Hebrews Part 2 | Do not Neglect, but Stay Anchored to God’s Word | Hebrews 2:1-4

Last updated on Aug 26, 2026

PDF Version - Hebrews Part 2

Introduction

In the previous verses the writer has made it clear that God had spoken to his creation in different ways, and that “long ago” he spoke to us through prophets.
But we see that as part of Gods plan that he has now chosen to speak to us through His Son, who is Jesus Christ.
And this message that Jesus Christ has given to us is very very important. In fact, this message is critical for our souls, as Jesus has told us how instead of spending an eternity in Hell, how in our faith and belief in Him that we can instead spend an eternity in Heaven.
This message of Christ that has been given to us is one that we must not only understand intellectually, but one that we also must ACT out.
These passages will focus on the importance of not neglecting or drifting away from the truth of God’s Word.
That we must stay the course and constantly stay anchored to Christ

We must pay attention and live out God’s Word. | Hebrews 2:1

Read Hebrews 2:1

This first verse in chapter 2 is a warning by the Hebrew writer, a warning that was provided to us by God.
There are several throughout Hebrews that are like this that warn about different things.

Here God has chosen to warn his people to not neglect his Word so that we will not drift away from Him. We do not stand still—we are either moving forward with Him or moving backward with Him. Which will you choose?

The warnings that God gives us are to deter us from doing something that may affect us negatively.
- Just like a severe weather alert.
When God warns us, it is truly a blessing, because he is directing us to live a life in obedience that follows his will.
God will never lead us astray so we can be sure that if God’s warns us, we MUST listen.

By not paying attention to God’s Word, we show neglect.

The writer addresses his audience and uses the word “we”, he isn’t so arrogant to think that this doesn’t apply to him, because it applies to all of us.
This “we” is all of us here, it is all of God’ children.
This warning is directed at the believers.
- As we know that the audience of Hebrews contained both Jewish Christians who were truly saved, those who intellectually believed but who had not made a full commitment to Christ and those that were interested.
- But here he is speaking to Christians who are believers, those who have true saving faith and are children of God.
He is giving a warning against neglect.
- Christians then as they are today are Christians because we have true saving faith, we truly believe in Jesus Christ and his Word.
  - We are safe and secure in God’s arms as his child we can never have this Salvation removed from us, God will never kick us out of his family.
    
    John 10:28
    
    “I give them eternal life, and they will never perish—ever! No one will snatch them out of My hand.”
- But, a Christian can neglect God’s Word, a Christian can drift away from the truth that God, that Christ has given them.
  - When you think of “neglect” what comes to mind?
- If we neglect God’s word and His truths, then we will drift away from Him.
  - If we as Christians neglect the Word of God, then we are in a state where we drift away from God.
  - It may be a ‘slow fade’ like the song says and sometimes it happens before we realize it. We allow ‘life’ and ‘busy-ness’ to take our time.
    - Again, we don’t lose our Salvation with neglect but instead of drawing closer to God we slowly drift away from Him.
  - But if we neglect this relationship with Him then we drift away and we are not as close as we once were, nor will we have the relationship that God desires that we have.
  - What happens if you neglect a marriage or a friendship?
  What does neglect that leads to drifting away from God look like to you?
- These drifting puts space between God and us, as Christians we want to be CLOSER not farther away.
- We must not neglect the Word of God. We must not neglect the truths that he has given us.
- Its not a matter of IF we will drift away but that we WILL if we neglect his Word, his truths.
He warns us to secure ourselves to the truth of the Gospel
- The writer was concerned about his listeners.
  - He was concerned that those that were true Christians would neglect the Word that they had heard and return to their Judaism.
  - He didn’t want them to be a Christian who then returns and lives their old life, he wanted them to stay focused on Christ and live the life that he has called us to live.
  - God is concerned about us.
    - As the writer was concerned about his listeners, God is concerned about everyone here, about all his children. He doesn’t want any of us to stray from the flock.
      - Remember the 3 parables of the ‘lost’ items (sheep, coin & son, in Luke 15.
      - I believe that God is more concerned with what we do AFTER our Salvation.
      - What are we going to do now that we are empowered by the Spirit?
    - This message, this warning is for us so that we will secure ourselves to God’s Word, to his truth.
To drift away would mean that we are not secured in the truth of the Gospel.
- The simple meaning is clear and powerful, that if we do not keep ourselves anchored in God’s Word and his truths then we WILL drift away.
- Example of the new believer who is on fire for God.
  - So why did the new believer drift away? Because they did not keep themselves anchored.
    
