Live in Love

Dale WellsPalm Desert Church of ChristNovember 19, 2006

Whom do you love?

Hebrews 13:1-3 NIV

Keep on loving each other as brothers. (2) Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it. (3) Remember those in prison as if you were their fellow prisoners, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering.

When we began our study, we noted that Hebrews ... Begins like an essay

Hebrews 1:1-2 NIV In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, (2) but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe.

When we began our study, we noted that Hebrews ... Begins like an essay Progresses like a sermon

Hebrews 2:1-3 NIV We must pay more careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away. (2) For if the message spoken by angels was binding, and every violation and disobedience received its just punishment, (3) how shall we escape if we ignore such a great salvation?

When we began our study, we noted that Hebrews ... Begins like an essay Progresses like a sermon Ends like a letter addressing relationships:

Each other Strangers Downtrodden Spouses Church leaders

The first relationships

Hebrews 13:1-3 NIV Keep on loving each other as brothers. (2) Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it. (3) Remember those in prison as if you were their fellow prisoners, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering.

He practices what he preaches …

Hebrews 10:24 NIV And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.

As Christians, toward whom should we manifest our love?

Toward all men, even enemies

Luke 6:32 NIV "If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even 'sinners' love those who love them.

Luke 6:35 NIV But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked.

Brotherly love

Hebrews 13:1 NIV

Keep on loving each other as brothers. A mark of true discipleship

John 13:35 NIV By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."

An indication of true spiritual life 1 John 3:14 NIV We know that we have passed

from death to life, because we love our brothers. Anyone who does not love remains in death.

The Hebrews had already demonstrated brotherly love In their ministry to God and the saints

Hebrews 6:10 NIV God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them.

The Hebrews had already demonstrated brotherly love In their ministry to God and the saints In their service to the downtrodden

Hebrews 10:32-34 NIV Remember those earlier days after you had received the light, when you stood your ground in a great contest in the face of suffering. (33) Sometimes you were publicly exposed to insult and persecution; at other times you stood side by side with those who were so treated. (34) You sympathized with those in prison and joyfully accepted the confiscation of your property, because you knew that you yourselves had better and lasting possessions.

The need for brotherly love never diminishes 1 Thessalonians 4:9-10 NIV (9) Now about brotherly

love we do not need to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love each other. (10) And in fact, you do love all the brothers throughout Macedonia. Yet we urge you, brothers, to do so more and more.

Philippians 1:9 NIV And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight,

2 Peter 1:7 NIV and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love.

Love of strangers

Hospitality

Hebrews 13:2 NIV Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it.

A play on words: Love as brothers – philadelphia Entertain strangers – philoxenia Phileo is love rooted in association:

Mutual love is rooted in our common faith – phileo We are to treat strangers the same as brothers

Hospitality – a duty in ancient society

Greeks and Romans regarded it as a duty approved by Zeus, the god of strangers

Egyptians considered it meritorious Bedouins saw it as an act of righteousness Jewish proverb: "Hospitality is one form of

worship" An important ministry in the early church

Christians were often displaced by persecution; public inns were scarce, costly, and dangerous

Hospitality – a Christian quality

3 John 1:5-8 NIV Dear friend, you are faithful in what you are doing for the brothers, even though they are strangers to you. (6) They have told the church about your love. You will do well to send them on their way in a manner worthy of God. (7) It was for the sake of the Name that they went out, receiving no help from the pagans. (8) We ought therefore to show hospitality to such men so that we may work together for the truth.

Hospitality – a quality of elders

1 Timothy 3:2 NIV Now the overseer must be above reproach, the husband of but one wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach,

Titus 1:8 NIV Rather he must be hospitable, one who loves what is good, who is self-controlled, upright, holy and disciplined.

Hospitality – a quality of godly women 1 Timothy 5:9-10 NIV No widow may be

put on the list of widows unless she is over sixty, has been faithful to her husband, (10) and is well known for her good deeds, such as bringing up children, showing hospitality, washing the feet of the saints, helping those in trouble and devoting herself to all kinds of good deeds.

Hospitality – a Christian quality

Romans 12:13 NIV Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality.

1 Peter 4:9 NIV Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling.

A reason to practice hospitality "for by so doing some have unwittingly

entertained angels."

The example of Abraham

Genesis 18:1-8 NIV The LORD appeared to Abraham near the great trees of Mamre while he was sitting at the entrance to his tent in the heat of the day. (2) Abraham looked up and saw three men standing nearby. When he saw them, he hurried from the entrance of his tent to meet them and bowed low to the ground. (3) He said, "If I have found favor in your eyes, my lord, do not pass your servant by. (4) Let a little water be brought, and then you may all wash your feet and rest under this tree.

