Living Out the Faith
Notes
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Live out the Faith:
Context
Context
The previous passage ends with an exhortation to show gratitude to God by worshipping and serving Him acceptably with reverence and awe (). teaches us how.
Exposition
Exposition
Brotherly Love ()
Brotherly Love ()
1. According to the passage, how are we to continually show love to one another?
a) Treat each other as family. It is not merely a club but a genuine community.
e.g. Remember those in prison and mistreated (sufferers)
- Prisoners relied upon their family or friends for daily provisions.
- “remember” means more than just calling to mind but involves practical acts of love and blessing ().
- In doing so we truly identify ourselves with them i.e. unashamed fellowship (). It is no less than what Christ had done for us ().
b) Show hospitality to strangers
- we often focus ‘hospitality’ for members but not strangers esp those who can’t repay
- Paradoxically the church is meant to be such a tight-knit community yet also inclusive to outsiders. Most clubs/society are either one or the other.
2. According to the passage, why should we show hospitality to strangers?
- You may entertain angels like Abraham and Lot ().
- The author’s point is doubtfully ‘Play host so you can meet angels’ but that in hosting we often receive more blessing than we give, especially if they are of God
- Our primary motivation shouldn’t be curiosity but care and concern
3. What practical ways can we love our members and practice hospitality to strangers today?
- “keep on/continue” loving one another is itself a reminder that love costs us
- “strangers” certainly includes travelling ministers ()
- The early church was so known for its hospitality that practical guidelines were set to sift out parasites e.g. those who ask for money or stay more than 3 days cf Didache.
Marital Love ()
Marital Love ()
4. Why is it important that marriage be honoured by everyone-including singles?
- Even non-married people should not attempt to undermine it.
- Fidelity to spouses is harder when the society itself does not value it
- Contrary to the prevailing selfish culture then and now, early Christians were characterised as a people who shared everything except their wives (cf Tertullian)
- May also be refuting extreme forms of asceticism ().
5. According to the passage, why should sexual purity be upheld?
- God will judge the sexually immoral
- There is no assurance for adulterers ()
6. How can the church (including the non-married) help strengthen marriages?
Money Love ()
Money Love ()
7. What’s the difference between having money and loving money?
- It is possible to have a lot of money and not love it e.g Singaporean host. But it is difficult.
- Since money is to most either a source of security and/or significance, love for money and trust in God are mutually exclusive (, ).
8. According to the passage, how do we overcome greed and discontentment?
- Trust God’s promises () that He will never forsake us but always there for us
- We covet when we just want more or are afraid to lose what we have, but what more can you have other than God – Christ is better than everything else is theme of the book-whom we can never be separated from? ()
- Mortals can rob or even murder you. But when you fear God, you need not fear man (). Paradoxically God is both the scariest () and safest person to be near. We can be content (), knowing that they cannot truly harm us ().
9. How different will our church be if we were all free from the love of money?
- Love for brothers () may result in loss of money (). So being free from the love of money will lead to freedom to love others sacrificially.
- Instead of focusing on attractive events we should strive to be an attractive community.
Led to Love ()
Led to Love ()
10. What does this passage reveal about the responsibility of Christian leaders?
- They are to preach and practice what they preach
- There can be a false humility “do what I say but don’t do as I do because I’m a sinner” but Paul says “imitate me as I imitate Christ”.
11. Why is it important to know that Jesus is the same “yesterday, today and forever”?
- The same Christ as our leaders is the same Christ of ours whom we should also pass on to the next generation.
- Christ does not need to replaced or upgraded.
- Leaders will leave us and may disappoint us, but Christ never will
12. Who are some of your heroes of faith? How do they inspire you to remain faithful to Christ?
Summary
Summary
1. We love God by loving His people which entails sacrificial care and hospitality
God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them ()
“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’ ()
2. Do not presume upon God’s grace when it comes to sexual sin
Or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God ()
3. Trust in God’s promises to overcome love for money, especially so we can love people
Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires ()
You suffered along with those in prison and joyfully accepted the confiscation of your property, because you knew that you yourselves had better and lasting possessions ().
4. Change by following other followers of Christ who is unchanging
Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ ()
Join together in following my example, brothers and sisters, and just as you have us as a model, keep your eyes on those who live as we do ().