 Have you ever noticed how easy it is to hit the "snooze" button? Whether it’s on our alarm clocks or in our spiritual lives, we can all be tempted to delay what’s most important. In Hebrews 2:1-4, we’re reminded of the urgency of listening to God’s Word and staying alert in our faith. The writer of Hebrews uses a powerful comparison: if the Jewish people took the messages of angels seriously, how much more should we pay attention to the message that came directly from Jesus, the Son of God? Let's not "hit snooze" on the Gospel message but stay awake, alert, and committed to following Christ.
Throughout the Bible, angels delivered God’s messages to His people, and these messages were revered. Jewish tradition even suggests that Moses received the Ten Commandments from an angel. But now, we have the Good News delivered by Jesus Himself. If the people held the words of angels in such high regard, how much more should we hold on to the words of Jesus? The call is clear: don’t ignore the Gospel; don’t hit snooze on the most important message we could ever receive. In our busy, fast-paced lives, it’s easy to drift away from Jesus without even noticing. Like a boat drifting off course, we can slowly slide away from our commitment to Christ if we’re not paying careful attention. Hebrews warns us that the consequences of ignoring this great salvation are serious. We must be intentional about anchoring ourselves to the truth of the Gospel and resisting the subtle temptations that try to pull us away. Drifting doesn’t happen overnight; it’s gradual. It might start with small compromises, distractions, or neglecting our time with God. But over time, these small decisions can lead to a significant distance between us and Jesus. That’s why the writer of Hebrews urges us to pay close attention to what we’ve heard. It’s not enough to simply hear the Gospel; we must act on it, let it change our lives, and stay anchored in our faith. One of the key ways to avoid spiritual drift is to shift our focus back to Jesus. We are called to live with intentionality, making sure that our attention is fixed on Him. We can ask ourselves: Are we giving as much attention to our spiritual growth as we do to other areas of life like work, finances, or even hobbies? The challenge is to shift our priorities and ensure that following Jesus remains our central focus. Beyond making the shift, we are also called to reverse the drift. This means not only returning to Jesus but allowing God to use us in powerful ways. Hebrews 2:4 reminds us that God confirmed His message through signs, wonders, and spiritual gifts. Every believer has been uniquely designed to share the Gospel and live out God’s purpose. Reversing the drift involves stepping into the gifts God has given us and being part of His plan to reach the world around us. Finally, we must remember that the Good News is still as relevant today as it was when we first believed. It wasn’t just Good News for a moment; it’s Good News for all time. For those who have never responded to the Gospel, now is the time. Don’t delay. Just as we wouldn’t ignore an angel sent by God, we must not ignore the message of salvation delivered by Jesus. It’s time to receive the gift of salvation and live fully for Him. As a church, we encourage you to stay awake, stay alert, and live with purpose. Don’t hit snooze on the Good News! Shift your focus, reverse the drift, and receive the gift of life that Jesus offers. - Adapted from sermons preached across our 3 campuses on 9/29/24.
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In the grand scheme of life, it's easy to get caught up in awe over the supernatural. Angels, miracles, and signs grab our attention because they feel like tangible evidence of something greater. But in the book of Hebrews, we’re reminded of an essential truth: as incredible as angels might seem, Jesus is far greater. It's not even close. Angels are amazing, but they are created beings—servants of Jesus—while He is the eternal Son of God.
