EXHORTATIONS TO MANIFEST LOVE
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INTRODUCTION
When we began our study, we noted that The Epistle To The Hebrews...
When we began our study, we noted that The Epistle To The Hebrews...
Began like an essay...
1 God, having of old time spoken unto the fathers in the prophets by divers portions and in divers manners, 2 hath at the end of these days spoken unto us in his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, through whom also he made the worlds;
Progressed like a sermon...
1 Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things that were heard, lest haply we drift away from them. 2 For if the word spoken through angels proved stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompense of reward; 3 how shall we escape, if we neglect so great a salvation? which having at the first been spoken through the Lord, was confirmed unto us by them that heard; 4 God also bearing witness with them, both by signs and wonders, and by manifold powers, and by gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to his own will.
Ended like a letter
With the final chapter, we see the tone of the epistle taking on the characteristics of a personal correspondence
As with many epistles in the New Testament, this letter ends with various exhortations...
As with many epistles in the New Testament, this letter ends with various exhortations...
The first of which regarding the objects of their love...
1 Let love of the brethren continue. 2 Forget not to show love unto strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares. 3 Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; them that are ill-treated, as being yourselves also in the body.
Here we find the author practicing what he preaches; seeking to stimulate love and good works…
24 and let us consider one another to provoke unto love and good works;
As Christians, toward whom should we manifest our love?
As Christians, toward whom should we manifest our love?
Certainly toward all men, even our enemies (
32 And if ye love them that love you, what thank have ye? for even sinners love those that love them.
35 But love your enemies, and do them good, and lend, never despairing; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be sons of the Most High: for he is kind toward the unthankful and evil.
But in our text our attention is focused upon manifesting love first...
DISCUSSION
TOWARD BRETHREN
TOWARD BRETHREN
1 Let love of the brethren continue.
The Importance of Brotherly Love
The Importance of Brotherly Love
It is a mark of true discipleship
35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.
It is an indication of true spiritual life
16 Hereby know we love, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.
The Hebrews had Manifested Brotherly Love
The Hebrews had Manifested Brotherly Love
Note the text says their love was to “continue”
They had demonstrated brotherly love in the past...
In their ministry to God and His saints
10 for God is not unrighteous to forget your work and the love which ye showed toward his name, in that ye ministered unto the saints, and still do minister.
Even in their service to the author
32 But call to remembrance the former days, in which, after ye were enlightened, ye endured a great conflict of sufferings; 33 partly, being made a gazingstock both by reproaches and afflictions; and partly, becoming partakers with them that were so used. 34 For ye both had compassion on them that were in bonds, and took joyfully the spoiling of your possessions, knowing that ye have for yourselves a better possession and an abiding one.
The Need for Brotherly Love Never Diminishes
The Need for Brotherly Love Never Diminishes
Just as Paul wrote...
For the Thessalonians to excel in their love
9 But concerning love of the brethren ye have no need that one write unto you: for ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another; 10 for indeed ye do it toward all the brethren that are in all Macedonia. But we exhort you, brethren, that ye abound more and more;
For the Philippians to abound in their love
9 And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and all discernment;
Just as Peter wrote that our love should abound
7 and in your godliness brotherly kindness; and in your brotherly kindness love.
Even now, the author of Hebrews says “Let love of the brethren continue”! (v. 1)
No matter how much we may have manifested love towards one another as brethren in the past, it is imperative that such love continues!
Equally imperative is the manifestation of love...
Equally imperative is the manifestation of love...
TOWARD STRANGERS
TOWARD STRANGERS
2 Forget not to show love unto strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.
This is a Call for “Love” or Hospitality
This is a Call for “Love” or Hospitality
The Greek word is phi/lox/e/nia
Lit., a love of strangers
It involved receiving a stranger (sojourner) into one’s home as an honored guest and to provide the guest with food, shelter, and protection
In many ancient cultures, hospitality was a solemn duty, for example...
It was regarded as a sacred obligation by the ancient Greeks and Romans, one that was approved by Zeus, the god and protector of strangers
The Egyptians claimed it as a meritorious deed in life
For the Bedouins, it was an expression of righteousness
In the early church, it was an important ministry...
Christians were often displaced by persecution - public inns were scarce, costly, and sometimes dangerous
Traveling evangelists were to be supported through hospitality
5 Beloved, thou doest a faithful work in whatsoever thou doest toward them that are brethren and strangers withal; 6 who bare witness to thy love before the church: whom thou wilt do well to set forward on their journey worthily of God: 7 because that for the sake of the Name they went forth, taking nothing of the Gentiles. 8 We therefore ought to welcome such, that we may be fellow-workers for the truth.
Thus hospitality was to manifested by...
Those men who would serve as elders (bishops)
2 The bishop therefore must be without reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, sober-minded, orderly, given to hospitality, apt to teach;
8 but given to hospitality, a lover of good, sober-minded, just, holy, self-controlled;
Hospitality was to be manifested by those widows who would be “taken into the number”
9 Let none be enrolled as a widow under threescore years old, having been the wife of one man, 10 well reported of for good works; if she hath brought up children, if she hath used hospitality to strangers, if she hath washed the saints’ feet, if she hath relieved the afflicted, if she hath diligently followed every good work.
And, hospitality was to be manifested by all Christians
13 communicating to the necessities of the saints; given to hospitality.
