Faithful Living

Bible Passage: Hebrews 13:1-6

scripture memory

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Big Idea: Our faith is made vibrant and strong not in isolation but in community; by living out the essence of love and support for one another, we cultivate a resilient church that reflects Christ's love in a world filled with uncertainty and fear.

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1. Let Love Reign vs. 1-5

Hebrews 13:1–5 ESV

Let brotherly love continue. Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares. Remember those who are in prison, as though in prison with them, and those who are mistreated, since you also are in the body. Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous. 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.”

This serves as the epilogue with several exhorations

Essentially, the writer is going to wrap things up and say here is how you are going to live…hence faith applied

The main theme is perservarance and perserverance will be insulated and protected by how we love one another

Love needs to reign in three ways in verses 1-5

Hospitality, remembering those who suffer

In our marriages, something will apply…where is the motivation?

1 John 4:19 ESV

We love because he first loved us.

Practice Hospitality v.2

To be a lover of strangers…that’s a good translation of this passage

love is going to manifest itself with hospitality

Love’s traveling companion is hospitality

This is expected in the Christian community

But it is expressed with meeting practical needs…that’s how you should see hospitality…its not about the perfect set-up, but its about being available to minister with what God has given you, to what God has put in front of you.

Expected of Elders (leadership)

1 Timothy 3:2 ESV

Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach,

Expected of widows (marginalized)

1 Timothy 5:10 ESV

and having a reputation for good works: if she has brought up children, has shown hospitality, has washed the feet of the saints, has cared for the afflicted, and has devoted herself to every good work.

Points to the OT

Genesis 18:3–6 ESV

and said, “O Lord, if I have found favor in your sight, do not pass by your servant. Let a little water be brought, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree, while I bring a morsel of bread, that you may refresh yourselves, and after that you may pass on—since you have come to your servant.” So they said, “Do as you have said.” And Abraham went quickly into the tent to Sarah and said, “Quick! Three seahs of fine flour! Knead it, and make cakes.”

Tell the Story about the guys stuck in the snow

What causes you to want to be hospitable, what are some barriers that need to be worked through

Sometimes we have false assumptions about people,

They don’t need me, we would not get along, I’m too busy

Again, hospitality is the travel companion of love, and you don’t have to be an event planner, or have an A plus pintrest boards, just take one step

This has been an area of focus in my family, we give of our beds, blankets, meals and room…we taught our children this

Time is one of your most valuable resources, and there could be a stranger who needs your time today

Remember those suffering v.3

Why is this important…because shame could be associated with someone in prison…again false assumptions, quick word about Mrs. Nunley’s body posture when talking about her son

Hebrews 10:34 ESV

For you had compassion on those in prison, and you joyfully accepted the plundering of your property, since you knew that you yourselves had a better possession and an abiding one.

the temptation would be to fiit in and to avoid suffering, and to advoid those who are in suffering

Paul suffered

Colossians 4:18 ESV

I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. Remember my chains. Grace be with you.

We can’t forget the marginalized and the suffering

Honor your marriage v.4

overall Christian exhoration

Love the one you are committed to, not the one who you are with at the moment.

with marriage the emphasis is always on keeping the covenant and not the way we feel at the moment

“Only with time do we really learn who the other person is and come to love the person for him- or herself and not just for the feelings and experiences they give us.” ― Timothy Keller, The Meaning of Marriage: Facing the Complexities of Commitment with the Wisdom of God

what do we mean by with time do we love the person and not the experience they give

“Hook-up culture and porngraphy…give us an experience…

Does the societal acceptance of hook-up culture represent an era of destigmatizing uncommitted sex, or does it normalize taking advantage of others in the pursuit of sexual intimacy? Moreover, is it even possible for one to set healthy boundaries during an encounter that is meant to be ‘no strings attached? 

   Tulane University’s Lisa Wade, Ph.D,

2. Love the right things. v. 6

Hebrews 13:6 ESV

So we can confidently say, “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?”

Psalm 118:6 ESV

The Lord is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me?

We say this with confidence…our faith applied is this…Because Jesus loves me I will_________

Baptize James and Shelia