Love's Primacy in Christ's People (Heb 13:1-3)

Hebrews 13:1–3 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.

And PRAY

Opening Prayer

Does the Bible translate to everyday life?

See Guthrie***

If it doesn’t we aren’t doing it right! - The modern church runs a very real risk of trying to split life into two spheres, the sacred and the secular. But our life in the Spirit must be our life lived on the street. Gordon McDonald says in his book Forging a Real-World Faith,

When Christ-following truth is no longer spoken in street language, when it is no longer directed at street life, and when it no longer challenges men and women to live as Christ-followers in those streets, there is no longer a chance for real-world faith. People are tamed, learning how to act with deftness inside the religious institutions. But they do not learn how to live faithfully in the real world. (quoted in Guthrie, 447)

Christian Living’s

In other words, the Bible absolutely can and should translate to our daily living. We’ve been trying to emphasize that ever since our studies through Philippians (One Purpose, to live is Christ) and Ephesians (theological depth for today), Nehemiah (the good hand of God upon us to prayerfully serve him with boldness) and now Hebrews (that Jesus is better than religion and better than what the world offers - so we ought to pursue him supremely and live with him as our sufficiency to see him glorified in our hearts and in calling others to be fully devoted followers of Jesus.

So if the Bible doesn’t translate, particularly a deep theology of a magnificent God that provides us with foundational doctrine to walk on in our daily practice, then we aren’t doing it right. So Hebrews, as do many other NT letters, takes us from the sound doctrine carefully explained and even applied to now some more specific and practical ethical implications.

As the author strings together a list of admonitions of ethical content in ch. 13 before closing the letter, we need to remember a couple of key things we’ve learned in Hebrews (and everywhere in the N.T.):

Foundations of Faith for Christian Endurance

What we have:

A better and perfect Great High Priest, and therefore a faith firmly anchored in Christ, a citizenship in God’s unshakeable kingdom.

What that means:

We can and we must stand firm. We can and we must endure.

Christ is all and in all. ()

Jesus the Motivation and Model for Christian Living

(This content could just as easily go under point one. Maybe it’s better there?)

Our motivation for the Christian life is covenant relationship with Jesus.

- It is our new standing in Christ, our new relationship to God through Christ, our new life in Christ that motivates new living.

Our model for the Christian life is Christ’s example.

- Jesus is definitely more than merely an example of good living… He is God speaking to us, God rescuing us, God restoring us to himself, and God working in us. But because he is perfect and sympathetic high priest, he certainly is also the supreme model to follow.

With THAT as context, the writer of Hebrews now lists some examples of what it fundamentally looks like as His people, of the new and better covenant, to offer acceptable worship to God.

The Pillar New Testament Commentary: The Letter to the Hebrews A. True Service to God Involves Serving His People, 13:1–6

These instructions about life in the community flow directly from 12:28 in which the listeners were called to express their thanks by serving God with fear and awe. True service of God is expressed in serving his people, hence the exhortations that follow.

Now in our list the first six verses are connected by Love - The first three are fundamental marks of Christian love, and the next to warnings about dangerous distortions of love. (Biblical love is holy/pure. There’s no place for lust and greed.) But first, we have three ongoing expressions of love in service to others.

Now in our list the first six verses are connected by Love - The first three are fundamental marks of Christian love, and the next to warnings about dangerous distortions of love. (Biblical love is holy/pure. There’s no place for lust and greed.) But first, we have three ongoing expressions of love in service to others.

Hebrews 13:1–3 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.

The Pillar New Testament Commentary: The Letter to the Hebrews A. True Service to God Involves Serving His People, 13:1–6

These instructions about life in the community flow directly from 12:28 in which the listeners were called to express their thanks by serving God with fear and awe. True service of God is expressed in serving his people, hence the exhortations that follow.

The Pillar New Testament Commentary: The Letter to the Hebrews A. True Service to God Involves Serving His People, 13:1–6

These instructions about life in the community flow directly from 12:28 in which the listeners were called to express their thanks by serving God with fear and awe.

