Final Reminders about Love

Review Chapter 12

Concluding Applications Hebrews 13:1-6

Hebrews 13:1–6 ESV

1 Let brotherly love continue. 2 Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares. 3 Remember those who are in prison, as though in prison with them, and those who are mistreated, since you also are in the body. 4 Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous. 5 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.” 6 So we can confidently say, “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?”

Discussion Questions

How does this last chapter fit in with the rest of the book?

Do you normally show hospitality to friends or strangers? What are some ways we can show hospitality to strangers?

What does verse 2 mean? What can we learn from this verse about angels? And what does this about how God is working in the world?

How can you rest yourself to see if you love money or not? How can we train ourselves to not love money?

What is the correct attitude? What reason does the writer give for contentment?

Look out for others Hebrews 13:1-3

In the last couple of chapters the writer has been talking about some lofty concepts including the faith of Old Testament saints, discipline from God, the old and new covenants, and God’s eternal kingdom

The writer has built the foundation of the Christian faith

demonstrating that Jesus is superior to everything and everyone else

The writer is now calling his audience to practice brotherly love

Because loving one another is the defining mark of Christians

Additionally, spiritual brotherhood can be more powerful than physical

Some examples of brotherly love

Hospitality

Hospitality is a key Christian virtue

It was necessary because Christian missionaries travelled extensively

Hospitality that focuses on strangers shows that true hospitality is not about us

When we practice hospitality, we never know the impact of your help

We were strangers when Christ took us in

We are to care for those in prison

Believers were in prison just for bearing name of Jesus

Remember that persecution/physical suffering was common in the ancient world

The writer’s call to remember shows we easily forget those who suffer

“since you are in the body” means we can sympathize/relate to them

Jesus came in the body so he could suffer with us! so don’t underestimate the power of sympathy!

Look Out for Yourself Hebrews 13:4-6

Marriage

The writer tells his readers that we are to hold the institution of marriage in high honor

the Greek word for honor is timios, which means precious or very costly

We tend to value and protect that which we regard as our most precious possession

We put it in a safe to keep it from being lost or stolen

How much more should we value our marriages?

To God the institution of marriage is just such a thing, and therefore, if you want to serve your Lord, you must cherish what He cherishes

But this does not only apply to those that are married

It is a requirement to cherish the institution of marriage for all, the writer states

All Christians are to respect and honor the marriages of others, not violating that marriage by defiling the marriage bed

In v. 4, the writer brings out two types of sin

First, he says that the “fornicators” will be judged

Secondly, he says that we must not participate in adultery

The writer now moves on to perhaps his most challenging demand of the church

As Christians, we are not to tolerate, nor indulge in covetousness behavior

it is not just jealousy over someone else’s possessions

it is sinful wanting

This is the opposite of contentment

Being content with what you have already

It is in the pursuit of more, when we have enough, that we run the risk of compromising our character

It is the love of money that has started countless wars, split countless homes, caused countless deaths/murders, broken countless relationships, and sucked the joy out of countless homes

God wants us to be content

whether we have a lot or a little

All that we have has been given is God’s provision

The writer tells his audience for this contentment is that God will not abandon us

He will take care of us

Even though you may not know where your next day’s food is coming from, God does know where it is coming from

He will not forsake us, but gives us all the help we need

Here is are some suggested guides to check our love of money

If we often talk about money, what we have or how we can get more, we probably love it

If we often think about money, we probably love it

If most of our time is spent on accumulating it, we probably love it

If we try to hold on tight to the money we have, we probably love it

If we love spending it and buying new things, we probably love it

But instead what the writer says is:

We should be generous

We should be industrious

We should be good stewards

God wants us to be wise in how we use money

It is a resource that God has entrusted to us for doing good

Concluding Applications Hebrews 13:7-25

Hebrews 13:7–25 ESV

7 Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith. 8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. 9 Do not be led away by diverse and strange teachings, for it is good for the heart to be strengthened by grace, not by foods, which have not benefited those devoted to them. 10 We have an altar from which those who serve the tent have no right to eat. 11 For the bodies of those animals whose blood is brought into the holy places by the high priest as a sacrifice for sin are burned outside the camp. 12 So Jesus also suffered outside the gate in order to sanctify the people through his own blood. 13 Therefore let us go to him outside the camp and bear the reproach he endured. 14 For here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city that is to come. 15 Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name. 16 Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God. 17 Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you. 18 Pray for us, for we are sure that we have a clear conscience, desiring to act honorably in all things. 19 I urge you the more earnestly to do this in order that I may be restored to you the sooner. 20 Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, 21 equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen. 22 I appeal to you, brothers, bear with my word of exhortation, for I have written to you briefly. 23 You should know that our brother Timothy has been released, with whom I shall see you if he comes soon. 24 Greet all your leaders and all the saints. Those who come from Italy send you greetings. 25 Grace be with all of you.

