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.
Outline:
Responsibility
Accountability
Vulnerability
Availability
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.
Responsibility
In Hebrews 13 we read in verse 7: Remember
those who rule over you, who have spoken the Word of God to you... 17: Obey
those who rule over you... 24: Greet all those who
rule over you.
This is in context of
Church leadership.
Unlike Romans 13,
which speaks of government. But even there we’re told to submit to governing
authorities.
Even Jesus submitted
to Pontius Pilate, saying, “You’d have no authority over Me unless it had
been given to you from Above.” John 19:11 (remember this verse, we’ll
mention it again in a minute).
God doesn’t have a
problem with the words: those who rule over you.
God’s Kingdom
embraces, obedience, submission, law and order.
1 Corinthians 14:33For God is not the author of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints.
The original Greek
word, Obey, in our text is: peithó. It means to persuade,
convince, trust, or, as the NIV puts it: to have confidence in.
Have confidence in and submit to, the watchmen
of your soul who is accountable to God.
Which brings us to:
Accountability
For they
watch out for your souls, reminds
us of when God called His watchman, in Ezekiel 3:17-21. If the watchman doesn’t
give warning, he is accountable for the blood of the lost.
Must give
account means they were
appointed and called by the Lord.
So, obeying and
submitting, is saying to God, “I trust You.” And saying to every authority
other than God: “You’d have no authority over me unless it had been given to
you from Above.” John 19:11.
Then, as much as
possible pursue peace. Matt. 5:9, Rom. 12:18, Heb. 12:14.
And, always ready to
obey God rather than man. Acts 4:19-20, 5:29.
Vulnerability:
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.
Pray for us.
Okay, sure, why?
Because we are
confident that we have a good conscience.
Huh?
Is it just me, or
does that sound weird?
If we put ourselves
in their sandals, it’ll make sense.
Our first century
family was accused of atheism because they denied the existence of the numerous Roman gods. They
were accused of incest and orgies for referring to each other as brothers and
sisters and meeting in secret for fear of persecution. They were accused of cannibalism
of their own children because they spoke about eating and drinking the body and
blood of Christ.
So, in that context
it makes perfect sense to say:
“Pray for
us; for no matter what you’ve heard, our conscience is clear, we’re innocent.
We’ve lived honorably with integrity. So, please pray we’re quickly cleared of
these false accusations so I can get back to you the sooner.”
The message for us today dear Church is that we must pray for those God has called to rule over us. 1 Timothy 2:1-2.
The message for dear Church leaders is to be vulnerable, not afraid, or too proud, to ask for prayer. James 5:16.
We all must ask, “is
my conscience clear?”
Do I long to be with
my Church family the sooner. Or do I dread their presence?
Do I feel people
looking down on me?
Is the preacher’s
sermon all about me?
If so, no fear. It’s
not too bad. It may be miserable, but it’s not terrible. Because, feeling bad
is good. It means your conscience may not be clear, but at least it’s not
seared.
A seared conscience
can sing in the choir while living in sin and never feel a pinch of conviction.
That’s a slippery slope straight to hell.
If your conscience is
not clear, if you have no peace, let’s remedy that by talking to the God of
peace...
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,
The God
of peace raised Jesus from the
grave, sealing the everlasting covenant with His blood, making a Way to restore
peace between God and man.
A remedy for the
guilty conscience.
Isaiah 9:6-7
For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the government will be
upon His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 7 Of the increase of His
government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on the throne
of David and over his kingdom, to establish and sustain it with justice and
righteousness from that time and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD
of Hosts will accomplish this.
But that’s not all.
God wants more.
He’s not only
interested in a peace treaty, a debt paid, a war ended.
He wants restoration.
He wants a family
reunion.
He not only offers
peace with God, He offers the peace of God.
Philippians 4:6-7
Be anxious for
nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with
thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God,
which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through
Christ Jesus.
God wants a constant,
(without ceasing) ongoing, communication between you and your, All knowing, All
Powerful, Ever Present, loving, caring, Heavenly Father.
Which brings us
to:
Availability
21 make
you complete (equipped) 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.
For those whose
hearts are available and willing, God gives the want to and the able
to do every good work pleasing in His sight.
Phiippians 2:13
For it is God
who works in you both to will and to do for His good
pleasure.
I want to want
to...but how?
Psalm 37:4
Delight yourself in
the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart.
Seek first the
Kingdom of God (Matt. 6:33), and watch how He provides the desire and the
ability:
2 Peter 1:3
His divine power has given
to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the
knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue.
1 Corinthians 10:31
Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of
God.
22 And I
appeal to you, brethren, bear with (endure, don’t quit) the word of exhortation, (encouragement) for I have written to you in few words (considering the Enormity of Eternity).
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.
Brethren, brother, greet rulers,
greet saints, greet Italians, familial language referring to this
one big noisy, messy, happy family of God.
I’m so glad I’m a part
of the family of God
If you are a
Christian, you have a family reunion coming that will last forever. One where
there will be no bickering or fighting or crying or complaining.
Sounds like heaven.
Exactly.
25 Grace be with
you all. Amen.
Final words.
Final powerful,
prayer.
Saved by God’s
amazing Grace, unmerited favor.
Grace BE
(present tense).
May God’s unmerited
favor, eternal saving, amazing grace be ever present with you all, always.
Let’s pray.
Our gracious heavenly
Father, oh how we long to be with You, always. Thank You for making that
possible. Now, will You help us find our Divine calling, so we can complete all
You’ve given us, and reach all those You send us, so we all can finish well and
hear You say, “Well done.”
Thank You.
We look forward to
seeing You, soon.
We love You, forever.
Amen.
Prayer
Requests:
Call or text:
612-554-2522
Email: pray4measap@aol.com
Facebook: Church at WPV
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Watch
online:
Facebook: Well Pleasing in His Sight,
Hebrews 13:17-25
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Sight, Hebrews 13:17-25
This was
feed for you to read. Now it’s Seed for you to sow.
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for sharing.
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