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Hebrews 13:18-25

Sunday Morning Bible Study

March 17, 2019

Introduction

The book of Hebrews was written to Jewish believers.

The author expects the readers to be well acquainted with Levitical worship and sacrifice.

He will constantly quote the Old Testament in a way that expects that the reader understands what he’s talking about.

We also know that these believers were encountering very strong persecution.

Times were so bad that some were beginning to wonder if they shouldn’t quit following Jesus.

We’ve seen three elements woven throughout this letter to the Hebrews.

1. Both Testaments

Even though the Old Testament has become “obsolete” (Heb. 8:13), the entire book of Hebrews is built upon the clear foundation of the Old Testament.

(Hebrews 8:13 NKJV) In that He says, “A new covenant,” He has made the first obsolete. Now what is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to vanish away.

You aren’t going to understand Hebrews, or even the New Testament correctly unless you learn the Old Testament.

2. Jesus is superior

He’s superior to angels, Moses, and the Torah.

He’s superior to the Levitical priests and their sacrifices.

3. Don’t quit

The ultimate goal of the book is to encourage those who are struggling with difficult times, and help them to endure.

This last chapter has been all about the practical things that we ought to be about when we follow Jesus: Loving others, marriage, money, thankfulness, and submission.

13:18-21 Prayer

:18 Pray for us; for we are confident that we have a good conscience, in all things desiring to live honorably.

Pray – proseuchomai – to offer prayers, to pray

we are confident – peitho – persuade; be persuaded; to trust, have confidence, be confident

Perfect active indicative

good – kalos – beautiful, handsome, excellent, eminent, choice, surpassing, precious, useful, suitable, commendable, admirable

conscience – suneidesis – the consciousness of anything; the conscience

honorably – kalos – beautifully, finely, excellently, well

desiring – thelo – to will, have in mind, intend

Present active participle

to live – anastrepho – to turn upside down, overturn; to turn hither and thither, to turn one’s self about, sojourn dwell in a place; metaph. to conduct one’s self, behave one’s self, live

Present passive infinitive

:18 Pray for us

Notice that it’s plural. Wherever the author is, he’s not alone.

His prayer isn’t that he’ll do well in whatever he’s facing because he’s confident that he and his associates are doing what’s right…

:19 But I especially urge you to do this, that I may be restored to you the sooner.

especially – perissoteros – more abundantly; especially, above others

sooner – tachion – more swiftly, more quickly

may be restored – apokathistemi – to restore to its former state; to be in its former state

Aorist passive subjunctive

:19 that I may be restored to you

Notice that the author switches to singular… that “I” may be restored…

The author has experienced separation from the people he’s writing to.

It may be a physical separation, perhaps he’s been on a journey.

It may be that he’s in prison.

Lesson

Praying for others

I think sometimes we lose sight of just how important and effective it is to be praying for others.

We might say casually to a person who has just shared something difficult that “we’ll be praying for them…”

When we’ve had our missionaries come and share updates from the mission field, one of the first things they will ask you all for is your prayer support.

Is it really that important? Don’t they really just want us to send them money? (of course financial support is important …)

Listen to Caleb from Thursday night share about the importance of prayer to the missionary on the field…

Video: Caleb Sharing on Missionary Prayer

I get the same comments from everyone we’ve ever sent out to the field.

Missionaries know that if they want to do a healthy spiritual work, there needs to be spiritual power – and that requires prayer.

Paul regularly wrote to the churches asking them to pray for him.

(Colossians 4:2–4 NKJV) —2 Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving; 3 meanwhile praying also for us, that God would open to us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in chains, 4 that I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak.

Why did Paul make these kinds of requests?

Because prayer works. Prayer is one of God’s chief ways of getting the resources of heaven downloaded to the things going on here on earth.

Do you know how hard it is to pray regularly?

In Ephesians 6, Paul is talking about the reality of spiritual warfare. He encourages the Ephesians to take up the full armor of God with things like the “belt of truth”, the “breastplate of righteousness”, and the “sword of the Spirit”. And then he writes…

(Ephesians 6:18 NKJV) praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints—

Paul’s call to prayer isn’t separate from spiritual warfare – it’s right at the core.

Have you ever made a commitment to pray regularly every day, and on the first day you start … and then something distracts you … and maybe your prayer time didn’t turn out the way you expected it?

Don’t sit on the sidelines in the spiritual war waging around us. Engage in the battle.

Do you have your Calvary Fullerton app open?

