22: Swim Against the Flow (Hebrews 13:1-6)

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Last week we saw that followers of Jesus are to be known as those who...

PURSUE PEACE with PEOPLE, and LIVE in the HOLINESS Jesus has given us.

Today is our 22nd teaching in this series we’ve called “Jesus is Better” (a Study of the Book of Hebrews). So let’s dive into the LAST CHAPTER of this great writing where today...

We will be covering 6 verses reminding followers of Jesus to Swim Against the Flow of our Christ-less culture.

If there has ever been a time in my life where Christians must live different if we’re going to make a difference, it’s today. So, let’s dive into HOW & WHY we Swim Against the Flow.

The author reminds us where we left off, that we - followers of Jesus - are to...

Hebrews 13:1–2 (CSB)

Let brotherly love continue. Don’t neglect to show hospitality, for by doing this some have welcomed angels as guests without knowing it.

As we saw last week, Christians are to demonstrate brotherly love toward one another. We can’t just smile & wave. We must serve, forgive, mourn, & celebrate with each other!

And, we are to show hospitality to one another. Understanding that the earliest Christian gatherings met in homes helps makes sense that hospitality within homes was to be shown both to faith family and even to people we have never met before…which might even be…according the the author - angels masquerading as people.

In fact that HAS HAPPENED in Hebrew history. This ancient audience knew the story of Abraham & Sarah showing hospitality to 3 “men” who turned out to be 2 angels (Gen 18:22, 19:1) and Yahweh in skin (Gen 18:2,16). Abraham & Sarah prepared a mouth-watering meal for these strangers, evidently, before they knew exactly who they were. In other words, they welcomed angels as guests without knowing it.

Side Note: 2 of the “men” are later identified as angels (Gen 18:22, 19:1) whom Lot brings into his home (Gen 19:1-3), while the other “man” turns out to be Yahweh (Gen 18:22-33) 1) foretelling both of the future birth of Isaac and 2) the coming destruction of Sodom & Gomorrah. Later,

The writer of Hebrews makes it sound like this opportunity to welcome angels as guests might be more than just a 1-time experience, but a very real possibility in the present.

I’ve told the story before, but my father & his parents are convinced that he had an angel over for breakfast one morning. In fact, I’ll let HIM tell you the story. [In the worship gathering he is at.] A man approached the front of the house on a Sunday morning, knocked on the door, and asked for breakfast. My grandmother started cooking, they prayed over the meal, and talked. The man thanked them, went out the BACK door, and as they watched to see where he would go….DISAPPEARED.

The author’s challenge regarding showing hospitality to all - even strangers who COULD BE angels - causes the audience to ask,

“If I KNEW this stranger was an angel of God, how would that change how I treat him?”

The implication is clear - we should show hospitality to dear brothers & sisters as well as complete strangers.

One of the ways this Hebrew audience was to show brotherly love was to...

Hebrews 13:3 (CSB)

Remember those in prison, as though you were in prison with them, and the mistreated, as though you yourselves were suffering bodily.

1st century prisons were NOT like ours, with 3 square meals and a bed. Prisoners were often totally dependent on family & friends for the basic necessities of life…like food, clothing, bedding. Christians were to remember the suffering of other Christians - as though being in prison with them - and make the time to feed them & care for them. Remember that Jesus commanded His followers saying:

Matthew 7:12 (CSB)

...whatever you want others to do for you, do also the same for them...

Christians are to show hospitality to all, and to take care of brothers & sisters in difficult days.

What if WE ministered to other people as if we COULD BE ministering to ANGELS…OR - how about this - to JESUS Himself?

Remember when Jesus talked about the last judgement when HE divides those who belong to him from those who don’t? What was the difference?

Matthew 25:35–40 (CSB)

(35-36) For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat; I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink; I was a stranger and you took me in; I was naked and you clothed me; I was sick and you took care of me; I was in prison and you visited me.

(v37-39) Then the righteous will answer him, “Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and take you in, or without clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick, or in prison, and visit you?”

(v40) And the King will answer them, “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”

What if we REALLY believed that - that Jesus would reward us for treating others like we would treat HIM?!?!?

The early church did so well known for caring for their own that Lucian, a pagan writer, authors a satirical drama about a cynic philosopher who takes advantage of Christians pretending to be a Christian. After he is imprisoned, Lucian notes how the Christian community responds.

…from the very break of day aged widows and orphan children could be seen waiting near the prison, while their officials even slept inside with him after bribing the guards. The elaborate meals were brought in, and sacred books of theirs were read aloud. [The Passing of Peregrinus, 12]

Another writing entitled The Apology of Aristides, describes Christians’ care for those those thrown in prison.

