TITLE: An Imitation That Please God

TEXT: Hebrews 13:7-16THEME: The believers should imitate godly examples

Amanda Ripley, “Unthinkable”

“Unfortunately, many people don't make it to that final phase—the decisive moment. They don't make a decision to act.”

What is the benefit of followers of Jesus remembering past leaders?

I. You learn from them. (7-8)

Hebrews 13:7-8

7 Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith. 8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

I. You learn from them. (7-8)

A. The message of God’s Word it.

I. You learn from them. (7-8)

A. The message of God’s Word it.B. The outcome of a faith well lived.

I. You learn from them. (7-8)

A. The message of God’s Word it.B. The outcome of a faith well lived. C. You have a model to imitate.

I. You learn from them. (7-8)

A. The message of God’s Word it.B. The outcome of a faith well lived. C. You have a model to imitate.D. The unchanging nature of their faith.

Sometimes we do not recognize the truth about God when it is

staring us in the face.

What is the benefit of followers of Jesus remembering past

leaders?

II. You are equipped to identify and avoid false doctrines (13-10)

Hebrews 13:9-10

9 Do not be carried away by all kinds of strange teachings. It is good for our hearts to be strengthened by grace, not by eating ceremonial foods, which is of no benefit to those who do so. 10 We have an altar from which those who minister at the tabernacle have no right to eat.

II. You are equipped to identify and avoid false doctrines (13-10)

A. They help us focus on the teaching of grace.

II. You are equipped to identify and avoid false doctrines (13-10)

A. They help us focus on the teaching of grace.B. They help us focus on what is beneficial to us.

II. You are equipped to identify and avoid false doctrines (13-10)

A. They help us focus on the teaching of grace.B. They help us focus on what is beneficial to us.C. They help us focus on the superior altar of Jesus.

The Danger of False Doctrine

The "vodka" in this story could be anything false doctrine that lures us into giving up our freedom in Christ. It distorts how we think and become addictive and draws us away from the doctrine of grace that Jesus offers.

What is the benefit of followers of Jesus remembering past leaders?

III. You are motivated to praise and serve God.

Hebrews 13:11-16

11 The high priest carries the blood of animals into the Most Holy Place as a sin offering, but the bodies are burned outside the camp. 12 And so Jesus also suffered outside the city gate to make the people holy through his own blood. 13 Let us, then, go to him outside the camp, bearing the disgrace he bore. 14 For here we do not have an enduring city, but we are looking for the city that is to come.

Hebrews 13:11-16

15 Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that openly profess his name. 16 And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.

III. You are motivated to praise and serve God.

A. At the altar of Jesus we are made holy.

III. You are motivated to praise and serve God.

A. At the altar of Jesus we are made holy.B. At the altar of Jesus we offer sacrifices of praise.

III. You are motivated to praise and serve God.

A. At the altar of Jesus we are made holy.B. At the altar of Jesus we offer sacrifices of praise.C. At the altar of Jesus we do good and share with others.

A Simple Prayer

“O Lord,Thank you Jesus."

APPLICATION

1. You are not the first one or the only one to face hardship. Others, who have gone before you have faced it as well. Remember them and learn from them.

APPLICATION

3. Just as God had a purpose in the suffering and death of Jesus. So he has a purpose in the hardship He allows to come into your life.

APPLICATION

2. Jesus Himself faced persecution, rejection and hardship. He models how we seek and act on God’s will no matter what the circumstances.

The Principle

What we revere, we resemble, either for ruin or restoration. To commit ourselves to some part of the creation more than the Creator is idolatry. And when we worship something in creation, we become like it, as spiritually lifeless and insensitive to God as a piece of wood, rock, or stone.