February 22 2009

JESUS: Our Conclusion

Hebrews 13:20-21

 

We’ve come to the end of our of our study of Hebrews.  It’s been a challenging study in many regards from doctrine to practical living.  So let’s hear these ending words.

 

Read: Hebrews 13:1-19

 

With these final exhortations the author says … “In conclusion” (which often doesn’t mean too much to preachers)

 

Hebrews 13:20-22 (ESV) Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, 21 equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen. 22 I appeal to you, brothers, bear with my word of exhortation, for I have written to you briefly.

 

These words are much like those of Solomon in the book of Ecclesiastes that looks at all of life and its living to which he concludes:

 

Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 (NKJV)  Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, For this is man’s all. 14 For God will bring every work into judgment, including every secret thing, whether good or evil.

 

The author of Hebrews concludes with a summary of doctrinal issues that he has pursued throughout his letter.

 

§ The Supreme Nature of Christ … His Person & Work

§ The Caring Nature of Christ … Great Shepherd

§ The Eternal Nature of Christ … New Covenant

 

Doctrine! Doctrine! Doctrine!  Tt’s is a “stuffy shirt!” some say.  So we ask, “Is there a purpose to all this doctrinal teaching?”  Yes!, Yes!, Yes! 

 

The author states God is …

 

§ Equipping you! … God prepares and provides all you need to do His will

 

Ephesians 4:12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ

 

2 Peter 1:3  His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.

 

§ Working in you! … His good pleasure

 

Ephesians 1:9 (NKJV)  having made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He purposed in Himself,

 

Philippians 2:13 (NKJV)  for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.

 

This is not the “easy believe-ism” that excuses sin-filled living with, “Oh well God loves me!”

 

The emphasis of the conclusion the author is making is … doctrine is for everyday life living.  There could be no better conclusion!

 

If right doctrine does not produce right living then it is merely information (bits of knowledge) and not transformation … that is changing the heart, mind and body … then it’s just more “useless” information in an over-informed world.

 

So let’s say it like this … Jesus in WHO He is, WHAT He has accomplished and HOW he accomplished it … is to be the “concluding” difference in how we live everyday in every way.

 

My life in Christ changes the way I think, act and talk.

 

1 John 2:6  Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did.

 

It’s more than a “WWJD” mentality … but it realizing the reality of the work God is doing … transforming and conforming that God is doing within His born-again children.

 

Romans 12:2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

 

Romans 8:29 For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. (See: 1 Peter 1:2)

 

§ The NEGATIVE … “not be conformed” is our active participation in the life of Christ … “discern” and make wise choices.

 

§ The POSITIVE … transforming (inside – out) and conforming (responding in form & character: i.e. Christians … “little Christs”) us to the image of Jesus is God’s active participation in our lives.

 

So the author lays out the doctrine of Christ to impact our living in:

 

ü LOVE … Let brotherly love continue (13:1) … throughout the NT we are commanded to love … not as a particular “emotion” but a call to “motion” to meet one another’s needs … and thus show that we are disciples (Jn 13:35) … marked by love … build a fellowship of deep affection for one another. (Piper)

 

ü HOSPITALITY … Do not neglect to show hospitality (entertain) (13:2) … in context to one’s home being used a means of ministry … we are to “seek” … be given to hospitality with the heart of meeting needs of all, not just our own friends.

 

ü ASSOCIATION … Remember those in prison & mistreated (13:3) … Continued hospitality of caring for others … the Great Shepherd leaves an indelible mark on His sheep … love & care for the down and out of this world. (Mt 25:36 … I was in prison and you came to visit me.)

 

ü MARRIAGE … Let marriage be held in honor (13:4) … thought & action … God created & ordained marriage (male & female) … keep it pure, hold it in truth and lift it up before all …God, family, church and world … Draw near to God knowing God will judge the sexual immoral and adulterous acting persons.

 

ü FINANCES … Keep your life free from love of money  (13:5) … Stay away from greed … that takes one out seeing God’s provisions are enough.  “Greed accuses God of incompetence as provider.” (Guthrie) … love of money is the root for all kinds of evil (1 Tm 6:10)

 

Luke 12:15  Then he said to them, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.”

 

These are not arbitrary points the author picks out … but the govern life from the love of God to the love of others and they are governed on … Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. (Hebrews 13:8)

 

From beginning to end we conclude with Jesus.

 

Hebrews 1:1-4 Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, 2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. 3 He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, 4 having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs.

 

And so we conclude to KNOW of Christ and LIVE for Christ.

 

Amen!