August 21, 2011
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What do You Fear? Hebrews 13:1-8
A. Fellowship that is temporary--5 things to consider (1-5a)
Keep on loving each other as brothers. Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it. Remember those in prison as if you were their fellow prisoners, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering. Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral. Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have,(1-5a)
B Eternal fellowship
1) Our relationship with God (5b-6, Duteronomy31：6, Mark12:28-31, Matthew10: 28-31)
because God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you." So we say with confidence, "The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?" (5b-6)
One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, “Of all the commandments, which is the most important?” “The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.” (Mark12:28-31)
Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. (Matthew10:28-31)
2) Jesus Christ, the unchanging one (7-8, John16:33)
Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.(7-8)
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John16:33)
Summary
God created us as people who need to be in relationship. We cannot live alone without relating to the people and the environments around us. We experience growth as we interact with the good and the bad around us. We experience the most growth when we deepen our relationship with God. God does not give up on us even though we are truly flawed and have many problems. He provides everything we need, including strength to live and he is unchanging. Consequently, we do not need to fear opposition from anyone or fear when our temporary relationships end. Let us give all of our burdens to Jesus and step out once again.
For Discussion
1) What does the passage for today teach us about Jesus?
2) How about asking for prayer about our problems, and asking for help from friends without holding back?
A. Fellowship that is temporary--5 things to consider (1-5a)
Keep on loving each other as brothers. Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it. Remember those in prison as if you were their fellow prisoners, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering. Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral. Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have,(1-5a)
B Eternal fellowship
1) Our relationship with God (5b-6, Duteronomy31：6, Mark12:28-31, Matthew10: 28-31)
because God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you." So we say with confidence, "The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?" (5b-6)
One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, “Of all the commandments, which is the most important?” “The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.” (Mark12:28-31)
Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. (Matthew10:28-31)
2) Jesus Christ, the unchanging one (7-8, John16:33)
Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.(7-8)
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John16:33)
Summary
God created us as people who need to be in relationship. We cannot live alone without relating to the people and the environments around us. We experience growth as we interact with the good and the bad around us. We experience the most growth when we deepen our relationship with God. God does not give up on us even though we are truly flawed and have many problems. He provides everything we need, including strength to live and he is unchanging. Consequently, we do not need to fear opposition from anyone or fear when our temporary relationships end. Let us give all of our burdens to Jesus and step out once again.
For Discussion
1) What does the passage for today teach us about Jesus?
2) How about asking for prayer about our problems, and asking for help from friends without holding back?