A danger of drifting

LIMAVADY INDEPENDENT METHODIST CHURCH

SERMON NOTES SUNDAY 19 NOVEMBER 2023 - REV W PARK

HEBREWS 2 VERSES 1 - 4, CHAPTER 5 VERSES 11 - CHAPTER 6 VERSE 3

The book of Hebrews is one of those books that some people find different that all the other books of the New Testament.  Unless you have a knowledge of Leviticus you might find it difficult to follow.  The book seeks to honour and exalt God.  It is unique above other books in the New Testament.  There is no named author although some say it was written by Pal.    Majority of commentators are not sure it was written by Paul because of its style nor is it the language Paul would use.  Some claim it was written by Barnabas, others Apollo, some even say it was Priscilla.  They left her name out because they thought it would damage the reputation of the book.  What we do know is it is inspired by God - "all scripture is given by inspiration of God."  The message has come from God himself.  The interesting thing about the book that makes it different from other epistles, it is the only one that does not identify where it was sent from or to where it was sent to exactly.  Other letters state it is to Corinth, Ephesus, Colosse or Galatia.  It doesn't tell us who it was but there is a little indication in the last chapter and last verse - chapter 13 verse 24 "Salute, all them that have the rule over you and all the saints.  They of Italy salute you."  who it was written to is more clear, it is very obviously to those of a Jewish background.  They worshipped as Jews, they were familiar with the worship system of the Jewish faith because the book speaks a lot of the temple, the altar, the covenant and many of the Jewish practices.  He shows that Christ is superior to all of those.  It is written to those who had already trusted God.  The other thing by way of background, it is not only written to those who had already trusted God - notice in verses 1, 2 and 3 the word "we".  He identified himself with the people - "we have heard" and "how shall we escape if we neglect".  Chapter 3 verse 1 "wherefore holy brethren partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus."  Chapter 4 verse 14 "let us hold fast our profession". Chapter 4 verse 1 "let us therefore fear".  In chapter 3 verse 12 he calls them "brethren".  Again for those reasons I believe it was not only written to those of a Jewish background but those already in Christ, not those who stopped short of coming to salvation.  There were those who had drifted and gone back, some had stayed as babes.  They were immature.  This background to the epistle helps us to understand something of what is written as a word of exhortation.  In chapter 13 verse 2 we read that this is a "brief word of exhortation."   Exhortation means to keep going on with Christ because there is a danger of drifting.  Our subject tonight is the danger of drifting in our spiritual experience.  Nero was the emperor.  He was ruthless in his persecution particularly of Christians.  Yes it was legal to be a Jew.  Yes it was legal to worship in the synagogue but it was not legal to meet as Christians together.  The people were thinking "if we went back to the synagogue we would be worshipping the same God and we could be spared much of the persecution and suffering."  The only problem was that before they were accepted back into the synagogue they had to renounce Jesus, deny that Jesus was the Messiah.  That explains why so much in this book speaks about Christ.  He is better than the angels and angels had a prominent place in Jewish religion.  He was better than Moses the lawgiver and Aaron the great high priest who offered a greater sacrifice.  He brought in the new covenant which is better than the old and is preparing us for a better sanctuary in heaven.  In comparing what Christ offers to the Jewish religion there is nothing to fall back to.  He was better even though it cost him something.  It was better to remain true and faithful to Christ.  There are lessons we an learn from that today.  The danger of drifting or exhortation to endurance - chapter 2 verse 1 "lest at any time we should let them slip".  Another translation says "lest at any time we drift away from it."  Many preaches and commentators use the illustration of a little boat tied in the harbour that slips its moorings.  The boat drifts away.  The danger of drifting.  I read a story some time ago of a student in America who had a few days off from college.  She decided to spend a day on the beach.  She packed her inflatable and when she arrived got it out.  She placed her drink in its holder and her mobile phone in the other. She put her earplugs in with her music to relax too.  She relaxed so much that she fell asleep and drifted.  When she woke again she found she had drifted 2 1/2 miles from where she had started out.  Fortunately she had her phone with her so was able to phone for help and was brought back to safety.  When we think of drifting we think of that story.

Firstly, when we drift we move away from where we once where.  There are those drifting away from the truths they were once taught.  They let them slip, they drifted away.  Perhaps the convictions they once held strong and were popular then, now the temptation is to let them slip.  Some drifted from the fellowship they once enjoyed.  The place where they once were, they are now going away from meeting with God's people.  Godly habits formed over time have drifted.  When we drift we move away from where we once were.  Tonight as we look back over the course of our spiritual journey can anyone say "I have drifted from where I once was."

