An Unchanging God: Living Out Hebrews 13 in a Shifting World
Pastor Tyler Renteria
There’s something strangely comforting about reading a chapter of Scripture that feels like a checklist for real life, especially when the world keeps changing faster than we can keep track of it. Hebrews 13 reads a bit like that—almost like someone walking through the house before leaving for a long trip: “Don’t forget this… remember that… keep an eye on this…” It’s personal, practical, and surprisingly direct. Click the link above for the full message.
The final chapter of Hebrews gathers everything the letter has been building toward and places it right in front of us with real clarity: God does not change. Hebrews 13:8 says, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” It sounds simple, but anchored to that truth is a whole way of life—one that shapes how believers treat each other, honor relationships, approach money, worship, and practice generosity.
Below is a deeper look into these themes, shaped around the chapter’s core calling: to live as people whose lives reflect the character of an unchanging God.
Loving Like Family: A Community That Makes Room for Others
Hebrews 13 opens with a line that’s almost deceptively simple: “Keep on loving one another as brothers and sisters” (v. 1). The phrase sounds familiar, but the weight behind it is heavier than everyday friendliness. This is family language—steady, consistent, and resilient. It’s the kind of love that stays when things get messy, when people frustrate us, or when community rubs against our preferences.
This isn’t a love rooted in convenience. It’s a love rooted in commitment.
And right after that, the author expands the circle: “Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers…” (v. 2). Hospitality here is more than hosting friends or sharing a meal. It’s making room for those who aren’t yet part of the group—those who feel unsure, out of place, or unnoticed. Many of us forget how strange it can feel to step into a church building for the first time or to sit alone in a room full of people who already seem connected.
Christ-like hospitality is intentional. It crosses rooms. It opens doors. It invites those who feel like outsiders into a space of belonging.
Jesus once said, “As I have loved you, so you must love one another” (John 13:34–35), showing us that love isn’t meant to stay internal. It moves. It reaches. It welcomes.
What does this look like today?
Noticing the person standing alone and walking toward them
Inviting someone over who’s new, even if the timing feels inconvenient
Remembering the names of people who feel unseen
Opening your schedule, not just your home
Romans 15:7 says, “Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you…” which means there’s no room for cliques, no room for cold shoulders, and no room for “us versus them.” A healthy church never forgets what it felt like to be new. A faithful church never loses its tenderness for the outsider.
Pursuing Pure Relationships: Honoring What God Calls Sacred
One of the more striking parts of Hebrews 13 is how unavoidably direct it is about relationships, particularly marriage and sexuality. “Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure…” (v. 4). It doesn’t soften the statement or bury it under qualifiers. It simply lays it out.
The call to honor marriage isn’t just for married people. The entire community participates in elevating what God says is sacred. How we talk about marriage, treat married friends, handle our singleness, and the choices we make when no one is watching—these all shape the culture of purity around us.
1 Thessalonians 4:3–4 adds to this picture:
“It is God’s will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; that each of you should learn to control your own body in a way that is holy and honorable.”
This isn’t about shame—it’s about holiness, dignity, and the transformation Jesus makes possible.
Purity doesn’t begin with self-discipline; it begins with identity. We are image-bearers, not objects. We are temples of the Holy Spirit, not containers of impulse. We are people redeemed by Christ, not defined by past decisions or ongoing struggles.
For many, these topics bring up old wounds or regrets. For others, it brings up active battles. Yet Scripture does something beautiful here: it calls us upward without crushing us. 1 John 1:9 promises that “if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us… and purify us.” Purity is not impossible; it’s accessible through Jesus. It’s a journey, not a moment.
A few invitations from Hebrews 13:4:
See people as image-bearers, not objects
Treat relationships with intentionality, not impulse
Value marriage as something holy
Bring private struggles into the light of forgiveness
The call is not perfection—it’s pursuit. Followers of Jesus pursue pure relationships because purity reflects God’s heart.
Practicing Contentment: Trusting God in Every Season
Money has a strange way of pulling at the deepest parts of our hearts. Whether we’re living in abundance or barely getting by, the pressure surrounding finances can feel constant. Hebrews 13 addresses this head-on: “Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have…” (v. 5).
Many people misquote that phrase as “money is the root of all evil,” but the text doesn’t say that. It says the love of money is the problem—the obsession, the grip, the belief that security comes from wealth instead of God.
The reason given for contentment is powerful:
“Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”
Our peace does not come from our paycheck. It comes from the presence of God.
Paul echoed this in Philippians 4:11–12, saying he had “learned to be content whatever the circumstances.” Contentment isn’t something you stumble into; it’s something you learn, often through real pressures and moments of waiting.
