From Mark Copeland... Closing Words Befitting A Grand Epistle (Hebrews 13:18-25)

                      "THE EPISTLE TO THE HEBREWS"

           Closing Words Befitting A Grand Epistle (13:18-25)

INTRODUCTION

1. We now come to the closing words of what is truly "a grand 
   epistle"...
   a. One that has been described as:
      1) Beginning like an essay
      2) Progressing like a sermon
      3) Ending like a letter
   b. In which we noted systematic arguments upholding:
      1) The superiority of Jesus Christ
      2) The superiority of the New Covenant dedicated by His blood
   c. Where we have been exhorted to:
      1) Draw near to God with a true heart in full assurance of faith
      2) Hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering
      3) Consider one another in order to stir up love and good works
      4) Run with endurance the race set before us, looking to Jesus as
         we do so
      5) Purse peace with all men and holiness
      6) Heed the voice of Him who speaks from heaven
      7) Serve God with reverence and godly fear
      8) Love the brethren, display hospitality to strangers, and 
         remember the prisoners
      9) Uphold the sanctity of marriage and avoid covetousness
     10) Avoid various and strange doctrines, obeying those who rule 
         over us in the Lord

2. With the last eight verses, we find:
   a. A request for prayer in behalf of the author - He 13:18-19
   b. A benediction offered in behalf of the readers - He 13:20-21
   c. A final exhortation, comment and farewell - He 13:22-25

3. I am suggesting that these verses serve as "Closing Words Befitting
   A Grand Epistle"...
   a. For they touch upon themes developed earlier in the epistle
   b. Therefore serving as a close worthy of such an epistle as we have
      studied

[As we take this opportunity to reflect upon these closing words, we 
first observe the author's...]

I. REQUEST FOR PRAYER (18-19)

   A. ONE REASON FOR HIS REQUEST...
      1. He is confident of "a good conscience", desiring to live 
         honorably
         a. The mention of a good conscience brings to mind several 
            verses - He 9:9,14; 10:22
         b. Through the blood of Christ, his conscience has made clean
            to serve God
      2. Certainly their prayers in his behalf would be for a good 
         purpose...
         a. To bless a man whose has been cleansed by the blood of 
            Christ!
         b. To bless a man who desires to live honorably!

   B. ANOTHER REASON FOR HIS REQUEST...
      1. To be restored to them sooner
      2. Thus he expresses his intention to come them

[Having requested their prayers, the author reciprocates with a prayer
of his own...]

II. BENEDICTION OFFERED IN THEIR BEHALF (20-21)

   A. MAY GOD...
      1. Described as "the God of peace"
         a. A description found often in Paul's letters - Ro 15:33; 
            16:20; 1Th 5:23; Php 4:9
         b. He is the source of peace (note the salutations in most 
            epistles)
      2. "who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead"
         a. This is the only explicit reference to Jesus' resurrection
            in the epistle
         b. Though it is assumed in passages which speak of Christ at
            the right hand of God - cf. He 1:3; 4:14; 9:24 10:12; 12:2
      3. Jesus is described as "that great Shepherd of the sheep"
         - cf. Jn 10:11,14

   B. MAKE YOU COMPLETE...
      1. "in every good work to do His will"
         a. The author wants them to be complete in doing God's will
         b. Yet he recognizes that they cannot do it on their own, they
            will need God's help!
      2. How will God make them complete in every good work to do His
         will?
         a. "through the blood of the everlasting covenant"
            1) This refers, of course, to the blood of Jesus
               a) Which is able to purge our conscience from dead works
                  - He 9:14
               b) By which Jesus has become the Mediator of the New 
                  Covenant - He 9:15
            2) By this blood Jesus has "perfected forever those who are
               being sanctified" - He 10:10,14
            -- Through the blood of Jesus, then, God is able to make us
               complete in every good work to do His will
         b. "working in you what is pleasing in His sight, through 
            Jesus Christ"
            1) Not only are we cleansed by the blood of Jesus, but God
               works in us to do what pleases Him!
               a) This is reminiscent of Paul's comments in Php 2:12-13
               b) That as we "work out" our salvation, God "works in" 
                  us!
            2) Instrumental in God working in us is the role of His 
               Spirit...
               a) We are strengthened by God's Spirit in the inner man 
                  - Ep 3:16
               b) It is by the Spirit we can put to death the deeds of
                  the body - Ro 8:13
            -- It is by both the blood of Jesus and the work of the 
               Spirit that we are truly "washed", "justified" and 
               "sanctified" - 1Co 6:11; Tit 3:5-7

