Can You Ignore The Gospel

A slow drift rarely feels dramatic, which is exactly why Hebrews 2 hits so hard. We sit with one of Scripture’s most searching questions: “How shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation?” Not because we want to stir up fear for fear’s sake, but because spiritual indifference can sneak in quietly, turning the cross into background noise and the gospel into something we assume we’ll get serious about later. 

We walk through the greatness of salvation by starting where Hebrews starts: its source. The gospel is not a human invention, a religious tradition, or a self-help path built on spiritual effort. It “began to be spoken by the Lord” and was confirmed by eyewitness testimony and God’s own witness. That means Jesus isn’t just pointing to the way; He is the way. And if God has spoken in His Son, then neglecting the gospel is not a minor oversight, it’s ignoring God Himself. 

Then we consider the cost that proves salvation’s value. Hebrews 2:9 brings us to Jesus made “a little lower than the angels” in the incarnation so He could suffer death as our substitute. “Tasted death for everyone” doesn’t mean a quick sample; it means He drank the full cup, bore what we deserved, and rose crowned with glory and honor. We also clarify the wide offer of the gospel: Christ’s death is sufficient for all, but the saving benefits are applied to those who repent and believe. 

If you’ve grown numb, distracted, or delayed, this message is a wake-up call and an invitation to run to Christ, rest in Christ, and rejoice in Christ. Subscribe, share this with a friend who needs clarity on the gospel, and leave a review telling us what line or moment challenged you most.

Transcript

Hebrews 2 Reading And Setup

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Hebrews chapter 2. I'm going to read verse 1 all the way down through verse 9. Beginning in verse 1. Therefore, we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away. For if the word spoken through angels proved steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just reward, how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation? Which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed to us by those who heard him, God also bearing witness, with both signs and wonders, with various miracles and gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to his own will. For he has not put the world to come, of which we speak, in subjection to angels. But one testified in a certain place, saying, and he quotes the Old Testament here, What is man that you are mindful of him, or the Son of Man that you take care of him? You have made him a little lower than the angels. You have crowned him with glory and honor, and set him over the works of your hands. You have put all things in subjection under his feet. For in that he put all things all in subjection under him. He left nothing that is not put under him. But now we do not yet see all things put under him. But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honor, that he, by the grace of God, might taste death for everyone. We'll stop here. This is God's word that we've read.

The Warning Against Neglect

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Imagine, if you would, being invited to the most crucial event in history: a coronation, a rescue mission, a homecoming, a victory celebration, all in one. It's the event where eternity commences, hanging in the balance. It is where heaven and earth collide. It is the fact when the King of Kings takes center stage. But imagine being so distracted, preoccupied with small things, worldly things. So numb to the invitation that you miss it entirely. That's the burden behind Hebrews 2, verse 3. How shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation? Which at first began to be spoken by the Lord and was confirmed to us by those who heard him. This is more than a rhetorical question. It's a soul-piercing warning. It's a holy wake-up call. The writer of Hebrews isn't whispering. He's shouting an alarm for those who are drifting, for those who are delaying, for those who are dismissing the gospel. And I want you to notice, he doesn't just say salvation. He says, so great a salvation. Why? Well, because there's nothing more important. Nothing more important. Nothing more glorious. Nothing more eternally necessary.

