Application of Spiritual Truths

Hebrews 13   •  Sermon  •  Submitted
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Hebrews 13:1-6

Introduction:
The book of Hebrew is an interesting book of the bible. The authorship of Hebrews is in question and debated. Though this is an interesting debate it does not change the fact that “All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness”. (2 Tim 3:16)
The book of Hebrews address three distinct groups. The primary group addressed were Hebrew Christians, The second group were Jewish unbelievers that were convinced of the basic truths of gospel but had not placed their faith in Jesus. The third and final group is similar to the second group. The third group is attracted to the Gospel but were not convinced. Though it is called Hebrews we know that some gentiles were also in each group. When we survey these groups. Do they sound familiar. Oddly enough it is any church world wide. Each of these groups is represented in the modern church. In the pews of the Church we have believers, those convince the Scriptures have truth, but have not made a confession and finally those starting to seek. Personally I have represented all three of these groups.
Therefore, the message in Hebrews is relevant today as it was when originally penned. Lets turn to Hebrews 13:1-6. As we go through the text we will consider who is the audience, what commands are found and finally promises that are contained in Hebrew 13:1-6
Argument: Hebrews 13:1-6
Let love of the brethren continue. 2. Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by this some have entertained angels without knowing it. 3. Remember the prisoners, as though in prison with them, and those who are ill-treated, since you yourselves also are in the body. 4. Marriage is to be held in honor among all, and marriage bed is to be undefiled; for fornicators and adulterers God will judge. 5. Make sure that your character is free from the love of money, being content with what you have; for He himself has said, “I WILL NEVER DESERT YOU , NOR WILL I EVER FORSAKE (abandon) YOU” 6. so that we confidently say, “THE LORD IS MY HELPER, I WILL NOT BE AFRAID. WHAT WILL MAN DO TO ME?
Hebrews 13 starts with love and builds from there. The first verse starts with “let love of the brethren continue”. We need to break down this verse. We will look at two key word “love” and “continue”. The first word that stood out to me was “continue”. The original language reveals more of the meaning behind this word. The word translated continue is in the present tense and it is an imperative. This is a command to remain in the love of the brethren.
Why continue or remain? The text is implying this is not the first time we have been commanded to to love one another. When we see words such as continue or remain it should cause us to seek out where else in Scripture we are commanded to love.
John 13:34 -35 says “A new commandment I give you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another”. By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another. This commandment is given at the last supper, Judas has been already been reveal as traitor and was no longer with Jesus. This brings us to second word of interest “love”.
The word for “love” used in Hebrews 13:1 is “Philadelphia”. We are all familiar with this word since it is a city. Philadelphia is a compound word, love (phileo) and brother. There are four word for love use in Greek. Phileo is an affectionate, warm merited love, love between brothers and sisters, family love. This is the love we share among Christians. We are brothers and sisters in Christ. (as we discussed in last weeks sermon). This also tells us that the message is direct at the brethren, disciples of Jesus Christ.
Before proceeding in Hebrews 13:2, if you will allow me to dive a little deeper into John 13:34-35. The word for “love” used in “agapao”. This love is slightly different, then “Philadelphia”. This is an unmerited, self-giving love. This is the love the Lord showed us, this love was demonstrated on the Cross. An unmerited love, a love that I could not earn.
I will confess that understanding unmerited love is extremely difficult demonstrate for me. Trying to understand unmerited love
I went through a mental exercise. Is this how I love my wife? I love my wife unconditionally, but I love her in that manner because she is my wife. This makes it a merited love, I thought about my children, but again it is because they are my children. The closest I get to understanding unmerited love is praying for the lost, for those that persecute the church, and kill Christians.
It was this unmerited love the drew my family to Christ. The first time we went to Bible believing church, we knew we had found disciples of the Lord Jesus. Just as he said John 13:35 “By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another”
Hebrews 13:2 2. Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by this some have entertained angels without knowing it. This is one of my wife’s favorite verses of scripture. Again it is telling us to do something. Hebrews 13:2 starts with do not neglect to show hospitality. This can be restated as show hospitality. There two main points that I want to draw out. First is the point of hospitality, the second is the entertainment of angels.
