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Hebrews Chapter Thirteen

 
Exhortations To Manifest Love (13:1-3)
 
INTRODUCTION
 
1. When we began our study, we noted that "The Epistle To The 
 Hebrews"...
 a Began like an "essay" - cf. He 1:1-2
 b. Progressed like a "sermon" - cf. He 2:1-4
 c. Ended like a "letter"
 -- With the final chapter, we see the tone of the epistle taking on
 the characteristics of a personal correspondence
 
2. As with many epistles in the New Testament, this letter ends with
 various exhortations...
 a. The first regarding the objects of their love - He 13:1-3
 b. Here we find the author practicing what he preaches; seeking to 
  stimulate love and good works - cf. He 10:24
 
[As Christians, toward whom should we manifest our love? Certainly 
toward all men, even our enemies (Lk 6:32,35); but in the text our
attention is focused upon manifesting love first...]
 
I. TOWARD BRETHREN (1)
 
 A. THE IMPORTANCE OF BROTHERLY LOVE...
 1. It is a mark of true discipleship - Jn 13:35
 2. It is an indication of true spiritual life - 1 Jn 3:14
 
 B. THE HEBREWS HAD MANIFESTED BROTHERLY LOVE...
 1. Note the text says their love was to "continue"
 2. They had demonstrated brotherly love in the past...
 a. In their ministry to God and His saints - He 6:10
 b. Even in their service to the author - He 10:32-34
 
 C. THE NEED FOR BROTHERLY LOVE NEVER DIMINISHES...
 1. Just as Paul wrote...
 a. For the Thessalonians to excel in their love - 1 Th 4:9-10
 b. For the Philippians to abound in their love - Ph 1:9
 2. Just as Peter wrote that our love should abound - 2 Pe 1:7
 -- Even now, the author of Hebrews says "Let brotherly love
 continue"!
 
[No matter how much we may have manifested love towards one another as
brethren in the past, it is imperative that such love continues!
 
Equally imperative is the manifestation of love...]
 
II. TOWARD STRANGERS (2)
 
 A. THIS IS A CALL FOR "HOSPITALITY"...
 1. The Greek word is philoxenia {fil-ox-en-ee'-ah}
 a. Lit., a love of strangers
 b. It involved receiving a stranger (sojourner) into one's
 home as an honored guest and to provide the guest with
 food, shelter, and protection (Holman BD)
 2. In many ancient cultures, hospitality was a solemn duty
 a. It was regarded as a sacred obligation by the ancient 
 Greeks and Romans, one that was approved by Zeus, the god 
 and protector of strangers
 b. The Egyptians claimed it as a meritorious deed in life
 c. For the Bedouins, it was an expression of righteousness 
 (Holman BD)
 d. "Hospitality is one form of worship" (Jewish Proverb)
 3. In the early church, it was an important ministry...
 a. Christians were often displaced by persecution; public inns
 were scarce, costly, and sometimes dangerous
  b. Traveling evangelists were to be supported through 
 hospitality - 3 Jn 5-8
 4. Thus hospitality was to manifested by...
 a. Those men who would serve as elders (bishops) - 1 Ti 3:2;
 Ti 1:8
 b. Those widows who would be "taken into the number" - 1 Ti 5:
 9-10
 c. All Christians - Ro 12:13; 1 Pe 4:9
 
 B. A REASON TO PRACTICE HOSPITALITY...
 1. "for by so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels."
 a. The example of Abraham - Gen 18:1-8
 b. The example of Lot - Gen 19:1-3
 2. The point is not that we should expect angels to literally 
 come our way
 a. Though some we entertain may serve as His "messengers" 
 ("angel" means "messenger") in a providential sense
 b. The key idea is that "You never know what hospitality might
 bring" (Lightfoot)
 1) One often receives unexpected benefits from his or her 
 guests
 2) There is always the "blessedness" of giving - Ac 20:35
 
[The physical need for hospitality today may not be as great as it was
in ancient times, but the spiritual need (e.g., the strengthening of 
spiritual ties) is just as important. Therefore we need to "be 
hospitable to one another without grumbling" (1 Pe 4:9).
 
The manifestation of our love should also extend...]
 
