Finishing Strong
Hebrews 13:1-25
- What did it mean to the original reader or original audience?
- In one or two words, how would you describe the relationship you had with your brothers and sisters when you were growing up?
- Who has been as close to you as a brother?
Hebrews 13:1-25
Sacrifices Pleasing to God
13 Let brotherly love continue. 2 Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares. 3 Remember those who are in prison, as though in prison with them, and those who are mistreated, since you also are in the body. 4 Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous. 5 Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” 6 So we can confidently say,
“The
Lord is my helper;
I will not fear;
what
can man do to me?”
7 Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith. 8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. 9 Do not be led away by diverse and strange teachings, for it is good for the heart to be strengthened by grace, not by foods, which have not benefited those devoted to them. 10 We have an altar from which those who serve the tent have no right to eat. 11 For the bodies of those animals whose blood is brought into the holy places by the high priest as a sacrifice for sin are burned outside the camp. 12 So Jesus also suffered outside the gate in order to sanctify the people through his own blood. 13 Therefore let us go to him outside the camp and bear the reproach he endured. 14 For here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city that is to come. 15 Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name. 16 Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.
17 Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.
18 Pray for us, for we are sure that we have a clear conscience, desiring to act honorably in all things. 19 I urge you the more earnestly to do this in order that I may be restored to you the sooner.
Benediction
20 Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, 21 equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.
Final Greetings
22 I appeal to you, brothers, bear with my word of exhortation, for I have written to you briefly. 23 You should know that our brother Timothy has been released, with whom I shall see you if he comes soon. 24 Greet all your leaders and all the saints. Those who come from Italy send you greetings. 25 Grace be with all of you.
- God is ... What do we learn about God in this passage?
- We are ... What do we learn about people in this passage?
- In what areas should "brotherly love" define Christians (vv. 1-7)? What consequences are spelled out here for those who do? For those who don't? What help is offered for those who struggle (vv. 6, 8)?
- What does verse 5 say about priorities when making financial decisions? What reason do we have to be worry-free when it comes to money? How are we to regard our leaders (vv. 7,17) and why? How does this reflect our regard for the changeless Christ? What do these verses say about the importance of considering our leaders as Christ's messengers?
- What "strange teaching" was a particular temptation to Hebrew Christians (vv. 9-10)? What rituals, mores, and other forms of legalism tempt believers of any age? Why?
- What is the point of the argument in verses 9-14? Based on his argument, what types of "sacrifices" is God concerned with (vv. 15-16)?
- Why does the author desire their prayers (vv. 18-19)? How would you paraphrase his prayer for them (vv. 20-21)?
- From verses 1-19, how would you sum up the Christian lifestyle?
- In which of these six areas have you made the most progress this year: (a) Loving one another as brothers and sisters? (b) Providing hospitality? (c) Caring for those suffering for their faith? (d) Keeping your marriage strong? (e) Staying free from the love of money? (f) Submitting to leaders in authority? Which area do you need the most work on?
- In which of these six areas is your church the strongest? The weakest? Would you say an obedient congregation prays for its leaders? Or would you say "A praying congregation obeys its leaders"? What's the difference?
- Considering all you have seen about Jesus in this book, write out a "sacrifice of praise" to him reflecting on all He has done for us. What sacrifice of "doing good and sharing" can you offer this week?
- What is the most significant thing you've learned from studying Hebrews? How has this affected your life?
- I will ... What has the Holy Spirit revealed to us in this passage? How can I apply it to my life this week?
- You can ... Who do you know who needs to hear this? Feel free to share with others by social media links at the bottom of this.
13 Hebrews 13 – Finishing Strong
https://coryhcollins.blogspot.com/2018/11/13-hebrews-13-finishing-strong.htmlWhat Would You Like To Be?
There are few things that can make you feel as vulnerable and helpless as being stranded while traveling. Connie and I were starting a vacation on 9/11 and spent a week of tumultuous emotion anticipating crossing an international border and finding a flight home when no planes were allowed in the air (spoiler alert: we got home fine). During this virus lockdown, unnumbered travelers were stranded around the world and others were placed in awkward rerouting schedules. Many sympathetic people have rallied to help and comfort anxious travelers. They have been called “travel angels.”
Sanne Wesselman was scheduled to leave Spain for the Netherlands, but had no face mask for the flight. A stranger offered to make for her a mask and the next day delivered a mask, gloves and hand sanitizer for the flight. Jess Ekstrom flew into Philadelphia late at night and had to wait for her rental car shuttle in a dim and lonely area. A competing agency’s shuttle driver pulled up and waited with her until she was safely away. Silvana Frappier took a long trip from Boston to São Paulo, going through Miami. On the first leg of the trip, she helped a passenger who was overwhelmed by traveling with an infant. After holding the baby, she shepherded the young mom through the Miami plane change. A grateful plane crew presented Frappier with an upgrade to business class for the South American leg of the journey. Even “angels” can be blessed!
“Keep on loving each other as brothers. Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it” (Hebrews 13:1-2 NIV).
With all the bad news being piped into our living rooms from all over the earth, it’s reassuring to know that people everywhere are still acting in kindness. It seems the media would like to paint the whole world as a whirling, vicious dogfight in progress, but in truth there are good-hearted souls all around us. The Lord Jesus Christ demands that we, too, be people of good will and kindness and compassion, especially toward those who are anxious and vulnerable. We can express His love and kindness so that peace and calm and safety can float down into a troubled life.
The Hebrews verse probably refers to Abraham’s reception of the visitors who came to him in Genesis 18. The patriarch cared for the needs of his visitors and was, in response, blessed by God. We, too, may find that we are blessed by our care for others, but even if such blessing forever eludes us, we will know that we did the right thing. God is kind toward all people, giving all kinds of good gifts to people who never think of Him or obey Him. As His children, we should imitate that same kind of selflessness, thinking of the burdens and struggles of those around us. If we love one another and spend just a little energy to answer an anxious need, we will show ourselves to be followers of Jesus. We might even be called angels, but it will be better for us to be called “children of God.”
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