The word for hospitality is similar to Philadelphia, It is a compound word, love (phileo) and stranger. Now we are being commanded to extend love to the stranger. Often this cast an image of a strange among a nation , a foreigner, and this makes it very relatable today. This is a hot topic in today's news. The talk about illegal immigration has reached a fever pitch. What are we to do as Christians? We are to be hospitable, we are not to neglect the stranger among us.
There is no greater gift of hospitality then the Gospel. We are to share the “Gospel” with them. We are to tell them about our Lord and King, Jesus. Then they would not be strangers among us, but they would become brothers and sisters in Christ.
The second part of verse 2 says “…for by this some have entertained angels” this can be encouraging or a warning. It depends on which side of hospitality we fall on. We will consider is this figurative language or literal language. In other words, do we have other accounts in Scripture of angels visiting people. The answer is yes, we see a great example in Gen 19:1-38.
We are not going to read it, but I will summarize. This is the account of the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, but if we look closer at the story we see that two angels came. Lot showed hospitality to them. Invited them into his home.
Lot showed hospitality to the angels. Showing love to strangers is one of the hardest and intentional things we must do. This world amplifies our differences. Tries to define us by our differences. As Christians when we see a stranger, we need to see whose image they bear. We are all made in the image of God. Christ crosses all those divisions and unites us and tells us to reach beyond. Lord, I am humbled at the very thought of your grace and mercy.
Hebrews 13:3 “Remember the prisoners, as though in prison with them, and those who are ill-treated, since you yourselves also are in the body.”
During the time that Hebrews was written Christian were being persecuted. But is this applicable now, today. Let’s look at some of the headlines over several years starting in 2017.
World Watch Monitor Jan 23, 2018: China: 6 Christians jailed as pressure on churches increases
Quote from the President of China Xi “the government would “uphold the principle that religions in China must be Chinese in orientation, and provide active guidance to religions so that they can adapt themselves to socialist society”
Simply put, God must conform to man’s government.
We see a word in this article that is showing up more and more in American society, “socialist society”.
A society were man, “government” is the provider and savior. If this authority is challenged the force of law is used. This is what is happening in China today.
Christian Post Mar 26, 2018: China sentenced North Carolina pastor to 7 years in prison
CBN News Mar 01 2017: 5 Chinese Christians jailed as government cracks down on church
Their crime was buying and selling government forbidden devotionals
All religion has to be approved by the Chinese government. All your literature must support the communist government.
Christianity Today Jan 2017: Worst year yet: The top 50 Countries where it is hardest to be a Christian.
Approximately 215 million Christians experience high, very high or extreme
Top Five Countries to that persecute Christians: North Korea (has been number 1 for the past 14 years) Saudi Arabia (an ally of the United States), Iran, Somalia, and Afghanistan
How has this change in the past 4 years. As societies become more tolerant and inclusive, then we should expect that it gotten better.
Gatestone Institute: A Global Catastrophe: “260 Million Christian Experience High Levels of persecution”
North Korea (#1): If Christian are discovered they are deported to labor camps as political criminals or even killed on the spot. North Korea has now been #1 for persecuting Christians for 18 years. Almost two decades.
Afghanistan (#2) is "an Islamic society where Christianity exists in secret." Not only is it "illegal for an Afghan person to leave Islam," but family members are often first to attack or kill them.
Afghanistan has received $1.0b in aid from the US in 2020
In Somalia (#3), "conversion to Christianity is regarded as a betrayal"; " family members and clan leaders will harass, intimidate and even kill" converts. Al Shabaab, "the youth," an Islamic group, slaughters Christians "on the spot when discovered."
Somalia Has received $491M in aid from the US in 2020
In Libya (#4), "There is no freedom of speech, no equal treatment of Christians, no recognition of the church and no churches being built."
Libya has received $45M in aid from the US in 2020
Pakistan (#5) "is afflicted by numerous radical Islamic groups," which "regularly target" churches. the country's anti-blasphemy laws are disproportionately applied against the Christian minority — making it difficult and dangerous to live out one's faith in public."