Click on the bottom button marked “Connect”, then scroll down to “Prayer” and then “Prayer List”.

Please join the ranks of us who are committed to praying for the things on here, updated weekly, including the section marked “Missions Support”

this is how he prays for them…

:20 Now may the God of peace who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant,

:21 make you complete in every good work to do His will, working in you what is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.

We’ll come back to this at the end…

13:22-25 Final Words

:22 And I appeal to you, brethren, bear with the word of exhortation, for I have written to you in few words.

bear with – anechomai – to hold up; to hold one’s self erect and firm; to sustain, to bear, to endure

:22 I have written to you in few words

Our author is hoping that his readers take the things he’s said seriously.

We’ve been working our way through this “short” letter since May 20 (ten months).

This letter may only be 13 chapters long (ten pages in my Bible), but it’s been full of lessons.

Have you learned anything?

I hope you’ve seen as we’ve made our way through it how important it is that you study your Old Testament.

When a person is ignorant of the Old Testament, much of this letter goes right over your head.

And yet when you realize where he’s coming from with the eyes of an Old Testament reader, it all makes a lot of sense.

:23 Know that our brother Timothy has been set free, with whom I shall see you if he comes shortly.

:23 our brother Timothy has been set free

Here’s one clue as to who wrote this letter.

The author was acquainted with Timothy.

Yet Timothy knew a lot of folks.

He knew Paul. He knew Silas. He probably knew Barnabas and Apollos.

:24 Greet all those who rule over you, and all the saints. Those from Italy greet you.

:25 Grace be with you all. Amen.

:24 Those from Italy greet you

Here’s another clue.

The author is apparently in Italy. Maybe even Rome?

Yet that doesn’t really identify the author either. Lots of guys went through Rome at one point.

Let’s go back to those verses we have become so familiar with over these last ten months.

This is the prayer of the author for his readers.

We have used them each week at the end of the service as our “blessing”.

As we’ve been noticing, they are filled with little glimpses back at the things that we’ve unpacked inside this letter.

:20 Now may the God of peace who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant,

who brought up – anago ἀνάγω – to lead up, to lead or bring into a higher place; of navigators: launch out, set sail, put to sea

Aorist active participle

Shepherd – poimen – a herdsman, esp. a shepherd

sheep – probaton – sheep

covenant – diatheke – a compact, a covenant, a testament

:20 the God of peace

These two verses contain one actual request being made of God.

Before we get into the actual request, we have a few reminders of who it is that we’re praying to.

Five times the New Testament calls Him the “God of peace” (Rom. 15:33; 16:20; Phil. 4:9; 1The. 5:23; Heb. 13:20)

Our faith in Jesus Christ gives us peace with God (Rom. 5:1)

(Romans 5:1 NKJV) Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,

The message we have for the world is called the “gospel of peace” (Rom. 10:15; Eph. 6:15)

(Romans 10:15 NKJV) And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, Who bring glad tidings of good things!”

(Ephesians 6:15 NKJV) and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace;

God wants to guard our hearts and minds with His peace (Col. 3:15; Phil. 4:6-7)

(Colossians 3:15 NKJV) And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful.

(Philippians 4:6–7 NKJV) —6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

When we are going through great difficulty, we need to remember who God is and where our peace will come from.

Hint: It’s not going to come from the things you self-medicate with.

Once Jesus was crossing Galilee in a boat with His disciples.

A storm arose and the disciples were freaking out while Jesus was asleep in the boat. After they woke Him..

(Matthew 8:26 NKJV) But He said to them, “Why are you fearful, O you of little faith?” Then He arose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm.

If you are freaking out in the storm, don’t forget where the peace you need comes from.

:20 who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead

To these readers who are struggling:

Don’t forget the power of God.

If He can rise the dead, then nothing is impossible.

This morning we sang “Ain’t no grave gonna hold my body down” – it’s about the power of the resurrection in our lives.

(Romans 8:11 NKJV) But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.

:20 that great Shepherd of the sheep

Jesus is that great Shepherd.

(John 10:11 NKJV) “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep.

He’s the good shepherd.

We are His sheep. He sees you. He cares for you.

:20 through the blood of the everlasting covenant

All through Hebrews we’ve seen the author show that Jesus is the ultimate fulfillment of the picture painted by the Old Testament sacrifices.

God didn’t establish a temporary relationship with us, but an everlasting one.

Our relationship with God has come about through what Jesus has done.

