More Thoughts From Hebrews 13

" And so Jesus also suffered outside the city gate to make the people holy through his own blood.  Let us, then, go to him outside the camp, bearing the disgrace he bore" 

                                            Hebrews13:12,13

              Last time we looked at what this phrase "outside the camp" might have meant to the church that received the letter/sermon of Hebrews. Today let's take it to the 21st century and meditate on what it means to us as followers of Christ in a Bible believing church experiencing the indwelling of the Holy Spirit and the freedom found in Christ.

             First of all, if we are following Christ we will "bear the disgrace He bore".

"In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted" 2Tim 3:12

 “If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you.  Remember what I told you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also. They will treat you this way because of my name, for they do not know the one who sent me."  John 15:18-21

 "They are surprised that you do not join them in their reckless, wild living, and they heap abuse on you." 1Peter 4:4

 "Do not be surprised, my brothers and sisters, if the world hates you." 1John 3:13

              Hebrews 13 tells us that it is because we go "outside the camp" as Jesus followers. We live counter-cultural lives which not only is offensive because it is in effect telling those inside the camp or the world's system that we think they are wrong in their lifestyle, but also is just plain odd to them in a way that the "cool kids" in High School pick on the nerds. This book concludes with 7 areas where we are counter-cultural.

1."Keep on loving one another as brothers and sisters" vs.1 - We break down all cultural barriers and treat people that are nothing like us as brothers and sisters because we share a common brother, Jesus, if we are saved. Our best friends may be a different race, from a different socio-economic status and the world doesn't do that.

2. " Continue to remember those in prison as if you were together with them in prison" vs 3. We remember the disenfranchised, the down-trodden, the weak, powerless, the scorned because we are all equal at the foot of the cross. We don't mind if our property value is going down because societal rejects are moving in because our property is in Heaven. We remember and stand for the immigrants, aliens and unborn. (who else is more helpless than them?)

3. "Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral." vs 4.  We have a Biblical view on marriage - one man and woman bound for life in matrimony, and we have a Biblical view on sexuality - it is monogamous and reserved for marriage. The world doesn't subscribe to this.

4. "Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have" vs 5. We focus on our needs, not our wants, and when those are met give away the rest. We don't build up our treasures on Earth but rather in Heaven. While the rest of society is caught up in the comparison trap, we live a #nofilter life.

5. "Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you" vs 7. While the rest of society is going to the lake on Sunday morning, we value going to church and listening to someone teaching the Bible to us.

6." let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that openly profess his name" vs. 15 We talk about Jesus in public. Talking about God is tolerated but "Jesus" is an offense. The world says don't talk about religion in public. We do

7." Have confidence in your leaders and submit to their authority" vs 17  We believe in an authority and submission scheme as illustrated by Jesus who though He was equal with the Father submitted to Him. This applies to us in the family, marriage, church, and work. Submission is a four letter word in our society.

    As we live counter-cultural lives, we will be persecuted - we will be excluded or considered peculiar and that's OK because we aren't trying to please the world but our Father in Heaven. We don't belong here - we are ambassadors. Aliens.

   Therefore - 2 words of advice. 1) Don't be discouraged when it happens. It's a sign that you are on the right path. 2) Don't compromise to be accepted by the world. In so many areas we don't want to appear odd so we compromise. We accept evolution when that isn't what the Bible teaches. We approve gay marriage when that isn't what the Bible teaches. We become pro choice to look enlightened. We let women be in authority in Churches not to look misogynistic. Now you can make a case for some of the above but you have to ask yourself "Am I doing this so I'm more accepted by the world?" And you may be doing it for what you think are good reasons - "If I am less odd or offensive, maybe I can lead more people to Christ." Just remember, you can compromise on everything to break down barriers until you get to the final barrier that can't be removed - the gospel - You are sinful and headed towards Hell unless you repent and turn to Jesus the only way you can get to Heaven. Jesus is the ultimate stone that makes men stumble. The "Scandalon". In the end you will be living a non counter-cultural life and Satan will have won.

