This week, we had the privilege of hearing from City Central elder, Eric Jones, as he continued our Hebrews series, Victorious Jesus. Reflecting on the supremacy of Christ over sin and death, and the powerful gospel we’ve received, Eric reminded us that through Christ, believers can experience a deep and personal relationship with God. However, drifting away from the Father can happen so easily, and we must remain vigilant in guarding our hearts. Eric shared key warning signs of spiritual drift and offered guidance on how to return when we find ourselves wandering.

Hebrews 2:1-4

1Therefore we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it. 2 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? It was declared at first by the Lord, and it was attested to us by those who heard, 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.

The Message of Salvation

The author of Hebrews uses a literary structure to emphasize “pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it.”

The message we have heard and should pay close attention to is the message of salvation!

  • We are saved from a great penalty– Romans 6:23
  • We are saved at a great cost- 2 Corinthians 5:21
  • We are saved by a great savior- Romans 5:8

Romans 10:9–10

“If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”

How We Drift

Like the Israelites in the Old Testament, we run that same risk of drifting away from the Lord. Drifting away from our salvation often happens gradually and in phases. It starts with subtle neglect and then becomes more and more pronounced over time, if not addressed.

When we are not tethered to the Lord, you are susceptible to the ways of the world.

The process of drifting:

Step 1: Forgetting God’s goodness

  • Psalm 78:11- “They forgot his works and the wonders that he had shown them.”
  • Less frequent prayer and Bible reading 
  • Less enthusiasm for community 
  • Allowing distractions to take priority over spiritual life

Step 2: Diminished trust in the Lord

  • Psalm 78:22- “because they did not believe in God and did not trust his saving power.”
  • Doubts — specifically about God’s goodness.
  • Declining faith — subtle declining in trusting God, resulting in trusting in self or others.
  • Forgetting salvation — failing to remember the massive sin that you were saved from.

Step 3: A cold Heart toward God

  • Psalms 78:37- “Their heart was not steadfast toward him; they were not faithful to his covenant.”
  • Feeling less connected to God – A sense of spiritual apathy or indifference.
  • Difficulty experiencing joy or peace from faith — turning to other mechanisms to try to feel better.
  • Rationalizing compromises.

Step 4: Outright rebellion

  • How often they rebelled against him in the wilderness and grieved him in the desert!
  • Complaining – Criticizing God, church teachings or other believers.
  • Rejecting the authority of scripture.
  • Distancing oneself from Biblical practices — engaging in sinful activity without remorse or repentance.

Step 5: Idolatry

  • Psalm 78:58- “For they provoked him to anger with their high places; they moved him to jealousy with their idols.
  • Christian Atheism — a belief system that incorporates Christian teachings, symbols, and practices, but doesn’t believe that God exists. 
  • Syncretism — is the practice of combining different beliefs and various schools of thought. 
  • Hedonism — the pursuit of fulfillment through pleasure and sensual self-indulgence.

How do avoid drifting

There is another option! We can anchor ourselves in Christ and holdfast to Scripture, the true stability we are all looking for.

Hebrews 6:19

“We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain,”

  1. Abiding- John 15:5
  2. Meditation- Psalm 77:11-15
  3. Memorials- Joshua 4:2-3, 6-7 
  4. Fellowship- Proverbs 27:17, 2 Peter 1:13, Hebrews 10:25

Discipleship- the divine push/pull

Pull- Hebrews 13:7

Push – 1 Corinthians 11:1 Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.

Discussion Questions:

  1. How does understanding the great cost, penalty, and Savior of our salvation keep you from drifting from the Lord?
  2. In what ways do you find it easy to drift away from God, even without realizing it? What are some personal examples of times you have unintentionally drifted?
  3. Hebrews 6:19 describes hope as an anchor for the soul. What does it mean to you that Jesus is our anchor? How does anchoring to Christ help you navigate life’s challenges?

Application Questions:

  1. In what areas of your life do you feel a need to re-anchor to Jesus? How can obedience play a role in staying anchored?
  2. In light of today’s message, what are some practical ways you can remember and act on God’s goodness in your everyday life?