Discussion Questions

What is the main idea of v. 7?

Why do you think Jesus modeled the mentor relationship?

What components do you think are necessary to have a truly effective mentoring/discipling relationship with someone?

What is the difference between teaching someone a Bible lesson and discipling them?

How can a person avoid falling for strange/falls teachings?

Why are there no “new” teachings or revelations? What should our response be to someone who says they have a new revelation from God?

What do you think counts as a sacrifice of praise? What is the significance of it being called a “sacrifice”?

Remember Your Leaders Hebrews 13:7-17

The writer is asking the readers to call to mind the men of the past and their steadfast faith to the end

They have completed the “race” that their followers are now being urged to do

He also, reminds them that the same Christ who was real to them at the beginning, when their former leaders were with them, is seated in heaven and rules continually

The circumstances may change, but Jesus and His gospel does not

Christ’s help grace and power are permanently at His people’s disposal

The writer wants them to understand that their faith was to be focused on the unchanging Jesus Christ, the primary figure in God’s saving plan

We need to beware of false teaching, is the final warning given by the writer

“Don’t be led away” is a sobering warning

There is a long history of false teachers among God’s people who’ve ravaged the flock

Because Jesus is unchanging, the gospel message does not change from generation to generation, country to country or even church to church

There will be no new revelations from God that contradict any teaching of the Bible

Take a look at cults, they are often built upon some “new” or strange teaching that is not recognized as taught in the Bible

The writer was also concerned that some may be tempted to returning to the ways of the Old Covenant

go back practicing selective parts of the Levitical Laws

in the misguided expectation that these behaviors please God or increase holiness

even today some practice selective parts of the Levitical laws regarding food

We must remember that external rituals, special restrictions, are not the way to God

Also remember, that unlike false teachers, Jesus brings us real “food” for our souls

The “food” of Jesus is different than that of the Old Testament system

Those committed to the Old Testament system are left only with literal animals on the alter, not the real sufficient sacrifice of Jesus

In the Old Testament, animal sacrifices were taken outside the camp and burned

Animal sacrifices were put outside as a picture of God’s judgement on sin

In the same way, Jesus was crucified outside the camp

Jesus bore our sins and thus was rejected and condemned by God

For our sake, Jesus was treated as a sinner outside the camp

The implications of following Jesus, outside the camp are:

be ready to suffer with Him

offer sacrifices to Him

sacrifices of “praise”

sacrifices of “good works”

Sacrifices have been an essential act of service to God

it is a necessary payment for sin

appeases the wrath of God

restores fellowship

In the New Covenant, our sacrifice is found in the body and blood of Christ, sacrificed in our place

He died in our place, so we live our life for Him

We sacrifice our desires to suit His desires

We sacrifice our priorities to accomplish His priorities

So with the right perspective, we are able to understand what kind of sacrifices God desires, as the writer states in v. 15

Continually, offer up sacrifices of praise

Meaning the fruit of our lips

Testifying with our mouth to the truth of the Gospel

Testifying publicly about God’s grace and giving thanks to His mercy

Homework Questions

How does chapter 13 make you rethink hospitality?

What are some practical next steps you can take to do hospitality better?

What are some practical steps that can be taken to protect a person’s marriage?

Why do you think money is such a key litmus test for our faith?

How is your heart doing today in regard to your love for money?

What can you do to begin to fight this idol?

How brightly will my light shine in this dark world if I lived as chapter 13 states?

If I was known as someone who held Scripture as the authority in my life?

If I loved both those inside and outside the Body of Christ with equal sacrifice and devotion?

If I lived in contentment with all I have been given by God?

If I rested in the grace of God?