Pleasing God
Notes
Transcript
Congratulations! We’ve made it to the end of the letter to the Hebrews. The author has said his piece, in his view “briefly”. So here he goes with some final exhortations. Are we ready to dig into them? Let’s go:
He begins with an overarching theme: He 13:1
Let brotherly love continue.
How do we do that?
Hebrews 13:2 (ESV)
Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers…
I think the hardest part of this for most is the term stranger. How do you show hospitality to those you’ve never met before? He tells his listeners that some have entertained angels without knowing it!
Hebrews 13:3 (ESV)
Remember those who are in prison, as though in prison with them, and those who are mistreated, since you also are in the body.
In the first century prisoners often had to depend upon friends and family even for the most basic necessities of life. So the author encourages us to remember them as if we were there. It’s reminiscent of Paul’s words when one part of the body hurts the whole body hurts.
Heb 13:4
Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous.
There seems to be less and less affirmation of marriage in our culture. And the marriages that happen more often than not happen away from the church. Sometimes its a justice of the peace, or with a friend or family members getting “licensed” to be able to officiate the ceremony. In removing marriage from the church we remove it from the faith community.
When we attend a wedding (which in the catholic church is still considered a sacrament) we are in essence there as witnesses and supporters of the marriage. If we take it seriously, we are there lending our encouragement, our pledge to help the couple continue to grow together, to support them when they’re struggling, all of that. Sadly, that commitment has not been held to in recent decades neither within the church nor outside of it.
Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”
It’s so easy for us to get caught up in seeking our security from material gain instead of the one who promises to never leave us nor forsake us. It’s not in keeping up with the Joneses, it’s not in having all the latest styles. But rather than tell you what it is not, let’s focus on what it is - keeping our eyes on Christ!
Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith.
Most Christian leaders, myself included, strive to live as an example of what it means to live a life of faith. Like anyone else we too struggle, stumble, fail, and rely on the grace and mercy of our Lord Jesus. We are all so thankful for it all. And this fact gives us solace in our changing times.
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.
As I say that, I want to take a moment of pastoral privilege to say: know that as I strive to lean into Jesus, I also know I am dependent upon your prayers for me as your pastor. I have the privilege of serving this congregation and this community as a pastor - a representative of God - and in so doing I have the honor of walking along side of people in difficult times. Sometimes it’s the lowest point in their lives and I will say that takes a toll on my spirit. I’m so thankful for your prayers, your encouragement, and support in this ministry.
I also want to take this opportunity to remind you that there is another among us, from our congregation who does this for a very different congregation. I want to encourage you to continue to lift up our very own Chaplain Lance as he ministers to our community, to first responders, and to their families. He is often called in when there’s a death or tragic injury - that weighs on you. He is called at all hours of the day and night to be a godly presence when others worlds have been turned upside down.
Pray for Lance
Returning to our sermon:
Do not be led away by diverse and strange teachings, for it is good for the heart to be strengthened by grace, not by foods, which have not benefited those devoted to them.
I had a professor once remind our class if we discovered something that no one had ever seen in the Bible before, we were wrong. Another professor always encouraged us that the Bible always interprets the Bible. Not a devotional, not a commentary, not a preacher, not a meme on social media, not a denomination, - it’s the Bible that interprets the Bible. That’s what the author of Hebrews has done throughout his epistle.
We’re told to
• go to Jesus,
• bear the reproach he endured,
• seek the city that is to come,
• continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God,
• don’t neglect to do good
• share what you have
• obey your leaders and…
• pray for us, thus saying that the author is one of the leaders within the church.
Ultimately folks we are to live differently than our culture. Ultimately our lives are to be lived in stark contrast to our culture.
Folks, our call is to Christ, our call is to Jesus. Our call is to trust in Him, not ourselves. Because that’s true, our works are not the value we might give to them. The way to please God is to love as God loves.
Centuries ago those joining the church were asked, “What is the chief end of man?” and the answer is:
“Man’s chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy him forever.”
How do we do that? Returning to the Bible, what is the greatest commandment?
And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.
Our focus must always come back to the Lord our God. How are you loving God in your life?
My hope and prayer for all of us, especially in this divisive time we are living in, is that our love for God will supersede temporal differences we have with one another.
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