The Life Series

SLIDE #1

Introduction

• We are in some trying times right now. I know that some are searching for answers in the wake of the pandemic we now face.

• This enemy that we face is faceless, invisible to the naked eye, yet ever-present and ever-dangerous.

• We are in times which we have yet to face in our lives. Many are confused, frightened, and in a panic, as they potentially see what they have worked for all of their lives crumble before them.

• We have been traveling through the book of Hebrews these past seven weeks, and today we will wrap up this series. Hebrews, The Journey of Faith.

• The book of Hebrews written to Jewish converts to Jesus, who now were beginning to waver in the face of persecution, in the face of losing all they too had worked all their lives to obtain.

• These converts faced a great deal of hardship as a result of their decision to follow Jesus.

• I do not want to compare what we are dealing with to the persecution they faced, yet there are similarities even though the context was much different,

• Their persecutors had a face; they could be seen, our oppressor is faceless. They faced the loss of it all; we too could face the same.

• Suffice to say whether our issues are related to persecution or a virus; tough times are challenging to face.

• For many of the readers of the book of Hebrews, their persecution would not end until the capitulated and denied Christ, or they were killed for their faith.

• For us, this virus will pass, it will cost some their lives, and it will cost others what they worked for years to obtain. And for politicians in Washington, it will mean they will give themselves a raise! LOL

• Throughout this letter, the Hebrew writer has made a great effort to show that Jesus and the New Covenant are superior in every way to the Law and the Old Covenant.

• In this final chapter, the writer shows the readers how the Christian life should look. In Hebrews 13:1-8, we will see what the Christian life that the writer is trying to get the readers to hold onto should look like.

• Today we will be in Hebrews 13:1-8. My prayer is that what we deal with in this message will bring you some encouragement and hope as we face our times of difficulty.

SLIDE#2

Bible Verse

Hebrews 13:1-3 (CSB)

1Let brotherly love continue.

2Don’t neglect to show hospitality, for by doing this some have welcomed angels as guests without knowing it.

3Remember those in prison, as though you were in prison with them, and the mistreated, as though you yourselves were suffering bodily.

SLIDE #3

1. I. The life is marked by hospitality.

Explanation

• I have always found it interesting that with all the terrible things swirling around the lives of the readers, of all things, the writer encourages the readers with a lesson on hospitality.

• The word HOSPITALITY means A LOVER OF STRANGERS TO SHOW KINDNESS.

• Amid all the problems the readers were facing, why present this subject as an essential part of the Christian life?

• I believe the key is found in verse 1.

• In verse 1, we see the motivation for being hospitable, love!

• This verse also opens with the concept of brotherly love. One thing I love about the Scriptures is the timeless nature of the Word.

• We are in a time of crisis, as Christians, we are called to be lovers of strangers. One of the ways we do that is to be helpful to others.

• The context of this passage speaks especially of showing hospitality to our brothers and sisters in Christ.

• The Hebrew writer is fearful that people will lose their love for others because they were so focused on themselves because of the persecution they were facing.

• In the crisis we face, I have seen videos of folks who were purchasing truckloads of stuff, and then some would try to sell online or other places.

• In my view, stocking up a couple of weeks of supplies or so is a good idea in case you get put under the 14-day quarantine.

• One of the reasons at FCC we have initiated our Enhanced Shepherding Program is because our staff and elders are motivated by love for all of you.

• We are doing what we do because we love you. We need to be there for one another all of the time, but especially during this time. We have people who volunteer to shop for folks if they cannot get out of the house, we are there to take care of one another.