Hebrews 13:1-25
Sunday School Lesson #2
8/17/2013
Applied Christianity
Lesson Objectives 1. To Observe the many instructions the writer has for us 2. To Obtain a greater love for God’s words and warnings 3. To Obey the teachings of God’s Word
Key Verse Hebrews13:5
“Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee”.
Introduction
Last week we looked at Chapter 12. The objectives from our text were to endure testing as a means of growing closer to God; to enjoy the “peaceable fruits of righteousness” after chastening, and to endeavor or strive to learn valid lessons from our chastening.
No matter what we face in life and no matter how weathered and battered we may feel at times, we are to learn, recognize, and continue to march, Paul writes in Philippians 3:14” I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.”

This week in chapter 13, the Hebrews having figured out that they have just been chastened for disobedience, have looked upward for the answers, are now dusting themselves off and learning what to do next.
Read verses 1.
13:1 “Let brotherly love continue.” * Verse one begins the “To Do” list for the Hebrews and applies to us as well. No matter what we are going through we are to continue to love one another. Not always an easy task to perform. * Keeping in context, the Hebrew Christians were struggling with reverting back to the Jewish religious rituals. Some of them were wavering and teetering, while some were in a constant battle with the Jewish priestly leaders. What is applicable for us is that we are often faced with the same trials. * How often are we faced with conflict with other Christians? * Disputes among Christians often produces a decay of spiritual affection. * This occurs inside and outside the church. * Why is it so hard for us to love one another? Why do we throw love out the window and spend our energy and time tearing down those that are hurting, suffering, and going through the same struggles we have gone or are going through? * Galations 5:22,23 “22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.” * A small part of that answer can be found in last week’s teachings from chapter 12. Bitterness, Hebrews 12:11-15 “Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby. Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees; and make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed. Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord: Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;”

* I believe we forget about how we are supposed to act when we are going through the valleys of life. We become so consumed with ourselves that we forget about how others feel, what they might be going through, and we begin to judge them for their actions.

* What we should be doing is looking inside and ensuring that our own hearts are right. Bitterness, strife, anger, frustration, gossip, all of these emotions are a normal part of life. In fact, without these emotions we would not have any need for the verses we have been reading in the last two chapters.

* What separates us from the worldly crowd is what we do with these emotions. We are to continue to love others, no matter what is going on in their lives.

* Read verses 2,3

* “Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares. Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; and them which