    Galatians 4:8
    
    “But in the past, when you didn’t know God, you were enslaved to things that by nature are not gods. But now, since you know God, or rather have become known by God, how can you turn back again to the weak and bankrupt elemental forces? Do you want to be enslaved to them all over again?”
We anchor ourselves by paying attention to the Scripture.
- The Greek use of “pay much closer attention (ESV)” has a deeper meaning that to simply listen, but it also means to heed it (careful attention), to follow and to live by what it teaches.
- If do not live our lives by listening, following and living out the teachings of God’s Word then we are living in disobedience.
We anchor ourselves by surrounding ourselves with Godly friendships & fellowship
- These relationships are critical for the new believer.
- We must be careful as the ‘church’ to not have attitudes that cause the new believer to stray
How is God’s Word an anchor?
- The word of Jesus Christ is truth, complete truth and the only truth.
- This is why Jesus came
  
  John 18:37b
  
  “I was born for this, and I have come into the world for this: to testify to the truth…”
  - God didn’t come down as man to gloat about his holiness and how he is greater than we are, no God came as man, as Christ so that he could save us, so that he could show his love for us and to provide us a way to spend eternity with Him in Heaven.
  - We must Pay attention:
    
    John 14:6
    
    “Jesus told him, “ I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”
  John 3:16-17
  
  “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.”
  - Do we not think that there is some importance to the Words of Jesus? That perhaps everything he says has purpose and will draw us closer to him.
- If we pay attention to the Word of God, we will NOT drift and instead be anchored in his truth.
  
  Hebrews 6:19a
  
  “We have this hope as an anchor for our lives, safe and secure…”
The best way to maintain that close relationship with God is to hear, obey and follow God’s Word.
- How else can we fully realize God’s truths and his will for our lives if we don’t pay attention, if we neglect Him.
- If we neglect God’s Word, we WILL drift
  - One thing that we can be assured of is that if we neglect the Word of God we WILL drift away.
  - The fastest way to put space between you and God is to neglect his commands and to live OUR way.
  - If we as Christians decide hey I really don’t’ need to read my Bible or pray that often. I’m saved I’m good.
  - You can be assured that you WILL begin to drift away from God and you will NOT have as close of a relationship as you would if you were anchored in Him.
  - Satan cannot have your salvation, but he can try to cause you to drift. Busyness is his favorite tool!

Have you experienced the results of “drifting” away from God in your life? If so what brought you back?

What has anchored your relationship with Christ?

The Dangers of Neglect | Hebrews 2:2-3a

Read Hebrews 2:2-3a

So we know what neglect does regarding our relationship with Christ that it causes us to drift away.
But we also see other dangers for us if we neglect God’s Word especially if we are disobedient.
In these verses we will see a relationship made between the old covenant and the new, the message brought in the Old Testament and the message brought from Christ.
That there was punishment for being disobedient to the law, so the writer thin asks the question that if the message of Christ is greater then what about the punishment for neglect and disobedience to that message?

The message spoken through angels

The Jewish Christians were aware of another truth, which was that God also used angels in the Old Testament to deliver His message to his people.

Acts 7:53

“You received the law under the direction of angels and yet have not kept it.”

Galatians 3:19

“Why then was the law given? It was added because of transgressions until the Seed to whom the promise was made would come. The law was put into effect through angels by means of a mediator.”
- This is another reason as to why in chapter 1 he is putting so much focus on Jesus being superior to the angels.
So from these Old Testament laws that were given by God through angels there were punishments for breaking God’s laws.
- We get two different acts of defiance.
  - Transgression (Sin of commission)
    - This is known as the sin of commission.
    - This means to cross the line or to overstep a boundary that was established by God.
    - A transgression is done overtly which is simply out in the open and not in secret.
  - Disobedience (Sin of omission)
    - This is known as the sin of omission
    - This is to be unwilling to listen to God or to shut our ears to His commands.
    - Disobedience is to not take notice of God’s warnings.
- Regardless of which one of these sins we act out regardless there is punishment by God.
- So God is making clear to us through the writer that there were just punishments for transgressions and disobedience to God’s laws that were given in the Old Testament.
  - In fact there were very specific punishments for each of the offenses.

How can we escape if we neglect God’s salvation?

He wants us to understand that the message of the New Covenant through Jesus Christ is greater and superior to even the message of the angels.
If our sins of transgressions and disobedience brought swift and just punishment to the older covenant of law, then how much more severe will the judgment be to the New Covenant which is the gospel of Salvation.