Pakistan has received $89M in aid from the US in 2020
In Sudan (#7), "the government has arrested or intimidated many Christian leaders, and numerous churches have been demolished. Extremists have attacked Christians, especially in the Nuba Mountain region, where thousands of Christians have been killed or displaced."
Sudan has received $273M in aid from the US in 2020
In Yemen (#8), civil "war has allowed radical Islamic groups to expand their operations in certain areas, leading to Christians being abducted and killed. Open church activities are forbidden and leaving Islam is forbidden. Muslims who decide to follow Jesus could face the death penalty.
Yemen has received $476M in aid from the US in 2020
In Iran (#9), which "is governed by Islamic law,... the rights and professional possibilities for Christians are heavily restricted.... [I]t is illegal to produce Christian literature or hold church services in Farsi. Converts from Islam face persecution from the government."
Iran did not receive any aid in 2020
India (#10) — where "Hindu radicals often attack Christians with little to no consequences" — "the government plans to introduce a national facial recognition system.
India has received $125M in aid from the US
China is ranked #23. Since 2017 there has been an increase in the persecution of Christian of 18%. The situation is getting worse. Some of the articles that I are sounding the alarm that countries that were tolerant to Christian are starting to persecute them. As side note $2.4 Billion UD dollars went to countries that persecute Christians.
There are many more articles out there. These are a just a few. It is be heart breaking.
Aside: I also believe the church is persecuted within our own country, but it is much subtler. What we see us that the church is being marginalized, sidelined. Basically, we are told it has no place in society. They do not want Christianity in the public square. They are slowly removing it from the history of this country. It is a belief in and a foundation built on God’s Word that allowed this country to prosper. - John Adams said “Our constitution was made for a moral and religious people people it is wholly inadequate to the government of any other”.
How are we to remember them as Hebrews 13:3 commands? We are to remember them in our prays. I challenge us. How often do we remember these brothers and sisters in our prayer life. Is this an area of prayer life that needs work? We in a country that we can openly worship. I often forget about these brothers and sisters.
1 Corinthians 12:25-26 put it this way “so there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for on another. And if one member suffers, all members suffer with it, if one member is honored, all members rejoice with it. We are a united Church regardless of where we are, we are the body of Christ.
Hebrews 13:4 “ Marriage is to be held in honor among all, and marriage bed is to be undefiled; for fornicators and adulterers God will judge.”
The Bible is rich in using marriage language as analogy for God’s relationship to His people. We are to be faithful to our wives and husbands. We are not to seek other idols, gods. God uses something familiar to teach us.
Isaiah 54:5 “For your husband is your Maker, Whose name is the Lord of Hosts; And you redeemer is the Holy one of Israel. ..”
We see the in the verse Marriage is to be honored among ALL. There is shift in the language, with it we see there is a shift in the audience. Where the beginning, the first 4 verses, were primarily directed at believer, the world “all” expanse who should honor marriage. So, this means it includes Christians and non-Christians. Marriage is so important to God that all are to honor it.
Today we hear a lot of discussion of marriage. Often revolving around “what is the definition of marriage”? The discussion revolving around marriage start with a false premise, that man instituted marriage. That marriage is a secular institution. It was not man that instituted marriage , it was God. Therefore, there is only one definition for marriage and it comes from Genesis 2:24 For this reason a man shall leave his father and his mother, and be joined to his wife; and they shall become one flesh.
This is were my definition of marriage comes from. I will stand with the creator of marriage and I will honor it as commanded. If God is the creator of marriage? Then attack on the “traditional” definition on marriage is an attack on God sovereignty, it is an attack on the gospel, it is spiritual warfare. It looks to remove what God has created. This is the type of persecution we face today in our country. It is a quite attack that looks to slowly erode our faith and love for God. As we continue in the verse we see some prophetic language,
God will judge those that defile marriage. This is not a question if He is going to do it. It is matter of when. I am grateful for the perfect sacrifice of Christ, that redeemed us.
Hebrews 13:5-6 5. Make sure that your character is free from the love of money, being content with what you have; for He himself has said, “I WILL NEVER DESERT YOU , NOR WILL I EVER FORSAKE (abandon) YOU” 6. so that we confidently say, “THE LORD IS MY HELPER, I WILL NOT BE AFRAID. WHAT WILL MAN DO TO ME?