(Hebrews 9:13–15 NKJV) —13 For if the blood of bulls and goats and the ashes of a heifer, sprinkling the unclean, sanctifies for the purifying of the flesh, 14 how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? 15 And for this reason He is the Mediator of the new covenant, by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions under the first covenant, that those who are called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance.

Our connection with God isn’t based on what we have done, but on what Jesus has done.

It’s a relationship that’s everlasting.

When we take communion, that little cup of grape juice reminds us of that blood.

(Mark 14:24 NKJV) And He said to them, “This is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many.

When you put your faith in Jesus Christ as your Savior, His blood cleanses you from all sin.

In the Greek text, the word order is, “The God of peace, who brought up from the dead the great shepherd of the sheep by the blood of the everlasting covenant, our Lord Jesus …”

:21 (May He) make you complete in every good work to do His will, working in you what is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.

:21 (May He) make you complete

This is the very heart of the prayer for the readers.

make you complete – katartizo/καταρτίζω – to mend (what has been broken), to repair; to complete; make one what he ought to be

Matthew uses the word to describe what James and John were doing when Jesus first met them (Mat. 4:21), they were “mending” their nets.

(Matthew 4:21 NKJV) Going on from there, He saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets.

Aorist active optative, 3^rd singular

Optative: The mood used by the writer to portray an action as possible, or to express a wish or desire.

It’s often expressed with the word “may” (the “may” in vs.20)

Robertson: A wish for the future

The word is in a rare form known as the “optative” mood, which is a way to express a wish or desire.

This is the author’s wish or prayer for his readers – for them to be what they ought to be.

Video: Army: Be All That You Can Be

We’ll talk in a minute how that happens.

:21 in every good work to do His will

good – agathos – good, pleasant, agreeable, joyful, happy

Last week we learned about some of the sacrifices that we as New Testament believers can offer to God.

(Hebrews 13:16 NKJV) But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.

One of those things we are to offer to God is “to do good”.

We are not to just “do good”, but to be seeking to do God’s will.

will – thelema/ θέλημα – what one wishes or has determined shall be done; will, choice, inclination, desire, pleasure

There are lots of good things we can be doing, but God has special, specific desires for us, things that bring Him pleasure.

:21 working in you what is well pleasing in His sight

well pleasing – euarestos – well pleasing, acceptable

Heb. 13:16 said that doing good was a sacrifice that was “well-pleasing” to God.

I am a believer in the idea that sometimes the “good” things are the enemy of the “best”.

When you get to the point in your life where you are truly open to being available for God – you are ready for God to use you – you can find yourself slowly overwhelmed with too many things to do.

Sometimes we can get a off track by thinking that every good thing that comes our way is God’s will, and then we get distracted from doing the best things God wants for us.

I think you are responsible for the choices you make.

Some of those choices involve balancing your priorities.

Balancing your personal walk with God, marriage, family, work, ministry … and even rest.

:21 make you complete in every good work

Lesson

Tools for Maturity

Back in chapter 6, we saw this phrase,

(Hebrews 6:1 NKJV) Therefore, leaving the discussion of the elementary principles of Christ, let us go on to perfection (maturity)

The word translated “perfection” was teliotes (τελειότης), and might be better translated as “maturity”.

I mentioned back then that words based on the root of this word were found 26 times in Hebrews, and that one of the underlying themes in Hebrews is that of moving towards maturity.

I suggested that “maturity” was one of the underlying themes in Hebrews.

It’s here in the blessing that we again have this same thread, the prayer of God making us “complete” in every good work.

When you search for our Greek word “make you complete” (καταρτίζω), and its related words, you find the very tools that God wants to use in our lives to “mend” or “complete” us.

Word

(2 Timothy 3:16–17 NKJV) —16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

(ἐξαρτίζω)

In the movie, “Spider-Man Homecoming”, Peter Parker is given a special suit by Tony Stark that has a computer that talks to him.

Video: Spider-Man Homecoming – Damage Control Warehouse

God’s Word can be a little like that computer talking, teaching you how to train so you can do what God wants you to do.

This is why we place such an emphasis on studying the Bible – it’s one of God’s chief resources to mature us.

(Psalm 119:50 NKJV) This is my comfort in my affliction, For Your word has given me life.

Mentors

God will use other mature believers to help us grow.

(Ephesians 4:11–12 NKJV) —11 And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, 12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ,

(καταρτισμός)

My job as a pastor is not to do the work of the ministry all by myself, but to help train you do join me in the work.

This isn’t limited to pastors.

Jesus said,

(Luke 6:40 NKJV) A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone who is perfectly trained will be like his teacher.

