Hebrews 13:15a
"By him…"
Because of what he has done in that place of reproach, outside the city walls, where the religious community would have nothing to do with Him. Does that ring a bell? Most of Christendom today doesn’t want that much to do with the cross or the blood. They like a social gospel, a humanistic gospel, an evangelistic social humanism that goes beyond God's Gospel, and they don’t like the cross or the blood as these are an offense to them. They sure don’t want the blood, because it’s a place of reproach. For many its an offense to them. These people preach another gospel which sounds close but falls short of our Gospel or this Gospel which answers to God through Christ Jesus. The New Covenant of God's Grace wherein He has promised to do what no mere human could nor can do. Alright, but now then, because of the place of reproach at what He’s accomplished, now we can come back and offer a sacrifice of praise.
Hebrews 13:15
"By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name."
For goodness sakes, what are the lips a part of? Your body! I think you can rightfully tie these two portions together. If you want to live a life that is pleasing to God, a living of self-sacrifice, all you have to do is just use your lips in praise and thanksgiving and God will be pleased. I know He will. Alright, so we offer up the sacrifice of praise once a month? Once a quarter? No! "Continually," Every waking moment of our lives we should be just simply praising God in one way or another. That’s not asking a bit too much. There’s nothing He likes better than to have His children approach Him with praise and thanksgiving for what He’s done, or what He’s doing and for what He is. Do you see that? Now when you do that the next verse just naturally follows.
Hebrews 13:16
"But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased."
Now, maybe that could entail some financial sacrifice to help someone in need. Maybe it would involve sacrificing some of your time and using it for the good of someone else. For example if we discover the secrets of God as He opens them up to us they become the blessing laid up as a inheritance for our children and grandchildren unto a thousand generations. They become the blessing that'll see them through and in many cases causes them to turn to God from the world of Satan. As heirs of God through our self-sacrifice. You can use your own inspiration for that. Now verse 17. He comes back to the same admonition that he had up there in verse 7. It’s almost a repetition.
Hebrews 13:17
"Obey them that have the rule over you, (now for the Hebrews this, of course, were the leadership of especially the Jerusalem church - Peter and the Eleven) and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you."
In other words, if you want to bring it into your own church situation, there’s certainly nothing that’s saying you can’t. But if you do, then that tells the whole story. What is the purpose of your church leadership? The welfare of the membership - for the person in the pew, for the young people and so forth, that they can become more spiritually minded and orientated. They're to know Him and learn of Him with point of becoming total dependent on the Holy Spirit. We as elders ie...ambassadors are required to teach the old path way, the revelation of the mysteries or secret things of God. For all are required to know Him and His Will. Sadly many of those who assume a roll or position of leadership don't have a clue of what are the mysteries or secret things of God. Many are only coping that which someone else had done thinking that it was right and good when in fact it was and is not. For all religions have their secrets and only those in positions of leadership know them or are suppose to. God through Christ wants us to know and understand all of His mysteries because we're to rightly divide the Word of Truth. And so always remember that these things all fit together. Now then, in the closing verses of Hebrews, verse 18 to the end. These are just simple requests from the Apostle.
Hebrews 13:18
"Pray for us: for we trust we have a good conscience, in all things willing to live honestly."
Now you know the Apostle, especially in the Corinthian letters, emphasized the fact that he never brought them a perverted Gospel. a distorted or watered down Gospel such as we have to-day which is broadcasted on TV or radio and from the pulpits across this country. He brought them nothing but truth. He said, "I didn’t bring to you a perverted product." And remember, way back in Corinthians, we chased the word down in the Old Testament and what it really amounted to - he did not sell them wine that was watered down, 50-50, remember that? Alright, he’s saying the same thing. Paul never approached people with something that was less than honest and that was less than the truth and honorable in everything he said and did. Now verse 19.
Hebrews 13:19
"But I beseech you (or I beg of you) the rather to do this, (to pray for them) that I may be restored to you the sooner."
In other words, the more people would pray for him, the further he could get making his rounds of all the people with whom he had a part. Now verse 20:
Hebrews 13:20a
"Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus,…"
Now what does that tell you? Paul is always reminding us of the Gospel, that for salvation, you must believe in your heart that Jesus died for your sins, was buried and rose again and we where seen as being one with Him in all the finished work. All through his letters, over and over and over, we find this beautiful Gospel that was given only to him for us, the Church Age believer. Those who willingly welcome God and His Christ into their hearts by faith and then maintain a receptive heart wherein God undertakes to do as He has promised. And you know I had a gentleman say, when I saw the truth of all this, I started asking the people that I use to associate with in my church environment, "what is the Gospel? They didn’t know." Why? Because its become so watered down or changed into something that it was never designed for or to be.
