Gratitude Results in Godly Living!

Don't Stop Now!

A study of the NT book of Hebrews

by Pastor Frank Rice

Hebrews 13:1-6

All of the knowledge you’ve acquired doesn’t amount to “a hill of beans” if it doesn’t result in some kind of productive life-change! This is true with all sorts of educative endeavors, but particularly in the spiritual realm. And it does not “dead-end” with the knower! It spills over in a practical way into the lives of others for their benefit. Anything less than this is short-sighted, unacceptable, and self-deceitful. Our author has shared comprehensively regarding our immeasurable riches because of our relationship with Messiah. He now expects us to translate this knowledge into practical application.

 

v     Compassion must continue toward the family of God (v. 1).

1.      “Brotherly love, let it continue!” (philadelphia) They were doing well. They just needed to keep up the good work.

2.      As time goes on we tend to neglect relationships and become self-centered, especially in times of difficulty and distress.

3.      People tend to “shut up” their compassion when they’re in pain and misery, or enduring financial or physical hardships.

 

v     Compassion must be shown toward strangers (v. 2).

1.      “Hospitality, do not forget!” (philoxenia) Cultural realities contributed toward this command. Christians, especially teachers, had few options when traveling.

2.      “This is no begrudging offer of kindness but a generous sharing of what one has.” (Cockerill)

3.      Love was to be their primary motivation for hospitality, with the possibility of “surprise” guests! (Does the author have in mind Abraham & Sarah, Lot, or Samson’s parents?)

 

v     Compassion must be extended toward the afflicted (v. 3)!

1.      Remember (action required) those imprisoned, presumably for their faith, who are easily forgotten. Prisons then were radically different from present-day prisons!

2.      Remember those being mistreated, probably for their faith. This is not necessarily limited to believers. (Do something!)

3.      Failure to remember may be unintentional or intentional! Identifying with either group places a person at risk. They were to fulfill their obligation willingly by supplying their physical needs and providing them with moral support, even at the risk of exposing themselves to possible incarceration.

4.      Remember the imprisoned as if you were co-prisoners, sharing the same cell, enduring the same experiences.

5.      Remember the persecuted since you too may face the same fate while still in the body. (“Do unto others as…”) This practical concern for others was to become habitual.

 

v     Two areas have brought shame, disgrace, and incalculable harm on the Christian community; sexual and financial impropriety. Sexual infidelity and greed violate and destroy brotherly love and exhibit discontentment.

Therefore…

 

 

v     Be content with your marriage partner (v. 4). (Counter-cultural!)

1.      The marriage relationship, as defined and designed by God, must be honored by believers! “The marriage union is divinely ordained, and its sacred precincts must not be polluted by the intrusion of a third party, of either sex.”

2.      Sexual intercourse within marriage (for which “the bed” is a euphemism) is pure, undefiled, and unpolluted! “Sexual misconduct is not merely a matter of private concern but has implications for the common life of the people of God.” (Cockerill)

3.      God promises to judge those who reject His design and abuse the gift of sexuality. There are earthly consequences (judgments) on those who participate in sexual promiscuity. “The first of these terms includes all who have sexual relations outside of the marriage bond. The second focuses more closely on the unfaithfulness of married people.” (Cockerill)

4.      To continue in sexual sin (or any sin) is to nullify the claim of knowing Christ (1 Cor 6:9-10; Eph 5:5-6; Rev 21:8).           

 

v     Be content with your material possessions (v. 5a).

1.      It is a false assumption that those guilty of the sin of greed (the love of money) are usually wealthy (1 Tim 6:9-10, 17). “The chief pang which pierces the heart of the lover of money is gnawing anxiety. The greedy man can never be a happy man; the opposite of covetousness in contentedness.” (Henderson)

2.      A grateful heart will rarely be a greedy heart. “Contentment springs from an intelligent trust in God and acceptance of His promises.” (Henderson) Discontentment reveals distrust! Compassion and contentment validate our claim to knowing Christ as Savior!

 

v     Be content with your Master’s provision (vv. 5b-6).

1.      You may lose everyone and everything you have; but rest assured you will never lose Him! He Himself has personally guaranteed it! You need not be anxious!

2.      We can recite together with confidence the words of the Psalmist (118:6)! (Do not lose sight of the total context 118:1-9.)

 

Gratitude results in compassion for others and contentment in Him!

 

Contentment is found in your relationship with the Lord. If He is your security and significance, then your relationships with others will be healthy.

“I have LEARNED in whatever state I am, to be content!”

(This was written from a jail cell in Rome! Php 4:11)