III. TOWARD PRISONERS AND THE PERSECUTED (3)
 
 A. A CALL TO REMEMBER THEM...
 1. Christians were often persecuted and imprisoned for their 
 faith
 a. Prior to his conversion, Paul often led the assault - Ac
 8:3; 26:9-11
 b. Later, he himself was a prisoner - Ph 1:12-18; Co 4:18
 2. The Hebrews had already shown their love toward such prisoners
 - He 10:32-34
 3. To remember and visit Christians in prison was an act of 
 devotion to Christ Himself - Mt 25:35-40
 4. Their provisions for the prisoners would be a "sweet-smelling
 sacrifice", well-pleasing to God - cf. Ph 4:18
 5. They could also remember them in their prayers - Ac 12:5;
 Ep 6:18-20
 
 B. THEIR LOVING REMEMBRANCE WAS TO BE INFLUENCED...
 1. By their sense of fellowship in their brethren's suffering
 a. "as if chained with them;"
 b. The Lord intended such connection between the members of 
 His Body ("if one member suffers, all the members suffer 
 with it") - 1 Co 12:26
 2. By their awareness of their own vulnerability
 a. "since you yourselves are in the body also"
 b. They would not be immune to persecution themselves, 
 therefore they should be sensitive to the sufferings of 
 others
 
CONCLUSION
 
1. In providing a "new and living way", it is true that Jesus made 
 possible a close relationship between man and God - cf. He 10:19-22
 
2. But the purity we experience through obeying the truth...
 a. Is not just that we may have fellowship with God
 b. But also that we may have fellowship with each other in sincerity
 and love! - cf. 1 Pe 1:22-23
 
3. Thus it naturally follows that as we draw near to God, we should
 also draw near to one another; this we do when we manifest love...
 a. Toward brethren (1)
 b. Toward strangers (2)
 c. Toward prisoners and the persecuted (3)
 
May we all be diligent to heed the exhortation to...
 
 "Let brotherly love continue"!

Fornicators And Adulterers God Will Judge (13:4)
 
INTRODUCTION
 
1. In today's society, the honor and sanctity of marriage is under 
 constant attack...
 a. Divorce is acceptable, made easy through "no-fault" laws
 b. Adultery is considered normal, faithfulness to one's spouse as 
 unrealistic
 c. Among religious and political leaders, many say that standards 
 against sexual immorality are antiquated
 
2. Even in the church, sexual immorality is a major problem evidenced 
 by...
 a. The high number of divorces among Christians
 b. The frequent reports sexual failings among preachers, elders, and
 other Christians
 
3. This is not to say there are not those who still hold marriage in 
 high esteem...
 a. Many people still believe sex is for marriage, and marriage is 
 for life
 b. I've been blessed to have:
 1) The example of my wife's grandparents, married 77 years
 2) The example of my grandmother, widowed with six children when
 only 30 years old, remaining single for over fifty years
 3) Parents and in-laws who both were married over 50 years each
 4) Three brothers, who along with myself are still married to our
 first wives
 
4. In truth, our culture today is not that much different from the 
 society of the first century...
 a. Where divorce and remarriage was rampant (women were known to 
 date events by their husbands; e.g., "Yes, that happened during 
 husband #5.")
 b. Fornication was acceptable, adultery barely frowned upon
 
5. But Christianity offers a true contrast of standards regarding 
 morality...
 a. Through clear and unequivocal teaching - 1 Co 6:9-10; Ga 5:19-21;
 Ep 5:3-5
 b. The same sort of teaching is needed today, which is why we need 
 to carefully heed the text of today's lesson:
 
 "Marriage is honorable among all, and the bed undefiled; but
 fornicators and adulterers God will judge." (He 13:4)
 
6. The verb "is" is not in the Greek, leading some to translate the 
 first phrase as:
 a. "Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage 
 bed be undefiled;" (NASV)
 b. "Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept 
 pure" (NIV),
 
[Why should we honor marriage, and keep the "marriage bed" (a euphemism
for marital relations) pure? Because God will judge those who violate 
it!
 
To see how, let's first define the terms used in the last half of this
verse...]
 
I. DEFINITION OF TERMS
 
 A. "FORNICATORS"...
 1. The Greek word is pornos {por'-nos}, from which we get 
 "pornography"
 2. It is a general word for unlawful and immoral sexual 
 relationships (Barclay)
 3. It includes any kind sex outside of marriage: pre-marital,
 extra-marital (adultery), homosexual, etc.
 