Some even thought the whole Bible was the Gospel. Now the Bible contains the Gospel, but you can’t just say, "Well, believe the Bible and be saved." It’s absolutely ridiculous what people, who have been in church all their lives, can come up with and not even come close to the truth. So Paul just says the same thing, "that the Lord Jesus who was brought again to Life from the dead," which is the crowning point of our redemption and salvation. That great Shepherd of the sheep. Now there again, he’s talking using the Jewish language. Which no of our day and western culture understands at least properly that is. Just like the picture language that John used when he penned Revelation, it just throw's people for a loop.
I don’t set this in concrete and I don’t just get all shook up if people don’t agree with me, but if I understand the Scripture, you know that Gentiles were not referred to as sheep. It’s always the Hebrews. It was the Nation of Israel, to whom the 23rd Psalm is really speaking to. "The Lord is my shepherd…" The Lord Himself was always referring to the sheep and the shepherd. And when you get to the last sign miracle of John’s gospel and they’re having the fish on the fire and the Lord puts Peter on the spot and He says, "Peter, lovest thou me more than these?" I’m sure He was pointing to the fish. And Peter says, "Lord, thou knowest I love thee." Jesus then said, "Feed my sheep." And the Lord comes back again with "Peter, lovest thou me more than these?" And Peter answers again, "Lord you know I love you." And again Jesus says, "Feed my sheep." And the third time and every time it was the same answer, "Feed my sheep."
Isn’t it amazing that Peter, a man’s man, agreed to that with a handshake. You don’t know what I’m talking about do you? And I don’t expect you to know. Come back with me to Galatians. A gentleman’s handshake. You know what that involves? Honesty, integrity.
Galatians chapter 2; and remember the setting. Paul has been out ministering to Gentiles for about 15-18 years, but what’s been happening? The Judaizers who were from the Jerusalem church. Those who did not become true believers or Christians there. Are coming under his teaching and confusing the issue by telling Paul’s congregations that they had to keep the Law and practice circumcision and all that. (Acts 15:1-5) So here we come to this Jerusalem counsel to settle the question. And Paul is saying, "Stop having people come and tell my Gentile believers that they have to be circumcised and keep the Levitical Law." So they have this counsel and Peter and James and John finally see the light. I say, finally, because I think it took a long time. But anyway, now look what happens in chapter 2, and verse 8.
Galatians 2:8
"(For he that wrought effectually in Peter to the apostleship of the circumcision, [or Israel, the Jews] the same [Lord] was mighty in me toward the Gentiles:)"
Now here comes that gentleman’s handshake between Peter and Paul.
Galatians 2:9
"And when James, Cephas, (that is Peter) and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived (or discerned, understood) the grace that was given unto me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship; (what does that mean? They shook hands! And what did they agree as they shook hands?) that we (Paul and Barnabas) should go unto the heathen, (or the Gentiles, the religious world) and they (Peter, James and John and rest of the apostles would go where?) unto the circumcision." (The religious Hebrews or the nation of Israel)
Now that was the gentleman’s agreement. You think Peter ever backed off of that? I don’t think so, because he was too much of a man. Now back to Hebrews chapter 13 again. So here we have the whole concept that these Hebrews are Christians and are under the control and headship of the chief shepherd. Now verse 21.
Hebrews 13:21a
"Make you perfect (in other words, get mature, complete) in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is well pleasing in his sight, (how?) through Jesus Christ;…"
Throughout this study we've endeavored to reveal the revelation of God's perfect Will or purpose, the one path way which is the doing of the word or revelation when heard with our spiritual ears and then seen with our spiritual eyes. The action that holds us riveted to God unchangeable and unshakable. Now what does Paul tell us in one of his other epistles? "I can do all things through Jesus Christ my Lord." So this is what he’s admonishing. This also tells us that Paul is writing to Hebrew-Christians not just Hebrews who are not yet sold out to Christ but rather those who are but were on the verge of apostasy or the turning of their backs on Him, the falling away from the Lord. Which is actually what has happened just as Revelation the first three chapters warns not to do just as Paul in the epistle has done as well.
Hebrews 13:21-23a
"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. And I beseech you, brethren, suffer the word of exhortation: for I have written a letter unto you in few words. Know ye that our brother Timothy is set at liberty;…"
Now who would naturally call Timothy his brother? Paul. And so here’s another reason I feel Paul is the writer.
Hebrews 13:23-25
"Know ye that our brother Timothy is set at liberty; with whom, if he come shortly, I will see you. Salute all them that have the rule over you, and all the saints, They of Italy salute you. Grace be with you all. Amen."
And so we come to the end of the Epistle of Hebrews.
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