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Living Out Faith Through Love and Empathy 0:09 Good morning. Welcome to Stand on the Word as we complete yet another book as we read the final chapter of Hebrews chapter 13 verse 8. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday,0:21 today, and forever. So are you looking for an anchor in this turbulent world? Well, here it is. Jesus, the word, he is unchanging. We're gonna talk about that in just a moment. But first,0:33 this final chapter is another reason I lean toward Paul as the author of Hebrews because it's similar to his other letters. In the in the final chapter, he covers a variety of topics that he had not yet0:45 covered. And he starts out here in this final chapter with a call to live out our inward faith. Verse 1, let brotherly love continue. Do not forget to entertain strangers, for0:56 by so doing, some have unwittingly entertained angels. Alright. The the word angel here means messenger and suggested that there's a a dual meaning in in this1:08 passage and that Abraham actually entertained angels in Genesis chapter 18. I believe that could still happen today. I believe it's still a possibility. But the lord also1:20 uses other believers to encourage and confirm truths in our lives. And so there's a warning here not to miss a blessing of the lord by, avoiding1:32 strangers. And and I'll have to say that over the years, I've inter interacted with, oftentimes homeless people, that, the Lord brought into my1:43 path. And and and and years later, connected with them and saw how the Lord used that, to minister to actually, to both of us. Very interesting. And so I was blessed by that. So we don't wanna miss1:55 that blessing. But let me just say this word of caution. We gotta be very careful, but we we have to be led by the spirit, prompting by the Holy Spirit. The Lord has, at times,2:07 in fact, just recently, we were, my my son, my youngest son, we were driving down the road. I don't normally do this, but a car was stopped. And I I2:19 turned around, went down the road, had to turn around and come back. It was a woman who had a flat tire. She was trying to change a tire. You know? And and and so I just I felt like the Lord to go help her. Well, she2:31 wasn't able to change her tire. She was praying. She was late for church. Praying the lord would help her. Well, there we were. Not exactly the same thing, but it is the lord uses us2:42 in interacting with others and others interacting with us to be a blessing, to encourage and to strengthen. And so we need to be mindful of that. Alright. Verse 3. Remember the2:54 prisoners as if chained with them, those who are mistreated since you yourselves are in the body also. Now I think this verse,3:07 probably this entire chapter well, there's so much in this chapter. It's a great chapter. But this verse has tremendous relevance to us today. Notice the wording here as if chained with them.3:19 Now this is not a call to sympathy. Oh, I feel sorry for them. This is a call to empathy. Not not to feel sorry for them from from a distance, but to empathize with them,3:31 to identify with these persecuted believers as if their chains were on our own wrist. From its earliest days, the church has known persecution.3:44 My friend Bill Bennett, doctor Bill Bennett, wrote a a compelling book about this about a decade ago. It was called Tried by Fire, the story of Christianity's first 1000 years. And in it,3:55 he traces how this small, marginalized, and often hunted Christian community eventually grew into a global world changing faith. And he highlights how these early4:07 believers facing Roman hostility, cultural scorn, and internal challenges held fast to the truth of the gospel with remarkable courage. Their4:19 steadfast faith, sacrificial love, and their willingness to suffer did more than sustain them. It actually shaped Christian doctrine. It preserved the scriptures.4:31 It defended the faith against error and ultimately helped Christianity not just survive, but thrive. And how did they do it? Well, they didn't do it by standing alone. They did it by4:43 standing together. And we see this throughout the New Testament. You know, Paul, we we read about that taking up offerings from gentile churches to support the suffering believers in Jerusalem.4:55 The first congregation that that felt the full weight of persecution from from the very beginning, the church saw itself as a body sharing 1 another's burden.5:07 And today, the call is no different. I mean, right now and and I talk about this a lot, because I think it's important. Our brothers and sisters are suffering in Nigeria,5:19 Sudan, North Korea, China, and throughout the Middle East. And scripture commands us commands us to identify with them as if we were there. We5:31 must pray for them. I've I've walked with many of them. I've been to many of these countries, prayed with them, advocated for them, visited them in prison. We must pray for them. Our churches must stand5:43 with them, and we must call upon our government to speak out for them and hold these persecuting regimes accountable in our national policy. And5:55 that doesn't mean military engagement. Okay? In our national policy, economic considerations should never eclipse religious freedom and human rights. If we ignore the6:07 suffering body of Christ, we deny the very unity this passage calls us to embrace, and we miss a blessing. And who will be there to advocate for6:18 us when the persecution comes here if we don't stand up against it now? Hebrews 4, Hebrews 13 verse 4. Marriage is honorable among all, in the bedHonoring Marriage, Contentment, and Faithful Leadership 6:30 undefiled, but fornicators and adulterers, God will judge. A better translation here is let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled. Our culture needs a6:42 revival of marriage, and it must start in the church by restoring marriage to a place of honor. Verse 5, let your conduct be without covetousness. Be content6:54 with such things as you have, for he himself has said, I will never leave you nor forsake you. You know, as Paul wrote to Timothy, he said, godliness with contentment is great gain.7:06 Verse 6, so we may boldly say the lord is my helper. I will not fear. What can man do to me? You see, when our eyes are fixed upon god and his eternal promises,7:18 what is done to us by those of this world cannot shake our competence or rob us of our peace. When when our eyes are on our things and those things are taken away, then then7:30 our peace is disturbed. So how can we conduct ourselves in this countercultural way that's described here by the author by by Paul?7:42 Well, he he transitions to that in verse 7. I think it's it's watch who you follow and make sure that they line up with Jesus. Verse 7. Remember those who rule over you, who have7:54 spoken the word of God to you, whose faith follow, whose faith follow, considering the outcome of their conduct. Alright. The people that we're to follow are leaders8:07 are leaders. Consider the outcome of their conduct. Is it is it in alignment with god? And and look at this first next verse, verse 8. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. You8:19 see, the word of god never changes. Therefore, our our leaders, would be our spiritual leaders, are they lining up with Jesus Christ, his example, and his word? The8:30 character and the nature the the, the nature of Jesus who was president present at creation, redeemed man on the cross, and is now sitting at the right hand of the father8:42 making intercession for believers, he's not changed. God's faithfulness in the past that we read about is the same faithfulness that we can expect today and8:54 tomorrow. He and his and his word remain unchanging, and our leaders should be in alignment with that. Verse 9, do not be carried away with various strange9:05 various and strange doctrines, for it is good that the heart be established by grace, not with foods which have not profited those who have been occupied with him. So how many times have we seen these warnings9:18 about false teaching? A lot. Next, we see I mean, so so we need to be on guard. Do not be deceived. We've seen this over and over and over and over again,9:31 which should be a warning to us. Next, we see how the elements of the tabernacle foreshadow Jesus. Verse 10, we have an altar from which those who serve the tabernacle have no right to9:43 eat. There's a distinction between sin are burned outside the camp. Therefore, Jesus9:54 also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood suffered outside the gate. So we all of that foreshadowed Jesus Christ. And so we're not to go back to the imitation when10:06 we have the real thing. Therefore, let us go forth to him outside the camp bearing his reproach. So don't shrink back to where, you know, culturally is acceptable. Walk with the truth.The True Sacrifice and Obedient Community 10:20 Therefore, by him, let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God. That is the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name. But But do not forget to do good and10:32 to share for such sacrifices. God is well pleased. Obey those who rule over you and be submissive for they watch out for your souls as those who must give an account. Let them do so10:44 with joy and not with grief for that would be unprofitable for you. So we gotta follow those who are following the lord, but then we have to submit to their leadership because10:55 they're going to have to give an account, and we want it to be a good 1. Pray for us, for we are confident that we have a good conscience. We we feel confident that we're following11:07 the lord in all things desiring to live honorably. But I especially urge you to do this that I may be restored to you the sooner. Now may the god of peace11:19 who brought up our lord Jesus from the dead, the great shepherd of the sheep, I love that, the great shepherd of the sheep, Through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you11:31 complete in every good work to do his will, working in you what is well pleasing in his sight through Jesus Christ to whom be glory forever and ever.11:43 Amen. And he goes on to say, and I appeal to you, brethren, bear the word of exhortation, for I have written to you in few words. Take take what I'm take what I11:55 I I say to heart. Alright. Bear with it. Take this exhortation. It's not it's not a whole lot, but take it. Know that our brother Timothy has been set free with whom I shall see you12:07 if he comes shortly. Greet all those who rule over you and all the saints. Those from Italy greet you. Grace be with you all. Amen. What a wonderful book. Father, we12:19 thank you once again for your word. And, Lord, I do pray that we would live out our inward faith in an outward way that brings honor and glory to you. And, Lord,12:31 may we follow those, and and may we, lord, align with leaders who are aligned with you and that we would follow them. And then, lord, we would submit to their leadership12:44 as they submit to you. Father, I pray that you would use us to advance your truth, your kingdom, to bring glory to your name. We pray this in Jesus' name.12:56 Amen. Alright. Just a reminder, this Saturday night, the last gathering of our, weekend we have if you're in Baton Rouge, I invite you to join me. I'll be back in Baton Rouge for our monthly13:08 stand on the word bible study. It'll be our last 1. If you, are not able to be in Baton Rouge, you can join us on the Stand Firm app. And, and we're gonna have some special instructions13:20 that we look at the book of Jude, but we're also gonna be talking about these small groups as we move into our next journey through the Bible. So I hope you'll join us. Also, if you've not yet registered for the signed13:31 up for our next journey through the bible beginning in January, I encourage you to text the word bible to 6 7 7 4 2. That's bible to 6 7 7 4 2. That way, you'll have13:43 access to some new resources that we make available, and we can communicate with you about this. So that's bible to 6 7 7 4 2. There's also a share button, on that13:55 landing page that you we'll send you a link. You go to it, and you can share that with your friends and family. Invite them to join you on this journey as well. Alright. Until next time, keep standing on the word.14:09 Today's study comes from the Stand on the Word Bible Reading Plan available for free at frc dot org slash bible. By following along in just a few minutes a day,14:21 you can read through the entire Bible in just 2 years. Learn more and request the free reading guide at frc dot org slash bible.In this video 0:00 Living Out Faith Through Love and Empathy6:25 Honoring Marriage, Contentment, and Faithful Leadership10:20 The True Sacrifice and Obedient Community93.9K followers
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