Complete in Christ… (4 points)

• 1^st – Pray for Pastors… vs. 18-19
  • 1^st – PRAY… 18
    • PRAY – 87x in NT – to have a conversation with God…
      • The typical view of PRAYER is coming to God with a list – needs / wants…
      • It is treated as a ritual – part of what God expects a Christian to do…
      • As if somehow if we recite some words to God once or twice a day – it is enough…
      • Rarely do we take the time in PRAYER to listen – it is a one way conversation…
      • It makes you wonder – if no one is answering – is anyone listening – Luke 18:11
    • PRAYER is not a ritual – it should be a conversation…
      • If I told you I had a VERY good friend – who I NEVER talk to – you might think that odd!
      • John 15:15 – “No longer do I call you servants… but I have called you friends…”
      • God desires to hear from us – build a relationship with His kids!
      • But how can we have a relationship with God – if we never get a chance to talk to Him…
      • Taking the time to listening to the wisdom He has for our lives!
      • When we have a good day / when we have a hard day…
      • When we do not know what to do next – find a quiet place and PRAY!
      • PRAYER is not something we do – it is the definition of how we live our life!
      • I Thessalonians 5:17 – “Pray without ceasing…”
  • 2^nd – Pray for RULERS… vs. 18
    • Pray for us…
      • PRAY – [imperative] we are commanded to ALWAYS [present] pray for our leaders!
      • We saw last week that we are to REMEMBER our PASTORS – following their example…
      • We are also to OBEY them – because they watch out for us…
      • But here we are told we MUST also PRAY for them – because they are under attack!
    • On the FRONT lines…
      • One of the hardest teachings I ever gave – was at a church who had to REMOVE their pastor…
      • It was a young flourishing church – full of young families – growing…
      • But the pastor got involved in drugs – and it took him out of the ministry!
      • Satan is like a Lion – and he is determined to devour – destroy lives – I Peter 5:8
      • Satan is the accuser – he desires to condemn – Revelation 12:10
      • And he would love nothing more than to take down a PASTOR!
      • There is NO DOUBT – satan has a target on painted on EVERY pastor – Luke 22:31
      • Because if he can STUMBLE a SHEPHERD – he will scatter the FLOCK!
        
  • 3^rd – Pray for CONFIDENCE… vs. 18
    • [Because] we are confident [perfect] that we have [perfect] a good conscience…
      • The Author was ALWAYS [perfect] CONFIDENT that he had the good conscience…
      • Speaking of his MOTIVE – he had a heart to LOVE and SERVE the people of God!
      • Because the MOTIVE of a TRUE pastor is to LIVE for the SHEEP!
      • II Corinthians 12:15 – “I will gladly spend myself and all I have for you.”
    • We PRAY our PASTORS have the same heart…
      • I have seen pastors who own jets they use to fly all over the world…
      • Own designer suites – wear Rolex watches – drive around in luxury cars!
      • Too many pastors today abuse they authority they are given in the church…
      • They use the pulpit as a means for personal gain – taking advantage of people…
      • Their MOTIVE is NOT to love and feed the people – they come to cheat them…
      • The result is people are wary of the church – the Gospel message become tainted…
      • Those pastors who take from the people – fall under the judgment of God!
      • Ezekiel 34:2 – “Destruction is certain for you shepherds who feed yourselves instead of your flocks. Should shepherds not feed their sheep?”
  • 4^th – Pray for GOOD… vs. 18
    • In all things desiring [present] to live GOOD [καλῶς] …
      • The Author had the right MOTIVE – and his DESIRE was that his life reflected that…
      • But just because the MOTIVE is right – does not mean our lives will be GOOD!
    • Jesus makes us GOOD…
      • LIVE [passive] good – is not something we do – it is something that is DONE to us!
      • Our NATURE is to only want to serve ourselves – self centered…
      • Only God can change our LIVES so we live to serve others…
      • Both the will and ability to serve comes from God and God alone!
      • Therefore we PRAY for our PASTORS – that God will WORK in their LIVES!
      • Philippians 2:13 – “God is working in you – giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases Him.”
  • 5^th – Pray for RESTORATION… vs. 19
    • I especially urge you to do this – that I may be restored to you the sooner!
      • The Author was NOT with the Jews who he was writing to…
      • We are not sure why – perhaps he was in PRISON – or SICK…
      • But he desired for the church to PRAY – so he could RETURN to them quickly!
    • Never far away…
      • This spoke to my heart – as I never like to miss a Bible Study…
      • No matter what the weather – or how I feel – I want to be at CHURCH!
      • We will be going to the US for TWO weeks in February – wedding / family reunion…
      • Know that the whole time – I will be missing being here at church!
      • PRAY the Lord allows us to come back QUICKLY – no quarantine – so we can be here again!

