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Psalms
146:1-10 Praise the
LORD! Praise the LORD, O my soul! While I live I will praise the LORD; I will
sing praises to my God while I have my being. Do not put your trust in princes,
Nor in a son of man, in whom there is no help. His spirit departs,
he returns to his earth; In that very day his plans perish. Happy is he who has the God of Jacob for his help, Whose hope is in the LORD his God, Who made
heaven and earth, The sea, and all that is
in them; Who keeps truth forever, Who executes justice for the oppressed, Who
gives food to the hungry. The LORD gives freedom to the prisoners. The LORD
opens the eyes of the blind;
The LORD raises those who are bowed down; The LORD loves the righteous. The
LORD watches over the strangers; He relieves the fatherless and widow; But the
way of the wicked He turns upside down. The LORD shall reign forever— Your God,
O Zion, to all generations. Praise the LORD!
Father God bless us and guide each day as we pass through
this time on earth. Open our minds and hearts to your truth and reveal your
mysteries to us. Give us the courage to turn our backs on the false teachings
of religion, traditions, and what we were raise up in and start living our
lives base on Your Word, Jesus Christ. In Jesus name we pray, Amen!
Book of Hebrews 13:1-6 NKJV
This
chapter starts out with some instructions from Paul to us and the Hebrew
Church. These instructions are some we all know very well but sometimes we
stumble in living them. Paul also talks about Jesus, ministers, altars, and
concludes with prayer and farewell which we will not get to in this lesson.
Verses
1-5 are instructions from Paul, but he is echoing the commands of God and
Jesus. The basis of all the Ten Commandments is LOVE. We are to love God our
Father with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength. Mark
12:30 A saved
individual will love God above the things of the world, they will place God
first in their lives and turn their back on worshipping other persons, places,
things, animals, those in the heavens, in the earth, or under the sea. Once
saved they will realize there is only one God, and it is this love that is
magnified in the life of the new born Christian that enables them to have
brotherly love, the second greatest commandment of Jesus. If a person has love
the rest of the Commandments of God will fall into place in the lives of a
believer.
1 Let
brotherly love continue.
Love one another, the
second greatest commandment from Jesus Christ. It is in the Gospels and we are
commanded to love each other. Not to show favoritism, or shun people, or hold
grudges, or look down on the less fortunate, or look down at those that are
rich or in control, but to love them. Treat all people the same as Jesus did.
He ate with tax collectors and spoke to a Samaritan woman, which was forbidden
in the Pharisee’s eyes. Jesus showed no partiality when He performed miracles
for people. Not only is the command in the Gospels, but it is also in the
epistles. Romans 12:10 Be
kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving
preference to one another; 1 Thessalonians 4:9
But concerning brotherly love you have no need that I should write to you, for
you yourselves are taught by God to love one another; 1
Peter 1:22 Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth
through the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently
with a pure heart, 2 Peter 1:7 to godliness
brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love. When a person is saved the Holy Spirit
fills the heart of the believer with brotherly love. Romans 5:5 Now hope
does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts
by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.
2 Do not
forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing
some have without knowing entertained angels.
Do not forget to entertain strangers; This is simply saying that we are to
be hospitable toward strangers. Do you think strangers of Biblical times or any
era, are different than the strangers of our times? Hmmm, that is something to
think about. We never used to lock our doors at night but now we do. Does being
hospitable mean leaving doors unlocked? I don’t think so, especially the way
things are presently in the world. We are to trust in the Lord for all things,
but Jesus also told His Apostles to go sell a garment and buy a sword, which is
a whole different topic, so we need to use discretion concerning situations. Luke 22:36 Then He said to them, "But
now, he who has a money bag, let him take it, and likewise a knapsack; and he who has no sword, let him
sell his garment and buy one.
I think being hospitable
are things like being friendly to people you meet on the street, in a store, or
at a social gathering. Helping those in need, like opening up your house to
someone stranded in a snow storm, helping at a community function, opening up
your home to a visiting missionary, etc. Being hospitable covers a multitude of
things and it is out of love, that being hospitable is possible without
partiality.
For
by so doing some have without
knowing entertained angels; What
Paul is saying here is that by being hospitable it is possible to entertain
angels from Heaven. Three Old Testament people "entertained angels without
realizing it": Abraham Genesis 18:1, Gideon Judges
6:11, and Manoah Judges
13:2,3. We never know
how or what God may do in our lives because all things are possible with God.
