Study on the Dangers Confronting 2 nd Generation Believers Second Generation Syndrome (A Group of Symptoms)

Some Sad Characteristics. Often grow lukewarm in their attitudes toward God, the local assembly and responsibilities.. Often fall into complacency because of a lack of commitment.. Often reluctant to pay the price that is necessary to enjoy the Lord.. Often satisfied with the way things are.. Often more willing to compromise with the world.. Often believe the ideals of parents are too unreasonable.

Hebrews 6:11-12 “ And we desire that each of you show the same diligence so as to realize the full assurance of hope until the end, so that you will not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and endurance inherit the promises.”

 “How will we escape if we neglect so great a salvation? After it was at the first spoken through the Lord, it was confirmed to us by those who heard. God also testifying with them, both by signs and various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit according to His own will.” (2:3-4)  “Remember those who led you, who spoke the word of God to you; and considering the result of their conduct, imitate their faith.”

B IBLE H ISTORY DEMONSTRATES THAT S ECOND G ENERATIONS DO NOT ALWAYS FOLLOW THE 1 ST G ENERATION. “Israel served the Lord all the days of Joshua and all the days of the elders who survived Joshua, and had known all the deeds of the LORD which He had one for Israel.” (Joshua 24:31; Judges 2:7) “All that generation also were gathered to their fathers; and there arose another generation after them who did not know the Lord, nor yet the work which He had done for Israel.” (Judges 2:10)

Word Pictures or Metaphors

 “This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, a hope both sure and steadfast and one which enters within the veil.” (6:19)

“By faith he left Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king; for he endured, as seeing Him who is unseen.” (11:27)

 “For this reason we must pay closer attention to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away from it.” (2:1)

 “But my righteous one shall live by faith; And if he shrinks back, My soul will have no pleasure in him” (10:38) cf, Habakkuk 2:4

Danger – Carried away (swept along with the current.)

Carried away with strange teaching “Do not be carried away by varied and strange teachings; for it is good for the heart to be strengthened by grace, not by foods, through which those who were so occupied were not benefited.” (13:9)

Three Serious Dangers Drifting Drawing Back Carried Away

End of Session One

 Signs of Drifting in the Christian Life.

# 1 Neglect (2:1)

Hebrews 2:3 “How will we escape if we neglect so great a salvation? After it was at the first spoken to us by those who heard.”

# 2 Unbelief (3:12)

Hebrews 3:12 “Take care, brethren, that there not be in anyone of you an evil, unbelieving heart that falls away from the Living God.”

# 3 Growing dull of hearing - (5:11- 14)

Hebrews 5:11 “Concerning him we have much to say, and it is hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing”

# 4 Danger of becoming sluggish – (6:11)

Hebrews 6:11 “So that you will not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.”

# 5 Formalism (10:1-4)

Hebrews 10:1 “For the Law, since it has only a shadow of the good things to come and not the very form of things, can never by the same sacrifices which they offer continually year by year, make those perfect who draw near.”

# 6 Compromise (13:9)

Hebrews 13:9 “Do not be carried away by varied and strange teachings; for it is good for the heart to be strengthened by grace, not by foods, through which those who were so occupied were not benefited.”

 “Therefore, since we have so great cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.” (12:1)

Distractions (12:1) Distractions can become “encumbrances”, “weights”, “hindrances” Wrong relationships. Making a better way of life. Amusements. TV. Books, magazines Technology devices: ipad, iphones, ipods, facebook, blogs. Etc.

Summary of Dangers for 2 nd Generation Believers. 1. Neglect-2:1 2. Unbelief-3:12 3. Dull of Hearing-5: Sluggishness-6:11 5. Formalism-10: Compromise-13:9 7. Distractions-12:1

No Generation should be like this!

God wants all of us to be like this!

NEXT STUDIES Biblical Truth so each Generation of Believers can endure by faith.