Hebrews 13:01-03 Loving Exhortations – audio

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Text: Hebrews 13:1-3

Introduction:

1. When we began our study, we noted that the epistle to the Hebrews

a. Began like an essay – Hebrews 1:1-2

b. Progressed like a sermon – Hebrews 2:1 – 12:29

c. Ended like a letter – Hebrews 13:1-25

2. As with many epistles in the New Testament, this letter ends with various exhortations

a. The first regarding the objects of their love – Hebrews 13:1-3

b. Here we find the author practicing what he preaches; seeking to stir up love and good works – Hebrews 10:24

Body

I. TOWARD BRETHREN (Hebrews 13:1)

A. THE IMPORTANCE OF BROTHERLY LOVE

1. It is a mark of true discipleship – John 13:35

2. It is an indication of true spiritual life – 1 John 3:14

B. THE HEBREWS HAD MANIFESTED BROTHERLY LOVE

1. Note the text says their love was to continue

2. They had demonstrated brotherly love in the past

a. In their ministry to God and His saints – Hebrews 6:10

b. Even in their compassion to the author – Hebrews 10:32-34

C. THE NEED FOR BROTHERLY LOVE NEVER DIMINISHES

1. Just as Paul wrote:

a. For the Thessalonians to excel in their love – 1 Thessalonians 4:9-10

b. For the Philippians to abound in their love – Philippians 1:9

2. Just as Peter wrote that our love should abound – 2 Peter 1:7-8

3. Even now, the author of Hebrews says Let brotherly love continue!

II. TOWARD STRANGERS (Hebrews 13:2)

A. THIS IS A CALL FOR HOSPITALITY

1. The Greek word is philoxenia {fil-on-ex-ee’-ah}

a. Literally, a love of strangers

b. It involved receiving a stranger (sojourner) into one’s home as an honored guest and to provide the guest with food, shelter, and protection

2. In many ancient cultures, hospitality was a solemn duty

a. It was regarded as a sacred obligation by the ancient Greeks and Romans, one that was approved by Zeus, the god and protector of strangers

b. The Egyptians claimed it as a meritorious deed in life

c. For the Bedouins, it was an expression of righteousness

d. Hospitality is one form of worship (Jewish Proverb)

3. In the early church, it was an important ministry

a. Christians were often displaced by persecution; public inns were scarce, costly, and sometimes dangerous

b. Traveling evangelists were to be supported through hospitality – 3 John 1:5-8

4. Thus hospitality is to be manifested by

a. Those men who would serve as elders (bishops) – 1 Timothy 3:2; Titus 1:8

b. Those widows who would be taken into the number – 1 Timothy 5:9-10

c. All Christians – Romans 12:13; 1 Peter 4:9

B. A REASON TO PRACTICE HOSPITALITY

1. for by so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels.

a. The example of Abraham – Genesis 18:1-8

b. The example of Lot – Genesis 19:1-3

2. The point is not that we should expect angels to literally come our way

a. Though some we entertain may serve as His messengers (angel means messenger)

b. The key idea is that you never know what hospitality might bring

1) One often receives unexpected benefits from his or her guests

2) There is always the blessedness of giving – Acts 20:35

III. TOWARD PRISONERS AND THE PERSECUTED (Hebrews 13:3)

A. A CALL TO REMEMBER THEM

1. Christians were often persecuted and imprisoned for their faith

a. Prior to his conversion, Paul often led the assault – Acts 8:3; 26:9-11

b. Later, he himself was a prisoner – Philippians 1:12-18; Colossians 4:18

2. The Hebrews had already shown their love toward such prisoners – Hebrews 10:32-34

3. To remember and visit Christians in prison was an act of devotion to Christ Himself – Matthew 25:35-40

4. They could also remember them in their prayers – Acts 12:5; Ephesians 6:18-20

B. THEIR LOVING REMEMBRANCE WAS TO BE INFLUENCED

1. By their sense of fellowship in their brethren’s suffering:

a. As if chained with them;

b. The Lord intended such connection between the members of His Body (if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it) – 1 Corinthians 12:26

2. By their awareness of their own vulnerability

a. Since you yourselves are in the body also

b. They would not be immune to persecution themselves. Therefore, they should be sensitive to the sufferings of others

Conclusion

1. In providing a new and living way, it is true that Jesus made possible a close relationship between man and God – Hebrews 10:19-22

2. But the purity we experience through obeying the truth

a. Is not just that we may have fellowship with God

b. But also that we may have fellowship with each other in sincerity and love! – 1 Peter 1:22-23

3. Thus it naturally follows that as we draw near to God, we should also draw near to one another; this we do when we show our love

a. Toward brethren (Hebrews 13:1)

b. Toward strangers (Hebrews 13:2)

c. Toward prisoners and the persecuted (Hebrews 13:3)

4. May we all be diligent to heed the exhortation to let brotherly love continue!