Thoughts From Hebrews 13

 " And so Jesus also suffered outside the city gate to make the people holy through his own blood. Let us, then, go to him outside the camp, bearing the disgrace he bore. Heb. 13:13

         I thought we would spend some time on "outside the camp" and unpack this. Jesus was crucified outside the city at Golgotha and the writer states that this is where we find Him. Crucifixion was not only one of the most painful ways to die but it was extremely disgraceful being stripped and publicly hung on a cross exposed for at least 24 hours as people walked by. We think wearing an orange vest with your crime imprinted on the back as you work along the highway is bad!

        As I ponder "outside the camp" I think about what the writer was trying to get accross to his readers. As we read through Hebrews we see a group of "firstfruit" believers leaving the synagogue - the sacrifices, feasts, cleanliness laws, sabbath days, priests interceding, etc, (the Old Covenant) and embracing Christ and the New Covenant. The author has said that the old way couldn't take away sins, didn't cleanse the conscience, didn't bring you into the presence of God, and basically needed to be replaced by a superior one that did all the above. Unfortunately it was difficult for many to leave for a number of reasons. They received bad teaching saying that they needed to do all the things in the Mosaic covenant if they wanted to be saved. They were persecuted and some placed in prison for following the New Covenant. Lastly they were mocked and the combination of these three things led many to go back. Throughout Hebrews, the author is pleading with them not to go back.

        In Exodus 33:7 we see Moses meeting with God at the tent of meeting which was outside the camp. Why was it outside the camp? Aaron and the Israelites had just done the golden calf debacle and I would assume God in His Holiness didn't want to dwell in that sinful atmosphere. In the same way, the author of Hebrews is saying that if they wanted to experience God's presence, the early followers of Christ would find that outside the synagogue and in doing so would experience the disgrace from those who didn't leave traditional Judaism.

     How's that relate to us? If you are attending a legalistic church that has added many traditions that inhibit the freedom that you have found in Christ - leave. If you are attending a Catholic church that says the priest or Mary must be your intercessor or you are praying to saints - leave. If you are attending a Seventh Day Adventist church or Messianic Jewish church that says you must follow Old testament laws to be saved - leave. If you are in a Mormon Church or Jehovah Witness church or Church of Christ that is adding prerequisites to salvation besides being saved by grace through faith alone in Christ alone - leave!

Thoughts From Hebrews - Day 44

                                              Hebrews 13:4-6

 Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral. ⁵ Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said,

“Never will I leave you;
    never will I forsake you.”

⁶ So we say with confidence,

“The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid.
    What can mere mortals do to me?”

            This is the second reference to sexual immorality in as many chapters. The first related it to Esau who to satisfy his craving gave up his future for the immediate gratification of his hunger. Faith is living for the unseen future knowing that it is going to be infinitely better than the present because God said so. The author of Hebrews is reminding us to live Godly lives of faith through the example of Esau.

            This passage groups sexual immorality with money, greed, contentment and fear. How so? I once was talking at the dinner table with a very rich man with multiple businesses in the tourism and entertainment fields. This man is not a follower of Christ unfortunately. I asked him a simple question - "How do you know when to stop expanding?" You see, with me being a doctor, I can max out. I can only see so many patients in a day and that's it. He looked at me with a puzzled look as if to say, "never", although he didn't answer and changed the subject as if my question had gone deeper than our superficial relationship had allowed. When you get married you stop expanding. You have maxed out for life like the above video says. Can you" be content with the wife (husband) of your youth?" Half the population can't and I would like to say the Church is immune but the statistics are not that much different.

"May your fountain be blessed,
    and may you rejoice in the wife of your youth.

                             Prov. 5:18

Thoughts From Hebrews 12

...let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles...

 “My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline,

    and do not lose heart when he rebukes you,
6 because the Lord disciplines the one he loves,
    and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son.”

7 Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children. For what children are not disciplined by their father? 8 If you are not disciplined—and everyone undergoes discipline—then you are not legitimate, not true sons and daughters at all. 9 Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of spirits and live! 10 They disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share in his holiness. 11 No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.  Hebrews 12:1,5b-11

                  Getting saved is not the end - it's just the beginning. As we just saw in the preceding "Faith Chapter", people were applauded for their faith which was always followed by a verb. True faith acts out. For us, if we have faith we then "run the race". "Run the race" means that once we are saved God gives us a mission in life that is uniquely fitted to our S.H.A.P.E. which is an acronym for Spiritual Gifts, Heart (passion), Abilities, Personality, Experiences. In order to most effectively accomplish our mission, which the writer describes as producing a harvest of righteousness and peace, we must remove the sin from our life and the baggage we are carrying and God helps us in that process in the form of discipline.

