1 00:00:00,200 --> 00:00:02,900 Well, good morning everyone. It is great to see everyone 2 00:00:02,900 --> 00:00:05,700 who's here today. It's good to see a full crowd to 3 00:00:05,700 --> 00:00:07,500 worship God. And I know that he is pleased 4 00:00:07,500 --> 00:00:09,900 because we are here because we were doing these things, 5 00:00:09,900 --> 00:00:12,400 according to his will both in spirit and truth. 6 00:00:12,400 --> 00:00:13,900 And I hope that's the case for you. 7 00:00:14,200 --> 00:00:16,400 I want to thank Mike for leading that last song. 8 00:00:16,600 --> 00:00:20,500 Some of the things we sing about there are directly related to 9 00:00:20,500 --> 00:00:24,800 what Hebrews 13 and all of What's led up to it as going to 10 00:00:24,800 --> 00:00:28,300 apply for us in this chapter. So, I appreciate those words. 11 00:00:28,600 --> 00:00:31,300 And I know I was able to sing them this morning with a full 12 00:00:31,300 --> 00:00:34,500 heart because of the study that I've done and I hope you will be 13 00:00:34,508 --> 00:00:36,800 able to do the same after this, as well. 14 00:00:37,300 --> 00:00:39,600 It's good to see everyone. Glad to see our visitors here. 15 00:00:39,600 --> 00:00:42,100 Good to see Kristin, Kristin, Kristin Kristin here. 16 00:00:42,400 --> 00:00:46,200 So looking forward to this study and Hebrews chapter 13. 17 00:00:46,700 --> 00:00:50,900 If you were just here passing through, we have or maybe you 18 00:00:50,900 --> 00:00:53,400 have been here for the whole study every month for the over. 19 00:00:53,400 --> 00:00:56,400 The last year. During my study, I've covered a 20 00:00:56,400 --> 00:01:00,500 chapter or half a chapter of Hebrews and we are Finally 21 00:01:00,500 --> 00:01:04,200 coming to the final chapter. The end of this book, this 22 00:01:04,200 --> 00:01:08,100 letter, written to the Hebrew Christians and so far in this 23 00:01:08,100 --> 00:01:13,200 letter, he has addressed their need to hold on to Christ to not 24 00:01:13,200 --> 00:01:17,300 drift away from him to not, go back to Judaism, but to hold 25 00:01:17,300 --> 00:01:19,600 onto Christ. We talked to a couple of lessons 26 00:01:19,600 --> 00:01:25,300 ago about how they needed to take heed to this gospel to 27 00:01:25,300 --> 00:01:27,000 closely. Hold to it. 28 00:01:28,500 --> 00:01:30,900 And to listen to the correction, that was coming their way 29 00:01:31,200 --> 00:01:33,300 because they're not being corrected by just anyone. 30 00:01:33,900 --> 00:01:36,300 They're not just being corrected by an Old Testament God who 31 00:01:36,300 --> 00:01:38,700 would just bring judgment with fire and brimstone. 32 00:01:38,800 --> 00:01:44,400 They were coming to a loving God who we learned Is giving this 33 00:01:44,400 --> 00:01:48,900 image and Hebrews 12:22 but you have come to Mount Zion and to 34 00:01:48,900 --> 00:01:52,500 the city of the Living. God the heavenly Jerusalem to an 35 00:01:52,500 --> 00:01:56,400 innumerable company of angels to the general assembly and Church 36 00:01:56,400 --> 00:01:59,600 of the firstborn who are registered in heaven to God. 37 00:01:59,600 --> 00:02:04,200 The judge of all to the spirits of just men made perfect to 38 00:02:04,200 --> 00:02:07,900 Jesus, the mediator of a New Covenant and to the blood of 39 00:02:07,900 --> 00:02:11,800 sprinkling, that speaks better things than that of Abel. 40 00:02:12,200 --> 00:02:16,200 We come to a better message therefore since we are receiving 41 00:02:16,200 --> 00:02:17,800 a kingdom which cannot be shaken. 42 00:02:17,800 --> 00:02:22,100 Let us have Grace by which we may serve God acceptably with 43 00:02:22,100 --> 00:02:27,500 reverence and godly fear for our God is a consuming fire. 44 00:02:27,800 --> 00:02:31,300 So we learned right up, leading up into chapter 13 that we need 45 00:02:31,300 --> 00:02:34,100 to serve God being aware of yes, his greatness. 46 00:02:34,400 --> 00:02:37,800 But two of the great plan that he has laid out for us in this 47 00:02:37,800 --> 00:02:42,700 new law, this law of Grace, and forgiveness, and Liberty. and 48 00:02:42,700 --> 00:02:49,800 so, after all of that, Hebrews chapter 13, says basically in 49 00:02:49,800 --> 00:02:54,200 response and an application, let Brotherly Love continue. 50 00:02:54,900 --> 00:02:58,000 So remember he's addressing Hebrew Christians, who were 51 00:02:58,100 --> 00:03:02,400 raised under the Old Law. And so I think his connection 52 00:03:02,400 --> 00:03:04,000 here. He's almost mirroring the Old 53 00:03:04,000 --> 00:03:06,200 Testament. He ended talking about the 54 00:03:06,200 --> 00:03:09,800 greatness and the love. We need to have for God because 55 00:03:09,800 --> 00:03:13,200 of God's great plan for us in the last chapter and now he's 56 00:03:13,200 --> 00:03:14,800 going to springboard in this chapter. 57 00:03:15,200 --> 00:03:19,700 Into things that apply to loving your neighbor as yourself. 58 00:03:20,000 --> 00:03:21,900 So we learned that all the Commandments in the Old 59 00:03:21,900 --> 00:03:23,200 Testament. Hang on. 60 00:03:23,200 --> 00:03:25,100 These two things. Love your God, with all your 61 00:03:25,100 --> 00:03:28,300 heart, soul, mind and strength. We learn New Testament and the 62 00:03:28,300 --> 00:03:30,800 second is like it. Jesus said, love your neighbor 63 00:03:30,800 --> 00:03:34,400 as yourself on those two teachings, every law and 64 00:03:34,400 --> 00:03:36,700 everything from the Old Testament, hangs on it and I 65 00:03:36,708 --> 00:03:41,000 think he's making a connection here for them to bring them back 66 00:03:41,900 --> 00:03:44,000 to not just let their praise to God. 67 00:03:44,000 --> 00:03:46,300 Go vertical. All but two now let that 68 00:03:46,700 --> 00:03:50,000 perspective on God's goodness toward them, go out toward their 69 00:03:50,000 --> 00:03:52,500 Brethren. He says let Brotherly Love 70 00:03:52,800 --> 00:03:57,500 continue, he's going to give us in this study about 10. 71 00:03:57,500 --> 00:04:00,800 I've kind of classified as 10 foundations of their faith that 72 00:04:00,800 --> 00:04:04,400 they need to focus on. So as they are working and 73 00:04:04,400 --> 00:04:08,400 growing in there uh service to God and is they're trying to 74 00:04:08,400 --> 00:04:11,500 hold on to Christ. He reminds them of practical 75 00:04:11,500 --> 00:04:16,000 things they need to be doing and honoring and Thinking about the 76 00:04:16,007 --> 00:04:18,800 first one is brotherly love, and this is going to be a umbrella 77 00:04:18,800 --> 00:04:22,300 term for several others. First, John chapter 4 verse 20 78 00:04:22,300 --> 00:04:26,900 says, if anyone loves God or says, I love God yet, hates his 79 00:04:26,900 --> 00:04:28,600 brother. He is a liar. 80 00:04:29,300 --> 00:04:32,000 So the next several things we're going to talk about whether it's 81 00:04:32,000 --> 00:04:34,900 marriage, whether it's taking care of each other. 82 00:04:35,300 --> 00:04:38,800 These all apply to this concept is that we have to love one 83 00:04:38,800 --> 00:04:41,900 another. In our study in Thessalonians, 84 00:04:41,900 --> 00:04:45,300 we talked about how one day we're all going to be together 85 00:04:45,300 --> 00:04:48,500 in heaven. Why do we think or why do you 86 00:04:48,500 --> 00:04:49,200 sometimes? We think. 87 00:04:49,200 --> 00:04:52,700 We don't need to get along here, we are going to spend eternity 88 00:04:52,900 --> 00:04:56,100 Lord willing with God together. We need to show love toward our 89 00:04:56,100 --> 00:04:59,500 Brethren now. Verse 2. 90 00:04:59,500 --> 00:05:02,500 This is kind of an extension of that of that point, do not 91 00:05:02,500 --> 00:05:06,000 forget to entertain strangers for by doing. 