Hebrews 13:1-9

 

Hebrews begins like a thesis but ends in this chapter like a letter

All the areas of the Christian life were slipping because their faith was failing

 

The first verses of chapter 13 move quickly through several important areas of the Christian life and Christian character

 

  1. Love
    1. The word is “Philadelphia”
    2. Not an emotion only but an act and a way of life
    3. 1 John 3:16-18 Jesus did something because he loved, he laid down his life.
    4. Lack of faith results in lack of love
  2. Hospitality
    1. Hospitality in the middle east, Greece and Roman World was a great virtue
    2. The Didache taught to entertain but if a person stayed more than 1 night, maybe 2 at the most, they were a false teacher.
    3. Hospitality was something church leaders were required to have in 1 Tim. 3:2 and Titus 1:8
    4. Abraham, Gideon and Manoah may be example of people entertaining angels
  3. Remember Prisoners
    1. This included visiting, supplying food, medication, care and also spending time visiting them in their cell
    2. Paul had Luke with him in prison at the end of Acts
    3. Luke was also with Paul during his second imprisonment in 2 Tm.4:11
  4. Remember the Mistreated
    1. Think of them as yourself.  What would you do to help yourself?
  5. Honor Marriage
    1. Marriage is an institution established by God for the well fair of mankind and their society
    2. Marriage is more than a church institution and is as much part of the Pagan world as it is Christendom.
  6. Marriage Bed Undefiled (sex)
    1. “Marriage Bed” refers to sexual relations in marriage
    2. The “adulterer” is unfaithful in marriage
    3. The “fornicator” is sexually immoral
    4. There is no exaltation of celibacy and no glorification of virginity in the scriptures.  Forbidding marriage is a demonic doctrine in 1 Tim. 4:1-3
    5. God will judge the sexually immoral.  Do not be deceived by empty words (Ep. 5:6)
  7. Avoid Love of Money
    1. 1 Tim. 3:3 – character of leaders in the church
    2. 1 Tim. 6:10
    3. Proverbs explains how to live righteous and in God’s way so you will be successful financially.  But, money is not to be sought after anymore than sex is to be sought after.  Money and sex are not sinful or immoral but when they are coveted they are pursued outside of God’s commands and God’s character.  Money and sex are in God’s plan for man as men live correctly in God’s word.
  8. Be Content (trust God)
    1. Opposite of being covetous is contentment.
    2. 1 Tim. 6:6 – Contentment is great gain
    3. 1 Tim. 6:10 – Eagerness for money is great grief
    4. Matt. 6:31-33
    5. Proverbs 3:13 – pursue wisdom for she holds long life and wealth
  9. Remember Leaders
    1. Leaders are mentioned three times in Heb. 13

                                                              i.      13:7 they are to remember previous leaders and their way of life

                                                            ii.      13:17 they are to obey their current leaders

                                                          iii.      13:24 they are to greet their leaders on behalf of the writer of Hebrews

    1. Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever

                                                              i.      Jesus will produce in your life just like he did in the lives of the leaders and those of Hebrews 11

                                                            ii.      This is a theme of the book beginning in chapter 1:12

                                                          iii.      Yesterday Jesus offered prayers Heb.5:7

                                                           iv.      Today Jesus is the high priest, Heb. 4:14-15

                                                             v.      Forever Jesus lives to intercede for us, Heb. 7:25

  1. Avoid Strange Teaching
    1. Things that are not in line with these basic things
    2. Particularly strange teaching that combined the law with the gospel