Let’s look together more closely at these...

Ongoing Expressions of Love (v. 1)

Ongoing Expressions of Love (v. 1)

Ongoing Expressions of Love in Service to Others:

*Christ’s example - Jesus is much more than merely an example… yet he certainly is the supreme model to follow.

Brotherly Love (v. 1)

What is biblical love?

What is biblical love?

Love is a caring commitment that shows itself in self-sacrificing service for the highest good of another.

It is the single most prominent trait by which the Christian reveals that they share in Christ and by which the Christian testifies to the truth of the Gospel.

John 13:34–35 ESV

A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

*** verses!

So it should come as no surprise that as the author turns to expressing what it looks like to live a life of acceptable worship to God (what Paul calls offering our bodies as living sacrifices to God, )… It makes perfect sense to begin with love.

Hebrews 13:1 ESV

Let brotherly love continue.

philadelphia:

Philadelphia: the love that binds together members of the family of God as brothers and sisters - Isn’t just a sentimental feeling of the bond of love, but it is responding to the needs of other members in the family

the love that binds together members of the family of God as brothers and sisters

- Isn’t just a sentimental feeling of the bond of love, but is responding to the needs of other members in the family

When provoked..., when someone disappoints..., when we think others have it easier than us..., when the leaders don’t do something the way we prefer...

… let brotherly love continue.

When a brother is straying…, When

… let brotherly love continue.

“Remain” means love exists and that it needs to be cultivated.

I am so encouraged by this evidence of faith in our church family.

1 Thessalonians 4:9–10 ESV

Now concerning brotherly love you have no need for anyone to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love one another, for that indeed is what you are doing to all the brothers throughout Macedonia. But we urge you, brothers, to do this more and more,

1 Thessalonians 4:9 ESV

Now concerning brotherly love you have no need for anyone to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love one another,

So it also needs to be cultivated, especially in the most ordinary of ways, right at home.

Love’s ongoing expression is most powerful in the most ordinary places.

- Closest to home...

Love’s ongoing expression is most powerful in the most ordinary places, closest to home.

Closest to home...

I can’t see any other way except to plan for and battle against hindrances to love: (concepts from Steve Cole)

Like our inclination to selfishness and self-love

Love is sacrificial service.

When provoked..., when someone disappoints..., when we think others have it easier than us..., when the leaders don’t do something the way we prefer...

And the pride of assuming our answer or our way is most definitely the best - one of my absolute favorite verses on this issue:

Romans 12:10 ESV

Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.

Like our tendency to be impatient and intolerant with the imperfections of others

Closest to home...

… let brotherly love continue.

Like an inclination to be divisive rather than promoting a spirit of peace and unity

And like being sucked into loving the world and the world’s way of defining what love is (two weeks from now, when we’re back in vv. 4-6)

1 John 2:15–16 ESV

Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world.

1 John 2:

Instead of loving the world and loving like the world, we aim to love like Jesus, in the hardest places - in everyday choices, closest to home - (and now too we see in the next to verses how Christian love plays out in) the least convenient and the least comfortable

Hospitality (v. 2)

Don’t forget/neglect - Don’t overlook it.

Hospitality is...

- the quality of kindness and generosity toward guests… particularly treating someone (perhaps even a stranger) with high esteem in the context of your home to joyfully bring them comfort and refreshment.

So is hospitality limited to having people in your home? But is hosting people in your home a particularly good way to show and grow in hospitality? (you bet!)

Hebrews 13:2 ESV

Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.

Don’t forget/neglect hospitality -

Don’t overlook it.

Don’t forget/neglect - Don’t overlook it.

In the first century inns were expensive to stay in overnight, and were notoriously dangerous and immoral (bad reputations)

Having angels as guests without recognizing them… (Abraham) and 19:1-3 (Lot) - (Steve Cole quoting John MacArthur) we often do not “know how important or far-reaching a simple act of helpfulness may be”

(Abraham) and 19:1-3 (Lot)

If we’re honest, hosting is inconvenient. (Now we may genuinely believe that it reaps great reward, but that doesn’t make it convenient!)

