RETURN TO SYLLABUS
HEBREWS 13:1-25
LESSON #32
THE CHRISTIAN LIFE OF LOVE BY FAITH
v MEMORY VERSE: HEB 13:8
v CHRISTIAN LOVE IS THE THEME OF THIS
CHAPTER. WE HAVE LEARNED ABOUT FAITH AND OUR PROPER RESPONSE TO TRIALS IN THE CHRISTIAN
LIFE. WE MUST NOT LET TRIALS DEFEAT OUR FAITH. HOWEVER, THE CHRISTIAN LIFE IS NOT ONLY A
STRUGGLE TO MAINTAIN OUR FAITH, IT IS ALSO A STRUGGLE TO MAINTAIN LOVE BY FAITH.
Ø READ HEB 13:1-9 CHRISTIAN ETHICS
§
THE AUTHOR TALKS ABOUT FOUR MAIN
EXPRESSIONS OF THE LIFE OF LOVE (1-4):
· EXPRESS LOVE FOR OTHER CHRISTIANS JOH 13:34-35
· EXPRESS LOVE IN HOSPITALITY 1PE 4:9
¨ ENTERTAINING STRANGERS
Ø DURING THE TIME OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE,
THERE WERE WELL-BUILT ROADS THAT MADE TRAVEL EASY. HOWEVER, THERE WERE NO INNS, NO MOTELS
ALONG THE WAY. HOSPITALITY WAS CONSIDERED AN OBLIGATION AMONG CHRISTIANS. ENTERTAINING
STRANGERS WAS NOT HOUSING JUST ANYBODY THAT HAPPENED TO COME TO YOUR DOOR. IT REFERRED TO
HOSPITALITY TO BELIEVERS.
§
WE HAVE THE SAME OBLIGATION TODAY TO
EXTEND HOSPITALITY TO FELLOW BELIEVERS WHETHER WE KNOW THEM WELL OR NOT. (HOWEVER, MAKE
SURE THEY ARE BELIEVERS.)
§
ENTERTAINING ANGELS
· THE REFERENCE CALLS TO MIND THE STORY
OF ABRAHAM WHO ENTERTAINED ANGELS IN GEN 18, THE STORY OF GIDEON IN JDG 6:11-24 AND
SAMSON'S PARENTS IN JDG 13.
· EXPRESS LOVE IN SYMPATHY FOR THOSE IN
BONDAGE OR PERSECUTION
¨ MAT 25:36-40
Ø THE HEBREW CHURCH WAS ENDURING MUCH
PERSECUTION AND BONDAGE AT THE TIME THIS BOOK WAS WRITTEN.
· EXPRESS CHRIST’S LOVE IN MARITAL
LOVE.
¨ EPH 5:33
Ø MEN ARE COMMANDED TO LOVE THEIR WIVES.
WOMEN RESPOND TO LOVE WITH LOVE. WOMEN ARE COMMANDED TO SUBMIT TO THEIR HUSBANDS (IN
LOVE).
§
GOD'S PURPOSES FOR MARRIAGE:
· TO CREATE CHILDREN.
· TO PREVENT IMMORALITY.
· TO PREVENT SOLITUDE.
§
THE
MANNER OF YOUR CHRISTIAN LIFE:
| VERSE: |
WHAT IT SHOULD NOT HAVE: |
WHAT IT SHOULD HAVE |
| VS.5 |
COVETOUSNESS = IT MEANS THE LOVE OF
SILVER THE JEWISH
HIGH PRIEST COULD THROW INTO PRISON ANYONE WHO LEFT THE JEWISH RELIGION. IT DEVASTATED
FAMILIES FINANCIALLY. |
CONTENTMENT PHI 4:11 GOD WILL
NEVER LEAVE US IN DESTITUTE CIRCUM STANCES. |
| VS.
6 |
FEAR |
THE HELP OF GOD |
| VS. 7 | SUBMISSION TO AND
PRAYER FOR THOSE IN SPIRITUAL AUTHORITY OVER YOU. |
|
| VS.
7 |
HEROES OF THE
FAITH WHICH YOU CAN FOLLOW |
|
| VS.