            Discipline hurts! You may have a lot of stressful, anxiety provoking difficulties going on in your life making you wonder - "Isn't the Christian life supposed to be smoother than this?" First of all you have to ask, "Have I stepped out from under the umbrella of protection that an obedient life to Christ offers?" We are free to sin and not follow God's rules of living but if we do, sin carries its own inherent baggage. Not only that but it blocks the spirit empowered life so we end up running the race on our own power. Tony Evans compares that to using a chain saw without turning it on - it's ineffective. God will make sure, if you are a believer, that you don't get away with sin or enjoy it to keep us on a short leash so we can get back to running the race. How much of your trials are self inflicted?

               Secondly, you may be slowed down in the race by things that aren't or didn't start out as sins but now are distracting you from the race. Some of these things may even have taken priority to running  the race and in that case have set up idols in your heart. In his book "Counterfeit Gods", Tim Keller talks about different idols of the heart and I'm going to give some scenarios that might be going on in your life that are uncomfortable but necessary Fatherly discipline to diagnose and remove those idols, or weights that are keeping you from effectively running the race. This will hopefully help you look past the stressors in your life and into the purposes and long term benefits of this God allowed or induced training.

          1." I feel like I am powerless at work and the low person on the totem pole. I have no influence or authority." (Power idol) God has the ultimate power. Are you OK in surrendering it all to him or are you wanting a piece of that?

          2. "I feel like no one loves me or respects me" (approval idol) God does. He thinks you are so awesome He sent His Son to die for you. Is that enough approval for you?

          3. "I have so many health problems that I can't enjoy life like I used to." (comfort idol) You were made for eternity. This life is a vapor. You will get a new body. Is that reassuring enough for you?

         4. "My life is out of control. I can't get on top of things. I'm overwhelmed!" (control idol) Are you OK with surrendering control of your life to God or do you need to help Him out?

         5. "I feel un-needed and useless" (Helping idol) Your worth isn't found in what you can do but who God thinks you are. You are a human being not a human doing. Where are you obtaining your self worth?

         6. "I feel like no one is watching out for me. Why do I have to keep meeting everyone elses needs? Who is protecting me?" (Dependence idol) Look at the lillies of the field and the birds of the air. Are you not more important to God than they?

        7. "My every move is dictated by other people. I need freedom!" (independence idol) Jesus said true life is found in serving and giving. The Christian life gives the ultimate freedom and rest. Are you being selfish or self less?

        8. "I feel like I'm spinning my wheels and accomplishing nothing."(work idol) It's not always the destination that matters but what happens along the route. Glorify God in the present.

        9. "No one even notices me at work. I'm not getting rewarded for my hard work." (achievement idol) God sees your work. Are you working as for the Lord? Are you OK with rewards in heaven rather than Earthly recognition?

      10. "Inflation and the economy is devestating us. Our savings are at an all time low, we are in debt up to our ears and living on a shoe string budget." (materialism idol) God is helping you distinguish between needs and wants - between earthly treasures and heavenly. Where your trasure is there will your heart be also.

      11. "I never miss church, Sunday School,... I serve on committees, tithe... why aren't things going better? God owes me!" (religion idol) These things are gifts given to us by God not vice versa. Are you trying to use religious acts as bargaining chips with God?

     12. "I continue to be single and lonely. Doesn't God care? I may need to lower my standards." (relationship idol) Is Jesus enough? Are you in love with Him?

      13. "Minorities are filling the schools, moving into my neighborhood and taking all the jobs." (racial/cultural idol) So you are more important to God than other races and cultures? 

      14. "My children are leaving the nest, ignoring my calls and making life choices that reflect poorly on me as a parent." (family idol) You don't get your value, significance, and meaning for life from your family.You are in a new family.

      15. "The political party in power is ruining the country and I see no end in sight." (ideology idol) God is the ruler of the Kingdom of God. Whose kingdom do you belong to?

