EXHORTATIONS TO FAITHFULNESS

TEXT: Hebrews 13:1-8

INTRODUCTION:

A. Thesis: to take personally the exhortations given by inspiration to the Hebrew people who were Christians.
B. The author has presented his main theme that Jesus is superior and there is no
alternative to His true and living way of redemption.
1. He has impressively shown our obligation to follow Jesus.
C. He now exhorts to personal duties which must be discharged.

I. EXHORTATION TO BROTHERLY LOVE, 13:1-3.
A. Christian brotherly agape
1. Greater than family affection filia or patriotism (love of country).
2. It is unshakable, Hebrews 12:28, like the Kingdom.
3. It never fails, 1 Corinthians 13:8,13. It is like cement (mortar) “bond”,
Colossians 3:14.
4. They are to show it now as they once did, 6:10.
5. There are two modes: hospitality and sympathy:
B. Toward brethren who are strangers , verse 2..
1. A sacred duty to entertain fellow believers.
a. From other lands.
b. Who have suffered persecution.
c. On business away from home.
d. In service of the church.
2. 1 Peter 4:9; Romans 12:13; 3 John 5-8.
3.It brings results: “some entertained angels”, Genesis 18,19. Abram and Lot.
4. Gideon and Manoah, Judges 6:11ff; 13:2ff.
5. Meaning: the hospitable gain unexpected benefits, Matthew 25:35.
C. Toward brethren who are sufferers, verse 3.
1. Golden rule, Matthew 7:12; Matthew 25:36, - “in prison”.
a. Imagine self in prison.
2. Same compassion to the ill-treated.
a. You are in a mortal body also, remember them.
b. Many Christians received persecution.

II. EXHORTATION TO MARITAL PURITY, 13:4.
A. Purity in marriage upheld - chastity.
1. No Bible teaching enjoins celibacy as higher state.
B. Marriage bed koite to be undefiled (physical intimacy).
1. God will judge fornicators, adulterers.



III. EXHORTATION AGAINST LOVE OF MONEY, 5,6.
A. Covetousness and sexual impurity linked here and Ephesians 5:3-5.
1. Because material prosperity induces lasciviousness, Colossians 3:5.
B. Christians must be content, Philippians 4:11.
1. Jesus so taught, Matthew 6:24-34.
2. Mark 4:19; 10:23; Luke 12:15-21; 1 Timothy 6:9, 10, 17-19.
C. An appeal to scripture, 13:6.
1. Joshua 1:5; Deuteronomy 31:6,8; 1 Chronicles 28:20; Psalm 118:6.
2. When we have God, we have enough.
3. Avarice has roots in lack of faith in God.

IV. EXHORTATION TO REMEMBER DECEASED LEADERS, 7,8.
A. Those who heard Jesus and conveyed message to others, 2:3.
1. That they were dead implied in “consider outcome, result (ekbasin) of their
life”.
2. Looking at (anaqeorountes) = “observe keenly, carefully:”
3. Imitate their faith (mimeisqe)
B. Their message: “Christ, same yesterday, etc.”
1. Jesus was the subject of their preaching. He is still the same.

CONCLUSION:
A. Exhortation to duty is always in order.
B. Let us heed the warnings and obey the precepts.