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Let’s continue the race motif from Heb 12 as we approach Heb 13. In order
to win the race and cross the finish line, you must:
13:1-3 Help Your Teammates
13:4-7 Watch Your Relationships
13:8-14 Cling to the Christ
13:15-19 Check Your Bearings
13:20-25 Maintain Your Equipment
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Help Your Teammates Heb
13:1-3
To Saints: LOVE –
Heb 13:1
Heb 6:10 Love shown already in serving the saints
1 Pet 1:22 Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere
brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart … (Is this a
“lesser” form of love?)
1 Thess 4:9-10 Now concerning brotherly love you have no need for anyone to write to you,
for you yourselves have been taught by God to love one another, 10 for that
indeed is what you are doing to all the brothers throughout Macedonia. But we
urge you, brothers, to do this more and more …
Church = family. 1 Tim 5:1-2
To Strangers:
SERVICE – Heb 13:2
From “love of brothers” (philadelphia) to “love of strangers” (philoxenias).
Xenophobia: fear of strangers.
Why reach out to newcomers, guests, and people we do not know?
Heb 13:2 … entertained angels unawares … Gen 18:1-8
Lev 19:33-34 Treat the alien as the native, for …
Ps 23:5 Host (God Himself) sets a table for the weary …
Luke 10:33-35 But a Samaritan, as he journeyed …
Luke 14:12-14 When you give a dinner …
Matt 25:35 I was a stranger, and you welcomed me …
Service can turn strangers into friends … and saints.
To Sufferers:
SYMPATHY
Heb 10:33-34 sometimes being publicly exposed to reproach and affliction, and
sometimes being partners with those so treated. 34 For you had compassion on
those in prison, and you joyfully accepted the plundering of your property,
since you knew that you yourselves had a better possession and an abiding one.
“… all the members suffer with it …”
1 Cor 12:26
Simply the Golden Rule. Matt 7:12
‘Since you are in the body’ = because you can identify with pain and
sorrow.
Like Jesus, we learn to sympathize only by entering into the struggles,
suffering, and temptation of others. Heb
4:14-16; 2:14-18
When we do so, we visit Jesus in prison. Matt 25:39-40
Watch Your Relationships Heb 13:4-7
Four Heart Keys to
Victory
1. MARRIAGE:
Commitment
We are to honor marriage, as created and defined by God.
So we value, respect, reinforce, and support His design.
Marriage is the first building block of society, predating the community,
the government, and even the church.
When marriage thrives, so does … (1 Tim 3)
Any attack on marriage is an attack on God, its author.
Honoring marriage means … Eph 5:22-33
Honoring and protecting its fruit: the unborn child.
Honoring marriage means first honoring my marriage.
1 Pet 3:7 “Grant [your wife] honor as a fellow heir …”
The “marriage bed” is God’s idea. Heb 13:4; Gen 2:24f
That makes it holy, sacred, and pure.
Not dirty, ugly, or “unspiritual.” 1 Cor 7
As we would not bring anything evil before God …
We will not bring anything immoral to the “marriage bed!”
Same-sex acts. (How could this be called “marriage?”)
Fornication: sex acts involving unmarried people.
Adultery, which dishonors at least one existing marriage.
Other perversions: incest, bestiality, pedophilia.
“God will judge the sexually immoral (pornos) and the
adulterous.” Heb 13:4; 1 Cor 6:9-11 … pornos?
Gk., porneia – sexual immorality
Sexual relations outside of God’s design.
“Whoever divorces and remarries except for porneia …” Matt 19:1-9
Gk., pornos – one who practices such. Heb 13:4
Gk., porne – a prostitute, one hired for such. 1 Cor 6:16
Eng., pornography – the depiction of such, designed to stimulate
desire and encourage such.
Pornography dishonors marriage – and destroys it.
2. MONEY:
Contentment
From our view of marriage … to that of money.
From our love for people … to our non-love for money.
Love the brethren (13:1). Love the stranger (13:2). Do not love
money (13:5)! Hmmm …
Do we love people and use things …
Or do we use people and love things?
Money: a fine servant, but a wicked master. Matt 6:19-24
Loving money: a root of all kinds of evils. 1 Tim 6:6-12
Greed: equivalent to idolatry. Col 3:5
Contentment: a learned state of mind in which there is nothing I lack,
nothing I have to have, in order to feel satisfied. A sense of completeness and
sufficiency.
2 Cor 12:7-10; Phil 4:11
3. The MASTER:
Confidence
I’m content with what I have, because I’m content with who
I have! And with what He has promised me!
From contentment to confidence!