92 00:05:06,000 --> 00:05:09,100 So some have unwittingly entertained angels. 93 00:05:09,400 --> 00:05:12,800 So I believe as he addresses these next couple comments, 94 00:05:13,100 --> 00:05:16,700 these strangers. And as he shows next, I believe 95 00:05:16,700 --> 00:05:19,400 he's referencing specifically Christians. 96 00:05:19,900 --> 00:05:22,300 So I believe he's talking about Christian strangers. 97 00:05:22,300 --> 00:05:26,500 People who you do not know and extending them hospitality, and 98 00:05:26,600 --> 00:05:28,300 I'll go further with that in a minute. 99 00:05:28,700 --> 00:05:31,400 But he says, for by doing. So some have unwittingly 100 00:05:31,400 --> 00:05:34,000 entertained, angels, and Frank repeats this a lot. 101 00:05:34,000 --> 00:05:36,200 So I'm going to say it, just like you said it, I believe the 102 00:05:36,200 --> 00:05:41,400 application of this is that we never know the long-lasting and 103 00:05:41,400 --> 00:05:45,900 the unexpected effects of what Hospitality towards others and 104 00:05:45,907 --> 00:05:47,600 specifically strangers can bring. 105 00:05:48,400 --> 00:05:52,400 Now we don't have any new testament accounts like people 106 00:05:53,000 --> 00:05:56,900 being visited by angels in this way, but we do hear about 107 00:05:56,900 --> 00:06:00,100 several in the Old Testament with Moses in Genesis Chapter 108 00:06:00,100 --> 00:06:04,900 18, and with lot in Genesis chapter 19 where these people 109 00:06:04,900 --> 00:06:07,800 thought they were just showing Hospitality to these passerbys 110 00:06:08,400 --> 00:06:11,800 and it turned out after all these were angels that they had 111 00:06:11,900 --> 00:06:16,300 in their homes, these are angels that they were taken care of And 112 00:06:16,300 --> 00:06:19,800 and so we never know. I think the big point is, we 113 00:06:19,800 --> 00:06:24,100 never know what comes from good Hospitality from anyone. 114 00:06:24,100 --> 00:06:27,500 We might show it to. So, as I said, I believe this is 115 00:06:27,500 --> 00:06:29,700 speaking of brothers and sisters in the faith. 116 00:06:29,700 --> 00:06:36,700 Specifically, So my mind goes to people who it might pass by the 117 00:06:36,700 --> 00:06:40,700 you, we have no clue, we don't know anything about, but I also 118 00:06:40,700 --> 00:06:43,100 think this applies to people who are in this congregation. 119 00:06:43,800 --> 00:06:46,600 There are people in this room who are stranger to you, 120 00:06:46,600 --> 00:06:50,100 possibly, you might not know much about someone who in this 121 00:06:50,100 --> 00:06:53,600 room. You might not know, or maybe you 122 00:06:53,600 --> 00:06:58,200 don't care that much about them yet. it is our responsibility to 123 00:06:58,200 --> 00:07:03,300 show love and to entertain these to show Hospitality to to invest 124 00:07:03,300 --> 00:07:06,800 time in and to take care of Others. 125 00:07:06,800 --> 00:07:09,800 And so if there are people in this room, I encourage you and I 126 00:07:09,800 --> 00:07:13,900 will make it my own goal. Get to know people who are in 127 00:07:13,900 --> 00:07:16,000 this room. Take care of each other in this 128 00:07:16,000 --> 00:07:19,000 room as well as people who you might not know who are 129 00:07:19,000 --> 00:07:22,400 Christians passing by. But as I was studying this, I'd 130 00:07:22,400 --> 00:07:28,300 never want to, I never want to classify a way our 131 00:07:28,300 --> 00:07:32,600 responsibility to serve others. And as I was thinking about 132 00:07:32,600 --> 00:07:35,200 this, I was reminded of what Jesus said in Luke chapter 10. 133 00:07:35,200 --> 00:07:37,800 I don't have these The board because it was really a 134 00:07:37,800 --> 00:07:41,000 last-minute addition. Now I just couldn't leave out 135 00:07:41,400 --> 00:07:45,600 when Jesus is approached by. It says, a certain lawyer. 136 00:07:46,300 --> 00:07:49,400 Jesus was there teaching and said a Behold a certain look and 137 00:07:49,400 --> 00:07:52,400 behold a certain lawyer stood up and test him saying teacher, 138 00:07:52,600 --> 00:07:55,000 what shall I do to inherit eternal life. 139 00:07:55,600 --> 00:07:59,500 He said to him, what it was, what is written in the law? 140 00:07:59,700 --> 00:08:02,900 What is your reading of it? So we answered and said, You 141 00:08:02,900 --> 00:08:05,700 shall love the Lord, your God with all your heart, your soul, 142 00:08:05,700 --> 00:08:08,600 your Strength, and with your mind and your neighbor as 143 00:08:08,600 --> 00:08:12,600 yourself and he said to him, you have answered rightly do this 144 00:08:12,600 --> 00:08:17,400 and you will live, but he wanting to justify himself. 145 00:08:17,400 --> 00:08:21,100 This lawyer said to Jesus and who is my neighbor? 146 00:08:22,700 --> 00:08:26,300 This man, he had a key error review of the he wanted to 147 00:08:26,300 --> 00:08:30,100 justify himself, so may we be careful. 148 00:08:30,100 --> 00:08:33,500 When we look at passages that require something of us to serve 149 00:08:33,500 --> 00:08:38,600 others to take care of others, that we don't seek to justify 150 00:08:38,600 --> 00:08:40,100 and say well, I'm good where I'm at. 151 00:08:40,100 --> 00:08:43,000 So how can I reason this to where I'm just fine? 152 00:08:43,000 --> 00:08:47,800 Where I sit now, now the often the phrases, the our job as 153 00:08:47,800 --> 00:08:50,700 teachers is to comfort The Afflicted and afflict the 154 00:08:50,700 --> 00:08:53,600 comfortable. And so if we feel comfortable 155 00:08:53,600 --> 00:08:56,100 when we read the word, that's not God's intention. 156 00:08:56,700 --> 00:08:59,900 When we are challenged by scripture and so this man, this 157 00:08:59,900 --> 00:09:03,400 lawyer he wanted to justify what he was already doing. 158 00:09:03,400 --> 00:09:06,500 You wanted to justify himself. And so, he asked, who is my 159 00:09:06,500 --> 00:09:11,900 neighbor, basically, classifying things in a way that, well, am I 160 00:09:11,908 --> 00:09:15,000 doing it already? But it's just the neighbor that 161 00:09:15,000 --> 00:09:17,300 I'm supposed to take care of, I'm already taking care of them 162 00:09:19,400 --> 00:09:20,900 and Jesus responds with the parable. 163 00:09:20,900 --> 00:09:25,000 He says, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho and 164 00:09:25,000 --> 00:09:29,500 fell among Thieves who stripped him of his clothing, wounded him 165 00:09:29,800 --> 00:09:32,700 and departed. So we have this man from 166 00:09:32,700 --> 00:09:36,000 Jerusalem who is attacked on the road. 167 00:09:37,500 --> 00:09:41,100 And you left him, half dead. Now, by chance a certain priest 168 00:09:41,100 --> 00:09:42,900 came down the road. So, here's a man of God, a 169 00:09:42,908 --> 00:09:45,600 priest comes through. Surely, he'll take care of this 170 00:09:45,600 --> 00:09:48,400 man. But he passed by on the other 171 00:09:48,400 --> 00:09:51,500 side when he saw him verse 32, likewise a levite. 172 00:09:51,500 --> 00:09:55,800 So this is a specific family of the Jews who is revered for 173 00:09:55,800 --> 00:10:00,300 their role in the priesthood, the Levites and levite. 174 00:10:00,300 --> 00:10:03,900 When he arrived at the place came and looked and passed by on 175 00:10:03,900 --> 00:10:07,300 the other side. So two people so far, have come 176 00:10:07,300 --> 00:10:11,600 through and seen this man who was hurt and just walked by but 177 00:10:11,600 --> 00:10:14,500 a Samaritan. As he journeyed came where he 178 00:10:14,500 --> 00:10:16,900 was and when he saw him, he had compassion. 