 B. "ADULTERERS"...
 1. The Greek word is moichos {moy-khos'}
 2. It means to have unlawful intercourse with another's wife or 
 husband (Thayer)
 a. This may be while they are still married...
 b. Or even AFTER they are divorced if not for the right reason
 - cf. Mt 5:32; 19:9
 3 So a person can be guilty of adultery either:
 a. By having relations with another's spouse
 b. By marrying someone who either:
 1) Did not put their first spouse away for fornication
 2) Or was put away by their spouse for ANY reason
 
 C. "GOD"...
  1. The Supreme Being, eternal and holy - Re 4:8
 2. Omniscient and Omnipresent - Ps 139:1-12
 3. Loving, yet just - cf. Jn 3:16; He 10:30-31; 12:29
 
 D. "WILL JUDGE"...
 1. The Greek word is krino {kree'-no}
 2. "the act of condemning and decreeing (or inflicting) penalty 
 on one" (Thayer)
 
[Marriage should be held in honor, because the Bible makes it clear 
that God will condemn and somehow inflict penalty on those who are 
fornicators and adulterers who do not repent!
 
But why will God judge fornicators and adulterers?]
 
II. WHY GOD WILL JUDGE FORNICATORS AND ADULTERERS
 
 A. BECAUSE THEY DESTROY THE LIVES OF OTHERS...
 1. They destroy marriages
 a. Either their own, by their infidelity (trust is often 
  destroyed)
 b. Or others, by committing adultery with another's spouse
 c. Sexual immorality is a major cause of divorce, which God 
 hates - Mal 2:16
 2. They destroy families
 a. Where divorce occurs, families are shattered
 b. The children usually suffer the most, often with severe 
 emotional problems throughout their lives
 c. Jesus warned about despising the needs of children - Mt 18:
 5-7,10-11,14
 3. They destroy friendships
 a. Read carefully Pro 6:30-35
 b. It is difficult, if not impossible, to restore good 
 friendships after one has violated another's spouse
 
 B. BECAUSE THEY DESTROY THEIR OWN LIVES...
 1. Read carefully Pro 5:1-14
 a. You lose your honor (your reputation is destroyed)
 b. You lose your wealth (ever hear of alimony?)
 c. You lose your health (via STDs, perhaps even AIDS)
 2. Adultery and fornication is indeed a sin against your own body
 - cf. 1 Co 6:18
 a. There is emotional damage (wracking guilt)
 b. There is social damage (ostracized by others)
 c. There is physical damage (venereal disease)
 
 C. BECAUSE THOSE WHO ARE CHRISTIANS ARE ESPECIALLY GUILTY...
 1. They have taken members of the body of Christ and made them 
 members of a harlot - 1 Co 6:15-16
 2. They have taken their body, a temple of the Holy Spirit, and 
 given it to a child of the devil - 1 Co 6:19-20
  3. As Christians, who have been...
 a. Made in the image of God
 b. Redeemed by the blood of Jesus
 c. Made a temple of the Holy Spirit
 ...they have allowed their lusts to bring them as low as 
 animals!
 
[When God's HIGHEST CREATION, because of purely selfish reasons, 
destroys marriages, families, friendship, even their own selves, we can
understand why God WILL JUDGE such, and why Paul wrote what he did to
the Corinthians:
 
 "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, nor thieves, nor
 covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will
 inherit the kingdom of God." (1 Co 6:9-10)
 
But HOW will God judge fornicators and adulterers?]
 
III. HOW GOD WILL JUDGE FORNICATORS AND ADULTERERS
 
 A. HE WILL JUDGE IN THE FUTURE...
 1. They will not inherit the kingdom of God - 1 Co 6:9-10; Ep 5:
 5-7
  2. They will suffer eternal torment - Re 21:8
 
 B. BUT HE ALSO JUDGES IN THE PRESENT...
 1. They become God's enemies - cf. Ja 4:4
 a. While this passage likely speaks of spiritual adultery, it 
 would apply to literal adultery as well
 b. Adulterers are estranged of God's fellowship, care and love
 c. True peace and joy cannot be theirs
 2. They receive in their own bodies what they rightfully deserve 
 - cf. Ro 1:24-27
 a. Those who engage in such immorality do indeed "receive in 
 themselves the penalty of their error" (e.g., syphilis, 
 gonorrhea, herpes, AIDS)
 b. But such is only a FORETASTE of the torment fornicators and
 adulterers will receive, if they do not repent!
 
