Acts Of Sacrifice (Hebrews 13)

How important are love and hospitality in a church? Should we be careful not to be misled? Are we looking for the city that is still to come? Do we offer spiritual sacrifices like praise, confessing the Lord’s name, doing good and sharing what we have? Let’s find out in Hebrews 13.

What is the best hallmark of a local church? Have you ever suspected that you showed hospitality to an angel?

Keep on loving each other as brothers and sisters. Don’t forget to show hospitality to strangers, for some who have done this have entertained angels without realizing it! (Hebrews 13:1-2 NLT)

Is a ministry to prisoners honorable? What about those mistreated by society?

Remember prisoners as if you were in prison with them, and people who are mistreated as if you were in their place. (Hebrews 13:3 CEB)

How should we treat marriage? Is sexual morality important?

Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the bed be undefiled; but God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterers. (Hebrews 13:4 WEB)

What about greed for money? Will God ever leave us? What do the Old Testament scriptures say?

Don't fall in love with money. Be satisfied with what you have. The Lord has promised that he will not leave us or desert us. This should make you feel like saying, “The Lord helps me! Why should I be afraid of what people can do to me?” (Hebrews 13:5-6 CEV Deuteronomy 31:6; Psalm 118:6-7)

How should we treat faithful church leaders? What is a hallmark of their service?

Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith. (Hebrews 13:7 ESV)

Does Jesus change? Does His word change with the whims of a corrupt world?

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. (Hebrews 13:8 HCSB)

Did they have a weakness with different and strange doctrines like our generation? Is grace more important than food laws?

Stop being carried away by all kinds of unusual teachings, for it is good that the heart be strengthened by grace, not by food laws that have never helped those who follow them. (Hebrews 13:9 ISV)

Were sin offerings not available for eating? Was Jesus like a sin offering?

We have an altar from which those who serve the tabernacle have no authority to eat. For the bodies of those animals whose blood is brought into the holy places by the high priest as an offering for sin, are burned outside the camp. Therefore Jesus also, that He might sanctify the people through His own blood, suffered outside the gate. (Hebrews 13:10-12 LSB)

As Jesus suffered outside the city gate like a sin offering, do we belong outside the camp, in a city yet to come?

Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach. For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come. (Hebrews 13:13-14 KJV)

What sacrifices do we make? What about praising God’s name, doing good and sharing?

Through Him then, let’s continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips praising His name. And do not neglect doing good and sharing, for with such sacrifices God is pleased. (Hebrews 13:15-16 NASB)

Do some churches continually nit pick and criticize their leaders, making life miserable for them? How should we strive to treat church leaders?

Have confidence in your leaders and submit to their authority, because they keep watch over you as those who must give an account. Do this so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no benefit to you. (Hebrews 13:17 NIV)

How should we pray for church leaders? What are some specific prayers for them?

Pray for us; for we are confident that we have a good conscience, in all things desiring to live honorably. But I especially urge you to do this, that I may be restored to you the sooner. (Hebrews 13:18-19 NKJV)

How did the author, traditionally Paul, bless them at the end of his letter?

Now may the God of peace—who brought up from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great Shepherd of the sheep, and ratified an eternal covenant with his blood— may he equip you with all you need for doing his will. May he produce in you, through the power of Jesus Christ, every good thing that is pleasing to him. All glory to him forever and ever! Amen. (Hebrews 13:20-21 NLT)

What was the final greeting? Do we consider fellow Christians as holy?

Greet your leaders and all of God’s holy people. The group from Italy greets you. May grace be with all of you. (Hebrews 13:24-25 CEB)

How important are love and hospitality in a church? Should we be careful not to be misled? Are we looking for the city that is still to come? Do we offer spiritual sacrifices like praise, confessing the Lord’s name, doing good and sharing what we have? You decide!