Hebrews 13 Lesson

Have you ever wondered if angels exist?

According to the Bible, they do!

Consider the following scripture taken from the Book of Hebrews:

• “Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by this some have entertained angels without knowing it.” – Hebrews 13:2.

This scripture is thought-provoking. 

But is it to be taken literally? 

Are there really angels on Earth? 

Can we sit down and talk with them?

We will ponder these questions during today’s lesson and see what the scriptures say on the subject.  

And who knows?

 Perhaps we have met, or even entertained angels without knowing it!

ANGELS ON EARTH?

Have you ever met somebody that was so wonderful to you that you asked yourself if they were an angel sent from Heaven? 

It is amazing to see how God brings certain people into our lives at exactly the right time and in exactly the right place to help us.

Sometimes, these people have a profound impact on our lives despite having been with us for only a short while. 

It may seem random, but it is not.  We know that with God nothing is random. 

What if they were not people at all? 

As Christians, we need to open our minds to the possibility that there are angels on Earth and that God sends them into our lives intentionally, with purpose.  

IF GOD SAYS THERE ARE ANGELS ON EARTH, THERE ARE!

As you read Hebrews 13:2, remind yourself of two things:

1. God cannot lie (Titus 1:2),
2. Every scripture that is found in the Bible was inspired directly by God (2 Timothy 3:16-17).

• “Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by this some have entertained angels without knowing it.” – Hebrews 13:2.

God would not have inspired the Hebrew writer to write these words if they were not true.

The Apostle Paul wrote about this in his second letter to Timothy:

• “All Scripture is inspired by God and beneficial for teaching, for rebuke, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man or woman of God may be fully capable, equipped for every good work.” – 2 Timothy 3:16-17.

This scripture is fundamental to Christianity!  From it, we understand that e very word, every verse, and every chapter of the Bible is true and that the Bible was written exactly as God intended it to be. 

Therefore, when the Bible says that there are angels among us, we can trust that there are.

PRACTICING HOSPITALITY

Hospitality is defined as:

• “The friendly and generous reception and entertainment of guests, visitors, or strangers.” (Source: Google Dictionary)

As Christians, we were created to be kind to one another and to practice hospitality. 

Sadly, in today’s high-tech world, hospitality has become a bit of a lost art. 

Too many times, in too many places, we get too caught up in our busy lives and we fail to be hospitable.  

This is not how God wants things to be. 

When Jesus was asked what the greatest commandment was, He did not say, “Work as hard as you can, to make as much money as you can, so that you can have more stuff!” 

Instead, Jesus told us to love God and one another as we see in the following scripture from the Gospel of Mathew:

• “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the great and foremost commandment.  The second is like it, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments depend the whole Law and the Prophets.” – Mathew 22:37-40.

Loving our neighbor is what God commands us to do, and a great way to love our neighbor is by practicing hospitality.

“CHRISTIAN HOSPITALITY”

Christian hospitality is defined as:

• “Treating strangers and friends alike. It is welcoming one another into our homes and lives.” (Source: The Suffolk News-Herald)

This does not mean that we need to prepare a fancy meal, although there is nothing wrong with that. 

What Christian hospitality means is that we care enough to get involved in other people’s lives and that we allow them to get involved in ours. 

CONCLUSION

Earlier in today’s lesson, we looked at the following scripture taken from the Book of Hebrews:

• “Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by this some have entertained angels without knowing it.” – Hebrews 13:2.

When we care enough to get involved in other people’s lives and allow them to be a part of ours, there is a good chance that we will meet an angel.

The Bible is full of stories about angels that came to deliver a specific message for God or to help others as part of God's plan.

Today’s lesson shows that the same thing can happen to us.

In fact, there is a good chance that it already has!

In a world full of sin that isruled by Satan, it is of great comfort to know that God has angels that he can send into the world to help us.

We will end today’s lesson with the following two scriptures. When taken together, they remind us that there are angels on Earth and that God brings them into our lives for a reason:

1. “Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by this some have entertained angels without knowing it.” – Hebrews 13:2,
2. “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” - Jeremiah 29:11.