The example of Abraham

(5) Let me get you something to eat, so you can be refreshed and then go on your way--now that you have come to your servant." "Very well," they answered, "do as you say." (6) So Abraham hurried into the tent to Sarah. "Quick," he said, "get three seahs of fine flour and knead it and bake some bread." (7) Then he ran to the herd and selected a choice, tender calf and gave it to a servant, who hurried to prepare it. (8) He then brought some curds and milk and the calf that had been prepared, and set these before them. While they ate, he stood near them under a tree.

The example of Lot

Genesis 19:1-3 NIV The two angels arrived at Sodom in the evening, and Lot was sitting in the gateway of the city. When he saw them, he got up to meet them and bowed down with his face to the ground. (2) "My lords," he said, "please turn aside to your servant's house. You can wash your feet and spend the night and then go on your way early in the morning." "No," they answered, "we will spend the night in the square." (3) But he insisted so strongly that they did go with him and entered his house. He prepared a meal for them, baking bread without yeast, and they ate.

Not that we expect literal angels to come our way Though some we entertain may be

"messengers" – angelos "You never know what hospitality might

bring" (Lightfoot) We receive unexpected good from guests There is the "blessedness" of giving

Acts 20:35 NIV In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'"

Love of the oppressed

Toward prisoners & the persecuted Hebrews 13:3 NIV Remember those in

prison as if you were their fellow prisoners, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering.

Not a text for prison ministries – though they are worthwhile

Not jailhouse conversions on the eve of parole hearing

I know of one prisoner Baptized while serving 16

life sentences for murder Never wanted – or

expected to be released Considered release too big

a danger to himself & the public

Killed by fellow-inmates Would you expect to see

such a man in heaven?

When we get to heaven …

We’ll see some people we don’t expect to see …

We won’t see some people we do expect to see …

There will be people who are surprised to see us …

Christians were often persecuted and imprisoned for their faith

Before his conversion, Paul led the assault Acts 8:3 NIV But Saul began to destroy the church.

Going from house to house, he dragged off men and women and put them in prison.

Acts 26:9-11 NIV "I too was convinced that I ought to do all that was possible to oppose the name of Jesus of Nazareth. (10) And that is just what I did in Jerusalem. On the authority of the chief priests I put many of the saints in prison, and when they were put to death, I cast my vote against them. (11) Many a time I went from one synagogue to another to have them punished, and I tried to force them to blaspheme. In my obsession against them, I even went to foreign cities to persecute them.

Later, he was a prisoner

Philippians 1:12-18 NIV (12) Now I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel. (13) As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. (14) Because of my chains, most of the brothers in the Lord have been encouraged to speak the word of God more courageously and fearlessly. (15) It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill.

Later, he was a prisoner

(16) The latter do so in love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. (17) The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains. (18) But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice. Yes, and I will continue to rejoice,

Colossians 4:18 NIV … Remember my chains. Grace be with you.

The Hebrews had already shown love toward prisoners Hebrews 10:32-34 NIV Remember those earlier

days after you had received the light, when you stood your ground in a great contest in the face of suffering. (33) Sometimes you were publicly exposed to insult and persecution; at other times you stood side by side with those who were so treated. (34) You sympathized with those in prison and joyfully accepted the confiscation of your property, because you knew that you yourselves had better and lasting possessions.

An act of devotion to Christ

Matthew 25:35-40 NIV For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, (36) I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.'

An act of devotion to Christ

(37) "Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? (38) When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? (39) When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?' (40) "The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.’ Matthew 25:35-40 NIV

Aristides (2nd Century Athenian) defended Christians to Hadrian

XV … they love one another … And when they see a stranger, they take him in to their homes and rejoice over him as a very brother … And if they hear that one of their number is imprisoned or afflicted on account of the name of their Messiah, all of them anxiously minister to his necessity, and if it is possible to redeem him they set him free. And if there is among them any that is poor and needy, and if they have no spare food, they fast two or three days in order to supply to the needy their lack of food. …

As we draw near to God, we draw near to one another when we show love

Toward fellow-Christians Hebrews 13:1 NIV Keep on loving each other as

brothers.

As we draw near to God, we draw near to one another when we show love

Toward fellow-Christians Toward strangers

Hebrews 13:2 NIV Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it.

As we draw near to God, we draw near to one another when we show love

Toward fellow-Christians Toward strangers Toward prisoners and the persecuted

Hebrews 13:3 NIV Remember those in prison as if you were their fellow prisoners, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering.

As we draw near to God, we draw near to one another when we show love

Toward fellow-Christians Toward strangers Toward prisoners and the persecuted The bottom line is …

Hebrews 13:1 NIV Keep on loving each other as brothers.