SANCTIFIED BY BLOOD
-- HEBREWS 13
"Practical" is a word that best describes the
teachings of Hebrews 13. Nothing could be more down to earth than, "Let
brotherly love continue." (Hebrews 13:1) In life there are so many things
that disturb and disillusion. Hence, we have the convincing words of Hebrews
13:5, “I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee."
Our daily service to God involves such things as following
the godly example of our elders. (Hebrews 13:7) The shepherds over God's flock
have the somber responsibility of watching over every soul of the Christians in
their local congregation. The local church has the responsibility to obey the
godly men who are striving to help them get to heaven. (Hebrews 13:17)
Hebrews 13 focuses on such powerful themes as: (1) Love
among brethren and strangers (Hebrews 13:1-3), (2) Marriage God's way (Hebrews
13:4), (3) The final judgment (Hebrews 13:4), (4) Learning to be content
(Hebrews 13:5-6), (5) Elders among God's people (Hebrews 13:7, Hebrews 13:17),
(6) The unchanging Christ (Hebrews 13:8), (7) The damage done by false teachers
(Hebrews 13:9), (8) Our right to worship because of Christ (Hebrews 13:10-13),
(9) The continuing city we hope for (Hebrews 13:14), (10) Worship God in song
(Hebrews 13:15), (11) The power of prayer (Hebrews 13:18), and (12) The grace
of God. (Hebrews 13:25)
Remember these things -- Hebrews 13:1-6: It
is wonderful that brotherly love existed among these brethren. The writer
admonished them to allow this love to continue. In a very forceful statement
Peter wrote, "Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the
king." (1 Peter 2:17) Brotherly love and compassion for others is
Christianity in action.
Marriage is a sacred ordinance of God. Just choosing to
live together outside of marriage is sinful. Marriage must be in harmony with
the laws of God and the laws of the land. According to God, marriage is a union
between a man and a woman. God must be disgusted with our evil society that
says a man with men or women with women is marriage. God said, "Thou shalt
not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination." (Leviticus
18:22) Marriage will work only when it is built upon God and His word.
The Bible is filled with great and precious promises from
God. None is greater than that of Hebrews 13:5-6 where God promised, "I
will never leave you nor forsake you." This promise of God should lead to
boldness, contentment, blessings and happiness.
React to certain people -- Hebrews 13:7-11: God's
people must react to those around them and Him who is above them.
The greatest responsibility in the entire world is that of
serving as an elder in the church. God took the mater of church leadership so
seriously that he gave a number of very specific qualifications that must be
met before one can become a shepherd over God's flock. (1 Timothy 3, Titus 1)
He likewise gave the church the responsibility to: (1) Remember her elders, (2)
Follow their example, and (3) to obey them. If elders lead properly and the
members lovingly they can answer to God "with joy and not with grief"
for every soul. (Hebrews 13:7, Hebrews 13:17)
God's people must likewise react properly to Jesus.
"Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever." (Hebrews
13:8) Jesus, our great high priest, is our hope and our help. He is our
sacrificial lamb. (John 1:29) He is the heart of our hope and the hope of our
heart.
The Hebrew writer spoke boldly of how we should react to
false teachers. (Hebrews 13:9) Instrumental music, the role of women in the
church, communion every Sunday and only on Sunday, how to interpret Scripture,
praise teams and singing groups, and church leadership are only a few of the
matters false teachers are dividing the church of Christ over the today. What
ever happened to the plea, "We speak where the Bible speaks and are silent
where the Bible is silent?"
Recognize the important -- Hebrews 13:12-17:
A list of important Bible truths would have at its top the fact that Jesus died
for our sins. (Hebrews 13:12) The Hebrew writer had earlier said, that Jesus
"tasted death for every man." (Hebrews 2:9) This is a truth still
almost beyond my comprehension.
On that list of important things would be heaven itself.
(Hebrews 13:14) Christians seek that heavenly
Christians are to offer a sacrifice to God, and none but
God. They are not to sacrifice to created things, angels, or saints. The
sacrifice we offer to God is the fruit of our lips. We do not offer the fruit
of our fields, or of our flocks, but we offer the fruit of the same lips that
confessed that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God. (Hebrews 13:15)
We must speak forth the praises of God from unfeigned lips and thankful hearts.
We must do all
within our power to communicate to the necessities of the souls and bodies of
men. Our actions must go beyond just words. There must also be the sacrifice of
good deeds. "As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all
men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith." (Galatians
6:10)
Respond to the exhortations -- Hebrews 13:18-25: The
writer asked and exhorted the brethren to pray for him that he could have a
good conscience. (Hebrews 13:18) A good conscience is a conscience enlightened by
the word of God, a conscience purified by the blood of Christ, a conscience
universally tender of all God's commands. We must be willing in all things to
live honestly.
There are many glorious titles given to Almighty God in the
Bible. None is more glorious or powerful than the expression, "God of
peace." Jesus is also given the title, "the great Shepherd of the
sheep." He is called this because Christians are His flock in the midst of
wolves. They could never be preserved without the care and protection of this
great Shepherd. Christians are exhorted to have respect and love both for the
Father and the Son.
The writer encouraged these brethren to, "suffer the
word of exhortation." (Hebrews 13:22) "Suffer the word of
exhortation" refers to the heeding the counsels in this whole epistle.
Christians must follow these practical exhortations to perseverance in the
Christian religion amidst all the temptations which can easily lead to
apostasy.
There is a solemn benediction at the close of this great
letter. "Grace be with you all. Amen." (Hebrews 13:25) Let God's grace continually work in you.
Allow this grace to bring forth the fruits of holiness in your life.
To become a Christian, you must hear
the gospel (John 6:44-45), you must believe in Jesus as the Son of God (Mark
16:16), you must repent of sins (Acts 2:38), you must confess Christ as Lord
(Romans 10:9-10), and you must be baptized to be saved (1 Peter 3:21). After
baptism you must be faithful to the Great Shepherd of the Sheep!