EXCEPTIONAL LOVE

Hebrews 13:1–3 CSB

Let brotherly love continue. Don’t neglect to show hospitality, for by doing this some have welcomed angels as guests without knowing it. Remember those in prison, as though you were in prison with them, and the mistreated, as though you yourselves were suffering bodily.

Main Idea: Believers are commanded to love people in an exceptional manner.

Key Question: How well do you love people?

1. Exceptional love means loving believers. (v. 1)

Hebrews 13:1 CSB

Let brotherly love continue.

Philadelphia - family love

Romans 12:10 CSB

Love one another deeply as brothers and sisters. Take the lead in honoring one another.

1 John 3:10 CSB

This is how God’s children and the devil’s children become obvious. Whoever does not do what is right is not of God, especially the one who does not love his brother or sister.

2. Exceptional love means loving strangers. (v. 2)

Hebrews 13:2 CSB

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

Matthew 25:35 CSB

“ ‘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;

Genesis 18:2–10 CSB

He looked up, and he saw three men standing near him. When he saw them, he ran from the entrance of the tent to meet them, bowed to the ground, and said, “My lord, if I have found favor with you, please do not go on past your servant. Let a little water be brought, that you may wash your feet and rest yourselves under the tree. I will bring a bit of bread so that you may strengthen yourselves. This is why you have passed your servant’s way. Later, you can continue on.” “Yes,” they replied, “do as you have said.” So Abraham hurried into the tent and said to Sarah, “Quick! Knead three measures of fine flour and make bread.” Abraham ran to the herd and got a tender, choice calf. He gave it to a young man, who hurried to prepare it. Then Abraham took curds and milk, as well as the calf that he had prepared, and set them before the men. He served them as they ate under the tree. “Where is your wife Sarah?” they asked him. “There, in the tent,” he answered. The Lord said, “I will certainly come back to you in about a year’s time, and your wife Sarah will have a son!” Now Sarah was listening at the entrance of the tent behind him.

3. Exceptional love means loving outcasts. (v. 3)

Hebrews 10:34 CSB

For you sympathized with the prisoners and accepted with joy the confiscation of your possessions, because you know that you yourselves have a better and enduring possession.

Matthew 25:36 CSB

I was naked and you clothed me; I was sick and you took care of me; I was in prison and you visited me.’

1 John 4:20–21 CSB

If anyone says, “I love God,” and yet hates his brother or sister, he is a liar. For the person who does not love his brother or sister whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen. And we have this command from him: The one who loves God must also love his brother and sister.