Living With Christ Without The Camp

 Temple Baptist Church - 4-7-2021

Hebrews 13:13-16

Introduction:

 A.  Tonight, my verse will be verse 16.  This verse begins with the word “but.” 

 

1.  “But” is a primary particle in English.  It is a word that has no definition unless tied to another word to give meaning.  Let me explain.  I walk up to you in Walmart and just say, “But.”  I then walk off having not said another word to associate it with.  “But” in that instance would have absolutely no meaning.

 

2.  Now, did you enjoy a little English class tonight?  😊 Primary (main, key, core, basic) particles (element, fragment, part of a whole), though in themselves have no meaning, greatly change, or add to what is being said.

 

3.  The word “but” can be either adversative (contrast or the opposite of) or continuative (to amplify the meaning of).  In the adversative sense, “but” normally is used for contrast.  As continuative, “but” is used to continue and add to a thought.

 

B.  Tonight, I believe that “but” needs to be used in both ways to convey a right spiritual application.  In order to do so, I will need to break this verse down into its principal parts.  Therefore, we will be here for a couple of weeks or more to do so.  It is the ONLY way to “rightly divide the word of truth.

 

1.  In the adversative sense, verse 16 means that it is possible to go without the camp (a repentance that works salvation) to Christ in salvation but then going back into the camp (the world) to live.  Eph 2:10

 

2.  In the continuative sense, verse 16 means that once we go without the camp, we are to accompany our salvation with a continuation in good works.

 

C.  Having established these principles, let us look at verse 16.

 

1.  But To Do Good … forget not!

 

a.  The Adversative But.  There is a possibility of a person who is truly saved not to live a life that is obedient to the Word of Christ and, therefore not obedient to Christ.

 

1)  There are biblical examples of people who were saved and, for a while, were obedient to God’s Word and their Lord.  (I am still not sure what it is about Lord that people do not understand.)

 

Demas would be an example of this backslidden believer.  2 Timothy 4:10  For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica …

 

2)  There are those who were truly saved who had no desire to grow in the Lord.

 

The “Dull of Hearing” crowd in Hebrews would be an example.  Hebrews 5:11-13  Of whom we have many things to say, and hard to be uttered, seeing ye are dull of hearing.  (12)  For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat.  (13)  For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe.

 

b.  The Continuative But.  Then there are those who love the Word of God and their Lord who choose to do right and live lives consistent with biblical Christianity.

 

1)  Saul of Tarsus, the Apostle Paul was our shining example.  Acts 9:6  And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.

 

Philippians 1:21  For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

 

2)  We are to do good!  Colossians 3:1-2  If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.  (2)  Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.

 

Ephesians 2:10  For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

 

Titus 2:14  Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.

 

Titus 3:8  This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men.

 

2.  But … To Communicate Forget Not! 

 

a.  The Adversative But. 

 

1)  Those who choose not to pray at all.  James 4:2b  … ye have not, because ye ask not. 

 

2)  Those who pray selfishly.  James 4:3  Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.

 

3)  Those who pray in doubt.  James 1:6-7  But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.  (7)  For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.

 

b.  The Continuative But. 

 

1)  There are those believers who are constantly praying. 1 Thessalonians 5:17  Pray without ceasing.

 

2)  Those who pray in the realm of God’s revealed will.  1 John 5:14-15  And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us:  (15)  And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.

 

3)  Those who pray in faith believing.  Matthew 21:22  And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.