Chapter 2

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=hebrews%202&version=ESV

STUDY

• Paraphrase on Verse 1-3:  Since the Law of the Old Testament was declared by angels, and there was punishment for not following it- how much more severe will the punishment be if you don't follow Jesus- who is more superior than the Mosaic Law and the angels?

• What has been given to Jesus (verse8)?

• What did Jesus "taste" for everyone?

• In whom do all things exist and were made?

• Who did Jesus destroy when He died for our sin?

• What does verse 15 say we were delivered from?

APPLICATION

• Do you take the severity of your punishment for not following Jesus seriously?

• Did you realize that everything exists for and by Jesus?  Does this change your view of Jesus?

• Do you forget that Jesus was tempted like we are?  How much better do you feel about going to Him now that you remember this?  This is also a good reminder (verse 18) that God may use what we have gone through to help those who are going through the same.  What experience have you endured that God might use to help others?  Have you already helped others because of your experiences?

PRUNING ME

        Yikes!  Until a couple years ago, I did not take the severity of the punishment seriously for disobeying and not following Jesus.  I even claimed to follow Him, yet my actions displayed otherwise.  Jesus does not want half of your heart, half of your life, or a relationship on your terms.  He wants all of your heart, all of your life, and a relationship on His terms.  And trust me when I say that His terms are perfect!  Jesus doesn't want lukewarm Christians.  He wants you to make a decision to follow Him- with everything.  When He called the disciples, they dropped everything- their family life, their jobs and their worldly desires to follow Him.  Until a couple years ago, I said I was a believer- but it was on my terms- as an abuser of alcohol, as a servant of myself, as an intentional sinner- proud, selfish and ugly inside.  There is no doubt that I am still proud, selfish and ugly inside- but God has redeemed me, and because I submit ALL of me to Him, surrendering daily my flesh- He sees me as blameless.  I am no longer a lukewarm Christian.  Even though I still struggle with sin, I am a vessel for honorable use.  I don't have to fear the punishment for disobeying Jesus, because I intentionally seek Him and ways to obey Him.  I am not speaking out of pride, but from a repentant and transformed heart because of the Holy Spirit's work in me- not by anything I have done on my own.  I hope that you are not walking down the road I was- believing in Him, but not obeying Him.  Don't be too confident in life if you are following Jesus in a lukewarm fashion- on your terms.  If you want to escape the severe punishment of disobedience, I suggest you work out your salvation with Jesus and live the life HE has called you to- one in unison with Him, and not in unison with sin.  When you are in unison with sin- you are also in unison with the devil.   With the devil comes a life of destruction that leads eternal death.  With Jesus comes life of blessing and grace that leads to eternal life.  You serve one or the other.  Whom do you serve?

• Leanne