FOURSQUARE GOSPEL CHURCH, OJODU

16/20, Oremeta Street, Ojodu, Ikeja, Lagos.

Bible Study                                                                                                                  7^th October, 2015.

Series:             The Epistle to the Hebrews

Topic:              The Study of Hebrews chapter Two

Text:                Hebrews 2:1 - 18

INTRODUCTION: (Luk 9:62) It is every important to be steadfast in whatever we do – like a popular saying: “it is not he that starts a building, but he that finishes it is worthy of honor”. I want to say that ‘knowledge destroys a person faster than ignorance’ (Num 15:26-27,30)– how? By neglecting it – bringing in non-challant attitude as a result of familiarity.

THE LESSON PROPER

1.       Warning Against Neglecting Salvation (2:1-4)

a.       One major cause of rebellion-the source- is DISTRACTION which springs out unbelief that leads to disobedience (2 Tim 4:10a; 1 Kg 11:1-3). That’s why Jesus deeply convinced us in (Matt 6:25-34). He wants us to live as if there’s no tomorrow. How can we overcome this source of rebellion? (Col 3:2)

b.      If the words from angel’s mouth can be reliable, how much more the words that proceed out of the mouth of the Lord (Isa 55:11)

c.       If transgression / disobedience brings a reward (punishment), how much more if a man neglects salvation?

d.      Salvation was first declared by the Lord (Matt 4:17)-being the owner-(Ps 51:12; Rev 19:1), and is being passed unto us by those who heard from Him (Matt 10:6-7; 1 Cor 11:23a)

e.      God confirms those carrying the message of salvation with signs and wonders (Mrk 16:20) and by gifts of the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:8; 1 Cor 12:11)

2.       Jesus, the Authority over all (2:5-9)

a.       Angels are not to govern the world to come – the new heaven and earth – even our present world is not meant to be governed by them.

b.      The authority man has (:6-8)- This authority, God gave man when He created him (Gen 1:28) but man could not fully exercise this authority. That led to his fall (Gen 3:1,6)-God gave them authority over all the beast, how could they allow the snake to exercise authority over them?

c.       Authority can only be seen in Jesus (:8b - 9) – As a result of what happened of what happened in the beginning, the authority was no longer visible in man, having lost it. But Jesus fulfilled that word(:7-8) by coming in form of man, received and retrieved for us the authority through suffering of death. (Dan 7:13-14; Matt 28:18)

3.       We are one Family with Christ(2:10-13)

a.       Jesus, the Founder of salvation (2 Cor 5:21; Isa 53:10) – God saw a big chance in achieving two awesome goals with a strike:

                           i.      To draw us to Himself (Jhn 3:16)

                         ii.      To make our Role Model a perfect One to look up to and emulate (Heb 5:8-9)

b.      Standard of assurance of being a relative of Jesus (:11) – This was only possible through sanctification brought by His death (Heb 10:10,14). And now, one of the ways we prove it is through Holy Communion (1 Cor 11:24-26)

4.       Our Assured Victory(2:14-18)

a.       (Phil 2:9-11) – Jesus coming in the likeness of man was the only way to present Himself to death, retrieving from the devil, the authority man lost to him, and delivering us from any bondage of death.

b.      Jesus stands as the Abraham of our generation (Gen 18:23-33) – pleading to God on our behalf, day by day.

c.       Jesus, our help in time of trial –(Heb 12:2-4)

CONCLUSION:   The only way to succeed in this race, exercising the optimum authority God gave to man (us) right in the beginning of the world, is to abide in the One who is now in possession of the authority. (Jhn 15:4)