EXHORTATION ON FAITHFULNESS AND STEADFASTNESS Hebrews 13:7-9 Deeper Life Bible Church, Aberdeen Sunday Message 14-11-2010 EXHORTATION ON FAITHFULNESS AND STEADFASTNESS Hebrews 13:7-9

Introduction God’s unbroken promises and unconditional love to His children are unspeakable – I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee (Hebrews 13:5; Genesis 28:15) The believer has nothing to fear or worry about, because the Lord is my helper and I will not fear what man shall do unto me (Hebrews 13:6; Psalm 27:1) In gratitude to the innumerable benefits of God, the believer must demonstrate faithfulness and steadfastness to God These must be extended to the servants of God who teach and guide them in the truth.

Introduction - Summary Unchanging Saviour, Our Lord Unalterable statutes of our Lord Unfailing sufficiency of our Lord Unmovable, steadfast hearts in the Lord Unwavering submission to leadership Unlimited service to the Lord

The desired submission of the saved Our divine Saviour, ever the same Three points The desired submission of the saved Our divine Saviour, ever the same Doctrinal stability among the saints

THE DESIRED SUBMISSION OF THE SAVED THE DESIRED SUBMISSION OF THE SAVED Hebrews 13:7,17,24; I Thessalonians 5:12,13; I Timothy 5:17; I Corinthians 4:15,16; Philippians 3:17; 2:29; I Thessalonians 2:13; 2 Thessalonians 3:14. Believers are enjoined to remember and follow them which bear rule over them This refers to Preachers and teachers of the word of God Christian leaders who are called, gifted and anointed by God They are God’s representatives, caring for our souls To remember them means to: Show them love Esteem them Obey them Thank and praise God giving them to us Speak well of them and their families

The desired submission of the saved The desired submission of the saved Hebrews 13:7,17,24; I Thessalonians 5:12,13; I Timothy 5:17; I Corinthians 4:15,16; Philippians 3:17; 2:29; I Thessalonians 2:13; 2 Thessalonians 3:14. To remember means to: Treasure their instructions and call to mind their exhortations and warnings Be submissive and faithful to them like David’s mighty men (2 Samuel 23:14-17) To follow means to: Imitate their life style – in holiness, uprightness, integrity, prayerfulness, watchfulness, love of the brethren, studying the scriptures and literature. Be in agreement with them – in God’s service, care of the church, winning souls Be an example of believers – in conversation, dressing, comportment, emotions

OUR DIVINE SAVIOUR - EVER THE SAME Hebrews 13:8; 1:12; Malachi 3:6; Psalms 103:17; 102:27; John 8:56-58; Revelation 1:8,17,18; James 1:17. Kingdoms rise, tarry and decay, but our Lord, who has no beginning, never wanes Orders are abolished – old covenant to new covenant the ceremonial law the levithical priesthood But our Lord, the Head of the church, the Mediator, the Counsellor, The I AM, the Lion of the Tribe of Judah, never changes Priests, kings, prophets, these are succeeded when their times cease to be – But our Prophet, the High Priest, the King of Kings has no successor

OUR DIVINE SAVIOUR - EVER THE SAME Hebrews 13:8; 1:12; Malachi 3:6; Psalms 103:17; 102:27; John 8:56-58; Revelation 1:8,17,18; James 1:17. His Divine personality remains the same: Eternal, immutable, omnipotent His Divine priesthood remains the same: Eternal High Priest, Eternal Excellency, the Great Prophet, the Saviour, The Lord or lords His Divine Papacy of the church remains the same: Mighty Saviour, our Advocate, the good Shepherd, the Great Physician, the Lamb of God, the Loving Bridegroom on the day of rapture, the all sufficient Provider, Sanctifier and Baptizer Jesus Christ the same yesterday, today and forever! How we ought to be faithful and steadfast!

DOCTRINAL STABILITY AMONG THE SAINTS Hebrews 13:9; Matthew 24:4,24; Ephesians 4:14;Colossians 2:4,8; Romans 16:17,18; I Timothy 6:3-5,20; I John 4:1; Jude 3. Our Lord does not change, so are His words and doctrine Having found the truth, we must do all we can to stand in that truth The doctrines and teachings of the Great Teacher do not change with the generations False teachers abound today ferociously hunting for gullible minds to prey on Our Unchanging is coming is coming for those who have not been blown away by every wind of doctrine Beware, the deceiver is right at the door