(καταρτίζω)

Video: Karate Kid – Karate is for Defense

Paul tells us one way this happens,

(Galatians 6:1 NKJV) Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted.

(καταρτίζω)

When you have been walking with the Lord for awhile, God will use you to help others who might be struggling.

That’s what the James Gang, is all about.

Prayer

We’ve already talked about prayer this morning.

Our passage itself is a prayer – the author is praying this for his friends.

We’ve used this prayer as the “blessing” at the end of the service.

Our Jewish readers knew all about the concept of speaking “blessings”.

They grew up hearing their priests recite the blessing of Aaron (Num. 6:23-27) over them.

(Numbers 6:23–27 NKJV) —23 “Speak to Aaron and his sons, saying, ‘This is the way you shall bless the children of Israel. Say to them: 24 “The Lord bless you and keep you; 25 The Lord make His face shine upon you, And be gracious to you; 26 The Lord lift up His countenance upon you, And give you peace.” ’ 27 “So they shall put My name on the children of Israel, and I will bless them.”

The Hebrew word for “bless” (barak) means “to endue with power for success, prosperity, happiness, or long life.” (TWOT)

You might want to learn to use the blessing/prayer in our passage as a way of praying for yourself and for others.

There are a few people you might not think of that you could pray this for as well.

Jesus said,

(Matthew 5:44 NKJV) But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you

What do you think might happen if you started asking God to do the things in our passage for those you struggle with?

Trials

(1 Peter 5:10 NKJV) But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you.

(καταρτίζω)

Peter is praying for his readers to be “perfected” – but it happens after they have “suffered a while”.

James talks about how our difficulties lead to maturity.

(James 1:2–4 CSB) —2 Consider it a great joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you experience various trials, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance. 4 And let endurance have its full effect, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing.

(τέλειος)

What have we been reminded of each week about our readers?

They are going through great difficulty.

The author is praying that they realize that God is at work in their trials to help them to grow.

Could it be that the difficult things you are going through are being used by God to mature you?

Illustration

The Teacup

An American couple went to England to celebrate their 25^th wedding anniversary. Both the man and the wife were connoisseurs and fanciers of pottery, antiques, and china. When they came to Sussex they went into a Little China shop. Their eyes singled out a beautiful little tea cup on the top shelf. The man said, “Can I see that, that’s the most beautiful tea cup I’ve ever seen.” And as he was holding the tea cup, the tea cup begins to speak.

It said, “You don’t understand, I haven’t always been a tea cup. There was a time when I was just red clay. My master took me and he rolled me and he patted me over and over and over. I yelled out “Let me alone” but he only smiled and said, “Not yet”. And then I was placed on a spinning wheel, suddenly I was spun around and around and around. “Stop it I’m getting dizzy,” I said. The master only nodded and said “Not yet” Then he put me in an oven, I’d never felt such heat. I wondered why he wanted to burn me and I yelled and I knocked on the door and I could see him through the opening and I could read his lips. As he nodded his head he said “not yet.” Finally the door did open “whew”, and he put me on a shelf and I began to cool. “That’s better” I said. And then suddenly he grabbed me and he brushed me and he began to paint me all over. I thought I would suffocate, I thought I would gag, the fumes were horrible. And he just smiled and said, “Not yet”. And then suddenly he put me back into an oven, not the first one but one twice as hot, and I knew that I was going to die. And I begged and I screamed and I yelled, and all the time I could see him through the opening, smiling and nodding his head, “not yet, not yet. And then I knew that there was no hope, I knew that I wouldn’t make it. I was just ready to give up when the door opened and he took me out and he put me on a shelf. Then an hour later he came back and he handed me a mirror and he said “Look at yourself”. And I did. And I said, “That can’t be me, I’m beautiful!”

My friends, could it be that some of the difficult things you’ve been through have only been meant by your maker to make you more beautiful?

:21 through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever

This is a prayer for those who have been struggling and even contemplating walking away from Jesus.

Their stand for Jesus has made their life hard.

Yet in reality, there are two things to remember.

1. Jesus is the one who works in our lives.

He’s the one who turns all things to the good.

He’s the One who will take all the pain we’ve gone through and use it to “equip” us.

2. Jesus is the One to whom all glory will go in heaven.

So where else would we turn for help?

He’s the One that everything points to.

When you are praying for people, don’t forget that the greatest thing that can ever happen to them is not “healing” or removal of some problem. The greatest thing that can happen is that they get connected to Jesus.