God's presence changes everything. In this message from Hebrews 13:1-6, Pastor Ryan Skolrud shows what acceptable service to God actually looks like — love generously, live purely, and hold loosely. Discover how the promise "I will never leave you or abandon you" frees you from fear, greed, and distance from others, and how the presence of God empowers real, ordinary faithfulness.
Big Idea: God's presence allows us to love generously, live purely, and hold loosely.
Notable Points From This Sermon:
- We don't get to define "reasonable service" for ourselves — Scripture tells us what acceptable service to God looks like.
- Brotherly love (philadelphia) is covenant loyalty, not sentimentality. It's a call back to who you already were, not a new burden.
- Hospitality is not a nice gesture — it's obedience. Some have welcomed angels without knowing it (Abraham, Lot, Gideon, Manoah).
- Remembering those who suffer is a call to solidarity. When one member of Christ's body suffers, all suffer with it.
- Marriage is to be honored by all — and the standard for purity in the marriage bed is the purity of Christ Himself.
- The love of money is fundamentally a fear of abandonment. Contentment says, "I have enough. God has provided."
- "I will never leave you or abandon you" is covenant, not a slogan. His presence — not your performance — is your security.
- Bold speech ("What can man do to me?") flows from God's character, not our circumstances. It's what drove missionaries to the nations.
Scripture Passages Used:
- Hebrews 13:1-6
- Hebrews 12:28
- Hebrews 10:32-34
- Matthew 25:35-40
- 1 Corinthians 12:26
- 1 Timothy 4:1-5
- Ephesians 5:28-32
- Genesis 2:24
- Hebrews 7:26
- Matthew 5:27-28
- Ephesians 5:3-6
- Deuteronomy 31:6
- Joshua 1:5
- Leviticus 23:42-43
- John 1:14
- Psalm 118:6
- Psalm 46:1
- Isaiah 41:10
Link to sermon notes: https://churchlinkfeeds.blob.core.windows.net/notes/46257/note-280166.html
Connection Card: https://livingwordcc.breezechms.com/form/connection-card
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Blessings,
Living Word Community Church
