Hebrews 2:1 That is why we must hold on all the more firmly to the truths we have heard, so that we will not be carried away.

The book of Hebrews was written to encourage the Hebrew Christians to continue in the faith.

The author not only encourages he warns also.

There are four warnings for the Christian in this book.

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1. WARNED AGAINST NEGLECT

Hebrews 2:1-4 “That is why we must hold on all the more firmly to the truths we have heard, so that we will not be carried away. (2) The message given to our ancestors by the angels was shown to be true, and those who did not follow it or obey it received the punishment they deserved. (3) How, then, shall we escape if we pay no attention to such a great salvation? The Lord himself first announced this salvation, and those who heard him proved to us that it is true. (4) At the same time God added his witness to theirs by performing all kinds of miracles and wonders and by distributing the gifts of the Holy Spirit according to his will.”

a. The danger for Christians is neglecting the life in the Spirit.

i. Coming to meetings to be entertained.

ii. Living a different kind of life when no one is looking

iii. Not really listening to the word when it is delivered.

b. The result?

i. No joy

ii. No satisfaction (which produces a negative and gossiping attitude)

iii. No evidence of the fruit of the spirit

iv. No real victories

v. No abundant life

vi. No power over sin

2. WARNED AGAINST DOUBTING

Hebrews 3:7-11 “So then, as the Holy Spirit says, "If you hear God's voice today, (8) do not be stubborn, as your ancestors were when they rebelled against God, as they were that day in the desert when they put him to the test. (9) There they put me to the test and tried me, says God, although they had seen what I did for forty years. (10) And so I was angry with those people and said, 'They are always disloyal and refuse to obey my commands.' (11) I was angry and made a solemn promise: 'They will never enter the land where I would have given them rest!' "

a. Lack of obedience will bring doubt about God and His word.

i. The Israel of the Old Testament continually disobeyed God and found they had problems in trusting Him

ii. Without obedience your Christianity becomes religion and your church becomes a chore

iii. You will have a constant struggle with time and effort and there is no joy.

3. WARNED AGAINST NEGLECT OF THE WORD OF GOD

Hebrews 5:11-14 There is much we have to say about this matter, but it is hard to explain to you, because you are so slow to understand. (12) There has been enough time for you to be teachers---yet you still need someone to teach you the first lessons of God's message. Instead of eating solid food, you still have to drink milk. (13) Anyone who has to drink milk is still a child, without any experience in the matter of right and wrong. (14) Solid food, on the other hand, is for adults, who through practice are able to distinguish between good and evil.

a. No one grows without nourishment

i. According to the Bible preaching the Word is necessary.

ii. However, if you consider yourself a mature Christian it is time you were feeding yourself instead of depending on what you get in church on Sunday morning and some of the strange teachings on Christian television.

iii. As necessary as preaching is, you will be stronger in the Lord when you get a message from God for yourself

4. WARNED AGAINST NEGLECTING THE FRUITS OF RIGHTEOUSNESS

Hebrews 6:1-8 “Let us go forward, then, to mature teaching and leave behind us the first lessons of the Christian message. We should not lay again the foundation of turning away from useless works and believing in God; (2) of the teaching about baptisms and the laying on of hands; of the resurrection of the dead and the eternal judgment. (3) Let us go forward! And this is what we will do, if God allows. (4) For how can those who abandon their faith be brought back to repent again? They were once in God's light; they tasted heaven's gift and received their share of the Holy Spirit; (5) they knew from experience that God's word is good, and they had felt the powers of the coming age. (6) And then they abandoned their faith! It is impossible to bring them back to repent again, because they are again crucifying the Son of God and exposing him to public shame. (7) God blesses the soil which drinks in the rain that often falls on it and which grows plants that are useful to those for whom it is cultivated. (8) But if it grows thorns and weeds, it is worth nothing; it is in danger of being cursed by God and will be destroyed by fire.

a. This is not about salvation but working out our salvation.

i. In other words, living like the Christians we say we are.

ii. Notice verse 6 And then they abandoned their faith! It is impossible to bring them back to repent again, because they are again crucifying the Son of God and exposing him to public shame.

iii. It looks as if there is no such thing as getting saved twice.

After these warnings, this is what Paul said:

Hebrews 6:9 But even if we speak like this, dear friends, we feel sure about you. We know that you have the better blessings that belong to your salvation.

Let us make sure the Lord can say that about us – “I feel sure about you.”