9 |
FALSE DOCTRINE | THE GRACE OF GOD
TO ESTABLISH YOU IN TRUTH |
v READ HEB 13:10-14
Ø WHAT IS THE AUTHOR TALKING ABOUT IN
THESE VERSES?
§
AT THE END OF VERSE 9, THE AUTHOR
REFERS TO THOSE HEBREW CHRISTIANS WHO WERE SLIDING BACK INTO THE RITUAL OF JUDAISM AND
RELYING ON THE SIN OFFERING OF LEVITICUS TO CLEANSE THEM FROM SIN.
· THE ALTAR THE CHRISTIAN EATS FROM
(SPIRITUALLY SPEAKING) IS THE CROSS OF CHRIST EXEMPLIFIED IN THE COMMUNION TABLE. WE EAT
THE BREAD, A SYMBOL OF HIS BODY, AND DRINK THE CUP, A SYMBOL OF HIS BLOOD. (10)
¨ THE OLD TESTAMENT JEWISH PRIESTS DID
NOT DRINK THE BLOOD OF THE ANIMAL. IT WAS TAKEN INTO THE HOLY OF HOLIES. HE ALSO DID NOT EAT
OF THE BODY OF THE ANIMAL IN THE SIN OFFERING BECAUSE IT WAS BURNED OUTSIDE THE CAMP JUST
AS JESUS WAS CRUCIFIED OUTSIDE THE CITY OF JERUSALEM. (11-12)
¨ IN THE OLD TESTAMENT, SIN WAS TAKEN
OUTSIDE THE CAMP OR CITY TO SEPARATE THE PEOPLE FROM SIN. HOWEVER, IN THE NEW TESTAMENT,
WE ARE TO GO OUTSIDE THE CAMP (13) AMONG SINNERS, TO PREACH THE GOSPEL AND TO SUFFER THE
PERSECUTION THAT COMES BECAUSE THAT IS WHAT JESUS DID.
Ø WE CAN GO "OUTSIDE THE CAMP"
AMONG SINNERS BECAUSE WE HAVE AN ETERNAL PERSPECTIVE (14) AND THIS WORLD IS NOT OUR HOME.
§
THERE ARE TWO PLACES WHERE THE
CHRISTIAN SHOULD BE.
· HE SHOULD BE INSIDE THE VEIL OF THE
HEAVENLY HOLY OF HOLIES IN INTIMATE COMMUNION WITH JESUS CHRIST.
¨ BY HIS BLOOD HE LEADS US INTO INTIMATE
FELLOWSHIP WITH GOD TO CLEANSE AND SANCTIFY US.
· HE SHOULD BE OUTSIDE THE CAMP
WITNESSING AMONG SINNERS.
¨ BY THE EXAMPLE OF JESUS’ EARTHLY
LIFE, HE LEADS US OUT INTO THE WORLD TO MINISTER TO OTHERS WHO ARE LOST.
v READ HEB 13:15-19
Ø WHAT IS THE BELIEVER'S SACRIFICE?
§
THE SACRIFICE OF PRAISE (15)
· THE FRUIT OF OUR LIPS.
¨ PRAISE IS INCOMPLETE UNLESS VERBALLY
SPOKEN.
§
THE SACRIFICE OF DEEDS OF LOVE (16)
· THE FRUIT OF OUR HANDS
¨ SHARING GENEROUSLY ALL THAT WE HAVE AND
ALL THAT WE ARE.
§
THE SACRIFICE OF HUMILITY (17)
· THE FRUIT OF OUR LIVES.
¨ WE ARE TO SACRIFICE OURSELVES.
§
THE SACRIFICE OF PRAYER (18)
· THE FRUIT OF OUR TIME.
¨ WE ARE TO SPEND OUR TIME ON THE PURSUIT
OF ETERNAL THINGS.
§
THE SACRIFICE OF SUBMISSION TO
SPIRITUAL AUTHORITY.
· THE FRUIT OF UNITY IN THE BODY OF
CHRIST.
¨ WHAT SHOULD WE OBEY?
