Hebrews 13 Growing in Love

 

Intro: As we come to this last chapter of the book of Heb.  one might get the impression that the writer had a great deal of Misc. stuff to discuss

A) Almost like he was giving a P.S.  at end of a letter  "The dog  had puppies , Johnny’s in soccer/ we moved last month / new car /

 

B) He discusses such everyday topics as hospitality, marriage, and church leaders

 

C) In God's word there is no division between doctrine & duty ;

     Revelation & Responsibility!

     1) The two always go hand in hand

 

The emphasis of this last Ch. is on living by faith--

A) CH.11 covered the great examples of faith.

     1) CH.12 the encouragement's to faith

 

B) CH.13  The evidences of faith that should  appear in our lives if     we are really walking by faith & not by sight! Begins v.1 1Let brotherly love continue.

 

C) Now this is interesting to me – word continue – because it indicates the presence of Love was already there .

1)   Which makes sense – Paul said in Rom. 5:5 That the Love of God has been poured out in our Hearts by the HS

 

D) The Presence of Love = We are His Disciples / it is the by product of walking w/ Christ – Love the Brethren

 

1JO 4:7,8       Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God.  He who does not love does not know God, for God is love.

 

E) It proves that we are born again!- Love is the driving force & the clearest Definitive of Christianity

 

A Pastor who pastors a large Church was asked the secret

of their growth He sited 3 things

A) Our people love God!/ Our people love each other /  the lost!

 

B) God is pleased when we are loving each other :  it delights the Father

PSA 133:1     Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!

 

C) Don't you just love it when your kids are getting along? 

     1) So does our Father

 

D) Unity produces strength!   There was a father 6 sons always fighting / took strongest & handed him a stick /break it

1) 1 by 1was  added until he couldn't break " Unity is strength"

 

So let it continue – it should be there true mark of a Believer / mark of a fellowship that is growing in Christ – Let it continue

A)Maintain the Love – How ? Looking out for others / praying for each other / Mindful of New People / - the LETTER

 

B) We need to not only think in terms of those who have been here forever   

1)   But in terms of those who are visiting – Let Love Continue

 

C) The Church was going thru tough times – encouragement to love

1)    Know what spirit you are of in the tough times – Snakes turn on itself in tough times corner a snake – it will bite itself

 

D) Sheep huddle together in tough times – strength in Numbers

     1) We should always be seeking the Lord as to how we can grow in love

 

Our Love is not to be just to those in the body but also to those outside the body v.2,3   

A) Love is seen in our Hospitality V.2   Strangers

 

 

B) Some have entertained Angels

1)   Parable of the sheep & the goats / Those sick, those in  prison, hungry   When?  "Did it to the least ....... to Me!

 

C) Does this mean that we are to give 5 dollars to every stranger , "Will work for food" SIGN

 

Listen Jesus told His disciples " I am sending you out as sheep amongst wolves ( there are going to be people who will seek to take advantage of you.

A) So be wise as serpents & gentle as Doves!

 

B) In other words there is a need for Discernment in these matters – Woman in our Church was carjacked could have been killed -

1)   The day & age we live in it is dangerous to do that .

 

C) But I don’t want to miss out on entertaining an Angel – Listen I think scripturally Angel – Look normal not like Manson

1)   Sense something special – Abraham in Gen 18 Abe saw something special about these guys

 

D) Used to get Calls once a week at the church / Our policy is we don't

          give money / buy food ; gas in tank ; not going give money

  1) One pastor gave money "use this for alcohol or drugs Pray it Kills You!

 

E)Cons -Lady came our Church in OR one  Sunday  story  I bought - latter

     that week saw her at a restaurant!/ Err on the side of Grace

     1)      There are legitimate needs in the body & we are happy to help out !

      

So our love is to be  seen in our Hospitality toward strangers & those who are in Prison – great work – Blessed who go in.

A.)    Many of the believers in this time were in prison and he says -    remember them! =  Compassion / Prayer / Gifts / Visits

 

B) From there he begins to address the subject of Love in the Home / first the marital relationship : v4

1st Let marriage he held in honor Now this statement could have been a reaction to certain ascetic influences in the early church that held celibacy to be a holier state than marriage.

A)Some men, such as the famous Origen of the third century, had themselves castrated, under the mistaken notion that they could thereby serve God more devotedly.

 

B)Paul warns that in the last days apostate teachers will “forbid marriage”

 (1 Tim. 4:3).

