September 18, 2016
Morning Service

Heb. 13:1

 

            In chapter 12 of Hebrews the writer again tells us that we are part of a wonderful new covenant.  Not the one from Mt. Sinai, that was so fierce that if even an animal touched the mountain, it was to be killed, but we have come unto the new covenant, Heb 12:22-24  But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels,  (23)  To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect,  (24)  And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel. 

A new glorious covenant for all mankind, not just a select few, but for whosoever will let him come, and drink of the waters of life freely. 

            Also in chapter 12 the writer told us that God corrects, or chastens those that He loves, and concluded this chapter with this verse; “our God is a consuming fire.”

Let’s begin chapter 13:

 

Heb 13:1-25  Let brotherly love continue.    (AND THIS IS AS FAR AS WE GET, LOVE.)

·        Love, it is the defining factor, of Christianity.  It is what confirms you are who you say you are, a Christian, Christ like.  Christ, love personified, and we are to be like Him.

·        Jesus, the Author, and finisher of our faith, spoke much concerning love.

·        John, known as the Apostle of love, recorded many scriptures, in which Jesus referred to love.

Joh_5:42  But I know you, that ye have not the love of God in you.

·        All, that have been in Christ for some time, are able to discern this truth.  If you have studied your Bible, then you know the fruits that comes from one’s life.  Jesus said this of His criticizers, they could not be loving Him, and wanting to kill Him at the same time.  You either love, or hate, not both.

Joh_8:42  Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me.

·        Here again is the importance of discerning the fruits that comes from ones life.  We can call ourselves anything we want, but the proof is in the fruits.  Do we love?

Joh_10:17  Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again.

·        Just one of the many reasons God loves Jesus.  There have been many that have laid down their lives for the faith.  The day may come when we are ask to do this, hopefully we will be ready.

Joh_13:34  A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.

Joh_13:35  By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

·        The defining factor.  The fruit that tells others that you are a disciple of Jesus of Nazareth.  This is what we have been ask to do, at this time.  There will come a time when there will be force, but not now, we are to love. 

·        What is Love?  Paul gives us a very descriptive look at what true love is.  (ICor.13)

 

 

 

1Co 13:1-13  Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. 

·         Those that claim to have the gift of tongues today needs to understand that if they have not love to go along with this gift, it will profit them nothing, and also tells me that they have nothing I want or need.

(2)  And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. 

·         If I am God’s gift to mankind with all my talents, and knowledge, and have not love I am nothing.  All these spiritual gifts are important, and valuable, but without love they are nothing.

(3)  And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing. 

·        You can have all the good works, and even offer your body, a sacrifice to the fire, and have not love, it profits you nothing.

(4)  Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,  (5)  Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;  (6)  Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;  (7)  Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.  (8)  Charity never faileth:

·        Do you see anything here you need to work on?  I do, and it is a continual overcoming process.  But don’t give up, for the reward goes to the overcomer.

but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail;

·        When they fail, you will know that the Prophet is false, because God never fails.

whether there be tongues, they shall cease;

·        Have the Biblical tongues ceased?  Examine the fruits, and then you tell me.

whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.  (9)  For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.  (10)  But when that which is perfect is come, (Jesus Christ) then that which is in part shall be done away.  (11)  When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.  (12)  For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: ( when He that is perfect shall come ) now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.  (13)  And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.

·        John goes on to record these things the Lord said:

Joh_14:15  If ye love me, keep my commandments.

Joh_14:23  Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.

Joh_15:9  As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love.

Joh_15:10  If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love.

Joh_15:12  This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.

Joh_15:13  Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

Joh_15:17  These things I command you, that ye love one another.

Joh_15:19  If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.

·         Get the idea?  It’s very clear, we are to love, and not hate.  John has wonderful things to say concerning love in his own letters.   (I, II, III, John )

·         James has somewhat to say concerning love;  Jms. 1:12; 2:5; 2:8.

·         Peter?  1:8; 1:22; 2:17; 3:8; 3:10.

·         Paul in the Roman, and Corinthian letters.

Joh_15:17  These things I command you, that ye love one another.

ALMIGHTY GOD OUR HEAVENLY FATHER, HELP US TO STRIVE FOR THIS LOVE THAT WE SO DESPERATELY NEED.  AMEN.