       16. "I've gained 20 lbs, I'm getting wrinkles, and I no longer turn heads. I think I need plastic surgery." (Image idol) You are God's workmanship and a unique masterpiece. Can you find comfort in the fact that He sees you as beautiful?

           I can relate to at least 3 of these and these points of tension are areas where God is exposing idols as He disciplines me to be more Holy and to run a better race. What about you? Where is God pruning you?

          

I've Got A case of the "I Can't Help Its"

   "As for us, we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.” Acts 4:20

            After Pentecost occurred, the disciples, filled with the Holy Spirit, went into thje marketplaces proclaiming the gospel and had such an effect that the religious rulers, who were responsible for Christ's crucifixion, had them arrested. They were interrogated, intimidated, beaten, and threatened with worse if they continued to preach salvation in Jesus. Without batting an eye they responded as we see in the above passage. It was basically I would if I could but I can't help myself.

    I think of some other verses like

"For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died." 2 Cor. 5:14

But if I say, “I will not mention his word or speak anymore in his name,” his word is in my heart like a fire, a fire shut up in my bones. I am weary of holding it in; indeed, I cannot. Jer.20:9

    We so often approach our faith in "I must" rather than "I get to". I must have a quiet time, I must pray, I must witness, I must go to church"... rather than "I get to read my Bible, I get to spend intimate time with my savior, I get to share with people all the good things God has done, I get to meet with fellow believers in joint worship"...

    When I am on a trip away from home, the first thing I will do is tell people about my wife, my 4 kids and their spouses, and my nine grandchildren and counting. Why? Because I have to? No. The love of them compels me. I can't hold it in. It's too wonderful to contain. I have a case of the "I can't help its"!

      Do you love God like this? Do you have a case of the "I got to's" or "I get to's"?

What Else Do you want!!!

 "All my grandfather’s descendants deserved nothing but death from my lord the king, but you gave your servant a place among those who eat at your table. So what right do I have to make any more appeals to the king?” (Mephibosheth to David) 2Sam. 19:28

        Do you know people (maybe you are one) that is mad at God and maybe have even gone as far as deconverting or at least temporarily turned their back on Him because He didn't "come through" when they needed Him to? Maybe it was the death of a loved one who they were convinced would be healed but they weren't. Maybe it was a job or raise or promotion at work that they were fasting and praying for and it seemed to only have fallen on "deaf ears." These people might even say, "Here I am going to Church every Sunday, tithing, saying my prayers, and what do I have to show for it? The heathen next to me is getting richer and her kids are winning all the awards at school and they don't seem to have a care in the world."

        Asaph had the same issue in Psalm 73 as he wrestled with the ungodly prospering while he was following God and had nothing to show for it. He was about to let go when he went to the house of God and his thinking was straightened out. Maybe this blog can straighten out someone's thinking.

        In the above passage, David had to flee Jerusalem because Absolom was coming in with an army and his friend Mephibosheth didn't accompany him. Ziba, Mephibosheth's servant told David that it was because he had decided to side with Absolom but when David eventually defeated Absolom and made his way back to Jerusalem, Mephibosheth met him and stated it was because he was crippled and no one helped him flee with David. Who was David to believe? David decided to divide Mephibosheth's land half and half between Mephibosheth and Ziba because frankly they were probably both telling half truths and there was no Holy water to have them drink to see whose stomach bloated for telling lies like the test for the unfaithful wife. (Numbers 5 bizarre passage) In other words David had no way of discerning who was telling the truth and he had more important things to deal with.

        The highlight of this whole story is Mephibosheth's response to David. He basically says that David has given him such undeserved grace and mercy because as Saul's son he deserved death, yet David gave him land and a daily invitation to eat at the king's table, that he submits his whole life to the king to do with as the king pleases. He doesn't deserve any special treatment, he has already gotten it.

         What do we deserve? One thing - Hell. That's all. Yet God sent his Son Jesus to die for our sin and rebellion. Those who are thinking of rejecting God because their outdoor wedding was rained on, people got food poisoning, there was a plague of mosquitoes, and the overhead speakers didn't work - show they don't realize the grace and mercy they have received and what it cost the Father.

        Live lives of gratitude. What more do you want???