Secondly, it happens incrementally - little by little.  They hardly notice it is happening, unintentionally.  It happens gradually, unnoticed, unintentionally.  They did not plan to do it.  C S Lewis "as a matter of fact if you examined 100 people who had lost their faith how many have been reasoned by honest argument, do not most of them drift away."

Thirdly, we move from where we once were, it happens gradually and unintentionally and we don't drift very far until we become helpless too.  The book of Hebrews is written as an exhortation to endurance.  A warning against the danger of drifting.  The possibility of drifting.  Many of us were saved and as young converts were full of it.  It was so very real.  We enjoyed the Lord and the fellowship of God's people.  We never had any intentions of drifting or going back or growing cold in our hearts but it did happen.  Not only does it happen to me but many others as well.  It is not usually young converts that drift but it is more often those settled in their way.  Slack and negligent about the things of God.  This book was not written to those who had stopped short of a right relationship with God.  The warning is to those who have a personal relationship with Christ who have drifted in their relationship.   It can happen to preachers - Demas a fellow worker with Paul left the faith "Demas hath forsaken me having loved this present world." (2 Timothy 4 verse 10) It did not happen all of a sudden.  The world got a grip on him.  He dropped out from the work of God.  It can happen to churches.  Remember the church at Ephesus in Revelation 2 verse 4 "I have somewhat against you, because you have left thy first love."  You don't love me the way you used to love me.  They had begun to drift.  Galatia - "ye did run well who did hinder you?" (Galatians 5 verse 7)  It is possible for this to happen.  Most of us have known well people that have drifted.  Beware of the danger of drifting.  That is why there is a warning.

The cost of drifting - what is it that causes us to drift?

Firstly, we lose our focus on Christ.  When we are reading the book of Hebrews we are reminded of the need to keep our eyes on Christ.  Chapter 2 verse 9, chapter 3 verse 1, chapter 12 verses 1 - 3. When we get our eyes off Christ something or someone else takes the place of Christ.  This is when we are in danger of drifting, the danger of getting away.  It can happen in the business world or in the family or in self seeking pleasure.  Some times the world gets in.  If we lose that singularness of heart for God that is when we begin to drift.  Our mind is occupied with things other than God.  It is a slippery slope and a dangerous place.

Secondly, there is a loss of discipline in our lives.  Paul said "I keep under my body and bring it in subjection; lest that by any means, when I have peached to others, I myself should be a cast away." (1 Corinthians 9 verse 27)  The natural physical appetites in the body - if we don't control and discipline them they can lead us astray.  They can master our human desires, master our interests.  We need to be in the prayer meeting and attending the weekly services.  We need to discipline our lives so that they don't take us away from things.

Thirdly, there is a loss of passion.  When we started out on our journey with Christ we had a passion for Christ.  When we lose that passion, that desire, that enthusiasm for the things of God that makes us begin to drift.  

In Hebrews 5 we read of the consequences of drifting.  What happens whenever we drift?

There is an inability to hear - verse 11.  Some had drifted within the church "seeing as ye are dull of hearing."  An inability to grasp spiritual truths.  There are some truths that are not easy to grasp.  There are some truths in the gospel we cannot understand it all from the beginning but as we grow God reveals more of it.  Then we can become dull or crowded in our mind.  Even pastors can make subjects complicated.  When God is speaking, unless the mind is open and keen to learn we do not grasp spiritual truths.

Secondly, it inhibits our usefulness for God - verse 12.  Here were people who should have been able to know how to teach others.  God should have been able to use them in his work as leaders.  Instead of being able to lead others they needed someone to come and teach them again.  They were still immature.  The bible speaks of us being in a battle.  You never put weaklings in a battle because they are not fit for it.  If they are still weak and immature they are not fit for battle.  They have to develop and learn until they become mature.  Then they will be sent out to win the battle.  Galatians 6 verse 1 "Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted."  We need to be spiritual ourselves in order to do that.  

Thirdly, spiritual stagnation, never grow to maturity.  The consequences of spiritual drifting.

Recovering from spiritual drifting - chapter 6 verse 1.  Chapter 4 verse 11 "let us labour therefore to endure into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example."  Be diligent, honest in searching.  Chapter 12 verse 15 'looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you and thereby many be defiled.".  Let us resolve to go forward.

Respond to the dealings with God.  In chapter 12 we have the picture of earthly parents disciplining their children and the point is that we do it for their good.  In verse 11 we read that Christ disciplines us.  "Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous; nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby."  God disciplines us, chastises us, speaks to us.  When he puts his hand on our life we may not enjoy it but it is for our good - "it yieldeth peaceful fruit of righteousness"  We don't rebel or run from it, we yield to it, obey God and it bringeth the peaceful fruits of righteousness into our lives.