SCRIPTURE: HEBREWS 13
MEMORY VERSES:
“Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have because God has said, “Never will I leave you, never will I forsake you.” (Hebrews 13:5)
“The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?” (Hebrews 13:6)
“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” (Hebrews 13:8)
“And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.” (Hebrews 13:16)
CONCLUDING EXHORTATIONS: (vs. 1-25)
- Keep on loving each other as brothers. (v. 1)
- Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by doing so, some people have entertained angels without knowing it. (v. 2)
- Remember those in prison as if you were their fellow prisoners and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering. (v. 3)
- Marriage should be honored by all and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral. (v. 4)
- Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you’.
- Say with confidence that “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. what can man do to me?” (v. 6)
- Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith. (v. 7)
- Do not be carried away by all kinds of strange teachings. (v. 9)
- Continue to offer to God a sacrifice of praise – the fruit of lips that confess his name. (v. 15)
- Do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased. (v. 16)
- Obey your leaders and submit to their authority (v. 17)
- Pray for each other. (v. 18)
BENEDICTION:
May the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing His will, and may He work in us what is pleasing to Him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.”
THOUGHTS:
The writer closed his letter by reminding us to follow our spiritual leaders. We should remember them, obey them, pray for them and greet them. We should pray for them because they are vulnerable to criticism from others, pride if they succeed, and depression if they fail. Make it a habit to pray for them everyday.
Real love comprises hospitality, empathy, fidelity and contentment. We must be hospitable to strangers, empathize with those in prison and are mistreated, respect your marriage vows and be content with what you have.
Christ is the ultimate leader who will never change. He is the same forever whom we can trust in this ever changing world. He promises never to leave or forsake you. He is your helper so that you don’t have to be afraid of anyone.
When we realize God’s sufficiency for our needs, we will be content because we trust that God will supply all our needs. But if we are materialistic, we become insecure because we cannot get all what we want.
This world is only temporary. Only our relationship with God and our service to him will last. Do not store up your treasures here. Do good and share with others, for these are the things that please God..
In summary, Hebrew is a book that emphasizes on Christian maturity. Christian maturity means making Christ the beginning and end of our faith. To grow in maturity, we must center our life on him, not depending on religious ritual, not falling back into sin, not trusting in ourselves and not letting anything come between us and Christ.