As we wrap up Hebrews today, the writer makes a huge shift in writing style. Remember, the original audience were Jewish believers that were wavering in their faith because of persecution. The entire book has been a theological argument that Jesus is better than any former way of life, any former way of thinking, and former religious pursuit..

Any good leadership guru will tell you that the WHY matters. Frederich Nietzche said, “When you know your WHY, you can live any HOW.” Michael Hyatt put it this way: “When you know your WHY, you’ll know your WAY.” Another put it this way: “When you know WHY you do what you do, the toughest days become easier.” The book of Hebrews follows this line of thinking. The author of Hebrews has convincingly laid out not only THAT Jesus is better, but WHY he is better and worth following. As we enter into chapter 13, the writer, assuming that he has made his argument clear, shifts from convincing to assuming.  “Now that you are convinced that Jesus is a better way, here are a few things you need to DO as a follower of Jesus.”

The tone feels very much like Romans 12. We have referenced Romans 12:1-2 often over the last few weeks, but let me remind you that worship is not a song you sing, but a lifestyle.  Your “true and proper worship” is the product of your daily life, as you give yourself as a “living sacrifice” (Sam mentioned to me a couple of weeks ago that this is the idea of you willingly crawling up on the altar everyday), and break rank with the patterns of the culture by a transformed mind and heart. The rest of Romans 12 really defines what that will look like. Similarly, the last verse of chapter 12 launches into some practical application for the reader. Hebrews 12:28-29  “Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, four our God is a consuming fire.” The writer is saying, “God’s kingdom is a firm foundation. All other kingdoms will fall when shaken , INCLUDING YOUR OWN, so move from fearful to GRATEFUL and live a LIFE OF WORSHIP.”

So, assuming that the way of Jesus is better, let’s tackle his closing thoughts on what this life of worship looks like – I will spend more time on some than others – Hebrews 13:1-19

V1 – His first practical point is what should cover every thought, motive and action of one who is living FROM Jesus everyday – LOVE – It is the foundational truth by which everything is held together – Greatest commandment, Matthew 22:36-40 – Love God, love others -  John 3:16, For God so LOVED the world…The power of the Gospel is that it was birthed from a place of LOVE – God’s plan for reconciliation was drenched in his LOVE for you – So, LOVE should be the motivation for your life – In 1 Corinthians 12-14, Paul lays out the gifts of the Spirit, and how they should be used inside and outside the church – but 1 Corinthians 13, known as the LOVE chapter, gives the motivation behind how the gifts are to be used: 1 Corinthians 13:1-8a – we aren’t going to break down each of these characteristics of what love is, but it’s so important to see that a LACK of LOVE in the life of a believer really discredits you from a Biblical perspective – and important to note: It begins INSIDE THE CHURCH – “Keep on loving one another as brothers and sisters” -  John 13:35 – you are not known by your commitment to sound doctrine or your willingness to call out the wrong in the world, but by the way you LOVE – Foundational truth that will drive the conversation

V2-3 - Show HOSPITALITY to STRANGERS – here, motivated by love, you are opening your doors to others – In 2017, as a church, we went through a season we called “the HOST movement” with the tag line “LOVE opens doors” – It was a reminder to every person that called Restoration home at the time to think of themselves, not as attenders, but HOSTS – over the next couple of months as we are moving toward moving into new, expanded worship space, we are reviving this idea of being a HOST – this fits our aircraft carrier motif – every week, as a person of Restoration, you are a part of HOSTING services for the community, which means we all have a role – whether it be parking team, greeting/connection team, generations team (children/students), whatever, you are a part of being a welcoming, intentional and safe place for people to experience the Way of Jesus. We want the way we LOVE at Restoration to be an OPEN DOOR for people to see Jesus in a new way – you’ll be hearing a lot more about this in the coming weeks

The writers reference to showing hospitality to angels is a connection back to the OT – Genesis 18 references Abraham and Sarah opening their home to angels, who prophesied that she would have a baby at 100 – Genesis 19, angels visited Lot’s house to try to convince him to leave Sodom before it was destroyed – Even Jesus said in Matthew 25:40, “Whatever you did for one of the least of these, you did for me.” – Ultimately, every act of hospitality is UNTO JESUS, FROM him and FOR him, including those who have been estranged for any reason – we REMEMBER them, not “out of sight, out of mind”

