Hebrews 2:1-4
The Book of Hebrews | The Danger of Drifting
February 15, 2026
The Danger of Drifting
Hebrews 2:1-4
“Therefore,” Gk. Διὰ τοῦτο, specific causality
Main Idea: “Therefore, we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard…”
I. WHY SHOULD WE PAY ATTENTION TO THE MESSAGE OF JESUS?
a. Because if we don’t, we risk drifting away from the truth (v.1b)
Hebrews 2:1 – “Therefore we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it.”
“Pay attention,” Gk. προσέχειν, present infinitive of προσέχω (prosechō), “to give heed to”
Extra biblical context: “to hold a ship toward port, or to fasten the anchors to the seabed”
“Drift,” Gk. παραρρέω (pararreō), “what happens when a ship is not anchored”
b. Because if we don’t, we will face certain consequences (vs.2-3a)
Hebrews 2:2 – “For since the message declared by angels proved to be reliable, and every transgression or disobedience received a just retribution.”
Heb. 1:1-2
Question: “If verse 2 is talking about the message of God from ‘before,’ which was ‘through the prophets,’ why does it say this message was ‘declared by angels?’”
Answer: “Yes”
Deuteronomy 33:2 – “The LORD came from Sinai and dawned from Seir upon us; he shone forth from Mount Paran; he came from the ten thousands of holy ones, with flaming fire at his right hand.”
Hebrews 2:2-3a – “For since the message declared by angels proved to be reliable, and every transgression or disobedience received a just retribution, 3 how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation?”
c. Because the message itself is reliable (vs.3b-4)
1. It was declared at first by the Lord (v.3b)
Three Main Ideas Proclaimed by Jesus
i. Repent and Believe
Mk. 1:15; Matt. 3:8, 4:17; Lk. 5:32, 13:3
Truth: You are never more like Jesus than when you call someone to repent of their sins and believe the Gospel.
ii. Love God and Neighbor
The Great Commandment: Mk. 12:28-32 (Deut. 6:4-5; Lev. 19:18)
iii. Abide in Him as Christ Abides in You
John 15:1-2 – “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. 2 Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit
John 15:4-5 – “Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. 5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.”
2. It was attested by those who heard
Hebrews 2:3c – “…and it was attested to us by those who heard.”
1 Jn. 1:1-2
Lk. 1:1-4
3. God bore witness through the Spirit
Hebrews 2:4 – “while God also bore witness by signs and wonders and various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will.”
Truth: Every time you use the spiritual gifts that the Spirit of God has given you, you are testifying to the message of Jesus Christ.