AND NOW THE PRACTICAL
APPLICATION…
Introduction:
S.
I. McMillen, in his book “None of These Diseases,” tells a story of a young
woman who wanted to go to college, but her heart sank when she read the
question on the application blank that asked, “Are you a leader?” Being both
honest and conscientious, she wrote, “No,” and returned the application,
expecting the worst.
To her surprise, she received this letter from the
college: “Dear Applicant: A study of the application forms reveals that this
year our college will have 1,452 new leaders. We are accepting you because we
feel they must have at least one follower.” Is it not the same with us?
We all want to be great leaders without wishing to be
a follower of a great leader. The disciples of Jesus Christ were also tempted
in the same way. Remember, during the last supper, they argued among themselves
about who would be greatest among them. To their utter surprise, Jesus said, “But
among you, it will be different those who are the greatest among you should
take the lowest rank, and the leader should be like a servant.” Luke 22:26
Jesus is not looking for great leaders but devout followers,
who would apply his teachings and follow Him humbly, without seeking
recognition. For the past several weeks, we have been unpacking the greater and
better themes from the book of Hebrews.
Only knowing the truths doesn’t make us great or
unique. Living by them affirms our birthright as God’s sons and daughters and
make us His credible witnesses in this world. We concluded chapter twelve with
the promise of God’s Unshakable Kingdom. After the service, I saw several
emojis of hearts, likes, and joyful symbols on the Livestream comments section.
Some said they were challenged, and others proclaimed
that they are the citizens of the Kingdom. But that is not enough. Let us not
settle there now comes the Practical Application. In the concluding chapter
thirteen, the author focuses on some of the essential practical ethics of
Christian living. This morning we will explore two such practical applications.
Hebrews 13:1-3.
I.
EXCELLING IN BROTHERLY LOVE
Vs. 1 “Keep on loving each other as brothers and
sisters.” In ESV, it reads, “Let brotherly love continue.” We have heard an old
saying, “Charity begins at home.” It is not from the Bible. The first use of
the phrase “Charity begins at home” in print is found in Thomas Browne’s 1642
book “The Religion of a Doctor.”[1] There is some truth in it.
Though charity begins at home, it must not end there; it needs to go out of our
families and impact the rest of the world.
In verse one, the author unfolds the practical
implications of being a Kingdom citizen. The Greek word Philadelphia
here is translated as brotherly love. It is the love of Christians one to
another in everyday spiritual life. He urges them to keep loving each other as
brothers and sisters, referring to their immediate family of believers. But
that should not end there.
Similarly, our love for people should extend beyond
Hope Church family to Christians worldwide, people who are unbelievers, and
even to our enemies. How did the early Christians understand and practice brotherly
love? They saw it not as a suggestion but a new command.
John 13:34, “So now I am giving you a new commandment:
Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other.” How did
Jesus love them? He laid his life for them, and he loved them till the end. How
are we obeying Jesus’ new command?
The early church practically demonstrated their love
by caring for one another. Acts 2:44-45 “And all the believers met together in
one place and shared everything they had. They sold their property and
possessions and shared the money with those in need.”
Romans 12:10-11, “Love each other with genuine
affection, and take delight in honoring each other. Never be lazy, but work
hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically (let the spirit excite you as you
serve the Lord).” How excited are you when it comes to serving God and His
people? The believers in
Thessalonica took this command of loving one another earnestly. The Apostle
Paul further encouraged them to excel in their love for one another. I Thess
4:9-10, “But we don’t need to write to you about the importance of loving each
other, for God himself has taught you to love one another. Indeed, you already
show your love for all the believers throughout Macedonia. Even so, dear
brothers and sisters, we urge you to love them even more.”
I believe, to some extent, this is true for Hope Church
members. I often hear our members say how we reach out to sick people and those
struggling with finances or facing other challenging situations. We not only
pray but care for them practically, to show how much we love them. That is
obeying the command of Jesus to love one another. Let’s excel in it more.
II
BE HOSPITABLE TO STRANGERS
Vs. 2, “Don’t forget to show hospitality to strangers,
for some who have done this have entertained angels without realizing it! In
NASB and ESV, it reads, “Do not neglect.” If verse one comes as a commendation
and encouragement, verse two comes as a reminder and rebuke. It appears that an
ancient practice of hospitality was either forgotten or neglected by the
audience.
We will look at the words Hospitality and Strangers
and their implications for us. Hospitality can be defined as “the
quality or disposition of receiving and treating guests and strangers in a
warm, friendly, generous way.” It was one of the virtues of the righteous in the
OT.
For instance, while complaining about his sickness,
Job remembers his integrity of how hospitality to strangers. Job 29:16, “I was
a father to the poor and assisted strangers who needed help.” “I have never
turned away a stranger but have opened my doors to everyone.” Job 31:32
God commanded Israelites to be kind and treat
strangers (foreigners) with fairness. Lev19:31-34, “Do not take advantage of
foreigners who live among you in your land. Treat them like native-born
Israelites and love them as you love yourself.
Remember that you were once foreigners living in the
land of Egypt. I am the Lord your God.” In ancient times, travelers did not
have access to McDonald's, Starbucks, and rest areas. They relied on the
hospitality of the people living in the towns, and many were kind to them.
In the New Testament, the Greek word translated
“hospitality” literally means “love of strangers.” During their public
ministry, Jesus and his disciples entirely dependent on others Hospitality as
they traveled from town to town, such as the Hospitality of Martha and Mary in
Bethany. Likewise, the early Christians also received hospitality from others.
Acts 28:7
The author reminds us in Vs. 2, “Don’t forget to show hospitality
to strangers, for some who have done this have entertained angels without
realizing it, perhaps referring to Abraham, Lot, Gideon, and Manoah, who showed
hospitality to strangers. (Gen:18,19 Judges: 6, 13)
Why does it matter for Kingdom Christians to be
hospitable to strangers? “The word stranger generally denotes a person from a foreign
land residing in Palestine. Such persons enjoyed many privileges in common with
the Jews but still were separate from them.”[2] Who could be these strangers are for us
living in the USA today?
These are the immigrants that live among us. These are
our friends, colleagues, and neighbors who may not speak the same language and
share the same religious or political ideals as we are. Are we being hospitable
towards them by sharing our resources with them?
In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus discusses the
hospitable behavior of the Kingdom citizens. Matthew 24:34-36, “Then the King
will say ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared
for you from the creation of the world. For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was
thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into
your home. I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for
me.”
We don’t think much about entertaining strangers; we
are often suspicious or afraid of them. But hospitality is still an essential
part of Christian ministry. Romans 12:13, “When God’s people are in need, be
ready to help them. Always be eager to practice (pursue) hospitality.”
The Apostle Peter gives instructions to the end-time
Christians on how to live their lives. I Peter 4:7-9, “The end of the world is
coming soon. Therefore, be earnest and disciplined in your prayers. Most
important of all, continue to show deep love for each other, for love covers a
multitude of sins. Cheerfully share your home with those who need a meal or a
place to stay.” I am aware during this
Pandemic applying this scripture may not be practical. However, we can still
seek other ways to pursue hospitality. Would you join me in dreaming about how
Hope Church is hospitable to immigrants and neighbors from different religious,
ethnic, cultural, political, and economic backgrounds? By serving others, we
serve Christ. Matt 25:40.
It is not necessarily through our preaching by which
people in Sharon and neighboring communities will come to know that we are
Jesus’ disciples, but through our love for one another and hospitality to
strangers. Let us excel in brotherly love and pursue hospitality. Amen!
