tollie.org/blog thoughts and reflections of Tollie Williams

Notes from 12-28 Sermon – Showing Brotherly Love

Hebrews 13:1 - Showing brotherly love

Point 1: What is brotherly love?

Romans 5:5. 1 John 3:1,14.

Matthew 25:31-40. Note the word 'brothers' in v. 40. (Similar to how I noted that the "prodigal sons, on the streets they run, searching for shelter" in Leeland's song - 'prodigal' indicates that they are Christians.)

1 Thes 4:9. If you are born again, you don't need someone to tell you to love. You have Christ's love for them.

Point 2: Some specific duties of brotherly love.

* Show hospitality to strangers (v.2). In context, probably means to Christian travelers. Hospitality is lovingly meeting the legitimate needs of a brother or sister in Christ. Don't confuse it with fellowship socials.

- Interesting. Bro. Jeff in his early Christian years picked up a homeless guy and let him live with he and his mother for 2 weeks - then he stole lots of stuff from them and ran off. Jeff mentions there is discernment involved. He also wonders if maybe the homeless man was genuinely ministered to, and perhaps if he will get to meet him in Heaven. Jeff also says he regrets not having taken this sort of risk more often.

1 John 3:16. 1 Cor 12:20,26.

Point 3: Superior Excellence of Brotherly love.

* Love: a liking (depends on object of the love if it's good or bad)
* Common love: brings two together.
* Brotherly love: it's special, limited. (PS. Jeff used Christmas china this year. The plate has a deer head on it.) It has specific duties, and has a stronger bond.

Galatians 6:10. 1 Timothy 4:10.

Point 4: How are you doing in continuing?

1 - Time? Be intentional.
2 - Service? Find what service can you do.
3 - Unity. Do you work at maintaining the unity?

Notes from 12-14 Sermon – Don’t go back to earthly religion.

Heb 12:25-29. Don't go back to earthly religion. If you add anything to Christ: you lose Christ. Why devise a system of "church" for the purpose of making a check-list that people can feel good (or guilty) about checking (or not checking) off.

Point 1: v.25. There is a true voice from Heaven. John 1:1.

Point 2: Your judgment will be severe. v.25-26. James 2:10. Jesus said even if you break the law in your heart, you're as guilty. Heb 10:25-26. We have not been given Moses; we've been given Christ.

Point 3: Because the new Kingdom can not be shaken. v.27. 2 Peter 3:10. Rev 21:8.

Investigate further: seismologists and preliminary tremors. cf. Has shaking already begun?

Point 4: Because the new Kingdom is received by grace. v.28. "received"- only means to enter into Kingdom. Can't be born into, buy into, or battle into it.

4-a: Receive with gratitude and rest.

4-b: Serve with gratitude and rest. Consider parent directing a child to do a task. What blesses the parent more? A child who does it out of fear of punishment and unhappily, or a child who does it out of love and respect joyfully.

4-c: Serve with caution and fear. ie. Balance. v.28. With rest balanced with reverence and awe.

This seeming paradox is not lost on the pastor. "Oh the wonder of it all."