The Urgency and Greatness of Salvation

 

Summary

In this sermon, I draw attention to the profound question posed in Hebrews 2:3: "How shall we escape if we neglect so great salvation?" This question serves as a reminder to both believers and non-believers of the immense value and urgency of the Christian message. The epistle to the Hebrews was written to encourage early Christians who were drifting away from their faith, and this message is equally relevant today. Many of us, like those early Christians, may be tempted to forget the greatness of the salvation offered through Christ. This salvation is not just a message of deliverance but is described as "so great" because of its divine authorship, the calamity it saves us from, and the eternal glory it promises.

The greatness of this salvation is first seen in its authorship. It is a work of the Holy Trinity—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—making it the most significant message humanity can ever receive. This salvation saves us from the greatest calamity imaginable: eternal separation from God. The law of God has already pronounced judgment on sin, and without this salvation, we face an eternity of misery. However, the salvation offered through Christ not only saves us from this fate but also brings us into a relationship with God, offering forgiveness, reconciliation, and adoption into His family.

Moreover, this salvation empowers us to live victoriously over sin in this life and promises us a future in the eternal kingdom of God. It is a salvation that transforms us, making us heirs with Christ and granting us a place in the world to come. The ultimate demonstration of its greatness is seen in the drama of Christ's incarnation, death, and resurrection. Jesus, the Lord of Glory, humbled Himself to become a man, suffered, and died to bring us this salvation. His resurrection and ascension assure us of the victory and glory that await those who believe.

Key Takeaways:

- The greatness of salvation is rooted in its divine authorship. It is a work of the Holy Trinity, making it the most significant message humanity can ever receive. This divine origin underscores the importance and reliability of the gospel. [20:58]

- Salvation saves us from the greatest calamity: eternal separation from God. The law has pronounced judgment on sin, and without this salvation, we face an eternity of misery. This highlights the urgency of accepting the gospel. [23:21]

- Beyond saving us from calamity, salvation brings us into a relationship with God, offering forgiveness, reconciliation, and adoption into His family. This transformation is a profound aspect of the Christian faith. [34:44]

- Salvation empowers us to live victoriously over sin and promises us a future in God's eternal kingdom. It assures us of our identity as heirs with Christ and our place in the world to come. [39:20]

- The ultimate demonstration of salvation's greatness is seen in the drama of Christ's incarnation, death, and resurrection. Jesus' sacrifice and victory assure us of the glory that awaits believers. [51:51]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:12] - Prayer for Mercy and Revival
- [01:14] - Introduction to Hebrews 2:1-4
- [02:24] - The Danger of Neglecting Salvation
- [04:05] - The Relevance of the Gospel Today
- [05:06] - The Message of Salvation
- [06:31] - The Greatness of Salvation
- [07:41] - Biblical Descriptions of Salvation
- [09:18] - The Grandeur of Salvation in Hymns and Art
- [11:25] - The Majesty of Salvation in Architecture
- [12:38] - The Eloquence of Gospel Oratory
- [13:27] - The Inspiration of Music by Salvation
- [14:32] - Personal Reflection on Salvation's Greatness
- [16:07] - Salvation's Greatness in Authorship
- [23:21] - Salvation from Calamity
- [29:58] - Salvation to Eternal Glory
- [43:24] - The Drama of Christ's Sacrifice
- [51:51] - The Victory of Christ's Resurrection
- [54:00] - The Call to Recognize Salvation's Greatness

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
- Hebrews 2:1-4
- Ephesians 2:4-7
- Romans 8:16-17

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#### Observation Questions
1. What is the main question posed in Hebrews 2:3, and why is it significant for both believers and non-believers? [02:24]
2. How does the sermon describe the role of the Holy Trinity in the authorship of salvation? [20:58]
3. What are some of the calamities from which salvation saves us, according to the sermon? [23:21]
4. How does the sermon illustrate the greatness of salvation through the drama of Christ's incarnation, death, and resurrection? [51:51]

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#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the divine authorship of salvation underscore its importance and reliability, as discussed in the sermon? [20:58]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that salvation transforms our relationship with God? [34:44]
3. How does the sermon explain the concept of being heirs with Christ and what implications does this have for believers? [39:20]
4. What does the sermon imply about the urgency of accepting the gospel in light of the calamity it saves us from? [23:21]

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#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your own life: Are there areas where you might be neglecting the greatness of salvation? How can you address this neglect? [02:24]
2. The sermon emphasizes the divine authorship of salvation. How does this understanding affect your confidence in sharing the gospel with others? [20:58]
3. Consider the transformation that salvation brings into a relationship with God. How can you actively pursue deeper reconciliation and adoption into His family this week? [34:44]
4. The sermon describes salvation as empowering us to live victoriously over sin. Identify a specific sin or struggle in your life. What steps can you take to overcome it with the help of this salvation? [39:20]
5. How can the drama of Christ's sacrifice and resurrection inspire you to live a life that reflects the greatness of salvation? [51:51]
6. Think about someone in your life who may not understand the urgency of the gospel. How can you communicate the importance of salvation to them in a meaningful way? [23:21]
7. The sermon mentions the eternal glory promised to believers. How does this promise influence your daily decisions and long-term goals? [39:20]

Devotional

Day 1: The Divine Origin of Salvation
The greatness of salvation is rooted in its divine authorship, a work of the Holy Trinity—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. This divine origin underscores the importance and reliability of the gospel, making it the most significant message humanity can ever receive. The involvement of the Trinity in the plan of salvation highlights the depth of God's love and commitment to humanity. It is not merely a human invention or a philosophical idea but a divine initiative that calls for our attention and response. The divine authorship assures us of the gospel's truth and its power to transform lives. [20:58]

"For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age." (Titus 2:11-12, ESV)

Reflection: How does understanding the divine authorship of salvation change the way you view the gospel message today?