[While we are admonished throughout this epistle to be steadfast, this
closing prayer reminds that we are not alone.  In His grace and mercy,
God aids in our desires and efforts to do His will!

And now at last, we notice...]

III. A FINAL EXHORTATION, COMMENT, AND FAREWELL (22-25)

   A. HIS FINAL EXHORTATION (22)
      1. To "bear with the word of exhortation"
         a. This epistle has truly been one of exhorting them; we have
            exhortations against...
            1) Drifting from what they have heard - He 2:1-4
            2) Departing from the living God - He 3:12-15
            3) Disobedience to His Word - He 4:11-13
            4) Dullness of hearing - He 5:11-6:6
            5) Despising God's grace - He 10:26-39
            6) Defying Him who now speaks from heaven - He 12:14-29
         b. While at times he has written rather strongly, he
            encourages them to bear with it
      2. While one of the longer epistles in the New Testament, it was
         still "written to you in few words" (compare it with some of
         the writings of the "church fathers"!)

   B. A COMMENT REGARDING TIMOTHY (23)
      1. "Our brother Timothy" - most likely he who was Paul's constant
         companion
      2. Evidently just released from prison, and likely to join the 
         author in coming to them

   C. GREETINGS AND FAREWELL (24-25)
      1. Greetings from the author...
         a. To "all those who rule over you", i.e., their elders (cf.
            He 13:7,17)
         b. To "all the saints", i.e., the rest of the Christian
      2. Greetings from "those from Italy"; this suggests two 
         possibilities...
         a. The author was writing from Italy, passing along greetings
            from those present
         b. The author was writing to Italy, sending greetings from 
            those with him who were from there
      3. A simple farewell:  "Grace be with you all. Amen"

CONCLUSION

1. So ends "the word of exhortation", that grand epistle known simply 
   as "The Epistle To The Hebrews" (or "To The Hebrews")

2. Though written to Jewish Christians, with their particular need in 
   mind...
   a. It is of great value to all Christians
   b. It tells us more about the intercessory work of our Lord as High
      Priest than any other book of the New Testament
   c. Its warnings and exhortations are needed just as much today by
      Christians who are being tempted to leave Christ and go back into
      the world

Especially these words found in Hebrews 10:19-25...

   "Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the
   blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He consecrated for 
   us, through the veil, that is, His flesh, and having a High Priest
   over the house of God,"

   "let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith,
   having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies
   washed with pure water.  Let us hold fast the confession of our
   hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.  And let
   us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works,
   not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the
   manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more
   as you see the Day approaching."

I pray that our study has served the same purpose, to encourage us all
to "draw near" to God, to "hold fast" the hope we confess, and to stir
up "love and good works".

xecutable Outlines, Copyright © Mark A. Copeland, 2011

From Gary... Listen... Are the stones talking yet???

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wOR1wUqvJS4

Listen to this; I did and won't soon forget it!!!!

I had planned a nice quiet afternoon, watching television or just plain goofing off, but that was just not-to-be. When I saw this video, it cried out for comment!!! Two passages of Scripture came to mind mind immediately and I encourage you to read them both, for they are important....

