Brief Summary
This sermon explores Hebrews 13, focusing on practical Christian living as an expression of worship and gratitude for the unshakable kingdom we've received through Jesus. It emphasizes that Jesus is better and that understanding this truth should lead us to live lives pleasing to God. The sermon identifies six glimpses of a life that pleases God: expressing joy out loud, fighting to free our hearts from the love of money, loving and serving others, prizing marriage, seeking the better city, and thanking God and praying for our leaders.
- Jesus is better and unchanging.
- Practical Christian living is worship.
- Six glimpses of a life that pleases God are identified.
Carl Bart Story
In 1962, theologian Carl Bart's visit to the United States included a Q&A session in Chicago. During this session, Carl Henry questioned the historical factuality of Jesus' resurrection, which Bart seemed to dislike. Bart responded with a remark about "Christianity Yesterday," to which Henry replied with Hebrews 13:8, emphasizing Jesus' constancy.
Introduction to Hebrews 13
Hebrews 13 is presented as a continuation of the theme of acceptable worship, expanding it from the temple to all aspects of life. Acceptable worship involves offering a sacrifice of praise to God, doing good, and sharing with others. This chapter provides a vision for practical Christian life that is pleasing to God.
Context of Hebrews: Jesus Is Better
The message of Hebrews is that Jesus is better than angels, Moses, Joshua, Aaron, and the old covenant. Jesus offers better promises, hope, and possessions. The first 12 chapters emphasize that Jesus is pleasing, good, and the source of eternal joy, which should inspire us to live lives that please God.
Pleasing God
It is a grace to be pleasing to God. Hebrews 13 provides a vision for a Christian life that is first pleased with God and then seeks to please Him through actions, thoughts, and feelings. The sermon outlines six glimpses of this life, which demonstrate how to live as though Jesus is better.
Expressing Joy Out Loud
The first glimpse of a life that pleases God is expressing joy out loud through praise. God is pleased by heartfelt words of praise, acknowledging His name publicly and corporately. This involves professing faith in Jesus and gathering for corporate worship, setting a tone of reconsecration and joyful praise.
Fighting to Free Hearts from Money
The second glimpse is fighting to free our hearts from the love of money. While money is necessary in the physical world, the warning is against loving money. Contentment with what one has is key, relying on God's promise to never leave or forsake us. Having Jesus means having God, which is ultimately all we need.
Love and Serve Others
The third glimpse involves loving and serving others. Joy in Jesus should lead to doing good, sharing, and loving others, not isolation. Brotherly love, hospitality to strangers, remembering those in prison, and sharing with others are all aspects of pleasing God.
Prize Marriage
The fourth glimpse is prizing marriage. Marriage should be held in honor among all, and the marriage bed should be undefiled. This applies to everyone, married or single, old or young. It involves valuing and prizing marriage in our minds, hearts, and words, and obeying God's design for it.
Seek the Better City
The fifth glimpse is seeking the better city. Christians are called to liberate themselves from the "imminent frame" and recognize that they are not finally at home here. They seek a better, heavenly city. This perspective frees them to love and serve in their current city without being consumed by it.
Thank and Pray for Leaders
The sixth glimpse involves thanking God and praying for leaders. Christians are encouraged to obey and submit to their leaders, who keep watch over their souls. This dynamic works best when leaders lead with joy and seek to persuade their people with God's word, and when the people are eager to be led and persuaded. Additionally, remember past leaders and imitate their faith.
Jesus Is The Same
Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever. This sameness is glorious because Jesus is the truth. He has proven himself to be enough for past generations and will be enough for us.
The Altar
Christians have an altar, which is the cross where Jesus made the ultimate sacrifice. Hearts are strengthened by grace, not ritual foods. The Lord's table is a way of remembering this sacrifice.