CONCLUSION
 
1. There are many good reasons to honor marriage and keep the "marriage
 bed" undefiled...
 a. The bond between a man and a woman whose relationship is built 
 upon trust and love
 b. The joy, peace, and love that children in a strong family enjoy,
 and deserve
 c. The value of strong families in shaping our communities in which
 we live
 
2. But we have focused on God's judgment on those who destroy this 
 important fabric of our society, and how it gives new meaning to the
 phrase "be sure your sin will find you out" (Num 32:23)
 a. It is almost impossible to keep immorality secret
 1) Physical infirmities will more than likely bring it to the 
 surface eventually
 2) Or loose lips will!
 b. Even if one succeeds in hiding their immorality in this life, not
 so in the life to come!
 
3. To close on a more positive note, let's offer some hope for those 
 who have been guilty of adultery and fornication...
 a. You may not be able to escape the physical consequences of your
 actions
 b. But you can be forgiven, and escape the eternal consequences!
 
As we consider once again what Paul wrote to the church at Corinth, a
city known for it loose morals...
 
 "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, nor thieves, nor
 covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will
 inherit the kingdom of God." (1 Co 6:9-10)
 
We now notice the next verse...
 
 "And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were
 sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus
 and by the Spirit of our God." (1 Co 6:11)
 
The gospel of Christ promises wonderful blessings to all sinners who
will come to Jesus in faith and obedience!
 
Have you been "washed", "sanctified", and "justified" in the name of
the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God? (Ac 2:38; 22:16; Ti 3:5)

A Call To Be Content (13:5-6)
 
INTRODUCTION
 
1. In this final chapter of "The Epistle To The Hebrews", we have 
 noticed exhortations...
 a. To let brotherly love continue - He 13:1
 b. To show love toward strangers - He 13:2
 c. To remember those in prison and others who are mistreated 
 - He 13:3
 d. To hold marriage in honor, abstaining from fornication and 
 adultery - He 13:4
 
2. We now find a warning against covetousness - He 13:5a
 a. The previous verse was a warning against "the lust of the flesh"
 (immorality)
 b. Here we have a warning against "the lust of the eyes"
 (materialism)
 -- Both of which are contrary to the love of the Father - 1 Jn 2:
 15-17
 
3. Covetousness, a strong desire for material things, is strongly 
 condemned in the Bible...
 a. Jesus said it defiles a man, and that we should beware of it 
 - Mk 7:21-23; Lk 12:15
 b. Paul taught that covetousness...
 1) Will keep one out of the kingdom of God - 1 Co 6:9-10
 2) Like fornication, should not even be named among us - Ep 5:3
 3) Is nothing less than idolatry - Ep 5:5; Co 3:5
 
4. The antidote to covetousness is contentment - He 13:5b-6
 a. If we are content, then we won't be covetous
 b. Contentment is therefore an important virtue for Christians to
 develop...
 1) But what is "contentment"?
 2) What is the key to being content?
 
[In this lesson, "A Call To Be Content", we shall seek to answer these
questions, using the text of our lesson (He 13:5-6) and other 
scriptures that deal with the subject of contentment...]
 
I. THE VIRTUE OF "CONTENTMENT"
 
 A. CONTENTMENT DEFINED...
 1. The English word "content" means "desiring no more than what 
 one has"
 2. The Greek word is arkeo {ar-keh'-o}, which means "to be 
 satisfied"
 -- When one is content, they are satisfied with what they have; 
 with no desire for more, covetousness no longer becomes a 
 problem!
 
 B. THE VALUE OF "CONTENTMENT"...
 1. From the pen of uninspired men...
 a. "He is richest who is content with the least." (Socrates)
 b. "He is well paid that is well satisfied." (William 
 Shakespeare)
 c. "He who is content can never be ruined." (Chinese Proverb)
 d. "He who wants little always have enough." (Johann Georg 
 Zimmerman)
 e. "If you are not satisfied with a little, you will not be 
 satisfied with much." (Unknown)
 f. "The contented man is never poor, the discontented never 
 rich." (George Eliot)
 2. Paul wrote that "...godliness with contentment is great gain."
 - 1 Ti 6:6
 a. Godliness, which is godly living expressed in devotion to 
 God, is of great value only when accompanied with 
 contentment
 b. For as we have seen, covetousness (a lack of contentment)
 would render any service to God of no value
 
 C. CONTENTMENT EXEMPLIFIED...
 1. In Fanny Crosby (1820-1925), a blind songwriter who wrote:
 O What a happy soul am I!
 Although I cannot see,
 I am resolved that in this world
 Contented I will be;
 How many blessings I enjoy
 That other people don't!
 To weep and sigh because I'm blind,
 I cannot, and I won't.
 2. In Helen Keller (1880-1968); blind, deaf, and mute, yet she 
 wrote:
 They took away what should have been my eyes,
 (But I remembered Milton's Paradise)
 They took away what should have been my ears,
 (Beethoven came and wiped away my tears)
 They took away what should have been my tongue,
 (But I talked with God when I was young)
  He would not let them take away my soul,
 Possessing that, I still possess the whole.
 3. In the aged prisoner, Paul the apostle...
 a. Who saw how his imprisonment accomplished much good - Ph 1:
 12-14
 b. Who had learned contentment - Ph 4:10-12
 
[The virtue of contentment richly blessed the lives of these and 
countless others. But as Paul indicated, contentment is something 
"learned". How then does one develop contentment?]
 
