Hebrews 2:3 How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord… I. THE ONLY WAY OF SALVATION FOR SINNERS IS REVEALED BY THE GOSPEL (2 Timothy 1:10). 1. They must needs be strangers to the great salvation, who slight the gospel that brings the good tidings of it. 2. If the gospel alone brings the tidings of salvation for lost sinners, how thankful should you be to God for this revelation. 3. If the gospel alone brings you the tidings of salvation for lost sinners — a salvation we all needed to hear of and be interested in — then how worthy is it of all acceptation. II. WHAT THE SALVATION IS, WHICH THE GOSPEL ALONE REVEALS. III. WHY THE SALVATION REVEALED BY THE GOSPEL IS CALLED " GREAT." 1. It is great salvation, as it is the product of infinite wisdom and unerring counsel. 2. From the dignity of the Person that wrought it out. 3. It is a fruit of a great price, even of the obedience and death of Jesus Christ. 4. It is applied by almighty power, against all the opposition, of Satan, of an evil world, and even of the very soul itself who is made partaker of it. 5. It delivers the soul from everything that is evil. 6. It brings the soul from darkness to light, from death to life, from the power of Satan unto God. 7. It is a fruit of great grace. IV. SOME UNDER THE GOSPEL NEGLECT THE GREAT SALVATION. 1. Notice how the greatest and most dangerous sin under the gospel is described. "Neglect" not the only remedy, the true riches. It is an injury to Father, Son, and Spirit. It is a high affront offered to the wisdom of God, and to His goodness and grace in Christ. 2. Notice the misery of those that neglect the great salvation. They are condemned already (John 3:18). 3. Who are they, among all the hearers of the gospel, that neglect the great salvation? (1) Such as satisfy themselves with notions of the gospel, and take no care about the transforming virtue of the Word of God upon their souls (1 Thessalonians 1:5). (2) Such as have often heard of the danger of sin, yet live in the love and practice of it. (3) Such as hear of the necessity of an interest in Jesus Christ, but take no care to win Christ and be found in Him. (4) Such as know their Master's will, and have no heart to do it. (5) Such as have but a low esteem of the gospel of Christ, and the ordinances of it. (6) Such as never inquire what they shall do to be saved, how they may escape the wrath to come. 4. Whence is it that some, who are placed by kind Providence under the gospel and ministry, neglect the great salvation? (1) From the blindness of their minds, and ignorance of their hearts. They are not sensible of their misery, the guilt, bondage, defilement, and poverty that sin has brought them to. (2) From the atheism of their hearts. (3) From their natural aversion to the Word and ways of God. V. THERE IS NO POSSIBLE WAY FOR THEIR ESCAPING ETERNAL MISERY WHO CONTINUE TO NEGLECT THE GREAT SALVATION. 1. Some impenitent sinners hope to escape the wrath of God, Though they neglect the great salvation. 2. Every one under the gospel should exercise their own judgment, reason, and conscience about their present behaviour, under their present trusts, and seriously think what will be the issue of their present carriage. 3. There is no mercy to be shown to impenitent sinners after this life, if they die in their sins. 4. Neglecting the great salvation is the only damning sin. (1) It is a high affront to each of the Persons in the Holy Trinity. (2) It is a slight of the only remedy. 5. The punishment that shall be inflicted, at last, upon impenitent sinners, for their neglect of the great salvation, will be found to be just. (1) God has given them fair warning by His word. (2) They will receive nothing at the great day but the just fruit of their rebellion against the Lord Jesus Christ. (3) They will receive nothing but their own wishes and a retaliation of their own language (Job 21:14). Uses: 1. Inferences. (1) Hence we see how wonderfully rich the goodness of God is to poor lost mankind, in providing this great salvation for them. (2) The goodness of God is further displayed in revealing this great salvation to us by the gospel. (3) We learn hence the sin and folly, the danger and misery of such as sit under the gospel and yet neglect the great salvation. (4) Such as neglect the great salvation will be found the greatest losers; a greater loss never was or can be sustained. (5) Those of you who are partakers of this great salvation, you see where your treasure lies, and there your hearts should be also. 2. Examination: Ask your own souls what entertainment the gospel and its salvation have with you. It has been brought to your door; has it been brought to your heart? 3. Exhortations:(1) Give yourselves time, closely and seriously, to consider the state and wants of your own souls. (2) Take care and pains to clear up your interest in the great salvation, by the power of the Word of God upon the heart, and by the esteem of the Word of God upon your souls; by your hatred of sin and love of holiness, and by your hungering and thirsting after God the living God, and hearty concern for the salvation of others. (3) Attend the ministry of the gospel with your affectionate prayers, that God would reveal His arm therewith, and powerfully apply His great salvation to the souls of your poor relations and neighbours. (4) If you can make out to yourselves that you are partakers of the great salvation, then — (a) Give God the glory of what He has wrought. (b) Take care to live agreeably to this great grace. (c) Commend the Lord Jesus Christ and His salvation to others; endeavour to show them the necessity of it. (d) Put this great salvation into the balance against all the great afflictions, losses, disappointments, and unkindnesses that you may meet with in the world (2 Corinthians 4:17; Romans 8:1.18). (W. Notcutt.) Parallel Verses KJV: How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him; |
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