 

 Jeremiah, Chapter 1

 1 The words of Jeremiah the son of Hilkiah, of the priests who were in Anathoth in the land of Benjamin:  2 to whom Yahweh’s word came in the days of Josiah the son of Amon, king of Judah, in the thirteenth year of his reign.  3 It came also in the days of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah, king of Judah, to the end of the eleventh year of Zedekiah, the son of Josiah, king of Judah, to the carrying away of Jerusalem captive in the fifth month. 4 Now Yahweh’s word came to me, saying,  5 “Before I formed you in the belly, I knew you. Before you came out of the womb, I sanctified you. I have appointed you a prophet to the nations.”  6 Then I said, “Ah, Lord Yahweh! Behold, I don’t know how to speak; for I am a child.” 

  7  But Yahweh said to me, “Don’t say, ‘I am a child;’ for to whoever I shall send you, you shall go, and whatever I shall command you, you shall speak.  8 Don’t be afraid because of them; for I am with you to deliver you,” says Yahweh.  9 Then Yahweh stretched out his hand, and touched my mouth; and Yahweh said to me, “Behold, I have put my words in your mouth.  10 Behold, I have this day set you over the nations and over the kingdoms, to pluck up and to break down and to destroy and to overthrow, to build and to plant.”

 

And 

 

Luke, Chapter 19

 36 As he went, they spread their cloaks on the road. 37 As he was now getting near, at the descent of the Mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works which they had seen,  38 saying, “Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven, and glory in the highest!” 

  39  Some of the Pharisees from the multitude said to him, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples!” 

  40  He answered them, “I tell you that if these were silent, the stones would cry out.” 

Right now, you are probably asking yourself- why did he link these passages???  Well, because the first proves that the unborn are known by God (and therefore human) and the second teaches that some things just can not be silenced!!!!  Unless you are a hard-core anti-Semite, the holocaust should offend you. Killing thousands upon thousands of defenseless people is horrific!!!  Well, if you out there call yourself a Christian- YOU SHOULD BE MOVED BY THIS LITTLE VIDEO, AND THE FACTS IT PROCLAIMS!!!  Abortion has been going on for years, with millions of unborn babies being murdered for the sake of convenience!!!!  Although it seems to me that someone must have wrote this speech for this 12 year old girl, nonetheless, its truth should move any thinking person to action!!!  And, if that is true, then what about those who claim they love and obey God??? Please, think about this and do what you can; the unborn victims of murder cry out-- are you listening????

One more passage...

Matthew, Chapter 25

 31  “But when the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then he will sit on the throne of his glory.   32  Before him all the nations will be gathered, and he will separate them one from another, as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.   33  He will set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.   34  Then the King will tell those on his right hand, ‘Come, blessed of my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world;   35  for I was hungry, and you gave me food to eat. I was thirsty, and you gave me drink. I was a stranger, and you took me in.   36  I was naked, and you clothed me. I was sick, and you visited me. I was in prison, and you came to me.’ 

  37  “Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry, and feed you; or thirsty, and give you a drink?   38  When did we see you as a stranger, and take you in; or naked, and clothe you?   39  When did we see you sick, or in prison, and come to you?’ 

  40  “The King will answer them, ‘Most certainly I tell you, because you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’   

From Gary.... History

I have been told by many people that history is not being taught in schools and pictures like the above tend to confirm this.  How can any intelligent person NOT KNOW about Nazi Germany and the horrors of World War II? Well, if you do not know history, you might not.  Practically since the first day I started worshipping with the Southside church of Christ in Zephyrhills, I have been exposed to a lot of it. Why? Because one of the ministers there is a HISTORY BUFF!!! And knowing history is a good thing- it helps in not repeating the same mistakes previous generations have done. When I hear the word history, I think of a great man, departed from this world to be with Jesus- John P. Bizzell Jr.. A little man (of only 5 feet) he had a spirituality about him that I remember to this day.  And when he began to teach me his series of Bible History classes, he started by holding up a sign- HISTORY, HIS-STORY!!!  When you think about it, Jesus affected history like no other and our New Testament reflects this; namely in the books of Luke and Acts....

Luke, Chapter 1

 1 Since many have undertaken to set in order a narrative concerning those matters which have been fulfilled among us,  2 even as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and servants of the word delivered them to us,  3 it seemed good to me also, having traced the course of all things accurately from the first, to write to you in order, most excellent Theophilus;  4 that you might know the certainty concerning the things in which you were instructed.