V4 – So, let me quickly make a few statements about marriage, sex and sexual identity so we are all clear on Biblical truth, and on what we believe as a church – before I do, let me remind you that this is coming with the backdrop of LOVE and HOSPITALITY, so as I walk through this, it is drenched in LOVE, not judgment – I recognize that this is a highly politicized topic, so let’s keep this in Biblical, not political, context, and approach this with humility and love

1. Biblical Marriage is between a man and a woman. It is not really open to interpretation. The culture can redefine this, the government can redefine this, but the Bible, which has stood the test of time, is really clear on this. No judgment here, just a statement of fact.
2. Sex OF ALL KINDS outside of marriage is NOT PURE. This includes extra-marital sex, pre-marital sex, pornography, same-sex activity – it is shocking to me that the church-at-large places a huge emphasis on homosexuality, but tends to downplay premarital and extra-marital sex as “not as bad” – according to the Bible, it’s all out of bounds – Sex was created by God for MARRIAGE, and that is the only time it is PURE.

With that being said, we open our doors to people who have failed or are currently struggling in all of these categories – it is up to God to judge sin, and up to us to LOVE people where they are – We can STAND on TRUTH and still LOVE people well – We are FOR a Biblical view of marriage, and a Biblical view of sex and sexuality – and we LOVE people where they are, even if we disagree with their lifestyle or life choices

V5 – “Stay free from the love of money and be content with what you have…” – this echoes 1 Timothy 6:10 – there are two key thoughts here – First, “Be content with what you have” – it is a lack of contentment that often causes a drive toward money and possessions, always wanting what someone else has – it is one of the curses of an affluent culture – no matter what you have, it is never enough – Second, the writer references Deut. 31:6, which gives the connotation of loving money out of FEAR – If you came from poverty, you may fear not being able to provide, which is a lack of trust in God – Jesus talks about this Matthew 6:24-33 – he says that money is a cruel master and is in opposition to God – he goes onto talk about how much more God loves you than he loves birds and flowers – he then says that when you seek the Kingdom and his righteousness that you will always be provided for – Contentment and Provision are both foundational for a life of generosity, which is the point – when you are white knuckling your finances or spending because you think you deserve what someone else has, you are not living in peace, and not trusting God – Here is the truth: everything you own has been given to you on loan from God – it is not yours, but God’s and as you manage it well and live open-handed, he will often give you more to manage – but make no mistake: God owes you nothing – he is inviting you to live a life free from the stronghold of money and possessions, and err on the side of giving it away

V7-9, 17-19 – These three verses speak to Godly leadership – “Consider the outcome of their way of life…” – No matter the doctrine of a spiritual leader, what is the product of his/her life? There are too many leaders today who speak truth, but live in deep compromise, and/or lack humility – OR, they are great individuals who have jacked-up theology -  SO, their teaching AND their lives need to be congruent – If both of those line up, then get behind them, and PRAY for them – The church is God’s plan to redeem the world, so together we can grow a church culture that looks more like Jesus and less like the world – Personally, I need you. We are in this together.

V8 – Jesus is UNCHANGING – he is consistent – the culture will “evolve”, but Jesus doesn’t evolve – Jesus is not a thermometer, checking the temp and adjusting accordingly, but rather a thermostat, a pacesetter, who WAS and IS and IS TO COME

V15 – Offer sacrifice of praise to God – A LIFE OF WORSHIP

CLOSE: A life of worship is developed in Secret Place

1. A life of worship emulates the LOVE of Jesus.
2. A life of worship is HOSPITABLE to all.
3. A life of worship rejects cultural norms and stays committed to the UNSHAKABLE TRUTH of God’s word. (marriage and sex)
4. A life of worship holds money loosely and pursues radical generosity.
5. A life of worship discerns the congruency of the lifestyle and teaching of leadership, and supports those who are consistent.