179 00:10:17,100 --> 00:10:20,000 Passion. So he went to him and bandaged 180 00:10:20,000 --> 00:10:23,800 his wounds pouring on oil and wine and set him on his own 181 00:10:23,800 --> 00:10:26,700 animal, brought him to an inn and took care of him. 182 00:10:27,200 --> 00:10:29,300 On the next day when he departed, he took out two 183 00:10:29,300 --> 00:10:32,200 denarian, gave them to The Innkeeper and said, take care of 184 00:10:32,200 --> 00:10:38,100 him and whatever more you spend. When I come, I will repay you So 185 00:10:38,100 --> 00:10:40,400 which of these three do you think was neighbor to him? 186 00:10:40,500 --> 00:10:44,300 Who fell among the thieves? The lawyer responded? 187 00:10:44,600 --> 00:10:49,300 He who showed Mercy on him. Then Jesus said to him go and do 188 00:10:49,300 --> 00:10:52,900 likewise. I am challenged by the scripture 189 00:10:52,900 --> 00:10:55,900 to entertain strangers, and I do believe in context, it's 190 00:10:55,900 --> 00:10:58,600 speaking specifically about our brothers and sisters who we 191 00:10:58,600 --> 00:11:01,800 might not know. And maybe even like the 192 00:11:01,800 --> 00:11:04,300 Samaritan who might have been looked down on by other people, 193 00:11:05,300 --> 00:11:08,600 but I never want to classify or explain away our need to be 194 00:11:08,600 --> 00:11:11,600 hospitable caring. People who serve the world 195 00:11:11,600 --> 00:11:13,400 around us. Jesus said, I didn't come to 196 00:11:13,400 --> 00:11:18,700 serve myself or I didn't come to be served, but to serve others. 197 00:11:19,500 --> 00:11:22,200 I didn't come to be served. I came to serve. 198 00:11:22,200 --> 00:11:26,500 So our job is, this is important in our world that we have a 199 00:11:26,508 --> 00:11:28,800 perspective. We have a lifestyle, we have a 200 00:11:28,800 --> 00:11:33,000 mindset to There's even those who are strangers to us. 201 00:11:34,000 --> 00:11:36,700 So I hope that we will all be challenged by this. 202 00:11:36,800 --> 00:11:41,100 And as I try to find ways that this applies directly to my own 203 00:11:41,100 --> 00:11:44,500 life, I need, I had to say a prayer to myself about this, 204 00:11:45,300 --> 00:11:48,600 that I will have opportunity that I will take opportunity 205 00:11:48,600 --> 00:11:51,100 when it is my job. And when I was my opportunity to 206 00:11:51,100 --> 00:11:54,200 serve those who come in my path, like this Samaritan. 207 00:11:54,200 --> 00:11:58,900 So I hope you will consider that for yourself verse 3, remember 208 00:11:58,900 --> 00:12:03,300 the prisoners as if chained with them, those who are mistreated 209 00:12:03,300 --> 00:12:05,300 since Yourselves are in the body. 210 00:12:05,300 --> 00:12:07,500 Also. So another hint, why I believe 211 00:12:07,500 --> 00:12:11,100 he's talking specifically about Christians as because he 212 00:12:11,100 --> 00:12:15,300 wouldn't say, any prisoners are mistreated the people who are 213 00:12:15,300 --> 00:12:18,400 mistreated are the people who for the gospels sake, and who 214 00:12:18,400 --> 00:12:21,200 people who during this time, were in prison. 215 00:12:21,300 --> 00:12:25,500 And mistreated people who are in prison, rightfully for crimes 216 00:12:25,500 --> 00:12:27,700 are not mistreated, the government. 217 00:12:27,700 --> 00:12:29,800 Is there to punish those who are wrongdoers? 218 00:12:29,800 --> 00:12:34,900 And that's not mistreatment but prisoners for who the gospel are 219 00:12:34,900 --> 00:12:38,000 imprisoned. They were mistreated and he says 220 00:12:38,000 --> 00:12:41,300 to remember them since you yourselves are in the body. 221 00:12:41,300 --> 00:12:44,200 Also, I think this can mean two things, they are also in the 222 00:12:44,200 --> 00:12:47,800 body of Christ but I also believe this is maybe the more 223 00:12:48,600 --> 00:12:52,500 the more pointed point is that they are also in the body. 224 00:12:52,500 --> 00:12:56,000 They are also going through this Earthly experience with us. 225 00:12:56,000 --> 00:13:00,000 They are also suffering things suffering alongside us in our 226 00:13:00,000 --> 00:13:05,000 Christian walk. It is interesting that in light 227 00:13:05,000 --> 00:13:08,000 of the idea that, you know, they're in the body or they are 228 00:13:08,200 --> 00:13:10,200 still alive. They were going through this 229 00:13:10,200 --> 00:13:12,900 Earthly experience that we are having. 230 00:13:13,200 --> 00:13:16,600 He makes a distinction because the world is not distinct, make 231 00:13:16,600 --> 00:13:21,900 distinctions between our Earthly life in our Heavenly life, And 232 00:13:21,900 --> 00:13:25,600 when we think about like that, I don't remember ever or hardly 233 00:13:25,600 --> 00:13:28,300 ever hearing someone say, you know, in this life but in the 234 00:13:28,300 --> 00:13:33,100 next life, this people don't think about or don't talk about 235 00:13:33,100 --> 00:13:34,600 the Heavenly life beyond this life. 236 00:13:34,600 --> 00:13:38,300 And so, all of our problems get bigger and they pile up and the 237 00:13:38,300 --> 00:13:41,800 issue seemed insurmountable in our world, but when we remember 238 00:13:41,800 --> 00:13:43,600 that, we are just in the body for now. 239 00:13:44,500 --> 00:13:48,000 We don't have to solve all the problems of this world because 240 00:13:48,000 --> 00:13:51,000 we are just in the body for a time and we are going to 241 00:13:51,000 --> 00:13:56,600 Eternity later. These people who were imprisoned 242 00:13:56,700 --> 00:13:59,500 were suffering alongside them and he says, to remember them 243 00:13:59,700 --> 00:14:02,600 and I think you and I need to number one, remember those who 244 00:14:02,600 --> 00:14:05,900 oversees especially might be imprisoned for the gospel, to 245 00:14:05,900 --> 00:14:08,700 pray for them to find ways. And maybe that's an area we need 246 00:14:08,700 --> 00:14:12,500 to improve his find ways to strengthen and encourage others, 247 00:14:12,800 --> 00:14:15,000 who are in this position. Because I know personally, I 248 00:14:15,000 --> 00:14:19,100 don't know of many people know, in those positions, but I know 249 00:14:19,100 --> 00:14:22,100 the gospel is not free everywhere in the world. 250 00:14:22,300 --> 00:14:25,500 And I think several people People in this congregation, do 251 00:14:25,500 --> 00:14:27,700 a good job of mentioning them in their prayers. 252 00:14:30,100 --> 00:14:33,000 But I also think it's a good opportunity to reach people who 253 00:14:33,000 --> 00:14:36,400 are in prison with the gospel. There are people who are being 254 00:14:36,400 --> 00:14:38,700 baptized in prisons around the world. 255 00:14:38,700 --> 00:14:40,900 There are people who are being reached with the gospel in 256 00:14:40,900 --> 00:14:44,400 prisons and so that is another opportunity maybe that we can 257 00:14:45,100 --> 00:14:51,100 find our way into as a church verse for marriage is Honorable 258 00:14:51,100 --> 00:14:56,100 among all and the bed undefiled, but fornicators and adulterers, 259 00:14:56,100 --> 00:14:59,000 God will judge. So the fourth thing a fourth 260 00:14:59,000 --> 00:15:02,200 pillar of Christianity that he wanted them to focus on and up 261 00:15:02,200 --> 00:15:05,900 hole as they were reasoning through the transition from the 262 00:15:05,900 --> 00:15:09,500 old, lots of the new law, he's affirming their need to focus on 263 00:15:10,000 --> 00:15:12,300 honoring marriage. Now, the phrase here it almost 264 00:15:12,300 --> 00:15:15,400 looks like he's just saying it. Marriage is Honorable but the 265 00:15:15,400 --> 00:15:18,700 way the wording is in the Greek, it's more like hold marriage, 266 00:15:18,700 --> 00:15:23,900 and honor, honor marriage among you And he's because he's saying 267 00:15:24,000 --> 00:15:27,000 the bed is undefiled, now that's referencing sexual 268 00:15:27,000 --> 00:15:29,400 relationships. But on the other hand, 269 00:15:30,000 --> 00:15:33,600 fornicators those who engage in sexual relationships outside of 270 00:15:33,600 --> 00:15:38,400 marriage before marriage for are fornicators and adulterers are. 271 00:15:38,400 --> 00:15:41,600 Those who break the bonds of a marriage, whether inside or 272 00:15:41,600 --> 00:15:43,800 intruding upon the bonds of marriage. 