Hebrews 13

Bible study with Pastor Terry Gray

CHRISTIANS IN ACTION (Hebrews 13:1-6)

Hebrews 13:1
Let brotherly love continue. We should actively show love. Like blood siblings, we, Christians, fight among ourselves. But, we never stop reaching out. We forgive, we stop the grudges, we reconcile, and we move on. We do this because God's love is in us; we do this so that we keep reaching out to our brothers and sisters in Christ. 

Hebrews 13:2
We are to be hospitable. To care for the needs of others. To bless others in meaningful and practical ways. 

Hebrews 13:3
1 Peter 4:9 
Be hospital to others, to strangers, without grumbling. Be compassionate. Feel others' pain so personally that we'd go out and help them. 

Hebrews 13:4
All Christians are to honor marriage defined by God. Outside of God's definition of marriage, sex is defiled and unclean. This isn't my personal opinion. GOD SAID THIS (1 Corinthians 5:1, 6:13, 7:2, 18, 10:8; 2 Corinthians 12:21; Acts 15:20; Galatians 5:19; Ephesians 5:3; Colossians 3:5; 1 Thessalonians 4:3; Jude 1:7)

Hebrews 13:5
Be content with NOW. Trust in the Lord that whatever situation we are in, God has a plan for us. We may have fallen prey to Satan's works (think of Job), or we may be be tested by the Lord. Whatever the case, we trust that God will lead us to safety. Therefore, keep our eyes on God and live in the now and not in the past.

Philippians 4:6-7
Paul, one who has suffered greatly because of his solid position to stand for Christ, showed, through his life works, how he remained content with every situation because he has GOD. 


THE CHURCH IN ACTION (13:7-17) 

Hebrews 13:7
Remember the leaders of the church, the teachers of the church. Respect them. Pray for them. Help them. Support them. Remember our church fathers. Remember our heritage. 

Hebrews 13:8
Jesus doesn't change. He is immutable. Jesus is God and has always been God. His love and faithfulness never changes. He is the rock of our salvation, the anchor of our life. 

Hebrews 13:9
The Church is to be on the lookout, be on guard for various and strange doctrines because those can carry us away. 

Hebrews 13:10
There is no certain foods we can or cannot eat, or things that we can or cannot do. In fact, Paul, throughout his many epistles, said that we have the freedom to do anything. But just because we have that freedom to do anything, that doesn't mean we should. 

The best way to guard against strange doctrines is to study the Bible systematically, one book at a time. One should avoid exclusive topical preaching, for example, preaching about what the Bible says about loneliness and dig out all related verses. There is a place for topical preaching, but it shouldn't be the only way. Teaching the whole book at a time forces us to take everything within context, instead of allowing ourselves to pick and choose only the verses we like and avoiding the verses we don't like or understand. Strange teachings are often the result of taking text out of context or the lack of solid understanding of the text.

For example, Philippians 4:19
People often take that to mean God will always bless His people with riches. However, they don't take into account that Paul had encouraged the Philippians with this statement BECAUSE OF their sacrificial giving to the Lord! Taken in context, Paul is saying to those who sacrificially give, God will supply them with His glory and riches through Jesus.

Another example, 3 John1:2
Some take this passage to say that all Christians need to be rich and healthy at all times, and if we're not, then there is something wrong with our walk in God. That's basically what Job's "friends" told him, when in fact, Job's misfortunes were the result of Satan's deception, not because there was anything wrong with Job! Furthermore, in context, John wasn't even trying to imply the lack of riches or health directly correlate with lack of faith. He was just greeting his people!

Teaching the Bible in a book by book manner allows us to take the cue from the Holy Spirit. This method of study doesn't allow us to take things out of context or pick and choose whatever we want to read. 

Hebrews 13:11-14
A priest who still offers sacrifice by Old Testament methods (and those who follow them as well) cannot partake in the body of Jesus because they still follow the Old Testament. Leave that. Go out to Jesus! Leave the rituals behind! 

Hebrews 13:15-16
Give sacrifice of praise, such as singing of praises. Praise God verbally. Do good and share. 

Hebrews 13:17
Obey church leaders. Leaders are servants of God who watches out for God's people. They need our support and love. 1 Timothy and Titus define what leaders should and should not do. 


ENTER THE FRAY (Hebrews 13:18-25) 

Do not look back. Enter the battle and stand as Christians, no matter what happens. Stand with Christ. Enter the fray. Fight. 

Enter the fray praying (Hebrews 13:18)
Prayer is our first resort. It should never be our last resort. Prayer is where the power is.

Pray the following for our leaders:
1. Protection 
2. Effectiveness in ministry 

Enter the fray remembering (Hebrews 13:20)
1. Remember the supernatural peace from God through Jesus 
2. Remember God is powerful. God raised Jesus from the dead. He parted the Red Sea. He stopped the sun and the moon. Etc. We don't go into the fray alone. We go with God. 
3. Remember that Jesus is our great shepherd
4. Remember the everlasting covenant with Jesus, that Jesus will never change. We are His people always. His promises to us remain always.

Enter the fray allowing (Hebrews 13:21)
1. Allow God to work through us 
2. Allow God to work in us 

Enter the fray allowing, so that we can accomplish God's good work (Ephesians 2), so that we can be more like Jesus. 

"Make you complete" (Hebrews 13:21, KJV): To equip, to mend, to make ships ready for sail, to set a bone in place

Enter the fray greeting (Hebrews 13:22)

Be connected with brothers and sisters in Christ:
1. Be in fellowship with others 
2. Be in community with others 
3. Be in friendship with others 

Our enemy is Satan, not each other! Be united with brothers and sisters in Christ and fight Satan, not among ourselves!

The shield used by Roman guards can be connected to shields of others. By being connected, the Roman guards can more effectively withstand greater attacks. This is how we should go into the spiritual war. Connected. We link up together.

So, be strong, be courageous. Don't turn back. Enter the fray. Do so praying. Do so remembering. Do so allowing. Do so greeting.