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Psalms
147:1-10 Praise the
LORD! For it is good to sing
praises to our God; For it is
pleasant, and praise is
beautiful. The LORD builds up Jerusalem; He gathers together the outcasts of
Israel. He heals the brokenhearted And binds up their wounds. He counts the
number of the stars; He calls them all by name. Great is our Lord, and mighty in power; His understanding is infinite. The LORD lifts up the
humble; He casts the wicked down to the ground. Sing to the LORD with
thanksgiving; Sing praises on the harp to our God, Who covers the heavens with
clouds, Who prepares rain for the earth, Who makes grass to grow on the
mountains. He gives to the beast its food, And to the young ravens that cry. He does not delight in the
strength of the horse; He takes no pleasure in the legs of a man.
Father God we thank you for Paul the Apostle. Our prayer
to you is that you make us more like him, the soldier that he was for you. In
Jesus name we pray, Amen!
Book of Hebrews 13:7-25 NKJV
Our
lesson this week will close the Book of Hebrews. It closes with Paul giving the
Hebrew Christians and us some valuable instructions on respecting our religious
leaders, watching out for various and strange doctrine that man devises, the
altar of the Cross, why Jesus suffered on the Cross outside of the walls of
Jerusalem, being vigilant for the return of Jesus, and that Jesus is the same
yesterday, today, and tomorrow meaning the Church established by Jesus and the
Apostles should be the same today as it was 2,000 years ago. Does your church
undergo constant change?
7 Remember those who rule over you, who have
spoken the word of God to you, whose faith follow, considering the outcome of their conduct.
Remember those who rule
over you; This is referring to Christian leaders. Paul is reminding the Hebrew
believes to have respect for those that have taught them the Gospel and/or
discipled them in their walk of faith. It is very possible that there were some
trouble makers amongst them, maybe arguing about the Word of God and trying to
persuade people to go back to the system of the law.
Who have spoken the
word of God to you; Paul is stating that those who were preaching the
Gospel were being faithful to God’s calling and the commission that Jesus gives
to each Born Again person to go out and teach the good news. These ministers
were being faithful to God and as a Christian we owe much to others who know
about the Good News and Christian living.
Whose faith follow; It is
because of their faith in Jesus that they follow in His footsteps and the
footsteps of the Apostles in spreading the Word of God. They are a model and
what we need at times to keep us on the lighted path of righteousness.
Considering the outcome
of their conduct; These
leaders are good examples for us to invest our life in through evangelism,
service, and Christian education. Their Faith was a proven Faith, because it
resulted in a Christlike manner of life.
I
do have to caution all that not all leaders that preach the Word of God are
preaching the truth and therefore we have to use discernment. That is why it is
imperative that we know what the Bible teaches so that we don’t follow a wolf
in sheep’s clothing. Jesus warns us of this in the Gospels. Many times we think
we are following the Bible in a religion we belong to, but in reality it is
filled with manmade rules and doctrine. If a person has never read the Bible to
gain the knowledge of what Jesus told us and what the Apostles preached, then
what basis can you say you are living according to the Bible when in reality
living according to what man says. I know I was fooled until I started reading
the Bible and seeking out the doctrine of the religion I practiced and couldn’t
find scripture to back up many of the doctrine. So Beware!
8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
Here
you have that well quoted verse about God that He will never change, and with
this and what has been said in the previous verse, if you are practicing a
religion that is constantly changing their doctrine, then what are you living
by? Man’s religion or God’s Holy Word the Bible? Man’s religion will not get
you to Heaven only believing in Jesus and His death and resurrection will. It
is only FAITH in what transpired at the Cross that will deliver a person
to Heaven.
Human
leaders have much to offer, but we must keep our eyes on Christ, our ultimate
leader. Unlike any human leader, Jesus will never change.
9 Do not be
carried about with various and strange doctrines. For it is good that the heart be established by grace, not with
foods which have not profited those who have been occupied with them.
Do not be carried about
with various and strange doctrines; Apparently some were teaching that keeping the Old
Testament ceremonial laws, rituals, and eating certain foods was important for
salvation. But these laws were useless for conquering a person's evil thoughts
and desires Colossians 2:23. The laws
could influence conduct, but they could not change the heart. Anything that
directs our Faith toward something other than the Cross is spiritual
fornication and adultery. This is why it is so important that a person examines
the doctrine they are living in.