1)   But God holds marriage not only to be permissible, but honorable, and we are to have the same high regard for it.

 

C) In our day & age – No honor given to marriage : Live together

Barna research : One-third of married adults have co-habited prior to getting married and those who have done so have a higher incidence of divorce.


D) Even in the Church or those who profess to be believers :

 

Marriage is not Held in honor – seen by the great Number of Divorces 1 out of 2 – same # for those inside the Church -  

A)Marriage is honorable in the Sight of the Lord

 

B)) God the father honored marriage by establishing it in the garden .

     it was there He ordained & presided over the 1st wedding.

     1)  He saw mans loneliness & brought woman / helpmate / took     the two & said the two shall be one flesh.

 

God the Son ( Jesus) Honored marriage by performing His 1st miracle at the wedding in Canaan.

A) Save that young couple embarrassment & disgrace/ stress

      

B) God the H. S. honored marriage by using it as a picture of     the union between Christ & the Church. in N.T.

     1) "The husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the Church."

Marriage is Honorable in the sight of the Lord & it needs to be in our site / And Marriage Bed is to be undefiled

A)God made sex to be enjoyed between a husband & wife – it helps bring unity

 

“Hughes The marriage bed, the sexual relationship is an altar, so to speak where a pure offering of a couple’s lives is made to each other & to God”

 

B) Leave mother … Cleave – sex – result two become one

1)   Sometimes we reverse that – Once we are one – once he understands me better / more sensitive to me – then we will cleave

 

C) Not the DIVINE ORDER – LEAVE CLEAVE = ONENESS

1)   Sex helps develop oneness & intimacy – but sin destroys intimacy

 

D)After the Fall – after sin entered the garden – They were naked & ashamed

Prior to that they weren’t

 

The enemy is seeking to destroy marriages thru infidelity / temptations every where for both men & women – thrown in our faces

A)Media – ( Riverview – Lets Play around ) Your wife will never Know

    Internet – Porn / Chat rooms -

 

B) How do we stay pure to our Spouses ? Really simple by staying pure to the Lord

1)   Joseph – This sin against God

 

C) Christians don’t get blind sided – allow sin to take root – Fantasy / or by allowing hearts to grow dull / not cultivating the Garden so to speak

1)   First Committed to God – No matter what – Submitted to Him

 

D) Listen if you are one who compromises in other aspects of your life / it will be easy for you to compromise in this one

1)   Now To be really Clear – God gives this warning : but fornicators and adulterers God will judge.

1 Cor 6 9Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, 10nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God. 11And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and  by the Spirit of our God.

 

Eph 5: 3But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints; 4neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks. 5For £this you know, that no fornicator, unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. 6Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience.

 

Rev. 21:8 7He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son. 8But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.”

 

From here he moves to talk about not loving things v.5, 6

A) Covetousness is the want of what I don’t have – He simply says be content w/ what You have –

1 Tim. 6: 6-8   But godliness with contentment is great gain.     For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.     And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content.

 

B)Here is the main reason you have Jesus who said I will never leave you nor forsake you – you have Jesus that means that you have all that you need.

1)   LK 12 don’t worry about Provision – fathers good pleasure…

 

C) What an awesome promise I will never leave nor forsake so that you may boldy say – The Lord is my helper I will not fear what can man do to me

 

7Remember those who rule over you, who have spoken the word of God to you, whose faith follow, considering the outcome of their conduct

There are 3 exhortations that the writer makes toward their view and Relationship w/ those in leadership – this is the first : Remember them

A)Rule = Governing – Pastor has a Governing Role : Bishop = Overseer

 

B) Elder – Guiding ministry – maturity in the word & faith guides

1)   Pastor – Guarding ministry – watching out for wolves – false teachers

 

C) Remember those who bring the word to you who have taught you the truth  who are examples of those walking in faith Living by faith

 

8Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Why here ? Most of all Keep your focus on JESUS – keep the main thing the main thing –

 

 . 9Do not be carried about with various and strange doctrines. For it is good that the heart be established by grace, not with foods which have not profited those who have been occupied with them.

