Hebrews 13
The Apostle Paul charges Christ-followers to pursue hospitality (Romans 12:13). The author of Hebrews likewise says that Christians are not to neglect showing hospitality; by doing so, some have entertained angels without knowing it (Hebrews 13:2). Jewish auditors of these words probably would think about the angel Rafael secretly assisting Tobias in the book of Tobit. Or perhaps they might think of Abraham and Lot assisting angels (Gen 18–19). All the same, the word that both Romans 12:13 and Hebrews 13:2 use for hospitality is philoxenia. In the ancient world of Paul the stranger or xenos was to be received as a guest and treated as though a friend or philos; hence, philoxenos which then becomes philoxenia. -BJ Orpezo; In Christ
Hebrews 13:1:
Let brotherly love continue
Let brotherly love continue
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Hebrews 13:2:
2 Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares. |
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Hebrews 13:3-4:
3 Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; and them which suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body.
4 Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.
3 Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; and them which suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body.
4 Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.
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Hebrews 13:5-6:
5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: 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. |
“conversation”=character. It’s an old English word for “way of life.”
No matter which way the market is moving, God is always better than gold. Buying things contributes absolutely nothing to the hearts capacity for joy. Those who desire to be rich risk falling into temptation and into a snare, and into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is the root of all evil. It is through this craving that some have wondered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs. |
| I want to start today by saying God wants you to know He is right there with you today and forever. The writer of Hebrews is clear in stating this point by first saying He will never leave you and then follows that with the wording of never forsaking you. As I counsel people I ask them to make a list of all their fears, their worries, their struggles, and most of all their weaknesses. Very rarely do I find people with the exact same list. Some express identical words but very seldom do the causes behind those words look the same. Paul states in 2 Corinthians 12, that he had a thorn in his flesh that Satan used to try to keep him away from God, but in 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 Paul states this, “And he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” -Ewell Vernon “For I am persuaded that nothing (paraphrased) shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:38-39). |
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Hebrews 13:8:
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever" |
Our identity in Him is unshakeable and unchangeable from generation to generation. In this, and in no other way, can we have an identity that is independent of circumstances and functional in all of life's relationships.
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Hebrews 13:2:
Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it |
Some might look like bums from the bowery, but they may have a song dying in their hearts because nobody knows and nobody cares. Deep within many a forgotten life is a scrap of hope, a lonely melody trying hard to return. Some are in prison. Some in hospitals. Some in nursing homes. Some in the ranks of the homeless. Some slip quietly into church on Sunday morning, confuse and afraid.
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Hebrews 13:7:
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
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
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Hebrews 13:8:
8 Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever |
As roads have curves, hills and potholes, life is filled with surprises. Therefore, it's good to know that Jesus does not shift like the wind. When we have an upset stomach and have three hundred more miles to go, we need assurance in the midst of our trouble.
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Hebrews 13:9:
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. |
One of the ways that we can tell pure doctrine from false doctrine, is when sellers of sanctification don’t seem to be growing in righteousness themselves. When a salesman is selling bottles that are marked, “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness etc” but what is coming out of him is “adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness … hatred, contentions, jealousies … outbursts of wrath etc,” the message is clear: buyer beware.
Another way that we can tell the true gospel from a false one is that one is offered for free, and the other tends to turn a suspiciously large profit. While it’s appropriate - and actually commanded - for the flock to financially support those who teach full-time, (Gal 6:6-10) the Apostle Peter writes that the gospel should not be preached “for dishonest gain.” (1 Peter 5:2) Dishonest gain is often financial, but not always. Sometimes it’s fame, career advancement, political influence or social media clicks. But whatever the currency is that they trade in, the last thing a seller of sanctification will want those who hunger and thirst for righteousness to hear is this: Ho! everyone who thirsts, come to the waters! And you who have no money, come, buy and eat! Yes, come buy wine and milk without money and without price. (Is. 55:1) -Daughters of Sarah |
Hebrews 13:10-14:
10 We have an altar, whereof they have no right to eat which serve the tabernacle.
11 For the bodies of those beasts, whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest for sin, are burned without the camp.
12 Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate.
13 Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach.
14 For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come.
10 We have an altar, whereof they have no right to eat which serve the tabernacle.
11 For the bodies of those beasts, whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest for sin, are burned without the camp.
12 Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate.
13 Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach.
14 For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come.
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Hebrews 13:15:
15 By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name. |
 JI Packer Files
“How can we turn our knowledge about God into knowledge of God? The rule for doing so is demanding, but simple. It is that we turn each truth that we learn about God into a matter for meditation before God, leading to prayer and praise of God.” --JI Packer |
Hebrews 13:16-25:
16 But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.
17 Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.
18 Pray for us: for we trust we have a good conscience, in all things willing to live honestly.
19 But I beseech you the rather to do this, that I may be restored to you the sooner.
20 Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant,
21 Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
22 And I beseech you, brethren, suffer the word of exhortation: for I have written a letter unto you in few words.
23 Know ye that our brother Timothy is set at liberty; with whom, if he come shortly, I will see you.
24 Salute all them that have the rule over you, and all the saints. They of Italy salute you.
25 Grace be with you all. Amen.
16 But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.
17 Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.
18 Pray for us: for we trust we have a good conscience, in all things willing to live honestly.
19 But I beseech you the rather to do this, that I may be restored to you the sooner.
20 Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant,
21 Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
22 And I beseech you, brethren, suffer the word of exhortation: for I have written a letter unto you in few words.
23 Know ye that our brother Timothy is set at liberty; with whom, if he come shortly, I will see you.
24 Salute all them that have the rule over you, and all the saints. They of Italy salute you.
25 Grace be with you all. Amen.