For it is good that the heart be
established by grace; This phrase is talking about a spiritual birth that
a person’s heart is changed and the gift of Grace is established within ones
heart. John 3:3 Jesus answered and said to him, Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he
cannot see the kingdom of God." John 3:5-7 Jesus
answered, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless
one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is
born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Do not marvel that I said
to you, 'You must be born again.' A lasting change in conduct
begins when the Holy Spirit lives in each person. Many people know who Jesus is
and what He did for us, but only in their minds. These people continue to live
just as they always have, curse, swear, drink, lie, etc., yet proclaim they are
Christians. Unless there is a change in a person’s life, through the power of
the Holy Spirit, they are not saved based on Bible Scripture.
Not with foods; This little
phrase Paul inserts here is talking about the first phrase of this verse. It
means that God’s Grace cannot be established in a person’s heart by means of
“various and strange doctrines”. What Paul is saying is man’s various and
strange doctrine practiced by some religions, will not produce eternal salvation.
Anyone following doctrine of a religion is following a wolf, their flesh, and
the ways of the world, not the Sheppard.
Which have not profited
those who have been occupied with them; What Paul is saying here, is
that those who practice rules and regulations, there is no benefit to their
souls. You have to remember the Jewish people of Paul’s time lived according to
regulations and rituals and that is where their faith was. It is no different
today with most denominations promoting things like if it feels good do it, or
a 10 step program, or sacraments, or purpose driven life, or speak it into
existence, etc. As human beings our flesh causes us to get caught up in things
like this because they are tangible things we can do instead of living by
simple child like faith.
10 We have an altar from which those who serve the
tabernacle have no right to eat.
We
have an altar; What Paul
is telling us is that we Christians have an altar, one that is far superior
than any other altar, that being the Cross of Christ. The Jews had an altar on
which their sacrifices were offered which was regarded as sacred, and that no
others might partake. The altar we have as Born Again Believes is the Cross of
Calvary. Unless one is Born Again they cannot partake of this altar.
From
which those who serve the tabernacle have no right to eat; The apostle says that there is a
higher and more valuable sacrifice of which they have no right to partake while
they remain in the Jewish system. The participation in the great Christian
sacrifice pertained only to those who placed their faith in the Redeemer. No
matter how much value they placed in partaking of the animal sacrifices offered
under the Jewish Law to forgive sin, which is far insufficient compared to the
great sacrifice made by the Son of God, the Jewish people were to set in their
ways and stubborn to come out of their religion, just like many of today. They
would rather die and live in Hell than forsake what they were raised in.
11 For the bodies of those animals, whose blood is
brought into the sanctuary by the high priest for sin, are burned outside the
camp.
With
this verse and verse 12 Paul is making a comparison to excite those he is
addressing to fidelity and perseverance in their faith.
For the bodies of those
animals; In this verse the consideration is, that the bodies of the beasts that
were burnt were taken outside the camp, and that in a like manner the Lord
Jesus suffered outside the gates of Jerusalem because the Jewish nation
rejected Him. We should be willing to go out and bear whatever shame that might
be connected with proclaiming the name of Jesus.
Whose blood is brought
into the sanctuary by the high priest for sin; The blood of
the animal was brought into the sanctuary by the priest to make atonement for
sin on that great day of atonement.
Are burned outside the
camp; The animals were burnt outside of the camp (Moses time) because they
represented sin and could not be burnt in the temple area. The Jewish people
considered Jesus as a sinful man, therefore His death was to be performed
outside of Jerusalem (the camp).
12 Therefore Jesus also, that He might sanctify the
people with His own blood, suffered outside the gate.
Therefore Jesus also,
that He might sanctify the people with His own blood; This
presents the price that was paid so that man might be Sanctified; set free from
sin.
Suffered outside the
gate; Jesus was considered a criminal therefore His death occurred outside of
the walls of Jerusalem because no criminals were executed within the walls of
Jerusalem. The place where he was put to death was called Golgotha, place of a
skull. Golgotha is the Latin word we commonly use in speaking of this place, which
is also Calvary. Luke
23:33 And when they had come to the
place called Calvary, there they crucified Him, and the criminals, one on the
right hand and the other on the left.
13 Therefore let us go forth to Him, outside the
camp, bearing His reproach.