AND

 Acts, Chapter 1

 1 The first book I wrote, Theophilus, concerned all that Jesus began both to do and to teach,  2 until the day in which he was received up, after he had given commandment through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen.  3 To these he also showed himself alive after he suffered, by many proofs, appearing to them over a period of forty days, and speaking about God’s Kingdom.  4 Being assembled together with them, he commanded them, “Don’t depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which you heard from me.   5  For John indeed baptized in water, but you will be baptized in the Holy Spirit not many days from now.” 

  6  Therefore when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, are you now restoring the kingdom to Israel?” 

  7  He said to them, “It isn’t for you to know times or seasons which the Father has set within his own authority.   8  But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you. You will be witnesses to me in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the uttermost parts of the earth.” 

  9  When he had said these things, as they were looking, he was taken up, and a cloud received him out of their sight.  10 While they were looking steadfastly into the sky as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white clothing,  11 who also said, “You men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into the sky? This Jesus, who was received up from you into the sky will come back in the same way as you saw him going into the sky.”

These two books, taken together, form a summary of the beginnings of Christianity. And those beginnings are worth reading again and again because it is worth knowing. From a few apostles to a world wide religion, the spread of Christianity has been a phenomenon!  Literally, thousands of witness and the sacrifice of an untold number of martyrs attest to the truth of what is written in the New Testament. Take some time, read Luke (preferably in one sitting) and then Acts later on. You will be glad you did!!!  Don't want to- OK, but remember the helmet above...  

From Mark Copeland... Stability In Our Service To God (Hebrews 13:7-17)

                      "THE EPISTLE TO THE HEBREWS"

               Stability In Our Service To God (13:7-17)

INTRODUCTION

1. Throughout his epistle, the author has exhorted his readers to 
   "steadfastness"...
   a. With a warning not to drift away - He 2:1
   b. With a promise of becoming partakers of Christ - He 3:14
   c. With exhortations to be diligent - He 4:11; 6:11-12
   d. With a reminder of God's faithfulness - He 10:23
   e. With a promise of great reward - He 10:35-36

2. As the epistle nears its end, we find some final exhortations that 
   appear to encourage such steadfastness...
   a. They are sprinkled throughout He 13:7-17
   b. They are given in view of the danger of "various and strange
      doctrines" - He 13:9

3. The need for such exhortations is no less today as it was then...
   a. There are many various and strange doctrines today
   b. It is easy for us to forget the simplicity that is in Christ

[If we are not to be carried about with various and strange doctrines,
then "Stability In Our Service To God" is what we need.  What can we
glean from our text that will aid us in our steadfastness?  First,
there are...]

I. THINGS TO REMEMBER (7-14)

   A. THOSE WHO FAITH IS WORTHY OF EMULATION (7)
      1. In the original context of the epistle...
         a. The author here may have in reference those leaders who 
            originally spoke the word of God to them
         b. That may have included the apostles themselves - cf. He 2:3
         c. "...considering the outcome of their conduct" may imply
            that they were dead, and that their faith served them well
      2. But it would also be appropriate to remember the faithfulness
         of our "leaders" today
         a. Those elders who have spoken God's word to us
         b. Those elders whose faith enabled them to magnify Christ in
            both life and death
      3. Not only remember them, but "whose faith follow"
         a. We should seek to emulate all those whose faith have set a
            good example - Php 3:17
         b. Especially those whose faith sustained them to the end!

