CENTRAL THOUGHT
Give earnest heed to the Word of God.
TEXT: HEB. 2:1-4; 3:16-19; 1 COR. 10:1-12
INTRODUCTION:
There is no period in the entire history of the church when we stand the danger of departing from the faith more than these times. A lot of casualties are being recorded along the path to heaven.
Although many people profess to be saved, the earnest believers know that an awful lot is wrong with the church in our generation. Many are careless with their faith. In this study, we shall be looking at how some people of old lost the great opportunity given to them for salvation and its consequences.
LESSON OBJECTIVES:
The objectives of this lesson are:
- To understand what it means to neglect God’s Great Salvation
- To know the acceptable day of salvation and repentance from sin
- To understand the lessons learned from the children of Israel made
- To know the subtle dangers to watch against as believer
BIBLE TRUTH:
QUESTION 1a.) WHAT DO YOU UNDERSTAND BY NEGLECTING GOD’S GREAT SALVATION?
To neglect God’s Great Salvation means to pay little attention to the instructions and teachings of the Bible. God’s Salvation is what is provided in the redemptive work of Christ and the demand it places on us who believe. To neglect it is when our commitment to the body of beliefs we hold begin to wane and we now live unmindful of them. In this state, we begin believing in what we once condemned. This is in agreement with Paul’s admonition to the Galations in Gal. 2:18, “for if I build again the things which I destroyed I make myself a transgressor.”
QUESTION 1b.) WHEN IS THE ACCEPTABLE DAY OF SALVATION AND REPENTANCE FROM SIN?
In Heb. 3:7-8 the scriptures say that today is the day of salvation. The grace of God is still available to everyone that comes to Him. There is no need to postpone the issue of salvation. As His word is being preached as many that hear it should heed the message and be saved.
QUESTION 2.) EXAMINE BRIEFLY HOW THE FOLLOWING PEOPLE LOST OUT OF THE RACE.
a.) Judas Iscariot (John 13:2 & 27)
The Scriptures made us understand that Judas as a disciple was unfaithful in the keeping of the purse (John 12:6), and ultimately ended up betraying the Lord Jesus. The opening or loophole in Judas’ life was his greed for money and wealth. Believers should be careful on how they go about looking for money because if not checked, could lead to being pierced with many sorrows.
b.) Saul (1 Samuel 10:24)
King Saul lost out of the race when he disobeyed God’s command to utterly destroy the Amelekites.
c.) Demas (2 Tim. 4:10)
Demas initially was a faithful witness for Christ, but due to the love for the pleasures of this world he decided to forsake gospel work.
d.) Lot’s wife (Gen. 19:24-26)
Lot’s wife disobeyed a command that was expressly given not to look back. For her disobedience, she became a pillar of salt.
QUESTION 3.) THE CLASS SHOULD EXAMINE THESE OTHER SUBTLE DANGERS TO WATCH AGAINST IF WE MUST MAINTAIN OUR FAITHFUL TO THE END.
a.) The peril of itching ears. 2 Tim. 4:3-4
b.) Dangers of being hearers only. James 1:22
c.) Being deceived by erroneous teachings. Matt. 7:15; 1 Tim 4:1-3
d.) Joining the company of many whose love is waxing cold. Matt. 24:12
e.) Danger of losing the freshness, love, and zeal for God. Ezek. 33:31; Rev. 2:4
f.) Not mixing the word of God with faith. Heb. 4:2
DAILY LIVING APPLICATION:
You can only make heaven if you will take heed to the word of God. Listening to God’s word is not enough. God places a higher premium on the doing than on merely reading or listening to sound doctrine. A healthy attitude to the word of God is crucial to victorious Christian living. Don’t neglect it.
MEMORY VERSE:
Heb. 2:1
“Therefore we out to give more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at anytime we should let them slip”.
DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE:
MON: NO ESCAPE FOR NEGLECT. Heb. 2:1-4
TUE: UNBELIEF HINDERS. Heb. 3:15-19
WED: JUDAS, A DISCIPLE LOST OUT. John 13:2,27
THU: DEMAS LOST OUT. 2 Tim. 4:10
FRI: LOT’S WIFE LOST OUT OF DELIVERANCE. Gen. 19:24-26
SAT: BE A DOER OF THE WORD. James 1:22-25