 Study and contemplation of God’s Word is the most important activity in which a person can engage: Jn. 6:68; 12:48  God’s Word appeals to man on every level: intellectually, logically, and emotionally: Eph. 5:17; Lk. 8:11-15; Matt. 11:25  God’s Word uses many literary devices to help us under-stand:  Simile: “an explicitly stated comparison employing words such as ‘like’ and ‘as.” (Mickelsen, A. B., Interpreting the Bible): Matt. 13  Metaphor: “is comparison by direct assertion, in which the speaker or writer describes one thing in terms of something else.” (Mickelsen, A.B., Interpreting the Bible): Jn. 10:7-9, 11 2

 The Bible employs some 30 literary devices (figures of speech); e.g., ellipsis, hyperbole, metonymy, synecdoche, etc. Jn. 6:68; 12:48  God created us with intellect, a sense of logic, emotions, etc. and communicates with us while appealing to these various aspects of our personalities: Eph. 1:7-9  As God’s Word appeals to our intellect, logic and common sense we should deeply reflect on it and allow it to touch our emotions and allow it to motivate us to take action: Lk. 6:46 3

Matthew 16:24-27

 A speaker/writer’s most important point is usually held to the end to make maximum impression.  Before considering this rhetorical question we need to remember:  We are created in God’s image: Gen. 1:26-27  Man is a “dual being”; spirit and body: Jn. 4:24; Lk. 24:39; 2 Cor. 5:1; 2 Pet. 1:13-14; Eccl. 12:6-7  Man has always been amenable to God’s law: Gen. 2:16-17; 5:5; Jas. 2:26; Isa. 59:2; Gen. 3:22-24  All men are spiritually dead: Rom. 3:23; 6:23  All men are going to be raised and judged: Acts 17:31; Jn. 5:25-29; 2 Cor. 5:10; Heb. 9:27; Rom. 14:12; Rev. 20:11-21:8 5

 What is the most important thing in the world to you?  Wife? Husband? Children? Family?  Car? House? Land?  Bank account? Stock portfolio?  Keepsake? Mother’s wedding ring?  Jesus addresses this question with a couple of rhetorical questions that are the most profound we’ll ever consider: 6 Matthew 16:26: “For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?”

 Question originally framed to Hebrew Christians.  Two primary themes in the book of Hebrews:  Danger of unbelief: Acts 3:12-25; Heb. 3:12-4:1  Superiority of Christ: book uses the word “better” 13 times: Heb. 8:6  Immediate context for the rhetorical question begins in 1:1. 7

 Chapter 1: superiority of Christ:  Over the prophets: Heb. 1:1-3; Jn. 8:19; Col. 1:16-17; Acts 2:36  Over the angels: Heb. 1:4-14; Jn. 8:56-58; Phil. 2:6; Acts 4:12 8

 Christ is better than the prophets: Heb. 1:1- 3  He is God’s spokesman in the “last days.”  He is “heir of all things”; “He made the worlds.”  He is “the express image” of God.  He holds all things together through His word.  He purged us from our sins. 9

 Christ is better than the angels: Heb. 1:4-14  He is God’s only begotten Son.  The angels worship Him.  He sits on God’s throne ruling the Universe, ruling and judging God’s kingdom.  He is Creator, He is eternal, and He sits at God’s right hand. 10

 Put yourself in the mind of a first century Hebrew Christian…heavy stuff no doubt!  They held Moses, the prophets, and the angels in the highest esteem.  But Christ is “better” than all of them!  This “better” one has spoken to us! 11 “Therefore we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away. 2 For if the word spoken through angels proved steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just reward, 3 how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation, which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed to us by those who heard Him, 4 God also bearing witness both with signs and wonders, with various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to His own will?”

 What happened if one did not follow the instructions God gave through the prophets?  What happened if one did not follow the instructions God gave through the angels?  Their word “proved steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just reward.”  “how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation”? 2 Cor. 5:9-11; Heb. 10:31 12

 There’s no need for a lengthy conclusion.  The answer to these two rhetorical questions is obvious to anyone with an ounce of common sense: Matt. 16:26; Heb. 2:1-4  You know the answers to these questions.  So the questions is this: “Will you take the necessary action?” 13