You see, angels have always had a fascinating role in history. They were messengers, protectors, and sometimes even warriors. But Hebrews 1:4-14 tells us that Jesus is superior in every way. He isn’t just another angelic being or spiritual figure; He is God with skin on. He’s the radiance of God’s glory, the exact representation of His being. That’s a truth that should completely change how we see Him. When the Bible says that Jesus is the heir of all things and the one who sustains the universe, it’s pointing to something profound. He’s not a distant figure, but someone intimately involved in every detail of our lives. From holding the cosmos together to caring about your Monday morning, Jesus is in control. And that control isn’t just as a powerful angelic force—it’s the authority of God Himself. Sometimes, though, we get tempted to think of Jesus as a great teacher or a powerful being but not fully grasp that He is God. That’s a subtle trick the enemy uses to try and diminish Jesus’ status in our hearts. The world may present Jesus as just a prophet or a wise leader, but He’s so much more. His name is above all names, and He alone deserves our worship. What’s more, the angels worship Jesus. The book of Revelation paints a picture of angels gathered around the throne, singing “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain.” If even the angels are bowing down before Him, shouldn’t we be doing the same? Too often, we get distracted by lesser things—things that might be good but aren’t God. Jesus is the one who deserves our full attention and adoration. In practical terms, this means our worship, our focus, and our lives should be centered on Jesus. When we wake up in the morning, our first thought should be of Him. When we face challenges, we should lean on His eternal authority. And when life is good, we should thank Him for being the source of our joy. The truth is, Jesus is not just greater than the angels—He’s greater than anything in our lives that we could turn to for hope or comfort. Angels are amazing, yes. But they are servants of the One who truly deserves all the honor and glory. So, the next time you find yourself in awe of the supernatural, remember that Jesus is far more powerful and awe-inspiring. He’s the Creator, the Judge, and the one who holds all things together. And the most amazing part? He loves you personally. That’s why Jesus is the One we worship. - Adapted from sermons preached across our 3 campuses on 9/22/24. In the opening of the book of Hebrews, the author sets the tone with a powerful statement: Jesus is greater. Greater than the prophets, greater than angels, and greater than any revelation that came before Him. For many early Jewish Christians, this was a message they desperately needed to hear. They were struggling, persecuted, and tempted to return to their former ways. The old traditions and laws provided comfort, but the writer of Hebrews emphasizes one truth: Jesus is the ultimate revelation of God.
Through Jesus, we see the full expression of God’s glory and nature. The prophets delivered God’s words, the angels carried messages from heaven, but Jesus is God’s Word in human form. He didn’t just bring a message; He is the message. Jesus radiates God’s glory, expresses His character, and holds everything together with His power. In Him, we find the complete picture of who God is, and we are invited to draw near to Him. So, what does this mean for us today? Just like the early believers, we face challenges and temptations that can make us question our faith. We might be tempted to fall back into old routines, comfortable traditions, or rely on religious actions to get us through. But Hebrews reminds us that Jesus is greater than all of these. He’s greater than the routines we once held dear and the supernatural experiences we seek. He invites us into a relationship—not a set of rules—and calls us to stay committed to Him alone. Let’s choose relationship over religion and allow our faith in Jesus to shape our daily lives. How to Grow in Your Relationship with Jesus As we reflect on the message from Hebrews, we’re reminded that Jesus is the ultimate revelation of God, and we’re encouraged to grow deeper in our relationship with Him. Here are some practical ways to make that happen:
Jesus Is Greater Than What We Hold Onto The Jewish Christians in Hebrews faced real struggles, just as we do today. They had grown up honoring prophets, angels, and religious traditions, which were powerful symbols of faith for them. But the writer of Hebrews challenges them—and us—to recognize that Jesus is greater than anything we might cling to for security or identity. Jesus is greater than the prophets because He is the fulfillment of their messages. He’s greater than the angels because He didn’t just carry a message; He is God’s message. He’s greater than religious traditions because He has made a new covenant with us, one based on relationship and not on following laws. Jesus is the full expression of God’s glory, and He invites us to experience Him personally. Let’s Choose Relationship Over Religion What does this look like in our everyday lives? It’s simple, yet powerful: choose relationship over religion. Instead of relying on old habits or seeking grand, emotional experiences, start with something small. Open your Bible before your phone. Take five minutes each day to talk with Jesus. Notice His presence in the world around you and thank Him for it. These small steps help us develop a deeper, more consistent relationship with Jesus. As you grow in this relationship, you’ll find that Jesus holds everything together, just as Hebrews 1:3 says. You don’t need to search for sensational experiences or special revelations. Jesus is enough. He’s the glue that holds the universe together, and He’s the One who sustains you. A Few Practical Next Steps
Jesus Is Greater—So Let’s Stay Close to Him As we continue studying Hebrews, let’s remind ourselves that Jesus is greater than anything else that might try to capture our attention. He’s greater than religious traditions, greater than supernatural moments, and greater than our own efforts. So, let’s press into a relationship with Him. Let’s choose consistency over spectacle. Let’s embrace the slow burn of daily faithfulness over momentary excitement. And above all, let’s remember that Jesus holds everything together—even when life feels like it’s falling apart. Jesus is greater. So, grow close to Him. - Adapted from the sermons preached across our 3 campuses on 9/15/24. Life is messy, and sometimes it doesn’t make sense. We’ve all faced moments when we asked, “Why, God?” Maybe it’s the tragic loss of a loved one, an unanswered prayer, or the injustice we see in the world. We cry out to God, yet it feels like nothing changes. In those moments, we can relate to the prophet Habakkuk, who was confused, hurt, and angry with God. Habakkuk’s story is unique because instead of receiving a message from God to deliver to the people, we witness a conversation—a raw and honest dialogue between a hurting prophet and his Creator.
