"How shall we escape if we neglect such a GREAT SALVATION?"

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 “ For since the message declared by angels proved to be reliable, and every transgression or disobedience received a just retribution,  how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? It was declared at first by the Lord, and it was attested to us by those who heard,  while God also bore witness by signs and wonders and various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will.”   [Hebrews 2:2-4]

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"How shall we escape if we neglect such a GREAT SALVATION?"

Jews attached special importance to the ministry of angels in their history. Perhaps the leading instance of this was in the giving of the law when myriads of angelic beings were present (Deut. 33:2). It is true that the law was spoken through angels. It is true that it was valid. It is true that every infraction was punished accordingly.

If those who broke the law were punished, what will be fate of those who neglect the gospel? The law tells men what they must do and they must not do; the gospel tells men what God has done. By the law is the knowledge of sin; by the gospel is the knowledge of salvation.

To neglect so great salvation is more serious than to transgress the law. The law was given by God through angels, to Moses and then to the people. But the gospel was spoken directly by the Lord Jesus Himself. Not only so, it was confirmed to the early Christians by the apostles and by others who heard the Savior.
God Himself authenticated the message by signs and wonders, with various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit. The purpose of all these miracles was to attest to the truth of the gospel, especially to the Jewish people, who traditionally asked for some sign before they would believe.

When the Son of Man returns to reign over the earth, man’s dominion will be restored. Jesus, as Man, will restore what Adam lost, and more besides. So while we do not see everything under man’s control at the present time, we do see Jesus, and in Him we find the key to man’s eventual rule over the earth.

God’s gracious purpose was that Christ might taste death for everyone. The Savior died as our Representative and as our Substitute; that is, He died as man and He died for man. He bore in His body on the cross all God’s judgment against sin so that those who believe on Him will never have to bear it.

Dear friend, do you believe the gospel? Do you believe in Jesus Christ, who died as a Substitute for you?  “…how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation?”




Angel Brings Good News (Gospel)

 Angel brings Good News of Great Joy to all People


 “An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.  But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news (gospel)  that will cause great joy for all the people.  Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.”  [Luke 2:9-11]

 

Put on the full armor of God

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 “Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.”   [Ephesians 6:13]

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BE STRONG IN THE LORD

Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.  In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.  Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.  Eph. 6:14-17.

The first preparatory command is that we should be continually strengthened in the Lord and in the boundless resources of His might. God's best soldiers are those who are conscious of their weakness and ineffectiveness, and who rely solely on Him.

The second instruction is concerned with the need for divine armor. The believer must put on the whole armor of God that he may be able to stand against the stratagems of the devil. It is necessary to be completely armed; one or two pieces will not do.

The devil has various stratagems--discouragement, frustration, confusion, moral failure, and doctrinal error. He knows our weakest point and aims for it. If he cannot disable us by one method, he will try for another.

The first piece of armor mentioned is the belt of truth. Certainly we must be faithful in holding the truth of God's word. The second piece is the breastplate of righteousness. Every believer is clothed with the righteousness of God, but he must also manifest integrity and uprightness in his personal life. The soldier must have his feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace. We must be ready to go out with the good news of peace, and therefore an invasion into enemy territory.  When we relax in our tents, we are in deadly peril.

In addition, the soldier must take the shield of faith so that when the fiery darts of the wicked one come at him, they will hit the shield and fall harmlessly to the ground. Faith here is firm confidence in the Lord and in His word. The helmet God provides is salvation. If God is for us, who can be against us?

Finally, the soldier takes the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.  The classic illustration of this is our Lord's use of this sword in His encounter with Satan.  Three times He quoted the word of God--not just random verses but the appropriate verses which the Holy Spirit gave Him for that occasion.

With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying. May God give you strength to overcome the devil.



FULL ARMOR OF GOD

 “Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.”  [Ephesians 6:11]

 

Roman Soldier




"The voice of your brother's blood is crying to me..."

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 “Cain spoke to Abel his brother. And when they were in the field, Cain rose up against his brother Abel and killed him. Then the Lord said to Cain, “Where is Abel your brother?” He said, “I do not know; am I my brother's keeper?”  And the Lord said, “What have you done? The voice of your brother's blood is crying to me from the ground.”   [Genesis 4:8-10]

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"The voice of your brother's blood is crying to me.."

As a shepherd Abel sanctified his work to the glory of God, and offered a sacrifice of blood upon his altar, and the Lord had respect unto Abel and his offering. This early type of our Lord is exceedingly clear and distinct. Like the first streak of light which tinges the east at sunrise, it does not reveal everything, but it clearly manifests the great fact that the sun is coming. As we see Abel, a shepherd and yet a priest, offering a sacrifice of sweet smell unto God, we discern our Lord, who brings before His Father a sacrifice to which Jehovah ever hath respect.

