Kingdom Wisdom

Hebrews: An Anchor for Our Soul

Hebrews 13:7-16

 

This section of Hebrews has some final words of loving application.  This chapter is a natural way to close a letter filled with teaching and warnings.  The author touches on the kinds of behavior that should be the supernatural outflow of understanding what he’s said in chapters 1-12.  These verses are the last order of business between a leader and his followers.  It was just what they needed then and it’s what we need now.  

 

1. (v. 7)

 

“Burn eternity into my eyeballs. Help me to see all of this life through the perspective of eternity.” ​​​​​    –Joe Bayly

 

2 Timothy 3

 

True discipleship isn’t about imparting information but watching and imitating the way someone .  

 

2. (v. 8)

 

Psalm 102:27

 

Malachi 3:6

 

Isaiah 46:4

 

Isaiah 48:12

 

Never build your life on any servant of God.  Build your life .  

 

YESTERDAY – Jesus “offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears to the one who could save him from death.” (Hebrews 5:7)

 

TODAY – He is a high priest before the Father who can sympathize with our weakness because He “has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin.” (Hebrews 4:15)

 

And . . .

 

FOREVER – this same Jesus “always lives to intercede” for you. (Hebrews 7:25)

 

3. (v. 9)

 

Ephesians 4:11-14

 

People maybe thought the laws were spiritual, but they were only shadows of the reality

 

See Colossians 2:16-23 (Read carefully!)

 

2 Corinthians 11:13, 14

 

1 Timothy 4:6

 

The main message of Hebrews:  the New Covenant that came through Jesus’ blood is far superior to the Old Covenant.

 

Grace means that God is for us.  It means he loves us so much is that He gives us what we  

 

“God’s grace and forgiveness, while free to the recipient, are always costly for the forgiver.  From the earliest parts of the Bible, it was understood that God could not forgive without sacrifice.  No one who is seriously wronged can “just forgive” the perpetrator.”  ​​​​    –Tim Keller  

 

4. “Go Outside the Camp” (vv. 10-14) 

 

Numbers 5, 15

 

Hebrews 9:11-14 and 24-28

 

Hebrews 10:1-4

 

“The place that was formerly sacred [Jerusalem] was now unhallowed, because Jesus had been expelled from it, and what was formerly unhallowed [the place of crucifixion], is sacred, because Jesus is there.”

– FF Bruce

 

The word ‘disgrace’ in verse 13 is used of Moses in Hebrews11:26

 

I’d rather be disgraced with Jesus outside the city – where no one really wants to be, than “in the city” (with the in crowd)

 

5. (vv. 15-16)

 

What is true worship?

 

Psalm 7:17 ​​​​​Romans 12:1

Psalm 43:5 ​​​​​James 1:27

Psalm 108:3 ​​​​​1 John 3:17, 18

1 Thessalonians 5:18 ​​​​1 John 4:20

 

Mark 14:6

Daily Meditations

 

Memory verse: “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” ​​​​​​          Hebrews 13:8

 

Monday

Read Hebrews 13:1-16.  Verse 7 calls Christians to “remember” their leaders. How might we apply this command today?

 

 

What other instructions in this passage help us to apply the command to remember?

 

 

Who are some of the Hebrews 13:7 leaders in your life? How have they set an example for you in their faith and in their conduct?

 

 

How are you conducting your own life so that others can learn from you?

 

 

Tuesday

Read Hebrews 13:1-16.  What does it mean that Christ is unchanging?

How does his unchanging nature relate to our relationship with him?

 

 

How does this encourage you to go outside the camp with Jesus, even if that means suffering for his sake?

Wednesday

Read Hebrews 13:1-16.  With what various strange teachings does culture confront you?

 

 

Do you ever feel tempted to entertain these teachings at all? Why or why not?

 

 

How do these teachings differ from the one true and unchanging faith and message of Jesus?

 

 

Thursday

Read Hebrews 13:1-16.  How do verses 10-14 reiterate the main theme of the letter?

 

Why don’t those who serve at the old altar have any right to eat at the new altar? What does this say about the old covenant now that the new covenant has come?

 

 

What role does going outside the camp with Jesus play in our discipleship and Christian witness?

 

 

Friday

Read Hebrews 13:1-16. What does the author have in mind when he urges his readers to offer a sacrifice of praise?

 

 

What does it look like for us to obey this instruction practically? What does the fruit of our lips have to do with this sacrifice of praise?  

 

 

Saturday

Read Hebrews 13:1-16.  How might you meet the material needs of someone in your church?

 

 

Why should local churches be marked by a gospel-driven desire to share and meet the needs of our brothers and sisters?

 

In what other places in Scripture do you see this idea practiced and commanded?