273 00:15:44,300 --> 00:15:50,600 He said these people, God will judge In contrast to how 274 00:15:50,600 --> 00:15:54,700 honorable marriages marriages, a pure beautiful thing and he 275 00:15:54,700 --> 00:15:58,300 wants them to honor that uphold that as a foundation of their 276 00:15:58,300 --> 00:16:02,400 faith, it is our job as a church to uphold the honor of the 277 00:16:02,400 --> 00:16:05,200 Sacred Covenant of marriage because the marriage is 278 00:16:05,200 --> 00:16:08,800 Dishonored in many ways around us and maybe we've even made 279 00:16:08,800 --> 00:16:12,000 these mistakes. But marriage is Dishonored by 280 00:16:12,000 --> 00:16:15,100 divorce and its many forms. God never intends man to get 281 00:16:15,100 --> 00:16:17,900 divorced. So even the situations where one 282 00:16:17,900 --> 00:16:21,500 of the parties needs to do that marriage is still Dishonored by 283 00:16:22,200 --> 00:16:25,500 by the by the separation. Marriage is Dishonored by living 284 00:16:25,500 --> 00:16:28,300 together outside of marriage. Like, we just read on the last 285 00:16:28,300 --> 00:16:31,400 slide marriage is Dishonored by adultery. 286 00:16:31,800 --> 00:16:35,800 It's Dishonored by neglect and it's Dishonored by redefinition. 287 00:16:35,800 --> 00:16:38,300 Our culture wants to redefine what a marriage is. 288 00:16:39,500 --> 00:16:42,700 And our job is a church is in all these ways to keep marriage 289 00:16:42,700 --> 00:16:47,000 honored to keep it set apart and respected. 290 00:16:47,100 --> 00:16:49,600 And even if you're not, someone who is able to enjoy the 291 00:16:49,600 --> 00:16:54,300 benefits of a strong marriage or a marriage at all, we can still 292 00:16:54,300 --> 00:16:58,000 hold it in honor and we can still respect it and defend the 293 00:16:58,000 --> 00:17:04,900 position that holds in the world and in our lives, verse 5, let 294 00:17:04,900 --> 00:17:07,099 your conduct be without covetousness. 295 00:17:07,300 --> 00:17:11,800 So the fifth kind of She needs teaching be content with such 296 00:17:11,800 --> 00:17:14,900 things as you have. So these two are opposites to 297 00:17:14,900 --> 00:17:16,900 cover another's. Goods is to want something 298 00:17:16,900 --> 00:17:22,000 someone else has and tabanid your conduct is to almost be. 299 00:17:22,099 --> 00:17:24,200 That's what you're about the commentators. 300 00:17:24,200 --> 00:17:26,599 I was reading about we're talking about how this is a 301 00:17:26,599 --> 00:17:29,700 life's motivation to get gain and to get things. 302 00:17:30,200 --> 00:17:35,800 And Covington can often be that someone else has But instead of 303 00:17:35,800 --> 00:17:39,900 that, don't seek for all these Treasures in life and for 304 00:17:39,900 --> 00:17:44,800 focusing on the the Earthly things but be content with such 305 00:17:44,800 --> 00:17:51,300 things as you have. Be content with such things as 306 00:17:51,300 --> 00:17:53,400 you have. That doesn't mean you don't work 307 00:17:53,400 --> 00:17:56,200 hard to make improvements in your life. 308 00:17:56,200 --> 00:17:58,100 That doesn't mean you don't go to school if you want to get a 309 00:17:58,100 --> 00:18:01,300 better job, doesn't mean you don't try to advance and work 310 00:18:01,300 --> 00:18:03,800 hard hours for your family or for whoever it is. 311 00:18:04,400 --> 00:18:06,700 But in the middle of that, we have to fight to keep 312 00:18:06,700 --> 00:18:09,500 contentment. We have to fight to keep our 313 00:18:09,500 --> 00:18:11,600 minds in a place that the end of the day. 314 00:18:11,800 --> 00:18:15,300 I am thankful and at peace with what I have because I can live, 315 00:18:15,300 --> 00:18:20,600 I can budget within the means that God has given me Be content 316 00:18:20,600 --> 00:18:25,200 with such things as you have because he says for he himself 317 00:18:25,200 --> 00:18:27,600 has said he himself is capitalized. 318 00:18:27,600 --> 00:18:30,000 That's not the rider. That's not Paul. 319 00:18:30,100 --> 00:18:35,200 God himself has said I will never leave you nor forsake you 320 00:18:35,500 --> 00:18:37,600 do we have sufficiency in Christ. 321 00:18:38,300 --> 00:18:42,000 Do we have sufficiency and our God to trust that he will never 322 00:18:42,000 --> 00:18:44,400 leave us or forsake us Darren, pray God's. 323 00:18:44,400 --> 00:18:46,600 Not always going to give us this perfect life. 324 00:18:46,600 --> 00:18:52,500 This bed of roses But he has promised to never leave us or 325 00:18:52,500 --> 00:18:56,100 let us be forsaken. May we remember that as we 326 00:18:56,100 --> 00:18:59,700 strive for contentment to take our contentment from God? 327 00:19:02,200 --> 00:19:05,300 The writer wants them to remember that as they change and 328 00:19:05,300 --> 00:19:08,500 as the danger of leaving Christ grows they must know. 329 00:19:08,500 --> 00:19:11,300 It is not Jesus, who changes we're going to get he's going to 330 00:19:11,700 --> 00:19:15,400 speak on this a little more in just a minute, but this passage 331 00:19:15,500 --> 00:19:18,100 I will never leave you nor forsake you as a quote. 332 00:19:18,300 --> 00:19:20,800 Hebrew writer keeps taking them back to the Old Testament, from 333 00:19:20,800 --> 00:19:25,200 Deuteronomy 31 / 6, be strong and of good courage. 334 00:19:25,700 --> 00:19:30,200 As Joshua was, the one taking leadership in this situation, he 335 00:19:30,200 --> 00:19:33,100 was told to be strong. And of good courage to not be 336 00:19:33,100 --> 00:19:36,100 afraid. Do not fear nor be afraid of 337 00:19:36,100 --> 00:19:39,900 them for the Lord, your God. He is the one who goes with you, 338 00:19:40,000 --> 00:19:43,400 he will not leave you nor forsake you that promise is 339 00:19:43,400 --> 00:19:45,100 carried on throughout Generations. 340 00:19:47,400 --> 00:19:51,900 So we may boldly say so in response to that, we may boldly 341 00:19:51,900 --> 00:19:56,600 say, the Lord is my helper, I will not fear what can man do to 342 00:19:56,600 --> 00:19:59,800 me? There is a peace that passes. 343 00:19:59,800 --> 00:20:04,000 Understanding the writer says that comes from, knowing that 344 00:20:04,000 --> 00:20:06,600 you have God, on your side, that comes from. 345 00:20:06,600 --> 00:20:09,800 Knowing the Lord is my helper and as things get tough, and as 346 00:20:09,800 --> 00:20:12,500 you need to reach out to something for help, who is your 347 00:20:12,500 --> 00:20:14,400 helper, is the Lord, your helper. 348 00:20:15,100 --> 00:20:16,900 Because in that case, what can man? 349 00:20:17,100 --> 00:20:20,400 We do to me. What can anybody do to me? 350 00:20:20,500 --> 00:20:25,100 If God is my helper? This comes from Psalm 118 verse 351 00:20:25,100 --> 00:20:28,300 1 says, oh give thanks to the Lord for he is good for his 352 00:20:28,300 --> 00:20:31,200 Mercy endures forever. Let Israel. 353 00:20:31,200 --> 00:20:35,800 Now say his Mercy endures forever, let the house of Aaron. 354 00:20:35,800 --> 00:20:39,100 Now say his Mercy endures forever. 355 00:20:39,600 --> 00:20:43,100 Let those who fear the lord. Now say his Mercy endures 356 00:20:43,100 --> 00:20:44,900 forever. I called on the Lord in 357 00:20:44,908 --> 00:20:46,800 distress. The Lord answered me. 358 00:20:47,000 --> 00:20:50,300 And set me in a broad Place, often times. 