• 2^nd – Endure the Word… vs. 22-23
  • 1^st – The APPEAL… vs. 22
    • I appeal to you brethren – [endure] the word of exhortation…
    • For I have written to you in few words [around TEN thousand]!
    • The APPEAL [παρακαλέω] – to be called to come along side…
    • The Author had written a FEW words – the book of Hebrews – to ENCOURAGE the brethren…
    • But his concern was that they would not be able to ENDURE the WORD he gave them!
    • Hebrews is NOT a light book – it contains FIVE of the strongest WARNINGS in the Bible…
    • And people do NOT like being WARNED – they often REFUSE to listen!
  • 2^nd – ENDURE the Word… vs. 22
    • We live in a world where people get hostile when they are CONFRONTED…
    • People do NOT want to hear about CONSEQUENCES or JUDGEMENT…
    • All they want to be told is God will ACCEPT them no matter what they do…
    • And sadly there are a LOT of churches who are willing to give that to them!
    • II Timothy 4:3 – “The time is coming when people will no longer ENDURE [same word] sound teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear.”
    • People may not LIKE it when we give the WORD – especially if they need to be CORRECTED…
    • No one wants to be told they are WRONG – they would rather NOT see their FAULTS!
    • But that does not mean we back down – we tell the TRUTH – in LOVE – Ephesians 4:15
    • We do not COMPROMISE the definition of SIN – RIGHT is RIGHT / WRONG is WRONG…
    • And people need to KNOW – because SIN will keep them from Jesus!
    • We APPEAL to them to ENDURE what we have to say – because it is what they NEED!
    • Proverbs 27:6 -“Faithful are the wounds of a friend… “
  • 3^rd – Accountable to others… vs. 23
    • Know our brother Timothy has been set free – with whom I shall see you if he comes shortly…
      • TIMOTHY – it is generally assumed this is a reference to the traveling companion of Paul…
      • This is one of the main reasons many believe Paul is the author of Hebrews…
      • If so – it would appear TIMOTHY was arrested – perhaps in ROME [vs 24] …
      • And the Author who was ALSO in chains – Paul – Hebrews 10:34
      • Upon THEIR release might [subjunctive] travel back to Jerusalem [Jews]!
    • Personal accountability…
      • The reason for them coming to the believers – was to SEE their FAITH!
      • It is easy to make our lives look GOOD from a DISTANCE…
      • We can carefully craft our FACEBOOK posts – make sure only the GOOD details get out…
      • But it is much harder to HIDE our FAULTS when we are up close!
      • We need to have personal ACCOUNTABILITY – we need to be there for each other…
      • Because we all have bad days – we all make mistakes in life…
      • But God has surrounded us with Godly men and women who are there to help…
      • By giving us ACCOUNTABILITY – being willing to ask us the HARD questions…
      • They are there to EXHORT us – stand with us – give us the WORD…
      • They are there to PRAY for us – and point us back to Jesus!
      • Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 – “Two are better than one… if one person falls the other can reach out and help – but people who are alone when they fall are in real trouble.”

• 3^rd – Greet the saints… vs. 24
  • 1^st – Who to Greet…
    • Greet all your LEADERS and all the SAINTS there…
    • GREET [imperative] – we are commanded to GREET the leaders and saints…
    • The word GREET – can mean to give a warm embrace – a HUG…
    • It carries the idea of having a genuine FRIENDSHIP with other believers!
    • Church is NOT meant to be a ROUTINE – check in / check out every Sunday…
    • Church is meant to be a FAMILY – where we come together with those we LOVE!
    • Psalm 133:1 – “How good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!”
  • 2^nd – Get what you give…
    • The believers from Italy send you their greetings…
    • Another reference that leads many to believe the letter was written by Paul…
    • Who we know was imprisoned TWICE in Rome [Italy] – Acts 28:30 / II Timothy 1:8
    • Making it likely Paul wrote this LETTER to the JEWS from ROME!
    • Do not miss – when the Jews GREETED other SAINTS [not just Jews] …
    • That was when the SAINTS from Italy [gentiles] would GREET them!
    • It can be easy to think – no one says hi to me when I come to church…
    • We might feel like we are NOT welcome – as though we do NOT belong!
    • Rather than waiting for someone to GREET us – we should GREET others…
    • It does NOT matter if we know them – that is HOW we get to KNOW them…
    • And when we REACH out to others – we will find they reach out to us!

To which we all say AMEN – from the HEBREW – simply means let it be so!

4^th – Complete in Christ… vs.  20-21 / 25

As the Author concludes this POWERFUL book…

Having SHOWN Jesus is BETTER than everyone and everything…

That we NEED to walk by FAITH – to get access to Jesus…

And RUN our race with endurance – looking to the PRIZE that is HEAVEN…

He CONCLUDES by telling us how we are now COMPLETE in Jesus – SIX ways!