Ø PASTORS AND TEACHERS THAT GOD HAS
PLACED OVER US FOR OUR SPIRITUAL GOOD.
v READ HEB 13:20-25 BENEDICTION
Ø THE BOOK OF HEBREWS HAS TAUGHT US ABOUT
THE WORK OF JESUS CHRIST (20)
§
THE AUTHOR'S PRAYER IS THAT KNOWLEDGE
WILL DO A WORK IN THE READER:
· SO THAT THE GRACE OF GOD WILL MAKE THE
READER "PERFECT" (MATURE, COMPLETE, PUT IN THE RIGHT POSITION, EQUIPPED) SO THAT
CHRIST WILL BE GLORIFIED.
· SO THAT THE READER WILL OBEY THE 5
WARNINGS GIVEN IN THE
BOOK. REMEMBER THE 5
WARNINGS ARE:
¨ DON'T NEGLECT SO GREAT A SALVATION
(2:1-4)
Ø INSTEAD, YIELD TO WHAT
GOD WANTS TO DO IN YOUR LIFE!!
¨ DON'T COME SHORT OF THE PROMISED REST
(3:7-4:13)
Ø INSTEAD, TAKE HEED TO HOW
GOD IS LEADING YOU!!
¨ DON’T FALL INTO THE DANGER OF
SLOTH, STANDING STILL, AND FALLING AWAY (5:11-6:21)
Ø INSTEAD, PRESS ON IN THE
CHRISTIAN RACE, PERMITTING NOTHING TO DISTRACT YOU!!
¨ DON’T FALL INTO SINNING WILFULLY,
AND DRAWING BACK TO PERDITION (10:26-39)
Ø INSTEAD, CONSIDER JESUS
AND HOW MUCH HE ENDURED TO SHOW YOU THE WAY!!
¨ DON’T FALL SHORT OF THE GRACE OF
GOD, REFUSING HIM WHO SPEAKS (12:15-29)
Ø INSTEAD, LIVE BY FAITH
AND NOT BY SIGHT OR FEELINGS!!
v REVIEW OF THE BOOK OF HEBREWS:
Ø THE THEME OF THE BOOK: JESUS CHRIST,
OUR GREAT HIGH PRIEST
§
THE 3 MYSTERIES REVEALED
· THE SHED BLOOD OF JESUS CHRIST HAS
OPENED THE HEAVENLY SANCTUARY TO US IN THIS NEW TESATAMENT AGE.
· JESUS' WAY OF SELF-SACRIFICE AND
OBEDIENCE IS THE BETTER WAY TO GOD THAN ATTEMPTING TO KEEP THE LETTER OF THE LAW.
· JESUS, AS OUR HIGH PRIEST, ENABLES US
TO LIVE THE CHRISTIAN LIFE.
¨ HE PLEADS OUR CASE BEFORE GOD.
¨ HE HELPS AND ENCOURAGES US.
¨ HE BRINGS OUR PRAYERS TO GOD.
Ø DISCUSSION: WHAT ONE THING HAVE YOU LEARNED IN THE WHOLE BOOK
OF HEBREWS THAT MOST RELATES TO YOUR PERSONAL LIFE?
Ø I PURPOSELY SKIPPED OVER HEB 13:8
BECAUSE IT GIVES US AN OVERALL VIEW OF THE PERSON AND WORK OF JESUS CHRIST.
§
THE
PERSON AND WORK OF CHRIST AS OUR GREAT HIGH PRIEST IN THIS PRESENT AGE IS THE THEME OF THE
BOOK OF HEBREWS. BUT JESUS CHRIST IS MORE THAN JUST IN THIS PRESENT AGE.
§
THE BOOK OF HEBREWS GAVE US A GLIMPSE
INTO THE PAST AGE OF THE OLD TESTAMENT. IT SHOWED US HOW JESUS CHRIST WAS THERE THROUGH
PICTURES AND PREFIGURES THAT SURROUNDED THEIR LIVES.
§
THE BOOK OF HEBREWS ALSO GIVES US A
GLIMPSE INTO THE FUTURE WHEN EVERYTHING IN THE PAST AND EVERYTHING IN THE PRESENT WILL
WORK TOWARD BRINGING ALL THINGS TOGETHER UNDER THE FEET OF JESUS CHRIST.
· THEREFORE, THERE IS SO MUCH MORE TO
LEARN ABOUT CHRIST THAN WHAT IS CONTAINED IN THE BOOK OF HEBREWS; SO KEEP ON STUDYING!!!