“Drifting”(Heb. 2:1-4)

“Drifting”(Heb. 2:1-4)

Lest We Drift Away

(Hebrews 2:1-4) Therefore we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away. For if the word spoken through angels proved steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience

received a just reward, how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation, which at the first began to be spoken by

the Lord, and was confirmed to us by those who heard Him, God also bearing

witness both with signs and wonders, with various miracles, and gifts of the Holy

Spirit, according to His own will? (NKJV)

Some Have Drifted

“Have you noticed that nowadays churches seem to be about everything but being churches? Let’s see …We have so called churches with gymnasiums, swimming pools, restaurants, bowling alleys, day care, schools,

gift shops, etc. in them. We have churches preoccupied with teaching everything from yoga to

belly dancing. Here in Wichita we had a fellow trying to start a church inside of a strip club… with other

local preachers trying to justify said behavior. I was recently discussing said church meeting inside a

strip club with another local preacher, while making the observation that, ‘This entire approach to things is absurd!’ He responded by saying, ‘Well, I couldn’t do it. You see I have made a covenant with my eyes. But, if he can handle it… then God bless him!’” - Jerry

Blount, Jerry’s Christian Jottings

“Be Steadfast”

The Secret to Steadfastness:

Judges 7:21 “…every man stood in his place…”

“Be Steadfast”

(1 Corinthians 16:13) Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong. (NKJV)

 (1 Corinthians 15:58) Therefore, my beloved

brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing

that your labor is not in vain in the Lord. (NKJV)

 (Galatians 5:1) Stand fast therefore in the

liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke

of bondage. (NKJV)

Drifting Foretold

(Acts 20:27-32) "For I have not shunned to declare to you the whole

counsel of God. "Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood. "For I know

this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. "Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things,

to draw away the disciples after themselves. "Therefore watch, and remember that for three years I

did not cease to warn everyone night and day with tears. "So now, brethren, I commend you to God and

to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are

sanctified. (NKJV)

Drifting Foretold

(2 Thessalonians 2:1-5) Now, brethren, concerning the coming of our Lord

Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him, we ask you, not to be soon shaken in mind or

troubled, either by spirit or by word or by letter, as if from us, as though the day of Christ had

come. Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the

son of perdition, who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped,

so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God. Do you not

remember that when I was still with you I told you these things? (NKJV)

We (Christians) Are Priests

(1 Peter 2:9) But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; (NKJV)

Be Steadfast Concerning Scriptural Organization

(Acts 14:23) So when they had appointed elders in every church…

(1 Peter 5:2) Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as

overseers…

(Titus 1:5) For this reason I left you in Crete, that you should set in order the

things that are lacking, and appoint elders in every city …

Be Steadfast Concerning Scriptural Worship

(John 4:24) "God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth."

(NKJV)

Be Steadfast ConcerningScriptural Worship

Types of worship authorized in N.T.:Communion/L.S. (1 Cor. 11:24; Ac.

20:7).Singing (Eph. 5:19; Col. 3:16)

Prayer (Ac. 2:42; 1 Thess. 5:17)

 Other Activities the Church Did While

Assembled:Collection of Money For Needy Saints

(Rom. 15:26; Cor. 16:1-2)Taught (Ac. 2:42; 1 Cor. 14:26)

Being Steadfast – Critical!

(Revelation 2:5) "Remember therefore from where

you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will

come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place--

unless you repent. (NKJV)

Be Steadfast Concerning Authority

(1 Corinthians 10:6) Now these things became our examples, to

the intent that we should not lust after evil things as they also

lusted. (NKJV)

Be Steadfast Concerning Authority

Negative Examples to Learn From:(1 Corinthians 10:6) Now these things became our examples, to

the intent that we should not lust after evil things as they also

lusted. (NKJV)

Be Steadfast Concerning Authority

Positive Examples to Learn From:(1 Corinthians 11:1) Imitate me,

just as I also imitate Christ. (NKJV)

(Philippians 3:17) Brethren, join in following my example, and note those who so walk, as you have

us for a pattern. (NKJV)

The First Day of the Week Is Significant:

• Jesus rose from the dead (Matt. 28:1-7; Mark 16:2, 9; Luke 24:1; John 20:1).

• Jesus appeared to the disciples (John 20:19). • Jesus appeared inside the room to the eleven disciples eight

days after the first day of the week. (The Jewish way of measuring days meant that it was again SundayJohn 20:26).

• The Holy Spirit first came on Pentecost (Lev. 23:16; Acts 2:1). • The first sermon was preached by Peter (Acts 2:14). • Three thousand converts joined the church (Acts 2:41). • The three thousand were baptized (Acts 2:41). • The Christians assembled & broke bread (Ac. 20:7) . • Paul preached on the first day of the week (Acts 20:7). Note: the

reference is until midnight which is not the Jewish method of measuring days, but the Roman system.

• Paul instructed the churches to put aside contributions (1 Cor. 16:2).

• Jesus gave the apostle John the vision of Revelation (Rev. 1:10).

Be Steadfast Concerning Spreading the Gospel

(Acts 11:22) Then news of these things came to

the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent out

Barnabas to go as far as Antioch. (NKJV)

Drifting From the Pattern of Evangelism

Biblical Pattern:

Church

Church

Individuals

Para-Church Organization:Churches, Individuals

Missionary Societies

Management

Preacher

Preacher