Keep Focused on Jesus: Don’t Drift Away

Hebrews Chapter 1 begins forthrightly, directly and bluntly: “God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets,

Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;

Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high:

Being made so much better than the angels, as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.

For the next nine of its thirteen Chapters, Hebrews continues to show that Jesus is not only greater than angels, but also than Moses and the Law; Aaron and high priests; the sacrifice of doves, goats, and bullocks; and of all prophets. By His crucifixion, death, resurrection, and ascension Jesus by Himself once and for forever is elevated to the pinnacle of creation as Saviour, Advocate, Lord, and Judge.

Chapter 2 verse 1 is a digression in this triumphant saga of Jesus who entered history as a marginal man but is the eternal Almighty God. Using the power of if-then logic and imperatives of must and earnest, Verse 1 states:

“Therefore, we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away.” Knowing who Jesus is, the verse warns of the danger of drifting away from faith in and following our Lord.

  1. Drifting is not deliberate. Drifting is not intentional.
  2. Drifting requires no effort, just carelessness and procrastination.
  3. Drifting is always downstream. Drifting in is never against the tide.
  4. Drifting gathers speed of its own the further you go downstream
  5. Drifting ends in disaster before you realize its real danger.

Drifting away from Jesus can come from paradoxical sources:

Success

Suffering

Satisfaction

Selfishness

The Covid Drift is the newest source of drifting among us Christians. It has the potential to undermine in-person fellowship of believers.

Attending Church TV or on-line is so comfortable and easy. We can skip standing in reverence; sitting in silent mediation; singing together in unison; celebrating the joy of the Lord contagiously; and even listening to the Messenger without interruptions and intrusions. On-line is useful but not a replacement of face-to-face fellowship.

Heed the counsel of Hebrews Chapter 2 Verse I: Keep Focused on Jesus: Don’t Drift Away.

Stand firm: Let nothing move you!

In reading a book or listening to a speech pay careful attention when the writer or speaker uses the word, ‘But’.

The important point being made comes after the ‘But’.

In reading a book or listening to a speech, pay careful attention when the writer or speaker uses the word, ‘Therefore’.

The important point being made came before, ‘Therefore’.

Go back and read again, or listen again if it is recorded, or try to remember what was said, before ‘Therefore’

In instances where ‘But’ is closely followed by ‘Therefore’ what is being said is of the utmost importance.

Pay the greatest attention.  A Life Lesson is being taught. Do not ever forget it.

Such is the case in I Corinthian Chapter 15, verses 57 and 58.

‘But, thanks be to God who gives us the victory through the Lord Jesus Christ.

Therefore, beloved brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you.”

THE CHRISTMAS STORY FROM THE GOSPELS AND BOOK OF REVELATION

Message on Sunday, December 29, 2019: Mount View Baptist Church Kingston, Jamaica

The Christmas Story told by the Gospels is different from the detailed stories told by all four Gospels of the crucifixion, death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus. The Gospel of Mark begins with the Baptism of Jesus. The Gospel of John speaks of the meaning of the entry of Jesus into human history but does not describe His birth. Mathew and Luke recount the birth of Jesus but do not tell sentimental stories commonly recited at Christmas.

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