Moses (at age 120) to Israel: Deut 31:1-8, esp. 31:6
God: “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”
Ps 118:5-9, esp. 118:6
“The LORD is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?”
Rom 8:31-39
4. MENTORS:
Concentration
First, “Remember your leaders, those who taught you.”
How did they influence? What did they teach? Study their character and
priorities. Record all you can.
Next, “Consider the outcome of their way of life.”
What is their “final destination?” What was their “way of life” that took
them there?
Want to go there, too? Then, “Imitate their faith.”
If you believe what they believed, and do what they did, you will arrive
where they have gone!
Ask to be mentored. Offer to mentor.
2 Tim 2:2
If we have the right
relationship to …
MARRIAGE: Commitment
MONEY: Contentment
The MASTER: Confidence
MENTORS: Concentration
By God’s grace we
will win this race!
Cling to the Christ Heb
13:8-14
Jesus Christ has
not, does not, and will not change!
Yesterday: Heb 5 - He suffered “in the days of his flesh …”
We must remember and reflect.
Today: Heb 7-9 - He reigns and ministers as high priest.
We must “hear his voice” and
obey.
Forever: Heb 10 - “In a little while he is coming.”
We must anticipate and
prepare.
So we must not get
“carried away!”
Warnings against “diverse and strange teachings.”
Predictions that Christians would fall away from the faith.
Acts 20:29-32; 1 Tim 4:1-5; 2 Pet 2:1-3; Jude 1:1-4; Rev 2:14-15, 20
In the NT period, emphasis on Jewish food laws.
Simon Peter’s triple vision of the sheet. Acts 10
It was hard to give up such deeply imbedded practices.
But food could not cleanse the conscience. Heb 9:9-10
It is grace, not food (restrictions), that truly nourishes.
Jesus: Man is defiled, not by what goes in (hands, food), but by what
comes out (of the heart). Mark 7:14-23
After the completion of the NT:
AD 150> Changes in church organization; “bishop” over other elders,
over the local church … “archbishops” …
AD 325> Council of Nicea, then other councils > “strange and
diverse teachings,” such as …
Holy water, sprinkling, for infants, celibacy, Purgatory, penance,
transubstantiation, indulgences, veneration of statues, prayers to Mary, candles
and bells and musical instruments, clerical clothing, confession to priests,
etc.
AD 606 Boniface III named as “Pope” (“Holy Father”)
AD 1870 Papal infallibility (“ex cathedra”)
AD 1950 Assumption (taking up) of Mary to heaven
We have a superior
altar.
In the OT, priests ate the meat sacrificed on the altar.
Lev 7:6-7; 1 Cor 10:18
But the tabernacle priests could not eat the sin offering from the Day of
Atonement. It was burned outside the camp. Lev 16:27
Like that goat, Jesus also had to suffer outside the gate.
So we must also go
outside the camp.
That’s where his blood was shed.
That’s where he sanctified us.
He was shamed and disgraced, led away to die.
We must bear his reproach with him.
Are we ashamed? We dare not be!
Are we trying to “fit in?” Or to “stand out?”
We have a lasting
city, but it’s not here.
If we go “outside the camp” to share Jesus’ reproach, what do we actually
lose?
Nothing! Because nothing we give up here will last.
“That man is no fool who gives up what he cannot keep in order to gain
that which he cannot lose.” John Elliott
So we seek the city
that is to come.
Heb 11:8-10 Abraham was looking.
Heb 11:13-16 “All these” who died in faith were seeking.
Heb 12:22 The city of the living God, Mt. Zion, the heavenly Jerusalem.
Do you want to go?
Will you leave the camp, meet Jesus outside the gate, and bear the
reproach he endured?
Luke 9:23-26
Yesterday, today,
and forever.
Yesterday: Jesus suffered outside
the gate.
Today: We go to him there and
bear his reproach.
Forever: We seek the city that
is to come.
Check Your Bearings Heb
13:15-19
Because of Jesus’ …
Past Cross – Heb 13:12
Present Call – Heb 13:13
Future City – Heb 13:14
“Therefore, let us!”
NORTH (Upward):
Praise and Confession
Our “sacrifice:” joyful, continual, thankful worship!
Declaring the power, majesty, glory, and grace of God!
Through Him (emphatic), Jesus as High Priest.
Rejoice. Pray. Give thanks. 1 Thess 5:16-18
That’s the “true north” aim that directs ALL of life.
“In all your ways acknowledge Him …” Prov 3:5-6
Every problem we face – every problem – is the result of moving
the compass, even slightly.
