Neglect Hebrews 2:3

What is neglect? An attitude that fails to properly take care of what is needed Or, the product of that which is not properly cared for From Latin, “to do nothing about” It is ignoring something rather than dealing with it

Consequences of neglect The building decays – Ecclesiastes 10:18 Proverbs 18:9 – the slothful is brother of a great destroyer We let down our guard – Mark 13:33-37, 14:34-38 1 Thessalonians 5:6 1 Peter 4:7

Consequences of neglect We begin to drift – Hebrews 2:1 James 1:17 – when God is farther away, He is not the one who moved We may be led away – 2 Timothy 3:6 2 Peter 3:17

Consequences of neglect We forget God and where we came from – James 1:23-25 We do not grow as we ought to – 2 Peter 1:9 cf. Hebrews 5:12-14

Consequences of neglect Disaster may come – both physical and spiritual We may be guilty of sin – James 4:17 Consequences – cf. Exodus 21:28-29 Luke 12:47 We may lose our salvation – Luke 9:62, 1 Corinthians 9:27

We ought not to neglect… So great a salvation – Hebrews 2:3 Truly, our salvation is great! Do not neglect it! 2 Corinthians 6:1 2 Peter 2:20-22 Hebrews 10:26-29

We ought not to neglect… The weightier matters – Matthew 23:23 Those motivations behind what we do – e.g. justice, mercy & faith NOTE: Jesus did NOT say we should not be concerned with details. John 14:23-24, Luke 6:46 It is possible for us to be so caught up in details, we forget our purpose “They are not weightier in the sense of coming first on some list of commandments to keep. They are weightier because all else depends on these.” www.goodfight.com

We ought not to neglect… The gift that is in you – 1 Timothy 4:14 We all have abilities, Matthew 25:15ff 1 Peter 4:10-11 Romans 12:6-8 When we face God, we will answer for this (Matthew 25:31-46)

We ought not to neglect… To be reminded of the truth – 2 Peter 1:12 Much of what we read and discuss in the New Testament is reminders. We must NEVER forget the truth - 2 Timothy 2:15, Proverbs 23:12, 23, Acts 17:11 One of the downfalls of Israel – Jeremiah 2:32, 13:25

We ought not to neglect… Making light of the invitation – Matthew 22:5 Jesus taught a parable about a king and his invited guests We have been invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb (Revelation 19:9), do not make light of that invitation

Preventing neglect Frequent examination – 2 Corinthians 13:5 Devise a plan Renew your minds- Ephesians 4:23 Diligence and zeal – Hebrews 6:10- 12 Act like a Christian! Ephesians 4:1

Is there spiritual neglect in your life?