1^st – The God of peace… vs. 20

Now may the God of peace…

Before we were saved – we lived in certain expectation of Gods wrath and judgment

There was no peace in our lives – only the fear certain JUDGEMENT – Hebrews 10:27

When we have Jesus – walk by FAITH – we have peace with God!

We have true peace – rest in the knowledge we are forgiven – at the END of our RACE!

Ephesians 2:14 – “For [Jesus] Himself is our peace…”

2^nd – The resurrection… vs. 20

Who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead…

BROUGHT UP – to lead – to bring to a HIGHER place!

God resurrected Jesus – so He could LEAD us to a HIGHER place – HEAVEN…

And just as Jesus was RESURRECTED from the dead – God will also RESURRECT us!

II Corinthians 5:1 – “For we know that if our earthly house [our body] is destroyed – we have a building from God – a house not made with hands – eternal in the heavens.”

3^rd – The Great Shepherd… vs. 20

That great Shepherd of the sheep…

SHEPHERD – the one who watches over and keep the SHEEP safe…

Jesus is not just a SHEPHERD – He uniquely is called the GREAT shepherd!

As we WALK by FAITH – we are given a GREAT shepherd to protect us!

The Lord is my SHEPHERD…

Psalm 23:1 – “The LORD is my shepherd – I shall not want…”

The WORD SHEPHERD is not a NOUN – it is a VERB – it is what Jesus does…

He is the one who ALWAYS protects and provides for us!

As a RESULT we NEVER want – we NEVER will lack for anything in this life!

Jesus gives us EVERYTHING we need – including FORGIVENESS from our sins!

John 10:11 – “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep.”

4^th – Blood of the covenant… vs. 20

Through the blood of the everlasting covenant…

As we have looked at previously – the PRICE for SIN is death – Romans 6:23

The BLOOD of animals could only COVER sin – they could not CHANGE the sinner…

ONLY the BETTER blood of Jesus has the power to REMOVE our sins…

ONLY through the BLOOD of Jesus can our INSIDE be purified…

As Jesus does not just change our ACTIONS – He also changes our DESIRES!

Hebrews 10:17 – “Their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more.”

EVERLASTING covenant…

The OLD covenant was never meant to last – it was NOT everlasting – Hebrews 8:13

But the NEW covenant – the one created in the BLOOD of Jesus – is the LAST covenant…

The BLOOD of Jesus is the ONLY way to be FORGIVEN – no other way – Galatians 2:21

5^th – The will of God… vs. 21

Make you COMPLETE…

Make you complete in every good work…

COMPLETE – 13x in NT – to repair and make useful again…

GOOD [ἀγαθός] – refers to our HEART – or morals…

Sin BROKE us – separated us from God – and made us USELESS…

But God REPAIRS our HEART through the BLOOD of Jesus – so we are USEFUL to Him again!

Working in you…

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!

There are two ways we can KNOW the WILL of God – SPECIFIC / GENERAL…

The GENERAL WILL of God speaks of principals that should guide our lives…

The phrase – the WILL of God – is used 23 times in the New Testament…

Of those – four occurrences HINT at what the GENERAL WILL of God for us…

I Thessalonians 5:18 – it is the WILL of God that we give THANKS in everything…

I Peter 2:15 – it is the WILL of God we silence ignorant men by doing good…

I Peter 3:17 – it is the WILL of God we SUFFER for going good…

I Thessalonians 4:3 – this is the WILL of God – our SANCTIFICATION…

The SPECIFIC will of God speaks of individual choices we have in life – go left or right…

We can know the SPECIFIC WILL of God for our WALK by being transformed!

Romans 12:2 – “Do not be conformed to this world – but be transformed by the renewing of your mind… you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God…”

It is really easy to be CONFORMED – get caught up in cares / concerns of this world…

But if we conform to the world – then we will NOT be transformed by Jesus!

But the BLOOD of Jesus can TRANSFORM our mind…

So we know the good / acceptable / and perfect WILL of God for our lives!

As Jesus works in us – what is WELL PLEASING in his sight!

6th – Grace be with you… vs. 25

Grace be with you all. Amen!

The conclusion of the letter – THE GRACE be with you all…

Because the ONLY way we can WALK by FAITH – RUN the RACE – LIVE in LOVE…

HOLD onto the Word – ENDURE the exhortation…

Is to realize that we CANNOT – we do NOT have the POWER to live for Jesus…

But the moment we HUMBLE ourselves and truly realize that – we find GRACE – James 4:6

And it is by the POWER of the GRACE we CAN – GRACE that we ALL need daily!