The Epistle To The Hebrews - Executable Outlines

Mark A. Copeland
b. It involved receiving a stranger (sojourner) into one’s home as an honored guest and to
provide the guest with food, shelter, and protection (Holman Bible Dictionary)
2. In many ancient cultures, hospitality was a solemn duty
a. It was regarded as a sacred obligation by the ancient Greeks and Romans, one that was
approved by Zeus, the god and protector of strangers
b. The Egyptians claimed it as a meritorious deed in life
c. For the Bedouins, it was an expression of righteousness (Holman Bible Dictionary)
d. “Hospitality is one form of worship” (Jewish Proverb)
3. In the early church, it was an important ministry...
a. Christians were often displaced by persecution; public inns were scarce, costly, and
sometimes dangerous
b. Traveling evangelists were to be supported through hospitality - 3 Jn 5-8
4. Thus hospitality was to be manifested by...
a. Those men who would serve as elders (bishops) - 1 Ti 3:2; Ti 1:8
b. Those widows who would be “taken into the number” - 1 Ti 5:9-10
c. All Christians - Ro 12:13; 1 Pe 4:9
B. A REASON TO PRACTICE HOSPITALITY...
1. “For by so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels”
a. The example of Abraham - Gen 18:1-8
b. The example of Lot - Gen 19:1-3
2. The point is not that we should expect angels to literally come our way
a. Though some we entertain may serve as His “messengers” (“angel” means “messenger”)
in a providential sense
b. The key idea is that “You never know what hospitality might bring” (Lightfoot)
1) One often receives unexpected benefits from his or her guests
2) There is always the “blessedness” of giving - cf. Ac 20:35
[The physical need for hospitality today may not be as great as it was in ancient times, but the spiritual
need (e.g., the strengthening of spiritual ties) is just as important. Therefore we need to “be hospitable
to one another without grumbling” (1 Pe 4:9). The manifestation of our love should also extend...]
III. TOWARD PRISONERS AND THE PERSECUTED (3)
A. A CALL TO REMEMBER THEM...
1. Christians were often persecuted and imprisoned for their faith
a. Prior to his conversion, Paul often led the assault - Ac 8:3; 26:9-11
b. Later, he himself was a prisoner - e.g., Ph 1:12-18; Co 4:18
2. The Hebrews had already shown their love toward such prisoners - He 10:32-34
3. To remember and visit Christians in prison was an act of devotion to Christ Himself - Mt
25:35-40
4. Their provisions for the prisoners would be a “sweet-smelling sacrifice”, well-pleasing to
God - cf. Ph 4:18
5. They could also remember them in their prayers - e.g., Ac 12:5; Ep 6:18-20
B. THEIR LOVING REMEMBRANCE WAS TO BE INFLUENCED...
1. By their sense of fellowship in their brethren’s suffering
a. “As if chained with them;”
b. The Lord intended such connection between the members of His Body (“if one member
Sermons From Hebrews 111