Keith Battle - Potpourri 13 - Part 1

I’m starting a new series today: three weeks, three parts. It’s called «Potpourri Thirteen.» I love potpourri; I love the way it looks. Potpourri reminds me of the colors of fall. By definition, potpourri means a mixture—everybody say «mixture.» Potpourri is a mixture of things; it is a combination of petals and fragrances. Sometimes, people put them in a bag, and sometimes they put them in a jar, creating a pleasant fragrance that changes the aroma of the environment. However, potpourri, by definition, is just a mixture. You can have potpourri in music; it can be a medley of music. In literary art, there can be a potpourri of expressions. In Hebrews chapter 13, I called it that because, if you read this chapter, you’ll find that every verse contains a different message. One minute, it talks about loving your brother, then the next, it discusses angels coming into your house. It also mentions people in jail, talks about marriage, and emphasizes trusting in the Lord, then honors leaders and the importance of sacrifice in Christ. It’s got so many topics that I couldn’t summarize it thematically under one subject because it’s a mixture. Hebrews 13 is essentially a potpourri of thoughts and ideas, which is why I named the series «Potpourri 13.» Over the next three weeks, we will study Hebrews chapter 13 and explore the practical applications we can draw from it for our lives. Father, please speak to us, change us, transform us, and strengthen us in Jesus' name. Amen.

We’re going to look at three verses today: verses 1, 2, and 3. Beginning in verse 1, the New Living Translation says, «Keep on loving each other as brothers and sisters.» Verse 2 states, «Don’t forget to show hospitality to strangers, for some who have done this have entertained angels without realizing it.» Verse 3 reminds us, «Remember those in prison as if you were there yourself; remember also those being mistreated as if you felt their pain in your own bodies.» My subject today is: «Love God, Love Others.» Can you say that after me? «Love God, Love Others.»

I am convinced that one of the most important things we can do as believers is to love God, and out of that love relationship, learn to genuinely love other people. I think Christianity has been reduced, in many ways, to things that are not loving. It has become very self-centered: how can I receive my blessing? How can I get my way? How can I get what I want out of life? However, over and over again, particularly in the New Testament, God tells us to love one another.

In John chapter 13, there’s an argument about who will be the greatest in the kingdom, and Jesus simply says, «Love one another.» This is how people will know you are my disciple—by the love you have for one another. In 1 John, He says, «Just as I have loved you, love one another.» Here in Hebrews chapter 13, verse 1, the author says, «Keep on loving each other.» The Old King James Version states, «Let brotherly love continue.» The fact that we have to be told to keep on loving each other means that the perpetuity of love is at risk; God wouldn’t need to remind us if it wasn’t.

Love, by nature, should be perpetual. For example, there are things you love that you’ve never stopped loving. You’ve always loved skating, fashion, and Christmas time. How many people, like me, just love Christmas time? It’s the most wonderful time of the year! I’ve always loved it. You love traveling, certain colors, and specific foods. This is your love. Love is perpetual except when it comes to people, because people can be challenging; they can make us sick, tired, or weary.

How many of you know it’s hard to keep on loving people sometimes? If so, put your hand up and then put it back down. How many of you are sitting next to someone you’re struggling to love? What happens is we experience love fatigue, which arises from being in relationships with people. Sometimes, they demand things from us, make requests, need this, and expect that. Have you ever just wanted to lock your door and say, «Stop asking me for stuff; I’m tired»? That’s my word—tired! I’m trying to be nice, but I’m exhausted.

The reason He reminds us to keep on loving is precisely because love is in danger.