RECAP:

Setting:
These Jewish Christians were probably undergoing strong persecutions, socially, and physically both from Jews and Romans.
Because of these, they were tempted to go back to Judaism so in this letter, the Author of this book appeals to them by
showing the superiority of Jesus Christ over their former religion Judaism.

Subject of the Book of Hebrews: (msg from our SP))

Jesus Christ is much superior than anything in Judaism, The author clearly demonstrated the superiority of Jesus Christ over
everyone and everything.
The Central thought of the Book of Hebrews: (msg from our SP)
-It is not about men but it is about the Word of God

Let us continually see/study and affirm in our faith the superiority of Jesus Christ over everything and anything in this world.
As we have seen, the author begins his letter by exalting Jesus Christ as greater or superior to the prophets for no prophets
could ever claim His superiority to the history as the first and last, His identity and His highest position. The author of
Hebrews firmly establishes the identity of Jesus as being greater than angels. Because many Christians in the first century
were confused as to how they should relate to Jesus (man only or God only)(Gnosticsm), and wherein some, especially Jewish
Christians, may have been tempted to see Him as part of the angelic creation. The author of this Book shows how Old
Testament passages are fulfilled in Jesus Christ, and how these passages point to Jesus' superiority over the angels
1. JESUS CHRIST IS CALLED THE SON OF GOD, A TITLE NEVER GIVEN TO THE ANGELS
Hebrews 1:5a - Psalms 2:7, 2 Samuel 7:14-16
2. JESUS CHRIST IS CALLED THE FIRSTBORN, A TITLE NEVER GIVEN TO THE ANGELS
Hebrews 1:6 ---Psalms 89:27
3. ANGELS ARE CALLED MESSENGERS, TITLE NEVER GIVEN TO JESUS CHRIST
Hebrews 1:7,14----Psalms 104:4
4. JESUS CHRIST’S KINGDOM IS FOR ETERNITY
Hebrews 1:8-9-----Psalm 45:6-7
5. JESUS CHRIST as the CREATOR OF THE WORLD whereas ANGELS are the CREATED BEINGS
Hebrews 1:10-12 ----Psalms 102:25-27
6. JESUS CHRIST SITTED AT THE RIGHT HAND OF GOD, THE ANGELS ARE NOT
Hebrews 1:13 ----Psalm 110:1 (Matthew 22:44)

A GREAT SALVATION
Hebrews 2:1-4

Introduction:
After the author in chapter 1 emphasize the importance of knowing the superiority/greatness of Jesus Christ or after the
author have a strong affirmation/declaration of the superiority of Jesus Christ to the Prophets and to the Angels, he now
(first warning) warns his recipients/readers about the significance or importance of it (Actually the book of Hebrews after
the author gives an important message, the author gives also a warning and there are five warnings that the author mention
in this book/letter). In verse 14 of Chapter 1 14 Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit
salvation?

….(lets read our passage)

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.
We must pay the most careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away. 2 For since the
message spoken through angels was binding, and every violation and disobedience received its just punishment, 3 how
shall we escape if we ignore so great a salvation? This salvation, which was first announced by the Lord, was confirmed to
us by those who heard him. 4 God also testified to it by signs, wonders and various miracles, and by gifts of the Holy Spirit
distributed according to his will.

The author says “therefore” (the force/power of this word the proper assessment of the Son will recognize the truth of what
we have heard and supreme importance of the message). Let us continually study why the author called IT A GREAT
SALVATION?

I. WHY IS IT CALLED A GREAT SALVATION?

A. GREAT BECAUSE IT IS EVERY PERSON’S GREATEST NEED
 It is every person’s need more than anything else
 Salvation is all about Jesus rescuing us from the wrath to come
 The word salvation was emphasized by the author by adding another word “escape” to
alert us
o We know Romans 6:23 (outside Jesus Christ, every sinner is under God’s
condemnation, breaking God’s law incurs God’s penalty/punishment)
23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus
our Lord.
 We know John 3:36 (36 Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects
the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on them.)

