Sermon Outline:
- If we would not fall away it would be a stunning miracle
- God has always required vigilant attention to every Word which He has spoken
- The greatness of Christ's Gospel makes falling away even more catastrophic
- God has confirmed that the Gospel is His ultimate Word
Family Discussion Questions:
Younger and Older:
- How did God show that it's not ok to ignore the Old Testament even if Christ is greater than the prophets?
- In the Old Testament, how did God let His people know that they should trust and obey a new Word given to them by a prophet?
- What is more natural, to cling to the Gospel or to drift away from it?
- Why is Christ greater than the angels or the prophets?
Deeper Discussion:
- How was the Gospel "declared at first by the Lord" by 1. His person, 2. His deeds, and 3. His words?
- Why was it important that miracles, signs, and wonders accompanied both Christ and those who were His official eyewitnesses (Apostles)?
- How did the pattern that had been established in the Old Testament give an expectation that these wonders would not continue after the words of prophecy were established as God's Word?
- How do the non-miraculous gifts of the Spirit given to the church further bear witness to the Gospel? How does this shed light on how a church family should be embraced to help us to "pay attention" and not "drift away?"
- How does this passage highlight how the three Members of the Trinity are involved in saving, calling, warning, and keeping God's sheep?