The fruit of lips (Hos 14:2) – We cannot help speaking, sharing, and
singing. Acts 4:20; 2 Cor 4:13-14
“The mouth speaks out of that which fills the heart.” Matt 12:34
EAST (Outward):
Doing Good and Sharing
These two are twins, born of the same spirit. “Sacrifices.”
Jesus “went about doing good.” Acts 10:38
“God loves a cheerful giver.” 2 Cor 9:7
Paradox: givers get more pleasure than takers or keepers.
Sharing = “What’s mine is ours. You may use it freely. ”
Koinonia = partnership, fellowship, having in common.
Relieves stress. Brings joy, peace, and contentment …
For both of us!
More than that –
I am offering God a well-pleasing sacrifice.
Phil 4:17-18
When I am pointed upward, I will share outward.
SOUTH (Under):
Obedience and Submission
Not a suggestion, but a commandment. Reason given:
Only then can leaders watch over and give account.
That’s why you “associate” with a home cong’n. Acts 9:26
Leadership: church parallels family. 1 Tim 3:4, 5, 12
Same issues. Trust. Respect. Communication. Support.
Young people, we feel VERY responsible to God for you.
We are imperfect, yet entrusted with … accountable for …
Secret tip: you can have a much happier family, just by making your
parents’ job more pleasant!
Another secret tip: you can get better parents, just by encouraging and
helping the ones you now have!
Apply these principles to the church.
Let’s all improve, together, starting with me!
1 Pet 5:1-5 Elders, then younger ones, then all.
WEST (Beside):
Prayer and Fellowship
An inspired leader’s request: “Pray for us.” Perhaps Paul?
Col 4:2-4; 2 Thess 3:1-2; Rom 15:30-33
We are sure that our
conscience is clear …
because we wish to act
honorably in all things.
But I miss you and want to
see you! (“We” = “I.”)
So I urge you more
excessively to pray!
“Be restored” suggests he had been in their midst before.
Was he in prison, maybe with Timothy? Heb 13:23
Whatever his situation, think about yours.
If you were forced to be away from God’s people for any length of time …
And then you were able to come back …
Check Your Bearings!
NORTH (Upward):
Praise and Confession
EAST (Outward):
Doing Good and Sharing
SOUTH (Under):
Obedience and Submission
WEST (Beside):
Prayer and Fellowship
And Run to Win!
Maintain Your Equipment Heb 13:20-25
1. Prayer: May God
Equip You – 13:20-21
“Know God, know peace. No God, no peace.”
Proof: resurrection – If God did that, he can do this.
Matt 16:5-12; Rom 8:32; Eph 1:15-23
Power: blood – “May he … by the blood … equip you.”
Jesus as “mega” shepherd – for his own. John 10; 1 Pet 5
Nurturing. Caring. Leading. Defending.
Katartizo (< “artisan”): equip, mend nets (Matt 4:21),
restore (Gal 6:1; 1 Pet 5:10), complete (1 Thess 3:10).
Equip with what? Equip for what? 2 Tim 3:16-17
Threefold result:
He works in us. Phil
2:12-13
We do what pleases him. Col
1:10
He receives the glory. 1
Cor 10:31
Leaders equip saints for ministry. Eph 4:11-16
2. Exhortation: May
You Heed the Word – 13:22
The entire book of Hebrews: a “word of exhortation.”
Hang in there! Pay closer attention! Don’t be deceived by sin! Encourage
one another as the Day approaches! Prepare to enter the “promised land!”
Approach the throne with confidence! Go from milk to meat! Become teachers!
Don’t fall away! Don’t forsake the assembly! Imitate the heroes of faith! Run
the race with endurance! Learn from God’s discipline!
Now he exhorts us to “bear with” that exhortation.
And he says, “I have written to you briefly.”
Question: What will we do with all this exhortation?
3. Reminder: May You
Greet the Saints – 13:23-24
When war veterans come home: honor, thanks, parade!
Wounded. Weary. Shell-shocked. Victims of PTSD.
Timothy released (from prison). Heb 10:32-34; 13:3
What a reunion! What a celebration!
The author (Paul?) calls Timothy “our brother.”
Remember the author’s prayer. Heb 13:19
Common to close a letter by sending greetings.
From the author to all the leaders and saints.
From the Italians who are now with the author.
(Maybe to Jewish Christians, persecuted in Rome.)
4. Closing: May
God’s Grace be With You – 13:25
Not “the Force!” Not “the odds!” Not “good luck!”
God’s grace purchases and offers the prize.
God’s grace energizes and enables the runner.
God’s grace lifts and restores the fallen.
God’s grace calls and invites the lost.
Let’s run to win!
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