There will be seasons of abundance and seasons of stretching. Seasons when budgets are tight and seasons when future plans feel uncertain. But contentment grows where trust grows.
Practicing contentment might look like:
Taking your financial fears to God before spiraling
Celebrating others instead of comparing yourself to them
Holding your possessions with open hands
Choosing gratitude when it doesn’t feel natural
We practice contentment not because life is always easy but because God is always present. Contentment comes from knowing Who we belong to, not what we possess.
A Life of Continual Worship: Praise That Shapes Our Days
Hebrews 13:15 offers a beautiful invitation:
“Through Jesus… let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise.”
Worship isn’t limited to Sunday gatherings or moments when everything feels right. Continual praise means worship becomes woven into the rhythms of our daily lives. Some days praise comes easily—doors open, prayers are answered, and joy feels abundant. But other days, praise feels costly. It feels like a sacrifice.
Those are the days when worship becomes an act of defiance against despair.
Psalm 34:1 says, “I will extol the Lord at all times; his praise will always be on my lips.” This doesn’t ask us to pretend everything is fine. It simply invites us to bring everything we’re carrying into the presence of God rather than turning away from Him.
Colossians 3:16–17 expands the idea further, reminding us to let the message of Jesus dwell richly among us, shaping our songs, our gratitude, and even our everyday actions. Worship is not only emotional—it’s formational. It shapes how we see God, how we respond to challenges, and how we engage the world around us.
Continual praise becomes visible when:
You choose gratitude in disappointment
You sing even when your heart feels heavy
You speak hope when fear tries to overwhelm you
You remember God’s goodness when circumstances feel painful
Worship is more than a moment. It’s a practice—one that forms us into people who trust God in every season.
Living With Sacrificial Generosity: Reflecting the Heart of God
Hebrews 13:16 says, “Do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.” Generosity is more than an occasional act—it’s a posture of the heart. It’s choosing to live open-handed rather than closed-fisted.
This kind of generosity isn’t just financial. It includes time, presence, talents, encouragement, and compassion. The call to “do good” is intentionally broad. Scripture doesn’t reduce generosity to one category; it expands it into an entire way of life.
The challenge is that generosity rarely happens automatically. It requires intentionality because everything around us pushes us toward self-preservation. Without purpose, our focus defaults inward. But generosity pulls our eyes outward.
Hebrews ties generosity back to trust:
“Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”
A heart convinced of God’s provision will naturally grow more free and more generous.
And Jesus Himself set the standard: “For God so loved the world that he gave…” (John 3:16). Generosity reflects His character. It retells the story of redemption every time we choose to give.
This kind of generosity often includes:
Offering your home to those who need connection
Giving even when it stretches your comfort
Showing up for someone who is struggling
Trusting God with the resources you release
Acts 20:35 reminds us of Jesus’ words: “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” Generosity isn’t a loss—it’s a doorway to joy.
Following an Unchanging God in a Changing World
Hebrews 13 closes with a powerful reminder:
“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever” (v. 8).
This truth becomes the backbone of the entire chapter. Because God does not change, our lives can change. Because Jesus is constant, we can be transformed. We are all in different seasons and at different points in our walk, but the invitation is the same: let the Spirit of God continue His work within us.
So where does Hebrews 13 land for you today?
Do you feel God nudging you toward deeper hospitality?
Is purity an area needing healing or commitment?
Has contentment been a struggle lately?
Is worship costly in the season you’re in?
Is generosity something God is expanding in you?
Each of these areas is an opportunity—not to try harder but to lean into Jesus more deeply. His Spirit is active. His presence is steady. His promises are dependable.
If anything in this chapter feels overwhelming, remember this: transformation comes through Christ’s strength, not ours. Every invitation from Hebrews 13 is grounded in His unchanging character.
Call to Action
Take time today to ask the Holy Spirit which area of Hebrews 13 He’s highlighting for you.
Reach out to someone who feels unseen or disconnected and extend welcome.
Identify one practical step you can take this week toward living generously.
Reflect on Hebrews 13:8 and remind yourself that God does not change—even when life does.
Further Reading
“The Pursuit of Holiness” by Jerry Bridges
https://www.navpress.com/p/the-pursuit-of-holiness/9781631466397“Knowing God” by J.I. Packer
https://www.crossway.org/books/knowing-god-tpb/
Other Links
Want to hear more? Check out last week’s message titled, “Hope in the Promise.”
https://www.youtube.com/@viewchurchFor more tools to grow spiritually, explore resources at View Church:
https://www.viewchurch.co/resources