II. THE KEY TO CONTENTMENT
 
 A. TRUSTING IN GOD'S PROVIDENTIAL CARE...
 1. This is the reason given in our text for us to be content 
 - He 13:5-6
 a. God has promised never to leave nor forsake us
 b. With the Lord as our helper, what can man do? - 1 Jn 4:4
 2. This is the reason Jesus gave for us not to worry - Mt 6:25-32
 a. We are of greater value to God than the birds or flowers
 b. He providentially cares for them, will He not do the same
 for us?
 -- The key to receiving this care is to put God's will first 
 in our lives - Mt 6:33
 3. Contentment comes, then, when we trust God will provide what
 we need!
 
 B. KNOWING WHAT YOU CAN'T TAKE WITH YOU...
 1. As Paul discussed contentment, he pointed out certain truths 
 - 1 Ti 6:7
 a. We brought nothing into this world
 b. It is certain we can carry nothing out! (have you ever seen
 a hearse pulling a U-Haul trailer?)
 2. Why then become anxious or worked up over things...
 a. That at best are only temporary
 b. That will wear out, be stolen, or left behind (or burned up
 at the coming of the Lord - 2 Pe 3:10)
 3. Contentment comes, then, from knowing that material things are
 only temporary
 
 C. REALIZING WHAT IS TRULY "ESSENTIAL" FOR LIFE...
 1. Paul also revealed what are the only true "essentials" to 
 sustain life - 1 Ti 6:8
 a. They are "food and clothing"
 b. Anything beyond this is a "luxury", for which we ought to 
 be thankful
 1) That includes "shelter", which many believe is a 
 necessity
 2) But millions live without shelter, and such is possible
 with the proper clothing
 2. Since God has promised to provide food and clothing (Mt 6:25-
 33), we can rest knowing that our "essentials" will be 
 provided
 3. Contentment comes, then, by realizing what is truly
 "essential" for life, for then we will realize how richly 
 blessed we really are!
 
 D. UNDERSTANDING THAT MATERIAL THINGS DO NOT SATISFY...
 1. Solomon observed this inadequacy of material things - Ecc 5:10
 a. Those who love silver (money) will never be satisfied
 b. The same is true with those who love abundance (what money
 can buy)
 2. Material things do not meet the true needs of the soul - Ecc
 6:7; cf. Isa 55:1-3
 a. C. S. Lewis suggested that God placed a longing in man, 
 that man might seek for God - cf. Ac 17:26-27
 b. Sadly, many people try to fulfill that longing with 
 material things
 c. They never succeed, for only one thing can fulfill it: God
 Himself!
 3. Contentment comes, then, from understanding that material 
 things will never provide lasting satisfaction
 
 E. FINALLY, TRUE CONTENTMENT IS A GIFT FROM GOD...
 1. Here is another observation Solomon made in his search for 
  life's meaning:
 a. The ability to enjoy the fruits of one's labor is a gift 
 from God - Ecc 2:24-26; 3:12-13; 5:18-20
 b. On the other hand, many are allowed to "gather" and 
 "collect", but will not enjoy the fruits of their labor 
 - cf. Ecc 2:26b; 6:1-2
 2. God has the ability to provide lasting satisfaction - Psa
 107:8-9
 a. He promises to give that which truly satisfies (makes one 
 content) - Isa 55:1-3
  b. And in Christ, He enables one to be content - Ph 4:11-13
 -- Contentment comes, then, when God sees fit to bless us with 
 that which truly satisfies: "the sure mercies of David" (i.e.,
 the blessings promised through the coming Messiah)
 
CONCLUSION
 
1. The virtue of contentment is a wonderful blessing, one that comes 
 from God Himself...
 a. Whose Word reveals to us:
 1) The temporary nature of material things
 2) The inadequacy of material things to satisfy man
  3) The things that are truly essential in life
 b. Who has promised to us:
 1) To never leave us nor forsake us
 2) To provide the true essentials in life
 3) To fill our soul with that which truly satisfies
 4) To enable us to enjoy the material blessings we do acquire in
 life
 
2. But what God has promised is contingent upon what Jesus said...
 
 "But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all
 these things will be added to you" - Mt 6:33
 
If you desire to be truly content, you must set as your priority the
Will of God. Have you made His Will the primary focus of your life?