359 00:20:50,500 --> 00:20:55,000 David is described as in a cave in hiding and in secrecy, afraid 360 00:20:55,000 --> 00:20:56,600 in the things that were around him. 361 00:20:56,900 --> 00:20:59,500 But he says here, the Lord has answered me and set me in a 362 00:20:59,508 --> 00:21:04,300 broad place. A place of peace and openness. 363 00:21:04,300 --> 00:21:06,800 The Lord is on my side. I will not fear. 364 00:21:06,800 --> 00:21:10,000 Here's the quote. What can man do to me? 365 00:21:12,700 --> 00:21:16,100 Verse 7, says room. Remember those who rule over 366 00:21:16,100 --> 00:21:20,100 you, who have spoken, the word of God to you, whose Faith, 367 00:21:20,100 --> 00:21:23,200 follow considering the outcome of your conduct. 368 00:21:23,200 --> 00:21:26,100 Okay? So, let's let's break this down. 369 00:21:26,100 --> 00:21:30,100 Those who rule over you, he classifies this, you know, how 370 00:21:30,100 --> 00:21:31,400 do you know whether this is the government? 371 00:21:31,400 --> 00:21:34,300 Or how do you know this is? Who's he talking about? 372 00:21:34,400 --> 00:21:37,200 He says those who have spoken the word of God to you, that is 373 00:21:37,200 --> 00:21:40,400 the religious leaders or the congregational leaders. 374 00:21:40,800 --> 00:21:44,100 So in every congregation shouldn't we have autonomous 375 00:21:45,400 --> 00:21:48,600 leadership, and we have others maybe from other congregations 376 00:21:48,600 --> 00:21:52,500 that have taught us God's word and he says, to remember them 377 00:21:53,600 --> 00:21:55,300 Who have spoken the word of God to you. 378 00:21:55,700 --> 00:21:59,900 He said whose Faith follow follow their faith and 379 00:21:59,900 --> 00:22:02,200 specifically for the Jews. Follow their faith. 380 00:22:02,200 --> 00:22:05,300 In making this transition from the Old Law to the new law that 381 00:22:05,300 --> 00:22:09,300 took a big jump of faith for them, considering the outcome of 382 00:22:09,300 --> 00:22:12,400 their conduct. This is important. 383 00:22:12,400 --> 00:22:15,900 Part of the Bible says, by year by their fruits, leaders fruits, 384 00:22:16,300 --> 00:22:19,100 we shall know them. So of leaders have fruits that 385 00:22:19,100 --> 00:22:23,400 are evil. We will know that By their 386 00:22:23,400 --> 00:22:27,100 fruits, if their works are evil will know that by their fruits 387 00:22:27,600 --> 00:22:30,700 but consider the outcome of people's conduct before you 388 00:22:31,100 --> 00:22:37,500 follow or before you. Imitate them as they seek to 389 00:22:37,500 --> 00:22:41,700 imitate Christ. Verse 8 and light of this, Jesus 390 00:22:41,700 --> 00:22:44,900 Christ is the same yesterday today and forever. 391 00:22:44,900 --> 00:22:47,000 No matter what the people who have led you have done. 392 00:22:47,300 --> 00:22:50,800 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday today and forever. 393 00:22:55,000 --> 00:22:57,300 He's going to say do not be carried about with various and 394 00:22:57,300 --> 00:23:00,800 strange doctrines so things that may change and for these Jews 395 00:23:00,800 --> 00:23:03,000 specifically their devotion was changing. 396 00:23:04,000 --> 00:23:07,000 And our devotion may change our confidence may change our 397 00:23:07,000 --> 00:23:11,200 perception of God. Our perception of his ways, our 398 00:23:11,200 --> 00:23:15,300 perception of our responsibility or whole worldview can change 399 00:23:16,500 --> 00:23:20,400 our bravery in standing for truth might change and 400 00:23:20,400 --> 00:23:21,800 specifically he's going to say next. 401 00:23:21,800 --> 00:23:25,200 The things others teach may change the doctrines. 402 00:23:25,200 --> 00:23:28,100 Other people try to introduce into the church may change. 403 00:23:28,700 --> 00:23:33,600 But Jesus is the same yesterday. Today and forever. 404 00:23:33,600 --> 00:23:36,100 We can have hope in the fact that Jesus is unchanging. 405 00:23:36,900 --> 00:23:41,200 Jesus will never change verse 9. Do not be carried out. 406 00:23:42,100 --> 00:23:46,400 Do not be carried about with various and strange doctrines. 407 00:23:47,400 --> 00:23:49,400 There's a lot of things even from the early church, we 408 00:23:49,400 --> 00:23:52,000 started to read in Thessalonians in our afternoon, study that 409 00:23:52,000 --> 00:23:53,900 they started to change things early on. 410 00:23:53,900 --> 00:23:55,600 It was already Brewing from the time. 411 00:23:55,600 --> 00:24:00,400 The church was set up. We learned that the whole point 412 00:24:00,400 --> 00:24:03,100 that we need to take away from that, is we have to love the 413 00:24:03,100 --> 00:24:05,400 truth. Those who do not love the truth 414 00:24:05,400 --> 00:24:10,300 will exchange it for a lie. If we do not individually, love 415 00:24:10,300 --> 00:24:13,000 truth. We will be susceptible and we 416 00:24:13,000 --> 00:24:15,200 will contribute to leaving the truth. 417 00:24:16,300 --> 00:24:18,800 Don't be carried about with various and strange doctrines. 418 00:24:19,000 --> 00:24:22,400 The antidote is to love. Truth above anything, any man 419 00:24:22,400 --> 00:24:26,700 might say, for it is good that the heart be established by 420 00:24:26,700 --> 00:24:30,600 Grace, not with foods, which have not been profited those who 421 00:24:30,600 --> 00:24:34,100 have been occupied with them. So, specifically to these Jews, 422 00:24:34,200 --> 00:24:37,700 they were likely facing some kind of hybrid laws, or some 423 00:24:37,700 --> 00:24:40,800 kind of go back to the Old Testament, sacrifices, or 424 00:24:40,800 --> 00:24:44,500 systems, or holy days, they were trying to draw them back into 425 00:24:44,500 --> 00:24:48,200 Judaism, these Feelings be sacrifices. 426 00:24:49,500 --> 00:24:54,900 And these offerings. He says don't be drawn away in 427 00:24:54,900 --> 00:24:58,800 two different doctrines like that because these foods have no 428 00:24:58,800 --> 00:25:01,100 profit for those people, it's not doing them any good. 429 00:25:02,400 --> 00:25:06,500 He says he wants them to instead have their hearts established by 430 00:25:06,500 --> 00:25:11,800 Grace, Grace has a powerful way and God's grace through the 431 00:25:11,800 --> 00:25:14,600 blood of Jesus has a powerful way of establishing our hearts. 432 00:25:14,600 --> 00:25:20,200 If we will let it but it's easy to see here that that people 433 00:25:20,200 --> 00:25:22,500 often don't let Grace establish. Hearts. 434 00:25:22,700 --> 00:25:25,400 We have trouble as humans letting Grace establish our 435 00:25:25,400 --> 00:25:31,200 hearts may be, may we focus on letting Grace settle and comfort 436 00:25:31,300 --> 00:25:34,400 and strengthen our hearts and dwell on that dwell on the grace 437 00:25:34,400 --> 00:25:36,400 of God, that passes understanding that gives us. 438 00:25:36,400 --> 00:25:40,000 Peace and the grace of God, they would make a sacrifice for us 439 00:25:40,000 --> 00:25:43,000 that we don't have to live in continual sacrifice for 440 00:25:43,000 --> 00:25:46,600 ourselves like the Old Testament, but that we would 441 00:25:46,600 --> 00:25:48,800 rely on the grace given through Jesus Christ. 442 00:25:48,800 --> 00:25:54,300 And his sacrifice for us, These things did not profit those who 443 00:25:54,300 --> 00:25:57,800 have been occupied with them. We have an altar, we as 444 00:25:57,800 --> 00:26:00,900 Christians have an altar from which those who serve the 445 00:26:00,900 --> 00:26:03,600 Tabernacle have, no right to eat. 446 00:26:03,700 --> 00:26:06,900 So there are people who are offering sacrifices on an altar 447 00:26:06,900 --> 00:26:09,500 during you'll test. Or then during this transition, 448 00:26:09,700 --> 00:26:12,700 there's Jews offering sacrifices on an altar. 