Hebrews 10:28-29 We can see the greater punishment for trampling on the Son of God.

“If anyone disregards Moses’ law, he dies without mercy, based on the testimony of two or three witnesses. How much worse punishment do you think one will deserve who has trampled on the Son of God, regarded as profane the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and insulted the Spirit of grace?”
We now having the gospel of Salvation that is through Jesus Christ we now have a much greater accountability.
- No longer can we say well I didn’t know? Or the instructions from God weren’t very clear.
- We are accountable as Christians for the truth that God has instilled within us.
- We must pay attention and obey the truth of God’s Word regarding hope, forgiveness of sin and a new life in Christ.
- We have a GREAT responsibility as Christians to be more than a bump in a pew, we are to anchor our selves in God’s truths and to embrace what God desires from us.
- These commands of God are important for us to obey and follow, we must listen and act on His Word.
Punishment for neglect
- God does not specifically state what punishment we might receive for neglecting God’s Word and our disobedience.
- But we can be assured that he has told us that He will discipline us.
  
  Hebrews 12:7
  
  “Endure suffering as discipline: God is dealing with you as sons. For what son is there that a father does not discipline?”
  
  Hebrews 12:11
  
  “No discipline seems enjoyable at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it yields the fruit of peace and righteousness to those who have been trained by it.”

What do you think about the responsibility that we have as Christians? How does God hold people accountable today?

God’s truth verified | Hebrews 2:3b-4

Read Hebrews 2:3b-4

These last verses show us how God’s message has been brought to the world since Jesus Christ and proclaimed the Word of God and how God verified the truth that Jesus spoke of.

The message taught of the Gospel was spread in obedience by Christians

Jesus made it clear to his disciples and to us in Scripture that we are to spread the Gospel that we are to teach and proclaim others the truths of God’s word.
This verse here speaks to the very beginning of evangelism, as the writer here likely was not one who heard Jesus speak directly, but instead heard the message from those that did hear it directly.
Jesus Christ first spoke the Word, he first spoke truth and then it was the duty of the Christian who heard these Word to then bring that message to others.
Jesus called his disciples to go out and bring the Gospel to the world.

1 Timothy 2:3-7
This is the duty of all Christians.

Matthew 28:19-20

If we neglect the Gospel, we will neglect the Great Commission

When we think of the dangers of what happens to Christians when we neglect his Word, not only will it affect us and our relationship with Christ, but it will also affect the lost.
If we neglect God’s Word how can we then be prepared to witness, how can we see those whom God has put right in front of our faces to witness to.
Our neglect of the Scriptures WILL affect others.

God testified and validated the truth of the Gospel

We have here the proclamation of the confirmation that God gave to Jesus Christ and all those that proclaim the Gospel message.
In other words, these truths that were spoken God validated, to show us that they are divine and true.
The truth of the Bible was not validated to us by simply empty words on paper, no God has validated his Truths in many different ways.
- He has done so in miracles both then and now.
- He has done so with His Holy Spirit and the Spiritual gifts that we all receive.
The miracles of Jesus Christ
- We know full well of the miracles of Jesus Christ that were performed when he was here.
- The miracles show us proof that Jesus is the Son of God, because only God could do these miracles that are beyond anything that man could ever do on their own, both then and now.
  
  John 10:32
  
  “Jesus replied, “I have shown you many good works from the Father. Which of these works are you stoning Me for?”
  
  John 10:38
  
  “But if I am doing them and you don’t believe Me, believe the works. This way you will know and understand that the Father is in Me and I in the Father.”
Validation of the apostles
- God also validated the message that was brought by the Apostles.
- If we look at the book of Acts they performed many miracles also in the name of Jesus Christ.
- God gave them the ability to do this so that the truth that they spoke would be seen as confirmed by all those who heard and saw.
Validation of all Christians
- God has validated the truth of the Gospel in Jesus Christ and the Apostles.
- God has also validated his truth in Christians, all those who are a child of God.
- The Holy Spirit lives within each one of us, and that Spirit has given each of us spiritual gifts that on our own we would not posses.
- Christians cannot deny the presence of God nor the spiritual gifts that we have been given.
- Each time we use them the truth of God is made known not only to us but also to others.

Closing

Through this lesson we have seen how important for the Christian to not neglect God’s Word.
Instead we must pay attention both in our desire to listen to God’s truths and also by putting it into action.