9 using hospitality one to another without murmuring:
A Reason to Practice Hospitality
A Reason to Practice Hospitality
“For thereby some have entertained angels unawares”
The example of Abraham - Gen 18:1-8
The example of Lot - Gen 19:1-3
The point is not that we should expect angels to literally come our way
Though some we entertain may serve as His “messengers” (“angel” means “messenger”) in a providential sense
The key idea is that “You never know what hospitality might bring” (Lightfoot)
One often receives unexpected benefits from his or her guests
There is always the “blessedness” of giving...
35 In all things I gave you an example, that so laboring ye ought to help the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that he himself said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.
The physical need for hospitality today may not be as great as it was in ancient times, but the spiritual need (e.g., the strengthening of spiritual ties) is just as important.
The physical need for hospitality today may not be as great as it was in ancient times, but the spiritual need (e.g., the strengthening of spiritual ties) is just as important.
Therefore we need to “be hospitable to one another without grumbling” (1 Pe 4:9).
The manifestation of our love should also extend...
TOWARD PRISONERS AND THE PERSECUTED
TOWARD PRISONERS AND THE PERSECUTED
3 Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; them that are ill-treated, as being yourselves also in the body.
A Call to Remember
A Call to Remember
Christians were often persecuted and imprisoned for their faith
Prior to his conversion, Paul often led the assault...
3 But Saul laid waste the church, entering into every house, and dragging men and women committed them to prison.
9 I verily thought with myself that I ought to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth. 10 And this I also did in Jerusalem: and I both shut up many of the saints in prisons, having received authority from the chief priests, and when they were put to death I gave my vote against them. 11 And punishing them oftentimes in all the synagogues, I strove to make them blaspheme; and being exceedingly mad against them, I persecuted them even unto foreign cities.
Later, he himself was a prisoner...
12 Now I would have you know, brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the progress of the gospel; 13 so that my bonds became manifest in Christ throughout the whole praetorian guard, and to all the rest; 14 and that most of the brethren in the Lord, being confident through my bonds, are more abundantly bold to speak the word of God without fear. 15 Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife; and some also of good will: 16 the one do it of love, knowing that I am set for the defence of the gospel; 17 but the other proclaim Christ of faction, not sincerely, thinking to raise up affliction for me in my bonds. 18 What then? only that in every way, whether in pretence or in truth, Christ is proclaimed; and therein I rejoice, yea, and will rejoice.
18 The salutation of me Paul with mine own hand. Remember my bonds. Grace be with you.
The Hebrews had already shown their love toward such prisoners...
32 But call to remembrance the former days, in which, after ye were enlightened, ye endured a great conflict of sufferings; 33 partly, being made a gazingstock both by reproaches and afflictions; and partly, becoming partakers with them that were so used. 34 For ye both had compassion on them that were in bonds, and took joyfully the spoiling of your possessions, knowing that ye have for yourselves a better possession and an abiding one.
To remember and visit Christians in prison was an act of devotion to Christ Himself...
35 for I was hungry, and ye gave me to eat; I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink; I was a stranger, and ye took me in; 36 naked, and ye clothed me; I was sick, and ye visited me; I was in prison, and ye came unto me. 37 Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee hungry, and fed thee? or athirst, and gave thee drink? 38 And when saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? 39 And when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? 40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it unto one of these my brethren, even these least, ye did it unto me.
Their provisions for the prisoners would be a “sweet-smelling sacrifice”, well-pleasing to God...
18 But I have all things, and abound: I am filled, having received from Epaphroditus the things that came from you, an odor of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, well-pleasing to God.
They could also remember them in their prayers...
5 Peter therefore was kept in the prison: but prayer was made earnestly of the church unto God for him.
18 with all prayer and supplication praying at all seasons in the Spirit, and watching thereunto in all perseverance and supplication for all the saints, 19 and on my behalf, that utterance may be given unto me in opening my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.
Their loving Remembrance was to be Influenced...
Their loving Remembrance was to be Influenced...
By their sense of fellowship in their brethren’s suffering
“As if bound with them” (v. 3)
The Lord intended such connection between the members of His Body...
26 And whether one member suffereth, all the members suffer with it; or one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it.
By their awareness of their own vulnerability
“as being yourselves also in the body” (v. 3)
They would not be immune to persecution themselves, therefore they should be sensitive to the sufferings of others
CONCLUSION
In providing a “new and living way,” it is true that Jesus made possible a close relationship between man and God...
In providing a “new and living way,” it is true that Jesus made possible a close relationship between man and God...
19 Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holy place by the blood of Jesus, 20 by the way which he dedicated for us, a new and living way, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; 21 and having a great priest over the house of God; 22 let us draw near with a true heart in fulness of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience: and having our body washed with pure water,
But the purity we experience through obeying the truth...
But the purity we experience through obeying the truth...
Is not just that we may fellowship with God
But so we may also have a fellowship with each other in sincerity and love...
22 Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart, 23 since you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God;
Thus it naturally follows that as we draw near to God, we should also draw near one another; this we can do when we manifest love...
Thus it naturally follows that as we draw near to God, we should also draw near one another; this we can do when we manifest love...
Toward brethren - Heb 13:1
Toward strangers - Heb 13:2
Toward prisoners and the persecuted - Heb 13:3
May we all be diligent to heed the exhortation to “Let brotherly love continue”!
May we all be diligent to heed the exhortation to “Let brotherly love continue”!