A PORTRAIT OF A CHRISTIAN

Text- Hebrews 13:1-19

Introduction

As we come to the end of this book it seems almost impossible that we have been studying the book of Hebrews for over 7 months.  I pray that you have benefited from this study and have learned from it.  In this last chapter we find Paul concluding his letter to the Hebrew Christians.

Out of all the chapters we have studied this chapter contains more practical lessons than any other one.  Because of this, I have titled this lesson, “A Portrait Of A Christian”.

In verses 1-19 Paul gives us a character sketch of some of the characteristics that we as Christians should exhibit in our lives.

An elderly man who was very near sighted thought of himself as an expert in evaluating art. One day he visited a museum with some friends. He had forgotten his glasses and couldn't see the pictures clearly, but that didn't stop him from airing his strong opinions. As soon as they walked into the gallery, he began critiquing the various paintings.

Stopping before what he thought was a full-length portrait, he began to criticize it. With an air of superiority he began, "The frame is altogether out of keeping with the picture. The man is too homely and shabbily dressed. In fact, it was a great mistake for the artist to select such a shoddy subject for his portrait."

The old fellow was babbling on and on when his wife finally managed to get to him and pull him aside. She whispered to him, "My dear, you are looking in a mirror."

If you were to try to draw a portrait of your spiritual life right now, by describing the kind of things that characterize your spiritual life right now, what kind of a picture would it be?  Would the picture be a very plan or average looking picture?  Would it be ugly?  Or would it be a beautiful picture?

Here in this chapter Paul paints a picture of what a Christian’s spiritual life should look like by describing for us ten characteristics.  Lets compare the portrait of our life to the one Paul paints here in this chapter and see if we like what we see in ourselves.