1. Lesson 40: The Great Shepherd
Nothing Better
Lesson 40: The Great Shepherd

2. INTRODUCTION: There are two parts to the final section of Hebrews 13:
Verses are a benediction which encourages us to believe something about what God is doing in our lives in order for us to live the life He has called us to live.

3. INTRODUCTION: There are two parts to the final section of Hebrews 13:
 Verses are a benediction which encourages us to believe something about what God is doing in our lives in order for us to live the life He has called us to live.
 Verses are words of greeting.

4. Hebrews 13:20-21
20 Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, 21 make you perfect in every good work to do His will, working in you that which is well-pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

5. Hebrews 13:22-25
22 And I beseech you, brethren, suffer the word of exhortation: for I have written a letter unto you in few words. 23 Know ye that our brother Timothy is set at liberty; with whom, if he come shortly, I will see you. 24 Salute all them that have the rule over you, and all the saints. They of Italy salute you. 25 Grace be with you all. Amen.

6. INTRODUCTION:
The main blessing which the preacher is pronouncing on this congregation is that God will equip us with everything we need to live the life He has called us to live.

7. “Command what You will and give what You command.”
Augustine

8. BELIEVE THESE SEVEN FOUNDATIONAL TRUTHS (Heb. 13:20-21)
The Peace of God
20 Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant,

9. BELIEVE THESE SEVEN FOUNDATIONAL TRUTHS (Heb. 13:20-21)
The Peace of God
In the Christian life we do not try to appease God so that He will be at peace with us. By trusting Christ He is already at peace with us.

10. BELIEVE THESE SEVEN FOUNDATIONAL TRUTHS (Heb. 13:20-21)
The Power of God
20 Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant,

11. BELIEVE THESE SEVEN FOUNDATIONAL TRUTHS (Heb. 13:20-21)
The Power of God
It is the power of the resurrection of Jesus Christ which is at work in us enabling and equipping us to live the Christian life.

12. Romans 8:11
11 But if the Spirit of Him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, He that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by His Spirit that dwelleth in you.

13. BELIEVE THESE SEVEN FOUNDATIONAL TRUTHS (Heb. 13:20-21)
The Providence of God
20 Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant,

14. BELIEVE THESE SEVEN FOUNDATIONAL TRUTHS (Heb. 13:20-21)
The Providence of God
Our great Shepherd (by virtue of the resurrection) is always alive, ever living to intercede for us, and is watching over us all the time and in all places.

15. BELIEVE THESE SEVEN FOUNDATIONAL TRUTHS (Heb. 13:20-21)
The Propitiation of God
20 Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant,

16. BELIEVE THESE SEVEN FOUNDATIONAL TRUTHS (Heb. 13:20-21)
The Propitiation of God
After we’ve been in heaven for a billion years, we will not be any more forgiven that we are today if we are trusting in Christ, because His shed blood has availed to pardon us of our sin.

17. BELIEVE THESE SEVEN FOUNDATIONAL TRUTHS (Heb. 13:20-21)
Our Purification by the Holy Spirit
21 make you perfect in every good work to do His will, working in you that which is well-pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

18. BELIEVE THESE SEVEN FOUNDATIONAL TRUTHS (Heb. 13:20-21)
Our Purification by the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit’s good work of sanctification that is continuously engaged in us makes it possible for us to do good works.

19. Ephesians 2:8-10
8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, let any man should boast. 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

20. BELIEVE THESE SEVEN FOUNDATIONAL TRUTHS (Heb. 13:20-21)
Our Purification by the Holy Spirit
Paul tells us that we were not saved by good works; we were saved to good works.

21. Philippians 2:13
8 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure.

22. BELIEVE THESE SEVEN FOUNDATIONAL TRUTHS (Heb. 13:20-21)
Our Purification by the Holy Spirit
God is more committed to our sanctification that we are!

23. BELIEVE THESE SEVEN FOUNDATIONAL TRUTHS (Heb. 13:20-21)
Made Possible by the Son
21 make you perfect in every good work to do His will, working in you that which is well-pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

24. BELIEVE THESE SEVEN FOUNDATIONAL TRUTHS (Heb. 13:20-21)
Made Possible by the Son
Everything in our sanctification is dependent upon our union with Jesus Christ because our sanctification is dependent upon His finished work of justification.

25. BELIEVE THESE SEVEN FOUNDATIONAL TRUTHS (Heb. 13:20-21)
To the Praise of the Father
21 make you perfect in every good work to do His will, working in you that which is well-pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

26. BELIEVE THESE SEVEN FOUNDATIONAL TRUTHS (Heb. 13:20-21)
To the Praise of the Father
As God transforms us so that we can live the life that He calls us to live, He gets all the praise and glory.

27. “Lord, everything good in me is due to You. The rest is my fault.”
Augustine

28. BEAR WITH THE PREACHING OF THE WORD (Heb. 13:22)
22 And I beseech you, brethren, suffer the word of exhortation: for I have written a letter unto you in few words.

29. BEAR WITH THE PREACHING OF THE WORD (Heb. 13:22)
We are to listen faithfully to the Word of God, bury our noses in the truth of God’s Word, and listen attentively with our ears to the Word of God as it is proclaimed to us because the Word of God is worth bearing.