449 00:26:13,000 --> 00:26:18,400 We have an altar for which those who serve at those Tabernacles 450 00:26:18,400 --> 00:26:22,500 doing those sacrifices still. They have no right to eat. 451 00:26:23,300 --> 00:26:26,100 They have no right to enjoy the blessings of Jesus and his 452 00:26:26,100 --> 00:26:28,500 sacrifice if they're going to hold on to the Old Testament 453 00:26:28,500 --> 00:26:33,600 sacrifices and those systems we have an altar, he's trying to 454 00:26:33,600 --> 00:26:36,400 separate them and show them that we have something to replace 455 00:26:36,400 --> 00:26:40,000 what they're missing. They are missing those things 456 00:26:40,000 --> 00:26:42,200 that they believed white in the Old Testament, there's no 457 00:26:42,200 --> 00:26:43,600 sacrifice. What do I do? 458 00:26:44,800 --> 00:26:49,500 He says we have an altar. For the bodies of those animals. 459 00:26:50,100 --> 00:26:53,900 Those Old Testament sacrifices that trying to continue those 460 00:26:53,900 --> 00:26:56,000 bodies. Whose blood is brought into the 461 00:26:56,000 --> 00:26:58,500 sanctuary. So the blood of an animal, when 462 00:26:58,500 --> 00:27:01,100 the animal is killed, it would bring its blood into the 463 00:27:01,100 --> 00:27:03,900 sanctuary to do their services in the temple. 464 00:27:04,300 --> 00:27:07,900 And he says Those Animals whose blood is brought into the 465 00:27:07,900 --> 00:27:13,300 sanctuary God's Presence by the high priest force in those 466 00:27:13,300 --> 00:27:15,500 bodies are burned outside the camp. 467 00:27:17,300 --> 00:27:19,400 Those bodies are burned outside the camp. 468 00:27:20,500 --> 00:27:23,800 Therefore Jesus. Also here's our replacement for 469 00:27:23,800 --> 00:27:30,100 that that he might sanctify or to make holy or to set us apart 470 00:27:30,400 --> 00:27:35,200 to sanctify and set apart. The people with his own blood 471 00:27:36,000 --> 00:27:40,300 suffered, outside the gate, as we consider how Jesus was 472 00:27:40,300 --> 00:27:44,900 sacrificed. He left the city of Jerusalem He 473 00:27:44,900 --> 00:27:48,200 left the city, he was marched out of town to a Hill Called 474 00:27:48,200 --> 00:27:53,200 Golgotha outside of the city, where he would be crucified just 475 00:27:53,200 --> 00:27:55,400 like those Old Testament. Sacrifices were taken away 476 00:27:55,400 --> 00:27:58,500 outside the camp. And that was a symbol of 477 00:27:58,508 --> 00:28:01,500 suffering that they would be kicked out and cast out. 478 00:28:01,500 --> 00:28:04,700 Jesus himself. Took that suffering on himself 479 00:28:04,700 --> 00:28:08,900 left, this city and was crucified outside the gate. 480 00:28:08,900 --> 00:28:12,800 He suffered outside the gate. And so these Jews were feeling 481 00:28:12,800 --> 00:28:16,500 distance, or separated from their fellow, countrymen and 482 00:28:16,500 --> 00:28:19,100 Judaism, who had not left Judaism. 483 00:28:19,100 --> 00:28:21,700 If they were feeling separate from them and wanting to go back 484 00:28:21,700 --> 00:28:25,500 to Judaism. He could say Jesus suffered in 485 00:28:25,500 --> 00:28:29,100 this way, he was cast out. He was left set apart from 486 00:28:29,100 --> 00:28:31,600 others and he went outside the gate. 487 00:28:32,100 --> 00:28:38,300 Therefore let us go forth to him, let us join Jesus outside 488 00:28:38,300 --> 00:28:41,700 the camp bearing. His reproach there were persons 489 00:28:41,700 --> 00:28:46,000 Jesus is that we take on whatever challenges might come 490 00:28:46,000 --> 00:28:49,300 our way as a result of being a Christian, whether it's personal 491 00:28:49,300 --> 00:28:53,300 sacrifice, whether it's reproach from others or approaches, 492 00:28:53,300 --> 00:28:59,100 basically means the suffering or maybe the things that might come 493 00:28:59,100 --> 00:29:03,600 to you from other people, the disdain or disregard or looking 494 00:29:03,600 --> 00:29:08,500 down on you from other people. We should take that head on. 495 00:29:09,600 --> 00:29:13,800 Take that head on because Jesus went outside the gate, we can 496 00:29:13,800 --> 00:29:17,600 share in his sufferings. The Bible says, if we take that 497 00:29:17,600 --> 00:29:20,100 on for here, we have no continuing City. 498 00:29:21,100 --> 00:29:24,000 They want to Jerusalem back probably, but we don't have a 499 00:29:24,000 --> 00:29:27,700 city that stays even Jerusalem is going to be burned up one day 500 00:29:28,400 --> 00:29:32,900 and the last day when the earth is destroyed, but we seek the 501 00:29:32,900 --> 00:29:36,500 one to come. We don't have a city that's 502 00:29:36,500 --> 00:29:38,900 going to stay here. The ground is going to melt from 503 00:29:38,900 --> 00:29:44,400 underneath our feet but we seek the one to come therefore by him 504 00:29:44,400 --> 00:29:47,600 by Jesus. Let us continually offer the 505 00:29:47,600 --> 00:29:51,400 sacrifice of praise to God. That is the fruit of our Lips 506 00:29:51,700 --> 00:29:54,700 giving thanks to his name, there's multiple ways we can 507 00:29:54,700 --> 00:29:56,500 offer. Thanks to God and the fruit of 508 00:29:56,500 --> 00:29:59,900 our lips, we can speak these things into the world. 509 00:29:59,900 --> 00:30:03,800 But being here to praise God. In song is a primary one that we 510 00:30:03,800 --> 00:30:06,400 do that primary way that we do that. 511 00:30:06,900 --> 00:30:10,100 Now those sacrifices with the we don't have to offer animal 512 00:30:10,100 --> 00:30:14,200 sacrifices, we offer the sacrifice of our lips, and how 513 00:30:14,200 --> 00:30:16,500 should we do it? Well, like the Old Testament 514 00:30:16,500 --> 00:30:19,200 sacrifices, they were offered continually, but we don't have 515 00:30:19,200 --> 00:30:24,700 to kill animals continually. We are to continually offer the 516 00:30:24,700 --> 00:30:29,300 sacrifice of praise to God. I was talking to someone this 517 00:30:29,300 --> 00:30:32,100 week who said, man, they were just talking about how hard it 518 00:30:32,100 --> 00:30:34,800 was to think about animals being killed continually for a 519 00:30:34,800 --> 00:30:37,800 sacrifice. We should be thankful, we don't 520 00:30:37,800 --> 00:30:41,300 do that and our sacrifice takes the form of an outward 521 00:30:41,300 --> 00:30:43,700 expression of our thankfulness to God. 522 00:30:43,700 --> 00:30:47,500 And to remember that things that don't cost us anything. 523 00:30:49,200 --> 00:30:53,900 Aren't often aren't sacrifice. and if we get to the point that 524 00:30:53,900 --> 00:30:56,300 we are suffering, something or losing, something in order to 525 00:30:56,300 --> 00:31:00,000 praise God, that's how you part of how, you know, to sacrifice, 526 00:31:00,600 --> 00:31:05,300 if you have to suffer anything for God, That's part of being 527 00:31:05,300 --> 00:31:08,200 the sacrifice. That's why when David said in 528 00:31:08,200 --> 00:31:10,900 the Old Testament, he was offered the opportunity to get a 529 00:31:10,908 --> 00:31:14,700 piece of land to make these sacrifices, and it could be 530 00:31:14,700 --> 00:31:16,800 given to him freely from the landowner. 531 00:31:16,900 --> 00:31:19,000 David said, no, I'm not going to take that for free. 532 00:31:19,200 --> 00:31:22,300 I'm not just gonna let you give me that land to sacrifice to God 533 00:31:22,800 --> 00:31:26,900 because something that If I don't pay something for, it's 534 00:31:26,900 --> 00:31:29,800 not a sacrifice, I don't want to give to the Lord, something 535 00:31:29,800 --> 00:31:32,800 that's not worth anything to me. If we give the Lord something, 536 00:31:32,800 --> 00:31:35,000 it's not worth anything to us. It's not a sacrifice. 