The Believer’s Duties - Hebrews 13:8-21

After reading Hebrews 13, I think I know why this is a letter and not a copy of a preacher’s sermon notes. Hebrews 13 consistently goes against the grain of most popular thought, even popular Christian thought.

First, we are told to entertain strangers (v. 2). Everyone knows you can’t trust strangers. The better ones just want cash to spend on booze; the worst are planning to kill you. Then, we are to care for persecuted Christians (v. 3). Everyone knows only the radical edge of Christianity is put in prison.

Polls show that a large percentage of American Christians’ attitudes toward sex before marriage, divorce, divorce and remarriage, and pornography are not much different than that of the world (v. 4). If a preacher knows one thing he should never preach on, it is concerning how one handles his/her finances (v. 5).

Twice the Hebrews writer instructs his readers to obey Christian leaders in our text (v. 7, 17). Definitely not cool. Everyone knows you can be a Christian without any accountability or responsibility to anyone or any group of believers. And, no, there is no need to evaluate our pastor’s salary. He ought to be glad he gets as much as he does.

Again, the Hebrews writer is out of touch for condemning our fascination with those urban legends that were forwarded to us by email and our idol worship of flashy TV and radio preachers (v. 9).

Of course, we love Jesus! But don’t expect us to witness, even to our closest friends (v. 13). Sure, we’re willing to give God thanks for the blessings we enjoy, but everyone knows it is because of our college education and hard work that we are where we are today (v. 15). Yes, we want to be better pray-ers, but we just don’t have time in our busy schedule for daily devotions (v. 18).

We all agree that holiness is important. We claim holiness of heart and life. Yet, we tend to balk when holiness is made practical.

Big Idea:Practical holiness is godly values at work.

Discussion: What have you found is the least favorite subject to be taught at your church? Why?

Discussion: Do the people react against the subject matter because of incorrect teaching or because they do not want to consider the implications of Scripture for their lives?

(Depending on the issue, I have found it can be either. Once I received a very negative, angry feedback to a message I had presented. After talking with this person, I realized this person was not reacting because this person disbelieved the truth I had preached, but this person had heard many incorrect teachings on this issue and was bound up in fear because of loved ones who were living in disobedience to this scripture. On the other hand, I have had people very upset when I have taken special offerings in quick succession (and if my discernment was valid, I think they also disliked it when I preached on money and sacrifice.) - My opinion: I think they had issues with total commitment to Christ.)

Discussion: The readers of this letter were Christians. Why was it necessary for them to be reminded of these practical applications of Scripture?

(Suggested answer: The holy life is counter-cultural.)

Discussion: Is scriptural Christianity truly counter-cultural?

Discussion: What are implications of having a value system and lifestyle that is counter-cultural? (Answers might include the following.)

• Popularity and a counter-cultural lifestyle usually are not compatible.
• Because of the inevitable immersion in culture, the commands of Scripture may seem ridiculous even to a Christian, unless his/her mind is being continually renewed by the Holy Spirit.

Discussion: What is the proper motivation of living counter-culturally?

(Suggested answer: We should not live different from the world just to be different. That does not earn us extra brownie points in Heaven. Rather, we should simply seek to align our lives with Christ without fear of what others think.)

Reflection: Of the areas pointed out by the Hebrews writer in chapter thirteen, what area am I least like Christ and most like the world? Or, is there another area of life that the Holy Spirit is addressing in my life? What changes is the Holy Spirit telling me I need to make? What can I do today to demonstrate a change in my life values?