   B. "JESUS CHRIST, THE SAME YESTERDAY, TODAY, AND FOREVER" (8)
      1. In what way is "Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, today, and 
         forever"?
         a. Certainly not in every respect, for He was once "in the 
            flesh", but not today
         b. The context must determine, and the context pertains to:
            1) The word of God which has been spoken - v.7
            2) Various and strange doctrines - v.9
         c. It is therefore the doctrine of Jesus, which is
            unchangeable
      2. One may therefore rightly ask whenever they hear of some 
         strange or new doctrine:  "Did Jesus or His apostles teach 
         this?" - cf. Ga 1:8-9

   C. WHAT WE HAVE IN CHRIST (9-14)
      1. It is apparent the author has in mind the temptation to return
         to the Law
         a. To the dietary restrictions found in the Law
         b. To the altar and tabernacle of the Old Covenant
      2. But what we have in Christ include:
         a. Hearts that are strengthened by grace, not food - He 13:9
            1) An allusion to the dietary restrictions of Judaism
            2) While they served their purpose, they did not provide 
               what one really needs - cf. Col 3:20-23
         b. An altar from which those who serve in the physical 
            tabernacle have no right to eat - He 13:10-13
            1) The "altar" is likely a metonymy for the sacrifice
               offered on it
            2) If so, then our "altar" is the sacrifice of Christ,
               which is of no benefit to those who hold to the Old Law
               - cf. Ga 5:4
            3) As our sacrifice (Christ), had to suffer "outside the 
               gate" to provide our sanctification, so we should be 
               willing to serve Him "outside the camp" (i.e., outside
               the physical religious community of Israel)
         c. A "city" which is yet to come - He 13:14
            1) Like our father Abraham, we wait for the city "whose
               builder and maker is God" - He 11:9-10
            2) We are but strangers and pilgrims on the earth, desiring
               that city which God has prepared - He 11:13-16
            3) Therefore, it is not physical Jerusalem we long for, but
               "the holy city, New Jerusalem" - cf. He 12:22; Re 3:12;
               21:1-2,10-11

[Dare we jeopardize these wonderful blessings in Christ?  Then remember
the word and faith of those who are worthy of emulation, and that the
doctrine of Jesus Christ will not change!

As we seek "Stability In Our Service To God", there are also...]

II. THINGS TO DO (15-17)

   A. OFFER TRUE SPIRITUAL SACRIFICES TO GOD (15-16)
      1. We may not "serve the tabernacle" of the Old Covenant (v.10),
         but we do have "sacrifices" to offer - cf. 1Pe 2:5
      2. One is the sacrifice of praise - He 13:15
         a. That includes singing and prayer, which are the fruit of
            our lips
         b. In which we praise God as we give thanks to His name
         -- This we are to do "continually" (i.e., with stability in
            our service to God)
      2. Another is the sacrifice of doing good and sharing - He 13:16
         a. With such sacrifices God is pleased
         b. They are like the "sweet-smelling aroma" of incense - Php 4:18

   B. OBEY THOSE WHO RULE OVER US (17)
      1. Earlier he wrote of their previous leadership (v.7); now he
         writes of their present leadership
      2. These are most likely their "elders" (also known as "bishops",
         "pastors")
         a. They were given the oversight of the local congregation 
            - Ac 20:17,28; 1Pe 5:1-2
         b. The souls of the congregation were "entrusted" to them 
            - 1Pe 5:3
      3. They watch over us, as those who must one day give an account 
         - He 13:17
      4. Therefore we should "obey" and "submit"
         a. That their work will be one of joy, not grief
         b. If we grieve them in their work, it will not be profitable
            for us!
         -- Of course, this assumes they are leading the flock in the
            right direction (some elders do not, and may need rebuke 
            - cf. Ac 20:28-30; 1Ti 5:19-20)

CONCLUSION

1. Do you wish to remain steadfast in your faith, with stability in
   your service to God?

2. Then remember such things as:
   a. Those worthy of emulation, and consider the outcome of their
      conduct
   b. Jesus Christ, whose doctrine is the same yesterday, today, and
      forever
   c. The blessings we have in Christ:
      1) Hearts established by grace
      2) An altar (the sacrifice of Jesus) to which some have no right
      3) A heavenly city whose builder and maker is God

3. And be careful to do such things as:
   a. Offer the spiritual sacrifices of praise and doing good to others
   b. Obey those who have been entrusted to watch for our souls

With such "Stability In Our Service To God", then by God's grace we too
will be "the same yesterday, today, and forever"!

Executable Outlines, Copyright © Mark A. Copeland, 2011