Drifting Looks Like Distraction

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Over these past several weeks, we've we've explored the awe-inspiring scope of salvation through these messages. We've seen God's sovereign mercy in determining to save sinners. We've seen, we've observed the finished work of Christ who took our place. We've witnessed from God's word the power of the Holy Spirit that brings dead hearts to life. We've seen God adopting genuine believers into his forever family. We've traced salvation from the moment of our rescue to the very promise that our faith will endure by God's power and we will one day be glorified with Christ. We've seen all of that. Hadn't that been good? And every part of it, every moment, every movement is filled with grace. We've seen that salvation is not only an experience, but also a miracle. We've seen that it's not only a doctrine, but it's a deliverance. We've seen that it's not only a belief system, but it's a new birth from above. And yet, with all of that that we've considered, the question from Hebrews still presses in. Have you truly understood the greatness of what God has done for you in Christ? Or have you kind of just become desensitized? Cold. Indifferent. Because here's the sobering reality. Neglecting this salvation doesn't necessarily mean hating it. It might not look like rebellion. It might not sound like blasphemy. It could simply look like a distraction. Like drifting. Like delay. Neglecting this salvation means treating the cross as ordinary. And I'm not talking about a cymbal you wear around your neck. Or something that's on a steeple of a church or something you put on your wall. That's not the cross I'm talking about. I'm talking about the cross of Jesus. Neglecting his salvation means ignoring the gospel. It means I'm kind of yawning about it, you know. It's living as if Christ's death and resurrection have little impact on your daily life. And that's eternally dangerous. It's eternally dangerous. The word neglect suggests indifference. Apathy. Or even just a failure to pay attention. Like some of you will do eventually through this message. We have a hard time with that. It's like this is like falling asleep at the wheel spiritually. It's disaster is approaching, and you don't even realize you're drifting. That's why we're pausing here in Hebrews today. Not to move on from salvation. I had an entirely different message planned, studied out, and ready to go. But Thursday morning, I shared with Pastor Danny and Pastor Jesse and Pastor David, we got to put that one on hold. The Lord really pressed this scripture in on me Thursday morning. We're pausing here in Hebrews not to move on from salvation, but to realign our hearts with it. This message this morning isn't a final point. I think we need to regain the big picture. The weight, the height, and the depth, and the wonder of what God has done for us in Christ. Don't drift. Don't delay. Don't minimize this great salvation. Instead, run to Christ, rest in Christ, and rejoice in Christ. Because nothing, as we sang that second song this morning, nothing is more precious than knowing Him, and nothing is more tragic than missing him.

Ministry Support And Return

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You know, the world offers uncertainty at every turn, but God's word gives believers something solid to stand on. At Firm Foundations Ministries, we're committed to proclaiming biblical truth clearly, faithfully, and without compromise. And your prayers and financial support help make this radio and podcast ministry possible, allowing listeners across the country and the world to hear the life-changing message of God's grace. If Foundations of Truth has encouraged your walk with Christ, would you consider partnering with us? You can learn more or give securely online right now at firm-foundations.org. Now let's return to today's message. Let's

Salvation Comes From God

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talk about this.