3 Remember
the prisoners as if chained with them—those who are mistreated—since you
yourselves are in the body also.
Remember
the prisoners as if chained with them;
Here again that virtue of love Paul is drawing from. The love that is instilled
in the heart of a true believer, Paul is telling them and us to envision
ourselves in chains right alongside of imprisoned brethren.
We are to have empathy for
those in prison. Especially for Christians imprisoned for their faith. Jesus
said that his true followers would represent him as they visit those in prison; Matthew 25:36.
Those
who are mistreated; Paul
is also talking about those that aren’t in prison, but are mistreated by means
of persecution. Out of brotherly love, as followers of Christ we are to help
these individuals, not just in thought and pray, but if the occasion arises by
means of hospitality referring back to verse 2.
Since
you yourselves are in the body also; This
phrase tells us Paul is talking to believers, Born Again Christians. He isn’t
just addressing the Hebrew believers, but all believers including today’s Born
Again believers.
4 Marriage is honorable among all, and the bed
undefiled; but fornicators and adulterers God will judge.
Marriage
is honorable among all; Paul states here that marriage is
honorable among all; meaning one woman and one man in all denominations and at
all levels of a denomination. Paul also states in first Corinthians about
celibacy that if one can be celibate, it is a good thing, but not a command
from God. 1 Corinthians 7:6-9 But I say this as a concession, not as a
commandment. 7
For I wish that all men were even as I myself. But each one has his own gift
from God, one in this manner and another in that. 8 But I say
to the unmarried and to the widows: It is good for them if they remain even as
I am; 9 but if they cannot exercise
self-control, let them marry. For it is better to marry than to burn with passion.
Jesus also talks about
celibacy in Matthew when He stated this: Matthew 19:12 For there are eunuchs who were born thus from their mother's womb, and there are
eunuchs who were made eunuchs by men, and there are eunuchs who have made
themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven's sake. He who is able to accept it,
let him accept it.”
Albert Barnes has this to
say: The object here is to state that “honor” is to be shown to the marriage
relation. It is not to be undervalued by the pretence of the superior purity of
a state of celibacy, as if marriage were improper for any class of people or
any condition of life; and it should not be dishonored by any violation of the
marriage contract. The course of things has shown that there was abundant
reason for the apostle to assert with emphasis, that “marriage was an honorable
condition of life.” There has been a constant effort made to show that celibacy
is a more holy state; that there was something in marriage that rendered it
“dishonorable” for those who are in the ministry, and for those of either sex
who would be eminently pure. This sentiment has been the cause of more abomination
in the world than any other single opinion claiming to have a religious
sanction. It is one of the supports on which the Papal system rests, and has
been one of the principal upholders of all the corruptions in monasteries and
nunneries. The apostle asserts, without any restriction or qualification, that
marriage is honorable in all; and this proves that it is lawful for the
ministers of religion to marry, and that the whole doctrine of the superior
purity of a state of celibacy is false.
And
the bed undefiled; Fidelity
to the marriage vow.
But
fornicators and adulterers God will judge; All licentiousness of life, and all violations of the
marriage covenant, will be severely punished by God. The sins here referred to,
prevailed everywhere then and now, and many places in the Bible it was preached
to avoid them. 1
Corinthians 6:9 Do you not
know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be
deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor
sodomites,…
So here again we see that if
we abide by the 2 greatest commandments of God (Love) then marriage will be
honorable in all aspects.
5 Let your
conduct be without
covetousness; be content with
such things as you have. For He Himself has said, "I WILL NEVER LEAVE YOU
NOR FORSAKE YOU."
Let
your conduct be without
covetousness; Conduct
is referring to our lifestyles. So our lifestyle should be one of not wanting.
Covetousness can be defined as idolatry because of being focused on the world
and desiring the things of the world. Colossians 3:5-6 Therefore
put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness,
passion, evil desire, and covetousness,
which is idolatry. 6 Because of these things the wrath of God is coming
upon the sons of disobedience.
Be content with such things as you have;
Paul tells us we are
to be content with what we have and what God has provided for us. We are to be
Christ-Dependant, therefore focused on Heavenly things.
How can we learn to be
satisfied with what we have? Strive to live with less rather than desiring more?
Give out of our abundance rather than accumulating more? Relish what we have
rather than resent what we are missing? Christians who become materialistic are
saying by their actions that God can't take care of them, or He won't take
care of them the way they want.
