Hebrews 13 1 6 Hebrews Series 33 b

Hebrews 13: 1 -6 Hebrews Series #33 b February 12, 2012 THE HORIZONTAL PERSPECTIVE PART 2

*We are responsible not only to think right, but to Live Right. We have been climbing the Vertical ladder of Biblical instruction and doctrine (chapters 112). In order to keep our balance on that ladder… We must not forget the horizontal perspective. Let us live right with the perspective of…

(These have been called “our sanctifying social duties. ”) Harmony Hebrews 13: 1 Hospitality Hebrews 13: 2 Helpfulness Hebrews 13: 3 What are the 2 remaining perspective?

IV. Holiness (13: 4) Explanation The Command �Is it a declaration? �“Marriage is honorable. ” �OR is it an imperative? �“Let marriage be honorable. ” �*In any case, the verb is supplied by the translators. �In the context of 4 other imperatives, this statement should be understood as a no-options allowed command to hold marriage up as honorable.

The ascetic thinker held marriage as low or defiling. �But consider “honorable”- ____- of great price! Especially dear! �Reasons for marriage �Procreation (Gen. 1: 28) �Prevention (I Cor. 7: 2) �Partnership (Gen. 2: 18) The thought of that culture was that chastity was an unreasonable demand to make. �One commentator writes, “It was an unrecorded miracle that Christians were not only able to make this demand- but make it stick!”

Application We are to hold marriage high. Marriage is the ONLY honorable avenue of the God-given gift of sex. Think about it. �This is positive – not negative! �And it is possible. �Unless we bow to our culture and our old nature.

The Corruption “but whoremongers and adulterers…” �Ever since the day that sin first was inserted as an alternative to God’s beautiful creation, the home and the marriage bed have been under attack. �Whoremongers �pornos- it is that all-inclusive word for any sexual immorality- therefore includes premarital immorality. Also translated “fornicators” �Adulterers �Violators of the marriage bond- after the consummation of the marriage. These are unpopular names- but they are given by God! �How about something a little more acceptable like… �Animal passions �Free love �Doing what comes naturally. These are sins of the flesh and the heart.

The Condemnation “God will judge” Sexual sinners will go their ways- their selfish ways, careless of others, perhaps escaping detection here on earth. But in the end, they will be judged by none less than GOD! In the Greek- qeoj appears last for emphasis! We must persuade men by preaching the truth of God’s Word is true!

Is God’s Word True? Really? There are scores of sexually transmitted diseases known today. Millions of people including teens get STD’s. Several diseases have been caught in 1 act of sex. Huge numbers of women will have C-section births because of the danger of these diseases in the birth canal. No cure for viruses- Herpes, AIDS, common cold. The natural immune system is the only hope, but herpes and AIDS destroy this system. Ghonoria of the throat is rapidly growing in commonness. Marriage is on the rocks. Alternative lifestyles rot our culture. Divorce “kills” kids.

Where are we at as a church, Christian school, and home? If you are a N. T. biblical church, you will probably have issues with sex in the church and in your Christian school. Why? Because of evangelism , church growth and “healthy” old natures! New people are being reached and need to be taught and changed by the Holy Spirit. Nominal Christians are weak and sickly. If we don’t affect them- they’ll infect us. We must train people in PURITY. Personal purity leads to: Biblical Evangelism – a concern for the lost Intense Prayer – real prayer (not “God bless Lassie and …”) Hunger for Biblical preaching and teaching Wholesome fellowship Holiness in standards (dress, schedules, entertainment, electronics) Common sense-ical parenting.

Almost any subject relates to this one. Let’s hold the standard high. Become Morally Militant. Proverbs 5 teaches that those who fall are often bankrupt at home. Their relationships have deteriorated. They don’t do things like they used to. �*No time for each other. �*No money for each other. �*No words or touches. �*No surprises- no care, concern. Heartbreak of Judgment- extramarital pregnancies, rapes, diseases, broken homes, psychological and physical breakdowns, deviate life styles, murder, eternity apart from God in a place called hell. Biblical Marriage is honorable!

V. Happiness (13: 5, 6) Explanation Contentedness �LINK between purity and contentedness. (I Cor. 5: 10, 11; Eph. 4: 19; 5: 3 -5; I Thess. 4: 3 -6) �”Let your manner of life be without covetousness” �a philarguros- “not fond of silver” �”Be content with such things as ye have. ” �Find contentment- not in a hoped-for wealth, but with things at hand. �Be satisfied. Satisfaction- as with any other attitude in our Christian life is dependent on the Holy Spirit; independent of outward circumstances. �”For He hath said, ‘I will never leave thee nor forsake thee’. ” �The reliability of God demands reliance on Him. �God is the answer to our needs. �Grammar- Simply spoken�NO NO- leave (unbind) �NO NO NO- forsake (abandon) �Are you up- I’ll keep you up. I won’t cease to sustain you- Reinforcement. �Are you down, I won’t leave you down- Rescue.

Confidence (vs. 6) �So that we may boldly say- Courage! (Ps. 118: 6) �In the Greek 1 st word “GOD”- last word “MAN” �“The Lord is my helper. ” �The Influence of God- His Assistance �”I will not fear” �The Inappropriateness of Fear- It’s Absence �”What man shall do unto me. ” �The Insignificance of Man- His Amateurism

One final time… Harmony Hospitality Helpfulness Holiness Happiness Commands? Yes – Therefore, our responsibilities!