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Y'all ready? Hebrews 2. That's where we're looking. We'll move around Hebrews a little bit, but mainly Hebrews 2. This great salvation. The first thing we have to touch base on this morning is its source. Salvation is from God Himself. The greatness of salvation starts with its source. Verse 3, put your eyes on it. How shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation? Which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord and was confirmed to us by those who heard it. So this gospel, this message of salvation, doesn't come from man. It wasn't a product of religious tradition. We were visiting with Todd and Christy last night at dinner. And boy, wasn't that fried chicken good, brother? Yeah, yeah. It wasn't a, it wasn't a, we were talking about being in Rome. And he told us, he said, brother, in Rome, Catholicism is on a whole new level there. And he shared with us just completely how 100% pagan it is. Just so you know, Roman Catholicism is a false gospel. It is not the gospel of the Bible. Now you can get your feelings heard on that if you want to. Could there be some Catholics who will go to heaven? Yes, if ultimately they're only trusting in Jesus and Jesus alone. Yes. But Roman Catholicism, Catholicism, Rob, say amen. It's a false gospel. You know how he knows he was one. Praise God, the Lord saved him. The gospel isn't a product of religious tradition, it's not a product of philosophical thinking. It's not a product of mystical experience. It comes directly from Jesus Christ Himself. And that truly makes all the difference. Because the message of salvation is not man's speculation about God, but it's God's revelation to man. He is the way. That's what he himself said. He didn't just show the way to salvation. He is the way. That's what Jesus Himself said, as recorded in the Gospel of John, chapter 14, verse 6. And so the one who would die to redeem us is the very one who first announced the good news. The Gospel of Mark, chapter 1, verse 15. From the very start of his public ministry, the Bible says that Jesus preached, the time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent and believe the gospel. He didn't offer theories, he didn't offer self-help. He spoke with divine authority as the eternal Son of God. And so the gospel isn't secondhand information, it's the voice of the shepherd calling his sheep by name, calling them to life and to follow him. And this is what makes Christianity unique compared to all other religious systems. Because in a world, in a world filled with human effort and spiritual striving, the biblical gospel announces something completely different. And that is that God has acted, God has spoken, and God has come. That's what it says. It wasn't our idea to seek him, it was his idea to seek and to save us. We talked about this in another message from Titus chapter 3, verses 4 through 5. That says, But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy, he saved us. So this salvation is God's initiative from start to finish. God the Father planned it, God the Son proclaimed it and achieved it, and God the Spirit applies it and secures it. And according to the Bible, even before the creation of the world, God had this in mind. And that's why the gospel is unshakable. That's why the gospel is unstoppable. It doesn't depend on man's invention. It doesn't depend on man's emotion. It's rooted in divine purpose. That's why Hebrews chapter 1. Turn to Hebrews 1. Put your eyes on verses 1 and 2. That's why Hebrews chapter 1, verse 1 and 2 really begins with this foundation. So turn and look at it with me. It says this God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by his what? By Son. So check this out. Jesus is both the messenger and the message. He's both. So to hear him speak is to hear God speak. And to neglect the gospel is to ignore God Himself. That's why this warning is so urgent. Because if people invented this salvation, well, it could be flawed. If people invented this salvation, it could be limited or it could be subject to change. But because it comes from the Lord Himself, it is pure, it is perfect, and it is eternally binding. And so to reject this gospel is not just foolish, it's rebellion. It's rebellion. To ignore it is to insult the God who graciously gave it. That's why Hebrews ask, How shall we escape? How shall we escape? Because God has revealed the gospel through his son. Are you listening? Have you responded to it with joy and surrendered faith? Or are you drifting in distraction? In delay. Because if salvation really comes from God Himself, what would it look like for you, for you to treat it accordingly? That this salvation actually came from God Himself. What would it look like for you to treat it accordingly? Not just once, but every day. Every day. What would it look like in your life? So we see its source.

The Infinite Cost Of The Cross

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But that's not all. We also just can't help but see the cost. So if the source of our salvation is divine origin from God, then the cost really shows its infinite value. Hebrews 2, verse 9. We're going to go down to that. I'm not going to expound every verse in the passage I read this morning. Verse 9. Verse 9 expands here on the weight behind the salvation described in verse 3. Look at the verse, verse 9. But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honor, that he, by the grace of God, might taste death for everyone. So it says, who was made a little lower than the angels. Let me touch on that. This refers to Jesus' incarnation. When the eternal Son of God took on human flesh. The phrase a little lower, made a little lower. That means temporarily lower in rank and status. Jesus humbled himself by becoming human and stepping into our world. The king and the creator of the universe condescended to us. Salvation did not come cheaply. It did not come cheaply. It was not achieved through religious efforts or moral effort at all. It was bought with the blood of Jesus Christ. And we need to remember that. Too often, I think, especially for those who have walked with Christ for many years, it becomes easy to just kind of grow numb to the incredible truth of the cross. We become accustomed to it. We get used to it. Just kind of take it for granted. But I would hope this morning, my prayer today is that it that you will let it settle fresh on your heart. That the eternal Son of God suffered and died in your place. For the suffering of death. That states the very purpose for his incarnation. Jesus became lower than the angels in order to suffer death. So his mission, actually, that he came for required the full identification with us, even to the point of death. And so his humanity wasn't just for sympathy, it was for substitution. Jesus didn't just suffer, he suffered to the point of death. And he didn't just die, he died for sinners. He didn't just die for your benefit. He didn't simply set an example, he became the substitute. He became the substitute. And when Hebrews here says that he tasted death for everyone, that he tasted death for everyone, that doesn't mean he just sampled it. It means he drank the full cup. He drank it all. He bore the full bitterness of the grave, and he endured the wrath of God that we deserved for our sin. So here's the heart of the gospel. Jesus died in our place. That's the heart of the gospel. Taste death. That doesn't mean a brief or just a symbolic experience. It means a whole experience of death, of separation. But with the implication here that he conquered it because it says he's crowned with glory and honor. The resurrection. He tasted death for everyone. That phrase, for everyone, highlights the universal scope of his saving work. His death is sufficient for all, but only effective for those who believe. Well, first of all, it means when I say that his death is sufficient for all, it means that the value and worth of Christ's death is infinite and unlimited. His sacrifice is sufficient to pay for the sins of every person who has ever lived or ever will live. Christ's perfect life and his substitutionary death could save all people if they would repent and believe. The Bible says, John the Baptist,