Insecurity can lead to the love of money, whether rich or poor. The only
antidote is to repent of the lifestyle one is caught up in and allow Jesus to
come into their heart to meet all their needs. They need to see God's love
expressed in what he has provided, and remember that money and possessions will
all pass away. Once repentance happens then the love for God kicks in and then
there will not be any covetousness because of love. So again Love is the
answer. 1 John 4:19 We love Him because He first loved us.
For
He Himself has said, "I WILL NEVER LEAVE YOU NOR FORSAKE YOU.";
Paul is quoting God
Himself here. If we place our Faith in Jesus and His death and resurrection,
then God will always be at our side with each step of our life. We can overcome
anything with the help of Jesus. These things that Paul is warning his Hebrew
brethren about was a major concern of his, but he is assuring them to stay
faithful, be courageous, stand tall and put on the armour of God to fight off
the temptation and the things they were doing, or judgment would come upon them
Ephesians 6:10-24.
Ephesians 6:10-13 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and
in the power of His might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be
able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
12 For we do not wrestle against flesh
and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of
the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you
may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
Deuteronomy
31:6 Be strong and of good courage,
do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the LORD your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will
not leave you nor forsake you." Joshua 1:5
No man shall be able to stand
before you all the days of your life; as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not
leave you nor forsake you. 1 Chronicles 28:20
And David said to his son Solomon, "Be strong and of good courage, and do it; do not fear nor be dismayed, for
the LORD God—my God—will be
with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you, until you have finished all
the work for the service of the house of the LORD.
6 So we may
boldly say: "THE LORD IS MY HELPER; I WILL NOT FEAR. WHAT CAN MAN DO TO
ME?"
So we may boldly say; In times of perplexity and threatening
need; in all times when we scarcely know where the supplies for our necessities
will come from, we may put our trust in God, and be assured that he will not
leave us to suffer.
Have
you ever been troubled with how to pay the bills or worry about having enough
money to buy groceries, but in the end God provides what you need. Have you
ever had money show up and just the right amount for the things you need? When
things like this happen it isn’t by chance of luck, it is God moving in your
life and He is providing for you.
THE LORD IS MY HELPER;
I WILL NOT FEAR. WHAT CAN MAN DO TO ME?; This phrase comes from Psalm 27:1 and Psalm 118:6. The apostle does not cite this as a
quotation, but language a true Christian may employ. The sentiment is beautiful
and full of consolation. What can we fear if we have the assurance that the
Lord is on our side, and that he will help us? Man can do no more to us than what
he permits or no more than what will be for our own good. Whatever trials we
may be placed under, we need not have any fearful apprehensions, for God will
be our protector and our friend. Psalms
27:1 The LORD is my light and my salvation; Whom
shall I fear? The LORD is the
strength of my life; Of whom shall I be afraid? Psalms
118:6 The LORD is on my
side; I will not fear. What can man do to me?
Colossians 1:16 For by Him all things were created
that are in heaven and that are on earth,
visible and invisible,
whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers.
All
things were created through Him and for Him.
Romans 3:23 for all have sinned and fall short of
the glory of God,
Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our
Lord.
John 3:3 Jesus answered and said to him, Most assuredly, I say to you,
unless one is born again, he
cannot see the kingdom of God."
Bill
Wiesbrock https://www.facebook.com/bill.wiesbrock?ref=tn_tnmn
The
Lighthouse Full Gospel Church
Sinners Prayer;
Pray this, and if you believe it with your heart, Jesus will save you!
“Lord
Jesus I know I am a sinner. I confess my
sins to you; I am sorry for my sins; I repent (Meaning, desiring to turn from a
sinful lifestyle.) of all my sins, and I am asking for your forgiveness of all of
my sins. I believe that only you can
forgive sin. I commit my life to you and
ask you to come into my heart, direct, and take charge of my life. I believe that you died to set me free from
my sinful lifestyle and you rose from the dead to give me eternal life, and
right now you are seated at the Right Hand of God Almighty. I believe you are
the Son of God; the only Way, the only Truth, the only Life, and my
Savior.” I believe this and have faith
you will make a new person out of me, by sending the Holy Spirit to dwell in my
heart and lead me in a new life. In Jesus name I pray Amen.” (John 3:16,17;
Romans 3:23; 6:23; 5:8; 10:9-13; Ephesians 2:8-10; 1
John 5:11-14; 1:6-10) (Sin: Rom.
1:22-32; Gal. 5:19-21; Eph. 5:3-7)
