Tabor Baptist Church

Introduction

• Concentrating on 13:1-3
• Following on from 12:28-29
• What is the connection between these two:
• 'Serving God with reverence and godly fear' and showing 'brotherly love, entertaining the stranger, being concerned for the prisoner of Christ'?
• God as a 'consuming fire' and loving purity?
• 12:28-29
• We often think of this as worship - our eyes are lifted up to glory
• Example of preacher from Northern Ireland
• It refers not just to worship but the whole of our life - "serving God"
• We see a clear connection

Love the Brethren (v1)

• Let brotherly love continue
• They already loved one another
• The word continue can be very helpful
• 6:10 - an example of their love
• They ministered to one another
• They did it for the sake of Christ
• 10:32-33
• They loved even during persecution in the early days
• Don't grow cold or get bitter
• If Christian love should continue, it means that it can stop
• Perhaps by squabbles over secondary matters (not prime doctrine)
• Being hurt by an unkind word
• Failure to forgive
• Acting selfishly or unthoughtfully
• Don't just give people the name brother but really love them
• Example of footballer
• Think of blood links and family and how this is even more true in the church/family of God
• Phileo: Fraternal love, a bond, affection, friendship, partnership, fondness
• This love is as much a command as to keep the marriage pure (v4)
• The church needs to speak loudly about the love
• There is nothing more relevant that this
• If you really love people feel accepted
• Many verses in the New Testament mention love (in nearly every letter)
• 1 Pet 5:8
• Col 3:14
• 1 Cor 12:31-13:2
• Gal 5:13-14
• Rom 12:10
• If we would serve God acceptably and with reverence and godly fear we must love

Love Strangers (v2)

• Is this talking about any strangers or Christian strangers?
• Not just talking about Christians but all people
• Lev 19:33-34
• Deut 15:7-8
• Isa 58:6-7
• Personal example
• Luke 14:12-14
• This is a great challenge
• Not just the responsibility of those gifted in those areas
• We are all to be given to hospitality (Rom 12)
• Example of early Christians from AD125
• Not to hide behind excuses
• This starts within the church
• You may entertain angels
• You are more blessed by giving than receiving
• E.g. Abraham, Lot, Manoah, the two on the road to Emmaus
• Example of the lady
• Jesus said: whatever you have done for these, you have done it for me: Matt 25:35
• Christian hospitality: what does it mean to serve God with reverence and godly fear?

Love the Persecuted (v3)

• It can be more difficult to connect with those we have never seen
• What does it mean to be in prison?
• When we think about this and begin to emphasis - then we pray
• Example of John Bunion
• Example of Trevor MacDonald
• Example of prison and Daylight ministries
• Practical examples
• Giving to those in need
• The persecuted church: Iran, Saudi Arabia, Eritrea, Nigeria, etc
• We should never say 'am I my brother's keeper?'
• We have a responsibility towards our brothers and sisters

Closing Remarks

• What does it mean to serve God with reverence and godly fear?
• Showing brotherly love
• Extending the love of hospitality
• Showing love to those who are prisoners for Christ