 

A Little reminder don’t get caught up in side issues – Let your heart be established in GRACE

A)Paul told Tim Be strong in the Grace / Peter Grow in Grace - / Rev. Grace of God be with you all Amen

 

B) Saved by Grace / walk by Grace / Live by Grace / Dispensers of Grace

1)   Grace is the conduit from where the Blessings of God flow

 

C) So be established in Grace – Study in itself

 

As we come to v.10 comes back to one more Illustration concerning the Superiority to Christ over the Rituals of Judaism – Read v.10-14

A)The Sacrifices that were offered on the Jewish great Day of Atonement were a prophetic type of Christ

 

B) On the Day of Atonement a bull was slain to atone for the sins of the Priest & His family

1)   And a lamb was slain to atone for the sins of  the rest of the people  

C) The Blood of both of these sacrifices was taken into the Holy of Holies & sprinkled – cover sins

1)   But the Carcasses were taken outside the camp & burned – so that those Priest who served at the altar could not partake of them as a meal

 

Now the writer refers to the Sacrifice of Christ – taken outside the city of Jerusalem – outside the Camp of Jewish Ritual

A)This means two great things : 1st all those who are committed to the old Jewish system are excluded from partaking of Christ atoning death

 

B) Can’t have it both ways – One sacrifice for sins – Jesus – can’t / mixture of all these rituals & laws for salvation & faith in Christ

 

C) 2ndly Jesus death outside of the camp means that he is accessible to anyone in the world who will come to him 

1) So there remains only one thing for the writer to exhort us to do 13Therefore let us go forth to Him, outside the camp, bearing His reproach. 14For here we have no continuing city, but we seek the one to come.

 

V.15

A)Therefore Because of Christ is accessible – true worship / Let us continue to offer up the sacrifice of Praise : Sun am 5 wonders of worship

 

B) Delights …./ Develops our family…./ Defeats our foe…/ Dethrones our flesh …/ Defines our faith.

 

C) Note: Sacrifice of Praise: Why Sacrifice – 2 reason

1)   Our flesh is against it – hates not being center of attention Group photo

 

D) 2ndly Seasons of our Lives – Fall / winter / Spring Summer

1)   Spring & summer – things are flowing / going well – it is easy to worship

 

E) Fall & Winter – different story – More of a sacrifice –

1)   These believers were in a winter time – Sacrifice of Praise

Worship the Fruit of our Lips - / v16 Work the Fruit of our Labor 16But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.

A) There is a Balance between Mary & Martha -

 

B) Worship w/ our lips & Worship w/ our Work –

 

V.17-19 Next two exhortations

A)Obey the idea here is because they are sharing the Word – not obeying them but obeying the word

 

B) Never go along w/ a leader whose ideas are not scriptural

 

C) AND PRAY : Morning Prayer watch

1)   Kids pray for Sunday school teachers

 

D) Pray : Devotional life – His time w/ the Lord / Pray for Domestic life – family / Pray for his ministry.

1)   Please Pray                                    Read v.20-25 

 

 

The phrase make you completeor perfect  : in the Greek is katartizo

A.)    Unfamiliar word to us but not to Jews

     1.)     Doctors knew it because it meant to set a broken bone

 

B.)    To fishermen it meant to mend a TORN  net

     1.)     To sailors it meant to outfit a ship for a voyage

          And to soldiers it meant to equip army for battle

 

C) All of us Broken & torn – No direction

 

He is the great Physician who wants to set the broken bones

A.)    He wants to bring healing - heart, mind, from sin

     1.)     He wants to restore to order that which is ruined!

 

 

B.)    He wants to set the broken bones and enable us to walk straight

     1.)     Run victoriously in this race of life

 

 

He wants to repair the breaks in the nets that we might catch fish and win souls

A.)    Some of you have felt - I can't be used! "Let's put the net on the     other side of boat watch what happens" His grace is so good

   

 

He wants to equip us for battle and outfit us so that we will not be battered by the storms of life

A.)    He wants to mature us, so that He can work in us and through us        that which pleases Him and accomplish His will

 

B) Alan the Violinist / I could pick that up & put the bow against strings / ouch!  ears hurt stop that is awful.

     1) Alan plays " Now that is what that  violin is made for."

          Beautiful music!

 

C) Our lives can be like the violin / when we resist God - do our

     own thing / demand our way / feelings control us

     1) The noise is awful - deafening!

 

D) But when we give Him Lordship in our lives / when we resist the

     temptations to follow our feelings and do His will

     1) Then we see this is my Purpose / why I'm Here!

 

 

Interesting study – How the Lord does this : Word Make perfect or complete – used in 4 other places in the NT

A)1 Peter 5:10 – of His grace & suffering  / 2 Tim. 3:16 – The Word / Gal.6:1 restore – of our lives / 1 Thes. 3:9,10 0f Prayer

 

B) Neat study – maybe when I get back – that Sunday