September 25, 2016
Morning Service

Heb. 13:1-9

 

            As our writer closes out this letter to the Hebrews, he began chapter 13 with, “let brotherly love continue.”  I got no further than that verse last Sunday morning.  So much to discuss concerning love, and it’s all positive.  At a ballgame Friday night I noticed kids playing down in front of us, black, white, and brown, and they were having a great time.  My point is, love in a child comes naturally, and hate has to be taught.  Jesus said, “Mar 10:14-15  Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.  (15)  Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein.”

 

This morning we will see other important matters that God wants us to know:

 

Heb 13:1-25  Let brotherly love continue.  (2)  Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares. 

·        The great example of this is found in Gen. 18;  Abraham entertained angels just before the destruction of Sodom, and Gomorrah.  Great story of God bringing judgment to a sinful people.

(3)  Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; and them which suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body. 

Jesus said; Mat 25:34-40  Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:  (35)  For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:  (36)  Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.  (37)  Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?  (38)  When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?  (39)  Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?  (40)  And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.

·        James said:  Jas 1:27  Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.

·        This is a great show of kindness, and care for our fellow man.

(4)  Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge. 

·        Jesus said, Mar 10:6-9  But from the beginning of the creation God made them male and female.  (7)  For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and cleave to his wife;  (8)  And they twain shall be one flesh: so then they are no more twain, but one flesh.  (9)  What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.      The Biblical formula for marriage.

·        Jesus speaks concerning marriage in Matt. 19; and Paul speaks of this matter in I Cor. 7.

·        But those who practice sexual immorality will have their part in the lake of fire, which is the second death.  Rev. 20.

(5)  Let your conversation (or manner of life ) be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have:

·        Less is better.  Thou shalt not covet.  Being content with what one has is such a blessing.  Just think of all the worldly things people lust after.  When we should satisfied, and thankful for a roof over our heads, a job, food on the table, and a healthy family.

for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.  (6)  So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me. 

·        Can you feel the confidence in this statement?  Does this describe your walk with God?  Jesus said one time, “fear not man who is able to destroy your body, but fear God who can destroy your body, and soul in hell fire.”  If God be for us, who can be against us?  Rom. 8:31.

(7)  Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation.  (8)  Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever. 

·        Respect of authority, both civil, and spiritual is  a must quality for a Christian. Rom. 13.

(9)  Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines. For it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace; not with meats, which have not profited them that have been occupied therein. 

·        When we take time to study our Bible we will see such scriptures as Eph 4:11-16  And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;  (12)  For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:  (13)  Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:  (14)  That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;  (15)  But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:  (16)  From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.    LOVE, THE FINISHED PRODUCT.

·         Those of the Jewish faith would continually tell the Christians they should not eat certain foods.  Those set forth in Lev. 11.  However, the first council meeting found in Acts chapter 15, sets us free from most of these things.  There was however, certain things Christians were to refrain from;  four things;  Act 15:20  But that we write unto them, that they abstain from pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood.

Summarizing:

1.       God would have us entertain strangers.

2.      To minister, and remember those who are in bonds.

3.      Marriage is honorable, but God will judge sexual immorality.

4.      Do not covet, and be content with what you have.

5.      God will never leave us nor forsake us, and will provide what we need.

6.      Respect authority, both civil, and spiritual. 

7.      Recognize the ministry that God left the church for It’s guidance, and edification.

 

We didn’t get to the closing remarks this morning, but we have looked at some very important topics.  Our Bible has the answers from God, it’s just a matter of us reading it, and learning what He wants from His children.

So much we have to look forward too, and it will take a very strong faith to get us through this life.  Many have already fallen by the way side, and chosen the things of the world over the things of God.  We don’t want to be of this group, but want to remain faithful to God, and keep looking for His return.

 

ALMIGHTY GOD, OUR HEAVENLY FATHER, HELP US TO LEAVE HERE THIS MORNING WITH A RENEWED DETERMINATION TO FINISH OUR WALK WITH YOU THROUGH THIS WORLD.   AMEN.