This is a verse of self reflection. We must ask ourselves are we satisfied with what the Lord has provided. Do we want more? …Why do we want more? When we examine closer we see that this is a restating of the 2nd and 10th commandment. This indicates to us that this message, though beneficial to the world is directed to the body of believers. All of God’s truths are beneficial to the world.
Exodus 20:4-5 You Shall not make for yourself an idol, or any likeness of what is in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the water under the earth. You shall not worship them or serve them; for I, the LORD your God, am jealous God...
What does the 2nd commandment about having idols have to do with money. It is often said where your money goes there is your heart. But this warns us that even money can be an idol. The love of money or better yet the pursuit of money can take us away from the Lord.
Does the love of money become the object of our worship and is that caused because we are unsatisfied with what the Lord has provided? If you really want to see Christians living out this concept of being satisfied with what the Lord has provided. I urge you take an international mission trip. Most of the world does not live, like we live in America. We are blessed.
One of the first step to start to understand money is charitable giving, tithing. Love of money is heart problem. That by giving away money it puts money in the proper perspective. It all belongs to God and He generously allows us to keep 90%.
Exodus 20:17 You shall not covet your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife or his male servant or his female servant or his ox or his donkey or anything that belongs to your neighbor.”
Covet is old word often not not use today. It means to yearn to possess or have. Let take the the 10th commandment and state it in its inverse, be satisfied with what God has provided. There is a greater connection here. If you worship false gods and idols you will never be satisfied. Your heart will yearn for Jesus.
Reading on in Hebrews 13:5-6 we come across the statement “He Himself said”. We have to ask who is this He? It took some investigating. We find the answer in Deuteronomy 31:6, 8. Deuteronomy 31:8 states “The Lord is the one who goes ahead of you; He will be with you. He will not fail you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed (do not be discouraged)
Hebrews 13:5-6 is a promise from the Lord and it is prophetic in nature. The tense expressed is the Hebrews 13:5 …I WILL NEVER DESERT YOU , NOR WILL I EVER FORSAKE (abandon) YOU is know as the aorist tense. Think of it as an action expressed in the past, but not bound by completion. When I say I became a Christian 20 years ago. That is probably wrong my wife will correct me later. The action is in the past but I have not completed being a Christian. I still am a Christian.
Christ has never forsaken us, he has been with us in past trials, he is with us in present trails and will be with us in future trials. This is what the end of Hebrews 13:5 is expressing.
Hebrews 13:6 concludes with “so that we confidently say, “THE LORD IS MY HELPER, I WILL NOT BE AFRAID. WHAT WILL MAN DO TO ME?” The Lord is our Helper. What encouragement. At this moment the Lord watches over us. There is a danger in this verse. We should not make the mistake of thinking this is stating that the Lord is a personal assistant. He is not He is Lord. When in a trial it Jesus that sustain us, it Jesus the holds us in His hand. Jesus does help us but we serve Him he does not serve us and we He sees us through a trial we praise and glorify God that His will has been done in our lives. If the Lord is with me how can I be afraid. This encouragement is need when we face this world.
As we get to the end of Hebrews 13:6 “...WHAT WILL MAN DO TO ME?” we see a warning. This is prophetic. This verse is in the future tense. The world will stand against us because we stand for Him, Christ Jesus. But we will not be afraid.
Christian through out the world are living out those words, I will not be afraid.
Conclusion
In closing Hebrew 13:1-6 opened with a reminder to love. It commands us to stay in he love of the brethren and to shows hospitality to the stranger. We are to remember the persecuted brother and sister in prayer. It taught us that marriage is to be honored by all and those that defile it will be judged. It shows us how marriage echoes the relationship between Jesus and His bride the Church. Hebrews 13:5-6 reminded us of the 10 commandments (Decalog) and reminds us that God is with us even to the end of the age.
Invitation:
Christians are a persecuted people today, throughout the world. It may seem counter intuitive to become a fellow of Jesus Christ. Who would choose persecution over acceptance. What Jesus offers is greater then this temporary world. As Christians we know we are strangers in this world.
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