If they hear that any of their number is imprisoned or oppressed for the name of their Messiah, all of them provide for his needs, and if it is possible that he may be delivered, they deliver him. If there is among them a man that is poor or needy, and they have not an abundance of necessaries, they fast two or three days that they may supply the needy with their necessary food.

[J. Rendel Harris, ed., The Apology of Aristides, Vol. 1 of “Texts and Studies,” ed. J. Armitage Robinson (Cambridge: The University Press, 1891), pp. 48, 49.]

FEET2FAITH

Treat those in need as valuable as angels or Jesus Himself!

Many people in our world treat others less valuable than themselves. Not so with us! We are to swim against the flow of our Christ-less culture. And when people ask WHY we care…we tell them about how Jesus has so valued and cared for us!

______________

Next, the writer speaks to another expectation of those who follow Jesus.

Hebrews 13:4 (CSB)

Marriage is to be honored by all and the marriage bed kept undefiled, because God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterers.

The marriage bed kept undefiled is NOT referring to making up the bed everyday. This language points to the GOOD, GOD-INVENTED, blessing of sexual intimacy inside marriage.

On the other side of the coin, sexual activity OUTSIDE of the marriage bed is something God will judge. And regardless of what our culture claims, there should be NO NEGOTIATION in claiming Christ while also messing around sexually before marriage (sexually immoral) or outside of marriage (adulterers), whether in person or on a screen.

Fire in the fireplace is a GOOD THING. A fireplace is designed to heat the home, yet with boundaries that keep it from destroying the home. But, take the same fire OUT of the fireplace and on the carpet, and that fire will burn down the home.

So too, sexual intimacy is God’s invention - and kept within the right boundaries of marriage, is a good and pure gift from God.

But remove sexual intimacy from marriage - that place of protection - and move it outside of marriage, and it will bring swift destruction -

memories you can’t escape,

broken relationships full of shame & regret,

the possibility of sexual diseases,

or unwanted pregnancy - which is often the precursor for the wicked killing of the unborn in abortion.

Of course, our Christ-less culture encourages sexual immorality both in person or on a screen. Teenagers who give in to sexually suggestive videos, pics, and social media won’t suddenly be able to change gears when they become married adults. That’s what I thought…when I get married I won’t have the need nor desire to pursue sexual thoughts & images. BOY WAS I WRONG!

Habits that form now will follow us as we age. There IS hope for spiritual healing from sexual sin, but it’s going to take commitment, humility, seeking God’s truths in Scripture, prayer, & brothers and sisters who will help you. JESUS CAN FORGIVE you and make you FREE - but you must TURN from sin and TRUST in Him.

FEET2FAITH

Live in sexual purity and enjoy God’s gift of marriage!

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Next the author addresses a real concern for people in our rich culture - the love of money.

And before you say, “WELP, THAT’S NOT ME”, can I remind you that WE Americans are among the wealthiest people in the world.

According to a Washington Post article in 2018, the typical American earns 10 times the typical person in the world. So compared to the rest of the world, most of us are RICH!

[https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/monkey-cage/wp/2018/08/23/most-americans-vastly-underestimate-how-rich-they-are-compared-with-the-rest-of-the-world-does-it-matter/]

But even those who have very little can covet and love money. So, the author writes...

Hebrews 13:5 (CSB) Keep your life free from the love of money. Be satisfied with what you have, for He himself has said, I will never leave you or abandon you. [Deut 31:6, Joshua 1:5]

Money isn’t good or bad. It is simply a TOOL that can be used for GOOD or EVIL. But the love of money is never good. Listen to these ancient words penned 2000 years ago - just as relevant today as they were then.

1 Timothy 6:7–10 (CSB)

For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out. If we have food and clothing, we will be content with these. But those who want to be rich fall into temptation, a trap, and many foolish and harmful desires, which plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, and by craving it, some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.

The love of money has invited foolish and harmful desires, ruin and destruction, even causing some who once claimed to be followers of Jesus to wander away from the faith.

WHY IS THAT?

The love of money causes people to seek purpose & contentment in TEMPORARY STUFF rather than in the ETERNAL SAVIOR. Further, that hunger for more will NEVER be satisfied. And at the end of life, what will it matter? Jesus tells a story about this:

Luke 12:16–21 (CSB)

(16-19) Then He told them a parable: “A rich man’s land was very productive. He thought to himself, ‘What should I do, since I don’t have anywhere to store my crops? I will do this,’ he said. ‘I’ll tear down my barns and build bigger ones and store all my grain and my goods there. Then I’ll say to myself, “You have many goods stored up for many years. Take it easy; eat, drink, and enjoy yourself.”