Sufficient For All Effective For Believers

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when he sees his distant cousin walking on the banks of the Jordan River, John the Baptist says, Behold, that's fancy talk, for look, y'all. Look at him. The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. John said in 1 John 2 2, he himself, meaning Jesus, is the propitiation for our sins. Propitiation is a fancy word for atoning sacrifice. He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only, but also for the whole world. Probably the most famous verse in all the Bible, John 3.16. For God so loved the world. And so when I say his death is sufficient for all, that reflects the gracious and broad offer of the gospel that anyone who hears the good news is truly invited to come to Christ. Truly invited to come to Christ. There's no limit in the offer or the sufficiency of his death. And if you believe otherwise, you don't believe the Bible. So I disagree with that, Pastor Tim. That's all right. You can reserve the right to be wrong. That's okay. That's alright. And that is in my humble yet most accurate opinion. Alright? So yeah. And also this means when I say there is death is sufficient for all, but it's effective only for those who believe, that part also means that the saving benefits of Christ's death, listen to me very carefully. The saving benefits of Christ's death, which is forgiveness and justification and eternal life, and all those things we preached about for these last several weeks, the saving benefits of Christ's death are only applied to those who repent and trust in Him. Only applied. To those who repent and trust in Him. And so, though the cross is sufficient to save everyone, it is efficient, or we could say effectual, only for genuine believers. So without repentance, hear me closely. Without repentance and faith, a person remains under condemnation. Despite Christ's work being sufficient. The Bible says. John 3 36, Jesus said this. He who believes in the Son has everlasting life. And he who does not believe the Son shall not see life. Ephesians 2, verse 8. By grace you have been saved through faith.

Resources Book And Closing

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Thanks so much for listening today to Foundations of Truth, the biblical teaching ministry of Dr. Timothy Mann. If you'd like to hear this message again, get more biblical resources, or give a financial gift, you can do so online. Firm-foundations.org. That's firm-foundations.org. And join us again next time as we continue our series, Saved, Understanding God's Work in Us on Foundations of Truth.

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Before we close today, I want to tell you about a resource that I believe will be a genuine help to you. I've recently published my first book, Saved, Understanding God's Work in Us. In over 30 years of pastoral ministry, one of the questions I've encountered more than almost any other is this. How can I know that I am truly saved? It is a question that deserves a careful biblical answer. And that is exactly what this book is designed to give. Saved, understanding God's Work in Us, walks through what the scripture teaches about salvation, what God has done for us, what he is doing in us, and the assurance that every believer can have because of his work. If you want to understand salvation more deeply, stand on firmer ground in your faith, or be better equipped to share the gospel with someone you love, then this book was written for you. You can find it on Amazon, Barnes Noble, and Books a Million, and pretty much anywhere you buy books. Just search Saved, Understanding God's Work in Us by Dr. Timothy Mann. I pray it strengthens your faith. Thanks for being with us today. God bless you.