Abel was hated by his brother--hated without a cause; and even so was the Savior: the natural and carnal man hated the accepted man in whom the Spirit of grace was found, and rested not until his blood had been shed. Abel fell, and sprinkled his altar and sacrifice with his own blood, and therein sets forth the Lord Jesus slain by the enmity of man while serving as a priest before the Lord. "The good Shepherd lays down His life for the sheep." Let us weep over Him as we view Him slain by the hatred of mankind, staining the horns of His altar with His own blood. Abel's blood speaks. "The Lord said unto Cain, The voice of your brother's blood is crying to me from the ground.'"

The blood of Jesus hath a mighty tongue, and the import of its prevailing cry is not vengeance but mercy. It is precious beyond all preciousness to stand at the altar of our good Shepherd! to see Him bleeding there as the slaughtered priest, and then to hear His blood speaking peace to all His flock, peace in our conscience, peace between Jew and Gentile, peace between man and his offended Maker, peace all down the ages of eternity for blood-washed men.

Abel is the first shepherd in order of time, but our hearts shall ever place Jesus first in order of excellence. You great Keeper of the sheep, we the people of Your pasture bless You with our whole hearts when we see You slain for us.


[Delivered By C. H. SPURGEON]








Cain and Abel

 “In the course of time Cain brought to the Lord an offering of the fruit of the ground,  and Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat portions. And the Lord had regard for Abel and his offering,  but for Cain and his offering he had no regard. So Cain was very angry, and his face fell.”  [Genesis 4:3-5]

 

Cain and Abel




BEHOLD THE LAMB OF GOD!

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 “The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!  The next day John was there again with two of his disciples.  When he saw Jesus passing by, he said, “Look, the Lamb of God!”  When the two disciples heard him say this, they followed Jesus.”   [John 1:29,36-37]

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BEHOLD THE LAMB OF GOD!

YOU ALL KNOW the old, old story. The world was lost; God must punish sin; He sent His son to take our sin upon Him that He might honor the law of God, and establish God's government by being obedient to the law, and yielding Himself up to the death-penalty.He became a man, and, as a man, was obedient unto death of the cross. It is He who is called  "the Lamb of God," the one Sacrifice for man's sin.

There is no putting away of sin without sacrifice; there is only one Sacrifice that can put away sin, and that is, Jesus Christ the righteous. He is divine, yet human; Son of God, yet son of Mary. He yielded up His life, "the Just for the unjust," the Sinless for the sinful, "that He might bring us to God," and reconcile us to the great Father. That is the story, and whosoever believes in Him shall live. Any man, the world over, who will trust himself to Christ, God's great Sacrifice, shall be saved, for this is our continual witness, "He that believes on the Son hath everlasting life." "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only-begotten Son, that whosoever believes in him should not perish but have everlasting life."

I want to entreat men, who have looked elsewhere, now to turn their eyes away from the fruitless search after peace and life, and to come and "Behold the Lamb of God, which takes away the sin of the world." May the Spirit of God open their eyes, and incline their hearts, that tonight, even tonight, they may look unto Him and live!

When John saw Jesus on that memorable day, he, first of all, beheld Him himself and then he said to others, "Behold the Lamb of God." "Looking upon Jesus as He walked," steadfastly beholding Him, watching Him, gazing with humble admiration at Him, he said, "behold the Lamb of God!"

"Behold the Lamb of God?" Oh, that each one of you might believe our testimony concerning Jesus and look to Him and live!

The Lamb is always conspicuous; He may be neglected, rejected, refused today, but He will be beheld in eternity, and beheld to your everlasting confusion and unutterable dismay if you refuse to behold Him now. Let it not be so with any of you.


[Delivered By C. H. SPURGEON]








God Himself will provide the Lamb

 “Abraham answered, “God himself will provide the lamb for the..offering."”  [Genesis 22:8]

 Lamb


 O LAMB OF GOD SWEET LAMB OF GOD
I LOVE THE HOLY LAMB OF GOD
O WASH ME IN YOUR PRECIOUS BLOOD
MY JESUS CHRIST THE LAMB OF GOD

MARY HAS CHOSEN WHAT IS BETTER

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 “As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him.  She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said.  But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!””   [Luke 10:38-40]

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MARY HAS CHOSEN WHAT IS BETTER

The Lord centers His attention on the word of God and prayer as the two great means of blessing. Mary sat at Jesus' feet and heard His word, while Martha was distracted by her preparations for the Royal Guest.

Martha wanted the Lord to rebuke her sister for failing to help, but Jesus tenderly rebuked Martha for her fretfulness! Our Lord prizes our affection above our service. Service may be tainted with pride and self-importance.

Occupation with the Lord is the one thing needful, that good part which will not be taken away.

The Lord wants to convert us from Marthas into Marys.
While the Master does appreciate all that we undertake for Him, He knows that our first need is to sit  at His feet and learn His will, then in our tasks we shall be calm and peaceful and kindly, and at last our service may attain the perfectness.

Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?
May the favor of the Lord our God rest upon us; establish the work of our hands for us--yes, establish the work of our hands.
"May your hand be ready to help me, for I have chosen your precepts." [Psalm 119:173]

Are we willing to sit at His feet like Mary did? or Are we busy with lot of other things like Martha?   Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.





One Thing is Needful

 Mary and Martha


  “And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.”  [Luke 10:41-42]