(20-21) But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life is demanded of you. And the things you have prepared—whose will they be?’ “That’s how it is with the one who stores up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God.”

You see, according to Jesus, this guy was a fool because he exchanged a rich relationship with the ETERNAL GOD that would never end for EARTHLY TREASURES that he couldn’t take with him.

Are any of us guilty of that? WHAT or WHO are you pursuing? Where is your time and money going - toward things that will last or things that will fade away when you die?

So how can we keep our life free from seeking money rather than God? Let’s look back to our Hebrews text.

Hebrews 13:5a-b (CSB) Keep your life free from the love of money. Be satisfied with what you have...

First, we are commanded to be satisfied what we have.

When is the last time you THANKED GOD for what you DO HAVE instead of complaining about what you DON’T HAVE?

Second, we are to remember God’s promise:

Hebrews 13:5c (CSB) ...He himself has said, I will never leave you or abandon you. [Deut 31:6, Joshua 1:5]

God had encouraged the Old Covenant Hebrew people & Joshua as they entered the Promised Land, that He would never leave or abandon them [Deut 31:6, Joshua 1:5].

The author of Hebrews recognizes that this promise is certainly true of New Covenant followers of Jesus, in whom the Holy Spirit LIVES & to whom Jesus made this promise:

Matthew 28:19–20 (CSB)

Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

FEET2FAITH

Take time every day to THANK GOD for His provision & Presence!

God is calling US to…

Love & serve people without expecting something in return - to show hospitality to our brothers & sisters in Christ as well as STRANGERS.

God is calling us to Live in sexual purity while our culture pushes us to swim the other way.

God is calling us to Live in contentment, trusting HE is WITH US - rather than loving money - some fibrous material, metal coin, or digital number that people have attached value to.

Those aren’t easy standards to live by, especially while everyone else is swimming the opposite direction. Thankfully, we having swimming partners - EACH OTHER - and God Himself!

Hebrews 13:6 (CSB)

Therefore, we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me? [Psalm 118:6-7]

This is a loose quote from Psalm 118:6-7 where the unnamed author (likely David) is wrestling against enemies who “surrounded me like bees” (Ps 118:12). He also writes: “They pushed me hard to make me fall, but Yahweh helped me.” (Ps 118:13). In the middle of the FEAR, the Psalmist puts his FAITH in the One True God....and calls us to do the same.

But in a practical sense we could answer the question “What can man do to me?”

...like this: they could KILL YOU!!! It’s not like the Psalmist, the author of Hebrews, nor Jesus were unaware of that reality. Jesus even warned His disciples that persecution and even death - were coming.

But Jesus helps us to put on the right lenses.

I’m getting old. That means that my eyesight is deteriorating. I spend a lot of hours reading and writing on a computer screen and over the course of the last couple of years…things are getting a little FUZZY. So I bought some super duper $15 readers. When I put them on, it changes how I see things. I have so much more clarity!

And that’s how Jesus wants us to see - with the CLARITY many of us have been missing to this point.

Luke 12:4–7 (CSB)

(4-5) I say to you, my friends, don’t fear those who kill the body, and after that can do nothing more. But I will show you the one to fear: Fear Him who has authority to throw people into hell after death. Yes, I say to you, this is the One to fear!

(6-7) Aren’t five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten in God’s sight. Indeed, the hairs of your head are all counted. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.

Wait a second, we are told to FEAR God, but then told “Don’t be afraid” - so how’s that work?

We are NOT to fear other people whom God could stop their heart…right now. Instead, our reverent fear is in God…the God who will JUDGE ALL, but also the God who VALUES us more than any other creature!

If not one sparrow is forgotten by God, and WE are worth more than many sparrows, then God is NOT UNAWARE of what is going on in your life. He CARES about you! SEEK HIM & TRUST HIM! Stop living in fear of others…or a virus and TRUST the God who knows how many hairs are on your head…OR NOT (Steve Bass, Jimmy Durst, Jamie Groover).

Without these lenses [take off glasses] we will RUN in FEAR from enemies.

But WITH these lenses [put glasses on] we will STAND in FAITH and see the REALITY that has been so FUZZY in the past.

If we fear the Creator who CARES for us the way we should, we won’t fear the creation nearly as much.

KNOWING that our Gracious God will never leave us, and KNOWING that both our EARTHLY LIFE and our ETERNAL LIFE is in His hands should bring us great hope and deep peace even in the face of death!

Church - if we’re gonna make a difference in our culture, there’s GOT to be one! Look back at the FEET2FAITH challenges this week and live them out!

NOW, let’s go SWIM AGAINST THE FLOW!

PRAY

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