Habakkuk begins with tough questions that resonate with our own lives: “How long, Lord, must I call for help, but You do not listen?” (Hab. 1:2). He was frustrated by the evil and injustice in his world, wondering why God allowed it to continue. He saw violence, destruction, and a broken justice system where the wicked seemed to prevail. Sound familiar? It’s not far from what we see in today’s world. Just like Habakkuk, we struggle with understanding why God appears silent in the face of suffering. In response, God does something unexpected. He tells Habakkuk that He is raising up the Babylonians, a cruel and violent people, to bring judgment on Judah. Habakkuk is shocked. How could God use an even more wicked nation to accomplish His purpose? It didn’t make sense, and it felt unjust. But through this, we learn that God’s ways are higher than our ways. Even when we can’t understand His plan, He’s still working. Sometimes, things get worse before they get better, but God is still in control. Our challenge is to trust Him, even in the chaos, knowing that He is our Good Shepherd, guiding us through the darkest valleys. Why Hard Questions Are Okay It’s natural to have hard questions for God. The Bible doesn’t shy away from the reality of doubt, confusion, and suffering. Like Habakkuk, we’re invited to bring our complaints, frustrations, and fears to God. He’s not offended by our honesty. In fact, our faith grows in the tension between doubt and belief. It’s okay to say, “Lord, I believe, but help my unbelief” (Mark 9:24). Just as Jesus healed a father’s son after that cry for help, He is present in our struggles, ready to meet us in our moments of weakness. The Reality of Unanswered Prayers We’ve all experienced times when we prayed fervently, yet the answers didn’t come the way we expected. Whether it’s the mother who prays for her prodigal son who’s walked away from the faith, or the spouse who prays for healing that never comes, unanswered prayers can shake our faith. Habakkuk knew this feeling all too well. His cries for help seemed to fall on deaf ears. But through his story, we’re reminded that God hears every prayer, even when the answer is delayed or looks different than we imagined. God’s response to Habakkuk wasn’t what he wanted to hear, but it was what he needed. The same is often true for us. We may not always get the answers we seek, but we are called to trust in God’s ultimate plan—a plan that is working for our good, even when it feels otherwise. Evil and Injustice in the World The second complaint Habakkuk brings before God is one we often wrestle with ourselves: the problem of evil and injustice. Habakkuk was surrounded by destruction and violence, and it seemed like justice had been paralyzed. In a modern context, we see the same issues—rising crime rates, broken systems, and moral decay. It’s easy to feel hopeless in the face of such overwhelming problems. But Habakkuk’s story reminds us that even when it seems like the wicked are winning, God’s justice will ultimately prevail. Trusting God When We Don’t Understand The most challenging part of Habakkuk’s journey was accepting God’s plan, even when it didn’t make sense. God’s choice to use the Babylonians, a ruthless and violent nation, as a tool of judgment was shocking. But this teaches us that God’s methods are beyond our understanding. Sometimes He allows situations to worsen before they improve, but He is always in control. It’s in these moments that our faith is tested, and we are called to trust in His goodness. Hope for the Struggling If you’re feeling like Habakkuk right now, wondering where God is in your life, know that you are not alone. It’s okay to have doubts and to ask tough questions. God welcomes our struggles and invites us to lean on Him. He is our Shepherd, guiding us through the valleys, even when we can’t see the way forward. The journey may be long, and the answers may not come quickly, but He is faithful. A Call to Prayer and Trust As a church family, we are here to walk with you through your struggles. If you are wrestling with doubt, confusion, or pain, we encourage you to seek prayer and counsel. Like Habakkuk, we may not understand why God allows certain things to happen, but we can still cry out to Him in faith. And like the father in Mark 9, we can ask Him to help us overcome our unbelief. Let’s continue to trust in His timing and His plans, knowing that He works all things together for our good. Join Us in Seeking God Together We invite you to reach out to our spiritual leaders and elders if you’re in a tough place right now. Let’s cry out to Jesus together, believing that He will meet us in our struggles and bring us through to the other side. Whether you’re facing sickness, financial difficulties, or relational strain, we are here to pray with you. As we seek God together, may we find strength in His presence and peace in His plan. - Adapted from the sermon preached at our Walloon Lake campus on 9/8/24. |
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These are powerful posts adapted from our pastors' weekly sermons.
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