Pay Attention

Hebrews 2:1-4 We must pay more careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away. 2 For if the message spoken by angels was binding, and every violation and disobedience received its just punishment, 3 how shall we escape if we ignore such a great 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 gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will.
 
WE have read in Hebrews the ways Christ is Supreme over all creation. We have learned that God values us, and his angels serve us as we live in our salvation and prepare for heaven. How then should we respond? “Therefore, pay more careful attention.”
   Pay attention to God’s teaching, so you stay on track. It’s easy to read the Bible and then forget what we read. We walk out of church and can scarcely recall the sermon’s main points. A problem confronts us, and we pay little attention to God’s wisdom to solve the problem. Drifting away is easy to do when we pay little attention to the pathway God has clearly paved for a blessed walk through life.
   The message spoken by angels is Hebrews’ reference to the law. The Jews’ believed and the apostle Paul wrote the angels had delivered the law to Moses: Galatians 3:19b The law was put into effect through angels by a mediator (Moses). The Jews needed to pay attention because the law bound them to a particular way to live and to worship God. Jews who did not pay attention to the law were judged under its penalty. Jews who paid attention to the law were judged into blessing. The law was just. God wrote it. God judged its obedience and disobedience.
   Dear church, pay attention to what God is telling you. Don’t drift mindlessly from such a great salvation. The LORD first announced in Genesis he would destroy sin through a Savior. He confirmed the promise through the prophets. The LORD then affirmed he had done so through the apostles. Pay attention to God’s words from ancient times, through the millennia and to this day.
   Pay attention. Hear God’s testimonies of signs, wonders and various miracles. Jesus gave these signs. The apostles gave these signs. Thousands fed, the winds stilled, the dead raised, the blind saw, the lame walked and people called on the name of the Lord to be saved.
   Pay attention. The Holy Spirit has distributed his gifts according to God’s will. Where do you find joy and purpose in the church? What is your heart’s passion to help people pay attention to God? Are you a teacher, caregiver, prayer warrior, an administrator, an accountant or a peacemaker? Ignoring your gifts, you pay little attention to God’s purpose for you. You will drift from his way into confusion and complacency.
   Paying attention is being purposeful. Pay attention to who you are: saved in Jesus’ blood by God’s grace. Pay attention to what you read and what you hear. You’ll learn what you need to know. Pay attention to those around you. They might help you, or you might help them. Pay attention to your Lord. He is paying attention to you.