The Unlikely Ones

Not who you expected

The Grinch

Unlikely Examples

Hebrews 13:7 ESV

7 Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith.

Follow their lives of faith

The hinge of Truth

Hebrews 13:8 ESV

8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

What your leaders spoke to you

Jesus is the center of our faith and the core of what we believe.

A guard against false teachings

Unlikely Witnesses

Don’t be led away

The role of a Shepherd

Hebrews 13:9–11 ESV

9 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. 10 We have an altar from which those who serve the tent have no right to eat. 11 For the bodies of those animals whose blood is brought into the holy places by the high priest as a sacrifice for sin are burned outside the camp.

Leviticus 16:27–28 ESV

27 And the bull for the sin offering and the goat for the sin offering, whose blood was brought in to make atonement in the Holy Place, shall be carried outside the camp. Their skin and their flesh and their dung shall be burned up with fire. 28 And he who burns them shall wash his clothes and bathe his body in water, and afterward he may come into the camp.

Those who accept the place of reproach

Hebrews 13:12–13 ESV

12 So Jesus also suffered outside the gate in order to sanctify the people through his own blood. 13 Therefore let us go to him outside the camp and bear the reproach he endured.

We are joined to Jesus

Hebrews 2:11 ESV

11 For he who sanctifies and those who are sanctified all have one source. That is why he is not ashamed to call them brothers,

He is the final sacrifice

Hebrews 10:10 ESV

10 And by that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

By this we are sanctified

Hebrews 10:14 ESV

14 For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified.

An unlikely dwelling

Hebrews 13:14 ESV

14 For here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city that is to come.

Built by God

Hebrews 11:10 ESV

10 For he was looking forward to the city that has foundations, whose designer and builder is God.

Prepared by God

Hebrews 11:16 ESV

16 But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared for them a city.

The City of God

Hebrews 12:22 ESV

22 But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable angels in festal gathering,

An unlikely sacrifice

Hebrews 13:15–16 ESV

15 Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name. 16 Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.

No more blood required.

Do your lips acknowledge his name?

Unlikely Submission

Hebrews 13:17 ESV

17 Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.

They need prayer

Hebrews 13:18–19 ESV

18 Pray for us, for we are sure that we have a clear conscience, desiring to act honorably in all things. 19 I urge you the more earnestly to do this in order that I may be restored to you the sooner.

Unlikely Source

Hebrews 13:20–21 ESV

20 Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, 21 equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.

God gives us grace!

What is the exhortation of the book of Hebrews?

Hebrews 13:22–25 ESV

22 I appeal to you, brothers, bear with my word of exhortation, for I have written to you briefly. 23 You should know that our brother Timothy has been released, with whom I shall see you if he comes soon. 24 Greet all your leaders and all the saints. Those who come from Italy send you greetings. 25 Grace be with all of you.

We are the unlikely ones

Just like the Shepherds. God chose them instead of others. God sent his son for them. God invited them. God gave them the task of telling others. Like the Shepherds, we are the unlikely choice.

We need the unlikely source of God’s grace.

We need the unlikely sacrifice of the savior.

We need the unlikely calling to stand with Him.

We need the unlikely example of faith filled saints.

So where will you be unlikely this season?

Will you be an unlikely source of blessing?

Will you be an unlikely source of forgiveness?

Will you be an unlikely source of joy?

Will you be willing to be rejected as you try?