Observation: Many people a part of this faith community were drifting away from their faith for one reason or another; persecution, laziness, lack of accountability, lack of freedom from the state, personal conviction. the preacher intends to correct this by emphasizing God's announcement of salvation. The preacher will later add the emphasis of no longer wasting energy on people have heard the good news and decided to fall away (hebrews 6:1-6 OUCH!).
Application: In our discipleship huddle today, the discussion fell partly to the rhythm of devotions. I asked one of our members; "why do you want to keep those to yourself?" The preacher of Hebrews asks it a different way: So what makes us think we can escape if we ignore this great salvation that was first announced by the Lord Jesus himself and then delivered to us by those who heard him speak?
This rhythm of abiding helps us be fruitful. It is not for our own benefit but to be used by God for the abiding and fruitfulness through us.
Prayer: Lord, use those who surround me to speak words of your salvation, of your presence and of the works of your hands in my life and in the lives of the faithful throughout the world.