The
Jewish Christians were being ridiculed and persecuted by Jews who didn't
believe in Jesus the Messiah. The book of Hebrews tells them how Christ is
greater than the sacrificial system. Here Paul drives home the point of his
lengthy argument: It may be necessary to leave the "camp" and suffer
with Christ. The time had come for Jewish Christians to declare their loyalty
to Christ above any other loyalty, to choose to follow the Messiah whatever
suffering that might entail. They needed to move outside the safe confinement
of their past, their traditions, and their ceremonies to live for Christ. What
holds you back from complete loyalty to Jesus Christ?
14 For here we have no continuing city, but we seek
the one to come.
For here we have no
continuing city; Paul is telling the Hebrew believers the temple and
the city of Jerusalem was finished concerning the laws of the Old Covenant.
This city is a thing of the past and to move beyond the gates to a new
Jerusalem to come in the future; to look forward to the Jerusalem in Heaven
through faith in Jesus.
But we seek the one to
come; This refers to looking for the coming of Jesus and seeking after Him and
our Heavenly home.
15 Therefore by Him let us continually offer the
sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name.
Our
lips should confess God's name in praise. Yet, in a typical day, how many times
do you hear God's name used profanely? Christians should turn their frequency
toward praise! Praise God early in the day, during the day, and at the end of
each day, In other words a continual sacrifice of praise.
16 But do not forget to do good and to share, for
with such sacrifices God is well pleased.
As
we studied earlier in Hebrews about doing good and sharing with brethren, Paul
reminds his listeners again that doing good, sharing the Gospel, and helping
fellow believers is a sacrifice on our part that pleases God. They will know we
are Christians by our Love!
17 Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive,
for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do
so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you.
Obey those who rule
over you, and be submissive; This is referring to the Gospel pastors preach and
that we are to be submissive to and obey God’s Words in the Bible and not false
doctrine.
For they watch out for
your souls, as those who must give account; A true Born Again pastor
watches out for his flock’s eternal life, they are concerned for their souls
because they will one day be judged on a higher level. James 3:1 My brethren, let not many of you become
teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment.
Let them do so with joy
and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you; Paul is
referring to pastors receiving great joy when people accept the Gospel and are
saved, compared to those that reject it. One very important thing to a Born
Again person is that people find Jesus and get saved. Anyone that hears the
Gospel and doesn’t accept it, then the Gospel is unprofitable to them.
The rest of the verses
in this Chapter is Paul’s prayer request and his benediction.
18 Pray for
us; for we are confident that we have a good conscience, in all things desiring
to live honorably.
19 But I
especially urge you to do this,
that I may be restored to you the sooner.
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.
22 And I
appeal to you, brethren, bear with the word of exhortation, for I have written
to you in few words.
23 Know that
our brother Timothy has been
set free, with whom I shall see you if he comes shortly.
24 Greet all
those who rule over you, and all the saints. Those from Italy greet you.
25 Grace be with you all. Amen.
Colossians 1:16 For by Him all things were created that
are in heaven and that are on earth,
visible and invisible,
whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers.
All
things were created through Him and for Him.
Romans 3:23 for all have sinned and fall short of
the glory of God,
Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our
Lord.
John 3:3 Jesus answered and said to him, Most assuredly, I say to you,
unless one is born again, he
cannot see the kingdom of God."
Bill
Wiesbrock https://www.facebook.com/bill.wiesbrock?ref=tn_tnmn
The Lighthouse
Full Gospel Church
Sinners Prayer;
Pray this, and if you believe it with your heart, Jesus will save you!
“Lord
Jesus I know I am a sinner. I confess my
sins to you; I am sorry for my sins; I repent (Meaning, desiring to turn from a
sinful lifestyle.) of all my sins, and I am asking for your forgiveness of all
of my sins. I believe that only you can
forgive sin. I commit my life to you and
ask you to come into my heart, direct, and take charge of my life. I believe that you died to set me free from
my sinful lifestyle and you rose from the dead to give me eternal life, and
right now you are seated at the Right Hand of God Almighty. I believe you are
the Son of God; the only Way, the only Truth, the only Life, and my Savior.” I believe this and have faith you will make a
new person out of me, by sending the Holy Spirit to dwell in my heart and lead
me in a new life. In Jesus name I pray Amen.”
(John 3:16,17; Romans 3:23; 6:23; 5:8; 10:9-13; Ephesians 2:8-10; 1
John 5:11-14; 1:6-10) (Sin: Rom.
1:22-32; Gal. 5:19-21; Eph. 5:3-7)
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