Stability In Our Service To God (13:7-17)
 
INTRODUCTION
 
1. Throughout his epistle, the author has exhorted his readers to 
 "steadfastness"...
 a. With a warning not to drift away - He 2:1
 b. With a promise of becoming partakers of Christ - He 3:14
 c. With exhortations to be diligent - He 4:11; 6:11-12
 d. With a reminder of God's faithfulness - He 10:23
 e. With a promise of great reward - He 10:35-36
 
2. As the epistle nears its end, we find some final exhortations that 
 appear to encourage such steadfastness...
 a. They are sprinkled throughout He 13:7-17
 b. They are given in view of the danger of "various and strange
 doctrines" - He 13:9
 
3. The need for such exhortations is no less today as it was then...
 a. There are many various and strange doctrines today
 b. It is easy for us to forget the simplicity that is in Christ
 
[If we are not to be carried about with various and strange doctrines,
then "Stability In Our Service To God" is what we need. What can we
glean from our text that will aid us in our steadfastness? First,
there are...]
 
I. THINGS TO REMEMBER (7-14)
 
 A. THOSE WHO FAITH IS WORTHY OF EMULATION (7)
 1. In the original context of the epistle...
 a. The author here may have in reference those leaders who 
 originally spoke the word of God to them
 b. That may have included the apostles themselves - cf. He 2:3
 c. "...considering the outcome of their conduct" may imply
 that they were dead, and that their faith served them well
 2. But it would also be appropriate to remember the faithfulness
 of our "leaders" today
  a. Those elders who have spoken God's word to us
 b. Those elders whose faith enabled them to magnify Christ in
 both life and death
 3. Not only remember them, but "whose faith follow"
 a. We should seek to emulate all those whose faith have set a
 good example - Ph 3:17
 b. Especially those whose faith sustained them to the end!
 
 B. "JESUS CHRIST, THE SAME YESTERDAY, TODAY, AND FOREVER" (8)
 1. In what way is "Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, today, and 
 forever"?
 a. Certainly not in every respect, for He was once "in the 
 flesh", but not today
 b. The context must determine, and the context pertains to:
 1) The word of God which has been spoken - v.7
 2) Various and strange doctrines - v.9
 c. It is therefore the doctrine of Jesus, which is
 unchangeable
 2. One may therefore rightly ask whenever they hear of some 
 strange or new doctrine: "Did Jesus or His apostles teach 
 this?" - cf. Ga 1:8-9
 
 C. WHAT WE HAVE IN CHRIST (9-14)
 1. It is apparent the author has in mind the temptation to return
 to the Law
 a. To the dietary restrictions found in the Law
 b. To the altar and tabernacle of the Old Covenant
 2. But what we have in Christ include:
 a. Hearts that are strengthened by grace, not food - He 13:9
 1) An allusion to the dietary restrictions of Judaism
 2) While they served their purpose, they did not provide 
 what one really needs - cf. Co 3:20-23
 b. An altar from which those who serve in the physical 
 tabernacle have no right to eat - He 13:10-13
 1) The "altar" is likely a metonymy for the sacrifice
 offered on it
 2) If so, then our "altar" is the sacrifice of Christ,
 which is of no benefit to those who hold to the Old Law
 - cf. Ga 5:4
 3) As our sacrifice (Christ), had to suffer "outside the 
 gate" to provide our sanctification, so we should be 
 willing to serve Him "outside the camp" (i.e., outside
 the physical religious community of Israel)
 c. A "city" which is yet to come - He 13:14
 1) Like our father Abraham, we wait for the city "whose
 builder and maker is God" - He 11:9-10
 2) We are but strangers and pilgrims on the earth, desiring
 that city which God has prepared - He 11:13-16
 3) Therefore, it is not physical Jerusalem we long for, but
 "the holy city, New Jerusalem" - cf. He 12:22; Re 3:12;
 21:1-2,10-11
 
[Dare we jeopardize these wonderful blessings in Christ? Then remember
the word and faith of those who are worthy of emulation, and that the
doctrine of Jesus Christ will not change!
 
As we seek "Stab