Hebrews 13:1-25

The Book of Hebrews  •  Sermon  •  Submitted
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The writer of Hebrews concludes the book with a series of practical guidelines about living out their lives of faith. How should we live our lives of faith?

1. General guidelines for Christian living ()

A. Love other believers ()

The command to love one another is found throughout the New Testament.
Hebrews 13:1 CSB
1 Let brotherly love continue.
The command to love one another is found throughout the New Testament. He uses the word “phileo”, which indicates brotherly or familial love. We should treat one another as family.

B. Show hospitality ()

Hebrews 13:2 CSB
2 Don’t neglect to show hospitality, for by doing this some have welcomed angels as guests without knowing it.
In ancient etiquette, especially in Jewish and Christian circles, you would take in fellow believers in for an evening. Hospitality is an important part of Christian life. It demonstrates our care and concern for one another. It is intensely practical. It is interesting that he makes the note that “some have welcomed angels as guests without knowing it.” What do you make of that concept?

C. Remember those who are suffering and are being mistreated ()

Hebrews 13:3 CSB
3 Remember those in prison, as though you were in prison with them, and the mistreated, as though you yourselves were suffering bodily.
First century prisoners were not treated well. They would have to depend on family and friend for their needs while they were imprisoned. These people were suffering because of their gospel witness. The other believers needed to take care of them and pray for them. Keep them in your mind constantly. If one of us suffers, all of us suffer.

D. Be pure in sexual matters ()

Hebrews 13:4 CSB
4 Marriage is to be honored by all and the marriage bed kept undefiled, because God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterers.
In the ancient world and even today, the idea of monogamy is under assault. Some people have even said that it is unreasonable to expect people to be faithful to one person for life. The concept is that marriage is to be respected and valued. Marriage is sacred. God will judge those who are involved in sexual activity outside of marriage.

E. Be satisfied with what you have ()

Hebrews 13:5 CSB
5 Keep your life free from the love of money. Be satisfied with what you have, for he himself has said, I will never leave you or abandon you.
Don’t be greedy and covetous. The writer indicates that greed is insulting to God because God is the one providing for you. If you aren’t content with what God is giving you, then you are accusing him of incompetence. God will always provide for his people. No child of God needs to fear that their needs will go unmet. Therefore, we can say with confidence,
Hebrews 13:6 CSB
6 Therefore, we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?

2. Leadership lessons ()

A. Remember your leaders ()

Hebrews 13:7 CSB
7 Remember your leaders who have spoken God’s word to you. As you carefully observe the outcome of their lives, imitate their faith.
“Remember” carries the idea of “respond” and listen to. All followers of Jesus are to have spiritual leaders that they listen to. Our leaders are to lead lives that are to be model of how we are to live. Paul said “Imitate me as I imitate Christ.”
“Remember” carries the idea of “respond” and listen to. All followers of Jesus are to have spiritual leaders that they listen to. Our leaders are to lead lives that are to be model of how we are to live. Paul said “Imitate me as I imitate Christ.”

B. Jesus Christ and the gospel do not change ()

Hebrews 13:8 CSB
8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
Hebrews 13:8
Jesus is immutable. He never changes. He is the same today as he was yesterday and as he will be tomorrow. Our circumstances change. Our perspective changes, but Jesus and the gospel never change.

C. Don’t fall prey to false teachers ()

Hebrews 13:9–14 CSB
9 Don’t be led astray by various kinds of strange teachings; for it is good for the heart to be established by grace and not by food regulations, since those who observe them have not benefited. 10 We have an altar from which those who worship at the tabernacle do not have a right to eat. 11 For the bodies of those animals whose blood is brought into the most holy place by the high priest as a sin offering are burned outside the camp. 12 Therefore, Jesus also suffered outside the gate, so that he might sanctify the people by his own blood. 13 Let us then go to him outside the camp, bearing his disgrace. 14 For we do not have an enduring city here; instead, we seek the one to come.
Specifically, this is talking about returning to Judaism. They were in danger of being drawn away and returning to Judaism; however, the dangers for us are real too. We can be drawn away from the faith by legalism, but also liberalism.
Hebrews 13:9–10 CSB
9 Don’t be led astray by various kinds of strange teachings; for it is good for the heart to be established by grace and not by food regulations, since those who observe them have not benefited. 10 We have an altar from which those who worship at the tabernacle do not have a right to eat.
If you turn your back on the ways of Christ and embrace some other so-called way, you have rejected the sacrifice for your sins.
Specifically, this is talking about returning to Judaism. They were in danger of being drawn away and returning to Judaism; however, the dangers for us are real too. We can be drawn away from the faith by legalism, but also liberalism.

D. Offer the sacrifice of praise ()

Hebrews 13:15 CSB
15 Therefore, through him let us continually offer up to God a sacrifice of praise, that is, the fruit of lips that confess his name.
The sacrifice of praise refers to the occurs in and refers to the highest form of praise which could be made under a peace offering.
Leviticus 7:12 CSB
12 If he presents it for thanksgiving, in addition to the thanksgiving sacrifice, he is to present unleavened cakes mixed with olive oil, unleavened wafers coated with oil, and well-kneaded cakes of fine flour mixed with oil.
This special offering was voluntary and could be made only after the atonement for one’s sins. Its primary purpose was to express gratitude to God.

E. Offer the sacrifice of good deeds ()

Hebrews 13:16 CSB
16 Don’t neglect to do what is good and to share, for God is pleased with such sacrifices.
This is practical. Don’t stop doing what is good. Don’t stop sharing the blessing that God has given to you. God is pleased when we do what is good and share.

F. Obey your leaders and submit to them ()

Hebrews 13:17 CSB
17 Obey your leaders and submit to them, since they keep watch over your souls as those who will give an account, so that they can do this with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you.
This is about their current leadership. The members of the congregation have a responsibility to obey the leaders of the church and submit to their authority. The word obey can mean “to put your confidence in” or “trust them”. Be ready to comply with their instructions of biblical principles.
He even gives the reason for “why”. “They keep watch over your souls” and “They will give an account”. Every leader in the church is going to give an account for those entrusted to them to watch over. Instead of working against them or not listening to them, yield to your leaders so that they can do their work with joy and not with grief. In other words, don’t be a burden to your leadership. “When members of the church fail to submit themselves to the leadership, the leaders end up working under an emotional burden that give them a life filled with sighs.” It is of no benefit to anyone to be a high maintenance person and cause undue emotional stress to people.

G. Pray ()

Hebrews 13:18–19 CSB
18 Pray for us, for we are convinced that we have a clear conscience, wanting to conduct ourselves honorably in everything. 19 And I urge you all the more to pray that I may be restored to you very soon.
Pray for your leadership. Keep on praying. In this case, for some reason the writer, has been prevented from being with the people and desires to be back with them.

3. Benediction and Closing ()

Hebrews 13:20–25 CSB
20 Now may the God of peace, who brought up from the dead our Lord Jesus—the great Shepherd of the sheep—through the blood of the everlasting covenant, 21 equip you with everything good to do his will, working in us what is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen. 22 Brothers and sisters, I urge you to receive this message of exhortation, for I have written to you briefly. 23 Be aware that our brother Timothy has been released. If he comes soon enough, he will be with me when I see you. 24 Greet all your leaders and all the saints. Those who are from Italy send you greetings. 25 Grace be with you all.
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