537 00:31:35,400 --> 00:31:39,100 It's our extras, it's our cast off, its our spare change, you 538 00:31:39,100 --> 00:31:41,300 might say, and whatever area of Life. 539 00:31:42,200 --> 00:31:44,000 David said, I'm not going to give the Lord. 540 00:31:44,000 --> 00:31:45,600 Something that doesn't cost me anything. 541 00:31:46,500 --> 00:31:49,500 I know that I can serve god with something that costs me, 542 00:31:49,500 --> 00:31:53,100 something. And that is a pleasing sacrifice 543 00:31:53,100 --> 00:31:57,500 to God. And on the note of using our 544 00:31:57,500 --> 00:31:59,800 lips to praise God, I came across this quote. 545 00:31:59,800 --> 00:32:03,100 It says loving hearts. Must speak. 546 00:32:04,200 --> 00:32:06,200 What would you think of a husband who never felt any 547 00:32:06,200 --> 00:32:09,900 impulse to tell his wife that she was dear to him or a mother 548 00:32:09,900 --> 00:32:12,500 who never found it needful to unpack her heart of its 549 00:32:12,500 --> 00:32:15,500 tenderness? Even in perhaps the inarticulate 550 00:32:15,500 --> 00:32:18,400 crooning over the little child that she presses to her heart. 551 00:32:19,200 --> 00:32:22,500 It seems to me that a dumb Christian or a Christian doesn't 552 00:32:22,500 --> 00:32:24,600 speak. A man who is that? 553 00:32:24,900 --> 00:32:28,300 For a Christ's sacrifice and never feels the need to say so 554 00:32:29,200 --> 00:32:32,800 is as greater than is as great and anomaly. 555 00:32:32,900 --> 00:32:35,000 As either of these, I am described. 556 00:32:35,900 --> 00:32:40,200 It might not be your nature to say a lot to talk a lot, or 557 00:32:40,200 --> 00:32:42,400 maybe even to sing. Maybe singing is weird For You, 558 00:32:42,800 --> 00:32:45,400 especially if you didn't grow up singing in the church, it's 559 00:32:45,400 --> 00:32:50,900 probably uncomfortable. But loving hearts for God must 560 00:32:50,900 --> 00:32:53,600 speak. We must bring praise to God 561 00:32:53,600 --> 00:32:55,900 because that is a pleasing sacrifice to him. 562 00:32:56,100 --> 00:32:58,900 It's part of our responsibility. Now, you don't necessarily have 563 00:32:58,908 --> 00:33:01,500 to sing out loud. It doesn't have to come out a 564 00:33:01,508 --> 00:33:05,000 certain volume. But it's our duty to please God, 565 00:33:05,000 --> 00:33:08,200 In This Way, verse 16. But do not forget, even though 566 00:33:08,200 --> 00:33:12,400 it's important to, to sing with your lips and praise God with 567 00:33:12,400 --> 00:33:14,900 your mouth, don't forget to do good. 568 00:33:14,900 --> 00:33:17,900 Also, it's not just about what we say it's about doing good. 569 00:33:17,900 --> 00:33:21,200 And to share for, with such sacrifices. 570 00:33:21,200 --> 00:33:23,600 God is, well, pleased, that reminds me of the song like let 571 00:33:23,600 --> 00:33:26,700 this morning open my hands and teach me to share to be a 572 00:33:26,708 --> 00:33:29,800 servant. It's not just about the words, 573 00:33:29,800 --> 00:33:33,100 it's about what we do obey those who rule over you and be 574 00:33:33,100 --> 00:33:37,200 submissive for, they watch out for your souls as those who must 575 00:33:37,200 --> 00:33:39,700 give account. I believe again, this is talking 576 00:33:39,700 --> 00:33:43,400 back about the the Christian leadership in a congregation. 577 00:33:44,000 --> 00:33:46,000 There was likely Elders in these congregations. 578 00:33:46,000 --> 00:33:49,400 He's talking to and Elders are ordained leaders of a 579 00:33:49,408 --> 00:33:54,100 congregation He says to obey them now. 580 00:33:55,500 --> 00:33:57,500 We have to be careful that because it doesn't mean turn off 581 00:33:57,500 --> 00:33:59,600 your brain and just follow blindly. 582 00:34:00,300 --> 00:34:04,400 But those who watch out for your souls, who have an honest 583 00:34:04,400 --> 00:34:09,199 interest and who are caring about what's going on in your 584 00:34:09,199 --> 00:34:12,699 life, from a spiritual perspective, he says listen to 585 00:34:12,699 --> 00:34:16,300 them and submit to what they're saying, because an honest leader 586 00:34:16,300 --> 00:34:18,300 is not getting you to try to submit to them. 587 00:34:18,600 --> 00:34:20,800 They're trying to get you to submit to God, and they're 588 00:34:20,800 --> 00:34:25,100 trying to get us to obey, God to submit to God and obey, God, 589 00:34:25,300 --> 00:34:30,400 Because those who lead in a spiritual and a congregational 590 00:34:30,400 --> 00:34:35,199 sense must give account to God. They are those who must give an 591 00:34:35,199 --> 00:34:38,400 account and are going to be responsible for the way that 592 00:34:38,400 --> 00:34:41,800 they lead. This is a servant leadership. 593 00:34:41,800 --> 00:34:47,600 It sounds almost like a rule, like it's a prideful kingship 594 00:34:47,600 --> 00:34:51,500 type thing, but it's not the whole roll of a of an elder and 595 00:34:51,500 --> 00:34:55,699 congregation is to be a servant leader, a shepherd Default to 596 00:34:55,699 --> 00:34:59,500 lead, by example and not as some person who wants the power. 597 00:35:00,600 --> 00:35:03,800 But that's what we do, we submit to one another, that's what love 598 00:35:03,800 --> 00:35:08,100 is. Especially for those who lead 599 00:35:08,100 --> 00:35:10,400 for a spiritual purpose, let them do. 600 00:35:10,400 --> 00:35:15,500 So let them lead with joy and not with grief for that would be 601 00:35:15,500 --> 00:35:18,600 unprofitable for you. It's uncomfortable for everyone, 602 00:35:19,200 --> 00:35:22,500 if people do not follow good spiritual leadership because the 603 00:35:22,500 --> 00:35:24,900 person who is not following is not getting the benefits of the 604 00:35:24,900 --> 00:35:27,600 spiritual growth that they should the Eternal growth that 605 00:35:27,600 --> 00:35:30,800 they should. The relationship doesn't grow as 606 00:35:30,800 --> 00:35:33,800 it should. And on top of that, it's 607 00:35:33,800 --> 00:35:36,400 unprofitable for the leaders because the leaders want things 608 00:35:36,400 --> 00:35:38,400 to go smoothly, want growth to happen. 609 00:35:38,700 --> 00:35:42,200 All the leaders who have a sincere, heart won it for the 610 00:35:42,200 --> 00:35:46,400 best of all involved. It's not profitable for people 611 00:35:46,400 --> 00:35:49,400 to disregard good spiritual leadership. 612 00:35:50,300 --> 00:35:55,500 For anyone involved. Verse 18, pray for us, the 613 00:35:55,500 --> 00:35:58,400 writer says for, we are confident that we have in good 614 00:35:58,400 --> 00:36:02,300 conscience, in all things Desiring to live honorably. 615 00:36:02,900 --> 00:36:05,800 We're doing our best. Please pray for us, he says, but 616 00:36:05,800 --> 00:36:10,100 I especially urge you to do this, that I may be restored to 617 00:36:10,100 --> 00:36:12,800 you. The sooner, the writer here 618 00:36:13,000 --> 00:36:15,700 wanted to get back to the Hebrew Christians and he wanted them to 619 00:36:15,700 --> 00:36:19,000 pray for him to so that specifically he could give back 620 00:36:19,000 --> 00:36:23,100 to them and be with them and help them again. 621 00:36:24,800 --> 00:36:28,200 So so far we've gotten these nine ish foundations. 622 00:36:28,200 --> 00:36:29,700 He's told them to love their fellow. 623 00:36:29,700 --> 00:36:33,400 Christians to love their brother to show Hospitality to show 624 00:36:33,400 --> 00:36:36,900 Hospitality to strangers to remember the prisoners or those 625 00:36:36,900 --> 00:36:41,800 who suffer to honor marriage to be content and not Covetous to 626 00:36:41,800 --> 00:36:46,000 respect and follow leadership to hold on to truth and to 627 00:36:46,000 --> 00:36:48,200 establish their hearts with Grace. 