How should we apply this point in our context?

The great example we had recently where at least four among us volunteered to host Susan Sawatski, a visiting missionary from Germany who came to interact with her daughter who’s a student at CofO.

We need to keep overwhelming folks with our sincere hospitality who visit us here at BBC… when either passing through or looking for a church home in the area.

Experience the blessing of inviting one another into your home, of inviting outsiders into your home.

Let brotherly love continue… in the most ordinary places of life, especially with those closest to you. Don’t overlook hospitality. You have no idea what God has in store for you or for them by your simple act of selfless kindness in hosting others. And finally, remember compassionate ministry.

Compassion (v. 3)

Compassion

Compassionately minister to the persecuted and mistreated.

- compassionate concern expressed in practical care (providing for their needs)

Perhaps this is where we are reminded that love sacrifices its own comfort for the good of another.

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.

(remembering those imprisoned as though you yourself are bound to them)

After all you are in the flesh. You understand, and you well know pain and suffering.

(remembering those imprisoned by binding yourself to them)

Hebrews 10:32–34 ESV

But recall the former days when, after you were enlightened, you endured a hard struggle with sufferings, sometimes being publicly exposed to reproach and affliction, and sometimes being partners with those so treated. 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.

Hebrews 10:32–34 ESV

But recall the former days when, after you were enlightened, you endured a hard struggle with sufferings, sometimes being publicly exposed to reproach and affliction, and sometimes being partners with those so treated. 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.

- compassionate concern expressed in practical care (providing for their needs)

Now maybe it should also be said before moving on that… Even in an area like hospitality we must exercise wisdom that our behavior is genuinely helping and not hurting (allowing bad habits, etc.)

- compassionate concern expressed in practical care

After all you are in the flesh. You understand, and you well know pain and suffering.

Now maybe it should also be said before moving on that… Even in an area like hospitality we must exercise wisdom that our behavior is genuinely helping and not hurting (allowing bad habits, etc.)

How should we apply this point in our context?

1. Helping the hurting. - See a need to jump to it.

2. Are there Christians who are persecuted and mistreated among us? - What about ongoing racial discrimination?

Conclusion - Ok. Let’s swing back around to where we began this morning.

What is the BEST evidence to a watching world of the resurrection life of Christ at work in his people, that God’s Word is true?

It is through the devoted living for God in common aspects of life that the truth of the gospel is proclaimed in a thousand varied voices, and the kingdom is built. In the common practices of financial management, date nights, cleaning dirty faces and dirty bottoms, integrity at work, care for the burdened or oppressed, and hospitality God finds pleasure, for these are worthy sacrifices when presented on an altar made holy by the blood of Christ. (Quote from Guthrie, 447-8)

AND

What tops the list of both the evidence for and the ethics of the Christian life?

God’s love

… which is poured into our hearts by his Spirit (from ), and it overflows in sacrificial service for the highest good of others

[So]

Let brotherly love continue…, that it may overflow in our families and in our church family and to all God’s people.

And brothers and sisters, as examples of the sincere love of Christ, let’s seek to show hospitality to those we don’t know.

And most definitely may we sympathetically and compassionately ministry to the persecuted and the hurting.

Philippians 2:1–11 ESV

So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Philippians 2:1–9 ESV

So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name,

Philippians 2:1-

Discussion Questions:

Tell stories of some really cool ways you’ve seen Christian love expressed recently in our church family or more broadly amongst God’s people. How do you think you might try something similar?

What specific ways to you find to be the most challenging for expressing love in ordinary daily living and with those closest to you?

How do we openly practice hospitality while wisely guarding against moochers or putting our loved ones in danger?

How do we openly practice hospitality while wisely guarding against moochers or putting our loved ones in danger?

I mentioned the application of compassionate ministry to those who experience racial discrimination. Among evangelicals today, that may strike a cord, or a nerve. Lovingly :-) discuss what you believe Christ’s heart is for people of varying ethnicities.