"Listen"

The Georgetown Church of

Christ

Sunday Service

POINT 1

Pay attention

Hebrews 2:1-2 (NIV)

We must pay the most careful attention,

therefore, to what we have heard, so that

we do not drift away. 2 For since the

message spoken through angels was

binding, and every violation and

disobedience received its just

punishment,

•The world is filled with voices and

many distractions

•We can be lured into the comfort

of “Normalcy”

•This can take us off the path

James1:22-25 (NIV) 22 Do not merely listen to the word, and

so deceive yourselves. Do what it

says.23 Anyone who listens to the word

but does not do what it says is like

someone who looks at his face in a

mirror 24 and, after looking at himself,

goes away and immediately forgets what

he looks like. 25 But whoever looks

intently into the perfect law that gives

freedom, and continues in it—not

forgetting what they have heard, but doing

it—they will be blessed in what they do.

POINT 2

Anchored

Hebrews 2:1-2 (NIV)

We must pay the most careful attention,

therefore, to what we have heard, so that

we do not drift away. 2 For since the

message spoken through angels was

binding, and every violation and

disobedience received its just

punishment,

To “slip away” To go in the wrong

direction *To drift (as a ship

that is carried off by the current)

What does it mean to “drift away”?

1. My sense of wonder wanes2. Nearness to God feels like ancient history3. My love and desire for God’s Word falls short of

what I see in Psalm 119 (Walk acc. to God)4. The realities of heaven and hell fade into the

background5. I am unaware of the ever present “pull” of the

world, the flesh, and the devil6. Prayer, Bible study, sharing, and going to church

are a duty, not a delight7. I lack joy and gratitude to God and don’t recognize

it. 8. I’m looking for something “more” outside

Scripture, and outside of Christ

I am drifting when . . .

Matthew 13:18-23 (NIV)18 “Listen then to what the parable of the sower means:

19 When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches

away what was sown in their heart. This is the seed sown along the path. 20 The seed falling on rocky ground refers to someone who hears the word and at once receives it with

joy. 21 But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away. 22 The seed falling among the

thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful. 23 But the seed falling on

good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop,

yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.”.

POINT 3

Lest I forget

Hebrews 2:3-4 (NIV)

3 how shall we escape if we ignore so

great a salvation? This salvation, which

was first announced by the Lord, was

confirmed to us by those who heard

him. 4 God also testified to it by signs,

wonders and various miracles, and by

gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed

according to his will.

The writer goes on to say that this salvation is

validated in four ways:

it was announced by the Lord himself,

it was confirmed to us by those who heard him,

God confirmed it by miracles, and

God confirmed it by distributing the gifts of the

Holy Spirit.

Encouragement

1. Let us strive to remain attuned to

Christ

2. Be very careful of who we are and

to whom we belong

3. Never ever trade in your faith for

anything that will fail.