Hebrews 13; James 1-2

Hebrews 13

“Let brotherly love continue.”

• Believers are to continue loving one another as family in Christ.
• Φιλαδέλφεια (Philadelpheia)

“Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers…”

The author alludes to people who unknowingly hosted angels! (Genesis 18-19):

• Abraham
• Lot

Believers should:

• Remember prisoners (perhaps those who were imprisoned for gospel)
• Care for the mistreated

As though suffering alongside them.

Marriage is:

• Honorable
• To be kept pure
• God will judge sexual immorality and adultery.

Avoid love of money. Be content because God has promised: “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear.”

• Similar to Deuteronomy, Joshua, Psalm
  

Believers should remember former leaders

• Consider their example
• Imitate their faith

“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” 

Do not be carried away by strange teachings.

On the Day of Atonement the bodies of certain sacrifices were burned outside the camp.
Jesus suffered:

• Outside Jerusalem
• Outside the camp

Believers are called to:

• Identify with Christ
• Bear reproach with Him

Future Hope

“Here we have no lasting city.”

Believers seek:

• The heavenly city
• God’s eternal kingdom

Instead of animal sacrifices believers offer sacrifice of praise and services “The fruit of lips that acknowledge his name.”

• Doing good
• Sharing with others
• These sacrifices please God.

Church leaders:

• Watch over souls
• Will give account to God
• We should be joyful over leadership and not groan

The author asks for prayer:

• For a clear conscience
• For restoration to the readers

Jesus described as “The great shepherd of the sheep”

May God:

• Equip believers
• Work His will in them

Timothy has been released and may travel with the author.

James 1

The author is most likely James the Just

James was:

• The half-brother of Jesus (Matthew 13:55)
• Initially an unbeliever (John 7:5)
• A witness of the risen Christ (1 Corinthians 15:7)

He calls himself “James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ” 

Date: around AD 44-49. May be the earliest New Testament book written.

The letter was written primarily to:

• Jewish Christians scattered outside Israel
• Believers facing trials and persecution

James greets the scattered Jewish believers.

Believers should “Count it all joy”

Not because suffering is pleasant, but because trials:

• Test faith
• Produce steadfastness

When believers lack wisdom:

• Ask God
• God gives generously

Ask in faith as the doubting person is:

• Double-minded
• Unstable

Poor Believers can rejoice in their exaltation in Christ.

Rich Believers should remember earthly wealth is temporary.

• Life and riches fade like flowers.

Those who endure testing receive the crown of life

God does not tempt anyone. Temptation comes from:

1. Our own desires
2. Desire conceives sin
3. Sin grows
4. Sin produces death

Every good gift comes from God. 

God does not change. 

We did not earn salvation, but gave birth ἀποκυέω (apokyeō) to us

Be:

• Quick to hear
• Slow to speak
• Slow to anger

Do not merely hear Scripture. Obey it. Hearing without obeying is like:

• Looking in a mirror
• Walking away
• Forgetting what you saw

True religion includes:

• Controlling the tongue
• Caring for widows and orphans
• Remaining unstained by the world

James 2

James says to show no partiality. Some believers were:

• Favoring the rich
• Neglecting the poor

Example: A wealthy visitor receives honor. A poor visitor receives dishonor. James condemns this.

“You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”

Believers should show mercy because “Mercy triumphs over judgment.”

“Can that faith save him?” James is addressing a faith that merely claims belief but produces no action “works”. 

If someone says “Go in peace” but provides no help, their words are empty.

• Likewise faith without action is dead.

Faith cannot be seen directly. It is demonstrated through actions.

• Even demons believe! 

Example: Abraham’s willingness to offer Isaac showed that:

• His faith was genuine
• His works demonstrated his faith

!!! Warning: James is not teaching salvation by works, but that genuine faith (which gives salvation) produces works. 

Example: Rahab’s actions demonstrated her trust in God.

“Faith apart from works is dead.”

Just as:

• A body without spirit is dead
• Faith without action is dead

Application

We are told in Hebrews 13 that faith in Christ should produce love and obedience. In James we are told that trials produce steadfastness. We can have faith and ask God for wisdom. True faith is shown in how we live.