Day 2: Urgency of Accepting Salvation
Salvation saves us from the greatest calamity: eternal separation from God. The law has pronounced judgment on sin, and without this salvation, we face an eternity of misery. This highlights the urgency of accepting the gospel. The reality of eternal separation from God is a sobering truth that should compel us to take the message of salvation seriously. It is not just about avoiding punishment but about embracing the life and relationship with God that salvation offers. The urgency is not only for ourselves but also for those around us who have yet to accept this gift. [23:21]

"Therefore, we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it. For since the message declared by angels proved to be reliable, and every transgression or disobedience received a just retribution, how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation?" (Hebrews 2:1-3a, ESV)

Reflection: Who in your life needs to hear about the urgency of salvation, and how can you share this message with them today?


Day 3: Transformation Through Relationship with God
Beyond saving us from calamity, salvation brings us into a relationship with God, offering forgiveness, reconciliation, and adoption into His family. This transformation is a profound aspect of the Christian faith. It is not just about being saved from something but being saved to something—a new life in Christ. This relationship with God is characterized by intimacy, love, and acceptance, where we are no longer strangers but children of God. The transformation that comes from this relationship empowers us to live differently, reflecting God's love and grace to the world. [34:44]

"But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility." (Ephesians 2:13-14, ESV)

Reflection: In what ways can you deepen your relationship with God today, and how might this transformation impact those around you?


Day 4: Living Victoriously and Our Future Hope
Salvation empowers us to live victoriously over sin and promises us a future in God's eternal kingdom. It assures us of our identity as heirs with Christ and our place in the world to come. This victory over sin is not achieved by our strength but through the power of the Holy Spirit working in us. As heirs with Christ, we have a secure future and a hope that transcends the challenges of this life. This assurance gives us the courage to live boldly and faithfully, knowing that our ultimate destiny is with God in His eternal kingdom. [39:20]

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you." (1 Peter 1:3-4, ESV)

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need to claim victory over sin, and how can you rely on God's power to achieve this?


Day 5: The Sacrifice and Victory of Christ
The ultimate demonstration of salvation's greatness is seen in the drama of Christ's incarnation, death, and resurrection. Jesus' sacrifice and victory assure us of the glory that awaits believers. The incarnation shows the extent of God's love, as Jesus humbled Himself to become a man. His death on the cross paid the penalty for our sins, and His resurrection conquered death, giving us the hope of eternal life. This victory is not just a future promise but a present reality that transforms how we live today. It calls us to live in the light of Christ's victory, sharing this hope with others. [51:51]

"Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." (Philippians 2:9-11, ESV)

Reflection: How does the reality of Christ's victory over sin and death influence your daily life, and how can you share this victory with someone who needs hope today?

Quotes


Therefore we ought to give the more Earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip. For if the word spoken by Angels were steadfast, and every transgression and Disobedience received a just recompense of reward, how shall we escape if we neglect so great salvation? [00:01:23]

The trouble with these people was that they were tending to forget the things they had heard and tending to do so to such an extent that some of them were even looking back to their old Jewish religion. And so he calls them back to this, exalting them to give them more Earnest heed to this. [00:03:23]

We invite the world to listen to us. Why do we do so? It is because we are preaching to it so great a Salvation. This is our message. That's why we should hold on to it. That is why everybody else should listen to it and receive it. Well, now let's look at this statement. [00:05:12]

The very picture which is given to us always of this salvation in the New Testament is its greatness, its Grandeur, its largess. Take the Apostle Paul, for instance, in the second chapter of his epistle to the Ephesians. Language seems almost to fail him. He talks about Grace, but he isn't content with that. [00:07:31]

The really great hymns always do the same thing. Now there are, you know, hymns and hymns. We've been singing great ones tonight, thank God for that. But all the hymns in this book and other books are not great hymns. There are sentimental ditties that were mostly composed about the middle of the last century. [00:09:07]

The object and the intention of the men who put up those magnificent edifices was this: with their great vaults and Headroom, what were they doing? They were trying to give an impression of the bigness, the exalted character, the magnificence of this great great salvation that was being preached in the building. [00:11:41]

Why is this so great a Salvation? Here's the first answer: it is something that has been produced by the Blessed Holy Trinity. That's why you and I should hold on to it. That's why we should ask the whole world to listen to it. Look at the world in its terrible trouble. [00:20:54]

How shall we escape if we neglect so great salvation? You measure the greatness of the Salvation by measuring the greatness of the Calamity from which it saves us. Now, we are familiar with calamities these days, are we not? But these are nothing compared with the Calamity that faces the soul that doesn't accept and believe this gospel. [00:23:21]

This is a great salvation not only because of the greatness of what it saves us from. It seems to be still greater when you notice what it saves you to, what it saves you for, not only what it rescues you from, but that to which it brings you and that to which it gives you. [00:29:58]

Having reconciled us to God and having given us pardon and forgiveness of our sins, it then goes on, you know, to do something which is almost incredible. It actually makes us children of God. We are not merely introduced to God and enable to speak to him. God adopts us into his family. [00:34:44]

The greatest thing of all is the thing that he describes in verses 5 to 8. Listen: For unto the Angels hath he not put in subjection the world to come, whereof we speak. And then he goes on to quote the eth psalm. Now, this is an unfortunate translation here in the King James version. [00:39:20]

If you really want to know its greatness, you've got to understand the way in which it has ever been made possible for us, how it's ever come into being. And this is the thing that this man elaborates. The point of the whole epistle, in the sense, is just to do this: to show us the preeminence of the Lord Jesus Christ. [00:43:24]

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Transcript
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