/ the flow

A)That will put us on a course of destruction faster than anything

 

B) Did you ever have an experience like this when younger – go to the beach – Chair down blue towel on / life guard tower #3

1)    All land marks in place – head out into the water – surf board / Body board or one of those rafts

C) Paddle out a ways – relaxing – waiting for a wave – water warm sun is on your back – feels great – lose track of time

1)   Couple rides – enjoy the whole experience – relaxing

 

D) Look up realize I am a lot farther out than I thought – look toward the beach – AND NOTHING LOOKS FAMILIAR

1)    The life guard tower isn’t in sight – there is no chair w/ a blue towel and the People look so small – because you are so far out

 

Now if you have ever been in that situation especially if not a good swimmer panic sets in / heart begins to race

A)You begin to talk to yourself at a time like that – I can’t believe I drifted that far that fast – didn’t seem like the current was moving but it was

 

B) I remember being in a situation like that one time – as a teen / friend – looked up we realized that we was drifting into the Jetty –

1)    We weren’t real familiar w/ riptides – swim as hard as we could against it  but to no avail – starting shouting help

 

C) You know it is bad when 2 teen age boys – shouting for help when bunch of girls on the beach.

 

D) The same thing can happen relax spiritually – walk in neutral – just going thru the motions -  begin to drift – wake up How did we get way over here?

 

E) Note verse again Therefore WE must give the more earnest heed to the things WE have heard, lest WE drift away.

 1)  See the Humility of the writer – WE it can happen to anyone

 

What are the signs that we are drifting –

A)One sign is when we are no longer making forward progress as a Christian – stopped growing in my personal walk

 

B) If I am the same person today that I was 6 months ago / something is wrong!  there ought to be progress – grow & ministry/ from my life 

A 2nd sign is the old ways are being reintroduced into my life

A)If I have drifted back into some of the old things that God had previously removed out of my life. / because they hindered me from making progress

 

B) But now those things have found a place in my heart / priorities & what I do w/ my time .

1)     It is interesting how as the yrs go by we can brick by brick begin to rebuild what God has removed

 

C)And suddenly our lives are as fully under our control as they had ever been.

 1) And your life can look exactly how it would have looked had you stayed in the world  - accept You know a little more about the bible

 

Now someone may object to that & say wait my life is nothing like it was before . B.C. I was partying all the time / fornicator / drugs / alcohol

A)I am not into those things now !!- But here is the reality Many of You probably wouldn’t be into those things now even if you were not saved

 

B) Age & Responsibility has a tendency of removing those bad habits

1)   Kids come along / Marriage / House / responsibilities / Wakes us up 

I had better get serious /  straighten up / there is a whole lot at stake now

 

C) Not everyone out grows those things but many do – so that those appetites that were so strong when you were 18 / aren’t as strong now 45  

1) Some wise up straighten up – For many of you that would have been the case had you given life to Christ or not

 

D) So if you can look at your life now as a A Christian & realize that what you are doing w/ your life / watching w/ your eyes & listening w/ ears

1)   Is exactly what you would be doing & into even if you weren’t given to God – that is a DANGER -    THAT IS A SIGN OF DRIFTING

 

 

3rd Sign of drifting – I have lost an Awe and a Reverence & hunger for the word of God . When that happens – Big trouble

A)Notice the problem here wasn’t that they didn’t know the Word – it was they were not earnestly heeding it anymore

 

B) The drifting person can Know the Bible – they can have 100’s of scriptures memorized but the problem starts when begin to neglect it

1)   Become careless w/ it !!!!  No longer applying it to their lives.

 

C) It is possible to know a great deal about the word but to cease long ago in being an earnest hearer of it

 

The Term Earnest heed means to hold the mind towards / to be cautious about / to pay attention to / apply ones self or adhere to

A)The Drifter has stopped long ago from measuring their lives by the word of God

 

B) They have stopped testing what they allow to come into their lives / by the word of God

1)   Stopped testing what they see w/ eyes / hear w/ ears or what comes out of their mouths by the word of God .

 

C) It has been a long time since they have tested their attitudes by the word of God – consequently been drifting w/out even Knowing it !!!

     1) So those are some signs that drifting is taking place

 

How do You Correct this drifting - How get back where once was

A)First need to wake up to my Condition –  RECOGNIZE

 

B) And It needs to be done w/ the haste & the fear of a captain who wakes up to the fact his boat is headed for the rocks / headed for destruction

 

C) Sometimes the Lord wakes you up – Sermon / tragedy / Friend

1)   Me in Oregon – still small voice – drifted – mechanical – Machine like

 Without even Knowing it – I had left my first love!!

2nd You need to admit & acknowledge the danger of your condition

A)Admit that you have drifted – REMEMBER  where were!!!

 

3rd You need to recut out of my life those things that I have re-introduced into your life – things that put you to sleep / sent you drifting

A) REPENT – turn around – 180 – opposite direction

 

 

4th You need to re make the word a priority in my life – RETURN

A)Give God’s word its due place in my life – Fresh attention to it

 

B) Hunger for the word grows the more we are given to it .

 

C) Pray that truths I already know & have read – Lord would apply to my life in a New & Fresh way again.

 

Paul 2 Tim. 2:3 Right before his death – Bring Cloak / Books Parchments

No more sermons – but all personal application