628 00:36:48,700 --> 00:36:52,300 And finally, to offer, praise to God with thankfulness, and now 629 00:36:52,300 --> 00:36:53,500 we're going to finish the letter. 630 00:36:55,100 --> 00:36:58,000 Now, may the God of Peace who brought up our lord Jesus from 631 00:36:58,000 --> 00:37:02,000 the dead. So he's ending his letter by 632 00:37:02,000 --> 00:37:04,800 giving them the assurance that this is a God of Peace, that is 633 00:37:04,800 --> 00:37:09,000 coming to them, who brought up our lord Jesus from the dead. 634 00:37:09,800 --> 00:37:12,400 Assuring them that this Jesus isn't gone. 635 00:37:12,500 --> 00:37:15,100 He's not something they should leave hope and they shouldn't 636 00:37:15,100 --> 00:37:18,200 just leave their hope in Jesus because he is brother from the 637 00:37:18,200 --> 00:37:19,200 dead. He's not gone. 638 00:37:19,200 --> 00:37:23,100 He's still here that great Shepherd of the Sheep. 639 00:37:23,900 --> 00:37:26,500 Through the blood of the Everlasting Covenant, there are 640 00:37:26,500 --> 00:37:28,100 some more Old Testament references. 641 00:37:28,400 --> 00:37:30,800 This is an Everlasting Covenant, you set up for them. 642 00:37:31,400 --> 00:37:33,300 Not just the blood of a noble sacrifice. 643 00:37:33,700 --> 00:37:39,600 He says verse 21 May the God of Peace, all these things make you 644 00:37:39,600 --> 00:37:42,400 complete in every good work to do. 645 00:37:42,400 --> 00:37:47,000 His will God's work has a continual process of refining us 646 00:37:47,000 --> 00:37:50,400 and he wants that to happen for these Hebrew Christians and may 647 00:37:50,400 --> 00:37:53,400 we be complete and perfected as we grow. 648 00:37:53,700 --> 00:37:56,400 Christian walk in every good work to do. 649 00:37:56,400 --> 00:37:59,600 His will working in you. What is? 650 00:37:59,600 --> 00:38:03,500 Well, pleasing in his sight through Jesus Christ to whom be 651 00:38:03,500 --> 00:38:06,400 glory forever and ever. Amen. 652 00:38:06,800 --> 00:38:09,700 God wants to work and you he could have done anything. 653 00:38:09,700 --> 00:38:12,000 He wanted. He could have intervened every 654 00:38:12,000 --> 00:38:15,300 second of this world to where things happen, the exact way he 655 00:38:15,300 --> 00:38:18,200 intended them to happen, but he didn't do that. 656 00:38:19,300 --> 00:38:23,700 He chose to let you have choice and how you would let him work 657 00:38:23,700 --> 00:38:26,300 in you and how I will let him work in me. 658 00:38:28,200 --> 00:38:31,200 What is well pleasing in his sight and it's not just a serve 659 00:38:31,200 --> 00:38:35,300 this God of the Old Testament, he brings in it is all through 660 00:38:35,300 --> 00:38:37,400 Jesus Christ. They cannot leave Jesus behind 661 00:38:37,400 --> 00:38:41,000 in their attempt to serve God. It is all through, Jesus Christ, 662 00:38:41,300 --> 00:38:45,000 to whom this Jesus be glory forever and ever. 663 00:38:45,000 --> 00:38:47,800 Amen. And I appeal to you Brethren 664 00:38:48,000 --> 00:38:49,800 bear with the word of exhortation. 665 00:38:50,900 --> 00:38:55,500 Take time to think about this, take time to process and and let 666 00:38:55,500 --> 00:38:59,500 this work on your heart. He's saying there with this word 667 00:38:59,500 --> 00:39:02,600 of exhortation for I have written to you in a few words, 668 00:39:03,000 --> 00:39:05,300 thirteen chapters is quite a bit. 669 00:39:05,300 --> 00:39:08,000 I wonder how many many words would have been to this writer. 670 00:39:09,000 --> 00:39:11,100 He says, I've only written to you in a few words. 671 00:39:11,400 --> 00:39:13,700 No, there are brother. Timothy has been set free. 672 00:39:13,700 --> 00:39:18,300 So, some point, maybe in the Years between 59 and 61 Timothy 673 00:39:18,300 --> 00:39:22,400 was in prison, but good news to know, Has been set free with 674 00:39:22,400 --> 00:39:25,500 whom I shall see you if he comes shortly. 675 00:39:25,500 --> 00:39:29,300 So this Rider wanted to go with Timothy to see them. 676 00:39:29,400 --> 00:39:34,100 If he could be real, if you could shortly, great, all those 677 00:39:34,100 --> 00:39:38,200 who rule over you and all the saints notice from Italy, greet. 678 00:39:38,200 --> 00:39:42,300 You Grace be with you all. Amen. 679 00:39:42,400 --> 00:39:47,000 And that is the close of the book of Hebrews and he wanted 680 00:39:47,000 --> 00:39:49,000 these Christians, these Hebrew Christians. 681 00:39:50,300 --> 00:39:53,600 To remember that the god of Grace was still with them that 682 00:39:53,600 --> 00:39:56,400 they need to hold onto their faith and grow and not slipping 683 00:39:56,400 --> 00:39:58,900 the faith to think. Back of all the things we've 684 00:39:58,900 --> 00:40:01,400 learned about Jesus, being Superior to everything else. 685 00:40:01,400 --> 00:40:04,900 We could serve in this world and we would turn to him, that they 686 00:40:04,900 --> 00:40:10,700 would turn him at, hold on, and growth, and spiritual spiritual, 687 00:40:11,000 --> 00:40:15,600 intentionality, and focus as they strove to hold on to him. 688 00:40:15,600 --> 00:40:18,700 And I pray that the same will be true for us, and we will take 689 00:40:18,700 --> 00:40:22,100 these words and there's a Rotations and grow ourselves. 690 00:40:23,600 --> 00:40:25,500 If you've heard the gospel this morning and you have not 691 00:40:25,500 --> 00:40:27,100 responded to it, you can do that. 692 00:40:27,100 --> 00:40:30,600 Today, we learned that we can hear the word of God and by 693 00:40:30,600 --> 00:40:33,400 faith, we to have faith. We have to here. 694 00:40:33,400 --> 00:40:36,200 So when we can't please God without hearing, we can't. 695 00:40:36,200 --> 00:40:39,200 Please God without believing in Hebrews chapter 11. 696 00:40:39,800 --> 00:40:43,300 And so, in that believing, we're supposed to respond in a true 697 00:40:43,700 --> 00:40:48,100 Faith to confess that Jesus Christ is the Son of God to 698 00:40:48,100 --> 00:40:51,800 change our past life to repent of who we used to be to follow 699 00:40:51,800 --> 00:40:54,700 God in a new life. And we can be baptized for the 700 00:40:54,700 --> 00:40:57,400 remission of our sins. If you haven't started that lock 701 00:40:57,400 --> 00:41:00,300 today, you can you can be added to the church. 702 00:41:00,300 --> 00:41:04,200 You can join this walk. This general assembly and Church 703 00:41:04,200 --> 00:41:06,200 of the firstborn. He's talking about being added 704 00:41:06,200 --> 00:41:08,600 to is wonderful, and we can start that today. 705 00:41:08,900 --> 00:41:10,900 But if you've already done that, and you need to make something 706 00:41:10,900 --> 00:41:12,000 right? Or you need the prayers of the 707 00:41:12,008 --> 00:41:13,700 brother. We are a family. 708 00:41:13,700 --> 00:41:16,500 We are happy to take care of that with you and help you while 709 00:41:16,500 --> 00:41:20,300 we stand and what we see. We thank you for listening to 710 00:41:20,300 --> 00:41:25,100 our podcast, put on by the Church of Christ at 22:15 plans. 711 00:41:25,100 --> 00:41:28,600 Road in Bakersfield, if you would like any additional 712 00:41:28,600 --> 00:41:31,900 information or you would like to receive a free Bible 713 00:41:31,900 --> 00:41:37,400 correspondence, course by mail. Please email us at info at True 714 00:41:37,400 --> 00:41:39,800 Church of Christ Bakersfield.com. 715 00:41:40,500 --> 00:41:45,700 Our service times are on Sundays at 10:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. and 716 00:41:45,700 --> 00:41:50,200 Wednesdays at 7:30 p.m. Please make plans to join us. 717 00:41:50,700 --> 00:41:52,900 We would love for you to be our honored guest.