Persevere in Jesus LESSON XXIII

REVIEW Let Us Persevere in Christ

REVIEW God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, 2 has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds; 3 who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, 4 having become so much better than the angels, as He has by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they. (Hebrews 1:1-4 NKJ)

So Far... All things made NEW. – In Chapters 8 & 9 the author introduces the New Covenant the Old Covenant is still in the background – New Covenant, New service for God In a NEW Place: a Heavenly Tabernacle; not made with hands (9:24)—not of this creation (9:11) – (that is: new for ministry on our direct behalf in that place) A NEW sacrifice A NEW Testament: a will, not one that creates a nation, but one that opens the Kingdom—creates a Church. A NEW way to offer the new Offering (Christ); one time. A NEW way to understand the OT figures in light of Christ. NOW, pressing forward in the NEW way! Persevere in Christ by Faith, in hope, and, last but not least, with love

Let brotherly love continue. 2 Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels. 3 Remember the prisoners as if chained with them-- those who are mistreated-- since you yourselves are in the body also. 4 Marriage is honorable among all, and the bed undefiled; but fornicators and adulterers God will judge. 5 Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you." 6 So we may boldly say: "The LORD is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?" 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. 8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. 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. 10 We have an altar from which those who serve the tabernacle have no right to eat. 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. 12 Therefore Jesus also, that He might sanctify the people with His own blood, suffered outside the gate. 13 Therefore let us go forth to Him, outside the camp, bearing His reproach. 14 For here we have no continuing city, but we seek the one to come. 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.

16 But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased. 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. 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. (Hebrews 13:1-25 NKJ)

Love We mentioned last time that the “Love” portion of these exhortations began in 12:28 with loving God. This fits with the commands of Jesus Himself and the Torah. We also know that love for others, the second greatest commandment, needs to flow out from our love of God.

Love And so: brotherly love: – Love Strangers Prisoners The persecuted One’s Husband/wife – and others’ spouses, as well as those who may someday be Neighbors – by not fixating on their stuff – by being content.... with what? Leaders Let brotherly love continue. 2 Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels. 3 Remember the prisoners as if chained with them-- those who are mistreated-- since you yourselves are in the body also. 4 Marriage is honorable among all, and the bed undefiled; but fornicators and adulterers God will judge. 5 Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you." 6 So we may boldly say: "The LORD is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?" 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.

Love Those who rule over us should be preaching Jesus Christ Love yourself enough to find someone who preaches and teaches and lives Jesus Christ truly. – Jesus Christ doesn’t change. – Sounds like Ephesians Don’t get caught up in novelty – And... Don’t over-venerate the old i.e. don’t drift back to believing the kosher laws and sacrificial meals It’s ok to eat them, but don’t expect them to help your soul. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. 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. 10 We have an altar from which those who serve the tabernacle have no right to eat.

Love The Author was talking about being strengthened by grace. – Such strenthening grace comes not from meals, but from Jesus who suffered outside the camp. Brothers and Sisters, we are outsiders here, – just as the Christian Jews would have been in Jerusalem – or to their communitites in the Diaspora. – This will cause us some tension. We must persevere! We are strangers and sojourners here, pilgrims, on our way through this desert to the Promised Land. 10 We have an altar from which those who serve the tabernacle have no right to eat. 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. 12 Therefore Jesus also, that He might sanctify the people with His own blood, suffered outside the gate. 13 Therefore let us go forth to Him, outside the camp, bearing His reproach. 14 For here we have no continuing city, but we seek the one to come.

Love The author now comes full circle. Because we have His Holy City to hope for, – because He has saved us is saving us and will save us Let us persevere by gratitude for this grace we are living! Let us praise Him!  Again, we are a Royal priesthood.  We do make sacrifices  We are to love God with sacrifices of praise!  and to do good and share with others is also a sacrifice that we make in Christ with which God is well pleased. 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. 16 But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.

Love The author now comes full circle. And repeats his exhortation about authority – this is particularly tough for 21 st century Americans. But it echoes St.’s Paul and Peter in almost every epistle of theirs in the Bible. The Evangelical insult “I’m praying for you” – But this should not be... – We all have constant need of God constant need of each other’s prayers If we think we’re ok for now, I say we need them all the more. 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. 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.

Love Oh the Doxology – God makes us to be at peace with Him through the sacrifice and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Peace through the greatest animosity – It is, again, Jesus who came out after all us lost sheep. It is only through this connection created by Jesus’ blood that God makes us able to do the good works which please Him. – Doesn’t matter how moral an atheist, they cannot please God apart from Christ’s blood. And all our good works done in this way are to serve His glory. This is the beginning and end of our perseverance 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.

Love (and housekeeping) Persevere even with this epistle – says the author – (it was just a little one after all). 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.

Homework Persevere in Christ!