B. GREAT BECAUSE OF WHO IS JESUS CHRIST

-comes from Jesus Christ Himself
 His name “Jesus”
Matthew 1:21
“She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people
from their sins.”
 His Identity/Personhood
Hebrews 1:3
-3 The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things
by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the
Majesty in heaven

1. Jesus Christ as Son of God & as God

2. Jesus Christ as man & as human
Hebrews 2:6
But there is a place where someone has testified:
“What is mankind that you are mindful of them,
a son of man that you care for him?

3. Jesus Christ as Sovereign Prince/captain

Hebrews 2:10
10 For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons
to glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.
 4. Jesus Christ as Most High Priest
Genesis 14:18
18 Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. He was priest of God Most High,

C. GREAT IN HOW HIS WORK WAS DONE, IS DOING AMD WILL DO

1. He purifies our Sin
Hebrews 1:3
3 The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by
his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the
Majesty in heaven.

Hebrews 7:27
27 Unlike the other high priests, he does not need to offer sacrifices day after day, first for his own sins,
and then for the sins of the people. He sacrificed for their sins once for all when he offered himself.

2. He suffered death for us

Hebrews 2:9
9 But we do see Jesus, who was made lower than the angels for a little while, now crowned with glory and
honor because he suffered death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.
2 Tim. 1:10
10 but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed
death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.

3. He makes men holy

1 Thess. 5:23-24
23 May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul
and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 The one who calls you is faithful,
and he will do it.

4. He is able to help us (He can help us)

Hebrews 2:18
18 Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.

D. GREAT IN SCOPE (saklaw)

1. We become companion of Jesus Christ
Hebrews 1:2
2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and
through whom also he made the universe.
Hebrews 1:9
9 You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness;
therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions
by anointing you with the oil of joy.”

2. He brought us to His Glory

Hebrews 2:10

10 In bringing many sons and daughters to glory, it was fitting that God, for whom and through whom
everything exists, should make the pioneer of their salvation perfect through what he suffered.

II. A GREAT SALVATION CONFIRMED AS TRUE (WHO CONFIRMED IT AS TRUE?

 A. Declared by the Lord at first V3
B. Attested by those who heard V3
C. Confirmed the Message God Himself through signs, wonders, miracles & gift of Holy Spirit v4

III. WARNING: DO NOT NEGLECT (IGNORE) THIS GREAT SALVATION (v1-2)

A. Pay careful attention not to drift away from the truth
 How much we are spending our time to read and understand the Gospel? Do we continually seek God? How
much we are spending out time in praying?
 To drift away from the Gospel after we already heard it means turning away from God Himself who sent His
Son so we could have gift of salvation (we don’t want this to happen?

B. Pay careful attention not to be punish for disobedience

 If the Jews under the law were punished for their disobedience, how much more will we come under God’s
judgement if we ignore this great salvation offered through the death of His own Son.
 The word spoken by angel in v2 refers to the Law given in Mt Sinai (Deut 33:2)

Acts 7:38 (confirm)

38 He was in the assembly in the wilderness, with the angel who spoke to him on Mount Sinai, and with our
ancestors; and he received living words to pass on to us.

Galatians 3:19 (confirm)

19 Why, then, was the law given at all? It was added because of transgressions until the Seed to whom the
promise referred had come. The law was given through angels and entrusted to a mediator.

IV. CONCLUSION
We already received & heard the Gospel, the great salvation, no other than Jesus Christ,
confirmed by those who have received it first (prophets, our forefathers), those who have
received from Jesus Himself during His ministry on earth and confirmed by God Himself
through signs, wonders, miracles & gift of Holy Spirit.
This great salvation is far greater than anything/anyone else because it has to do with our
eternal destiny. Let us not ignore/neglect it. Let us not be distracted with other things
especially good things around us.
Lets evaluate ourselves, are we drifting away because we are neglecting our great salvation?
Or are we growing because we pay careful attention to our great salvation?