"20 Now the God of peace, who brought up from the dead the great Shepherd of the sheep through the blood of the eternal covenant, even Jesus our Lord, 21 equip you in every good thing to do His will, working in us that which is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen."
Good Morning my beloved,
Welcome to worship this Lord's day! We're so glad to have our brothers and sisters from around the world here with us today. Please know, that we continue to lift all of you up in our prayers. We would ask that you would do the same for us. We
praise God that He continues to grow our ministry, allowing us to reach
even more people! We would like to encourage you to share it with all of your family and
friends. May it all be for the glory of God and the increase of His kingdom.
There are several perils to the pastorate. The first is the peril of covetousness. The peril of covetousness. Some people
want to rule because they covet authority, they covet
position, they covet bigger churches, they covet more money and more power. The danger is they
wind up being tyrants, who lord their position and authority, dominating over the church.
In I Timothy 4, Paul said to Timothy " Let no one look down on your youthfulness, but rather in speech, conduct, love, faith and purity, show yourself an example of those who believe." Show yourself an example of those who believe. In other words, the pastor should set an example which others can follow.
The second peril, is the peril of conceit. The peril of conceit. I believe that many of us struggle with the issue of pride, have to deal with this in our own lives, and it comes down to the issue of pride. A desire to be exalted.
James said in chapter 4 verse 6, "But He gives a greater grace. Therefore it says, "GOD IS OPPOSED TO THE PROUD, BUT GIVES GRACE TO THE HUMBLE."
There is a third peril and that is the peril of compromise. The peril of compromise. I believe that it is so easy for a pastor to compromise today. There is much criticism of those of us who refuse to compromise, those who speak the truth of God in today's culture. Therefore, there’s always the issue of compromise, giving in to
Satan, watering down your convictions because it’s expedient and it pleases the congregation, telling them what they want to hear, rather than what they need to hear. However, that is the calling of God.
Peter warns us in I Peter 5:8-9, " Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. But resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brethren who are in the world."
In Scripture, there’s a special honor for those who rule well. In I Timothy 5:17-18, Paul says "The elders who rule well are to be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching. For the Scripture says, “You shall not muzzle the ox while he is threshing,” and “The laborer is worthy of his wages." In other words, Paul is saying to make sure that you pay the preacher enough so that he can live, full time ministry is a great deal of work, for those of us who take it seriously. So it is important to take care of those who are given to the church by the Spirit of God to rule in the church.
The Bible indicates clearly that we are the under shepherds of Christ. We are therefore, called to be responsive and sensitive to the needs of people. The congregation is also called to be responsive and sensitive to the needs of the pastor. Because we’re under shepherds, who are serving the chief Shepherd. And so, we have a tremendous responsibility not only to feed the flock, not only
to warn the flock of impending danger, not only to nurture the flock
when they’re injured and wounded, but to be sure that we take the
oversight in terms of disciplining the flock, in terms of maintaining
leadership in the flock, and giving direction to the flock. It is the responsibility of the pastor to keep watch over the flock. I believe that every man of God ought to realize that responsibility which has been entrusted to him by God. It’s a tremendous and very sobering responsibility.
Jesus said in John 13:20, "Truly, truly, I say to you, he who receives whomever I send receives Me; and he who receives Me receives Him who sent Me."
Let us pray.
Heavenly Father,
Father, we again thank You for Your Word, for the clear teaching of the Holy Spirit. Thank You for the Spirit-filled leaders who rule well, and for those who obey the Word that they teach. Lord, I give thanks to You for the unbelievable responsibility that You have entrusted me with, a calling of which I am unworthy. I give thank to You for those whom You have entrusted to me to lead, and give direction, to teach the truth. I give You thanks for those who are subjected and obedient to the leaders You have raised up.
Father, I pray that You would convict the hearts of those who are misusing their position, abusing the authority You have entrusted them with and for the congregations they serve, that they would not be misled. Watch over their souls, as they that must give account. May it all be for Your glory and for Christ's sake.
Father, if there is anyone who is among us, who has not yet come to Christ, who have yet to receive Him as their Lord and Savior, that You would touch their hearts today, open their eyes and ears to the the truth. Cause them to hate their lives, and to seek forgiveness and salvation in Christ.
In His precious name we pray
Amen
Today's Message: The Peace Of God
It has been my commitment all these years, to preach not myself but Jesus Christ as the risen Lord. I believe that people had ought not to come to church to hear the sentiments of a man, but to hear the Word of God. I am grateful to God for raising me up to such a high calling, for which I am overflowing with thankfulness.
Open your Bibles with me if you would and turn to Hebrews 13:20–21. As we continue in our study of this great book, we are nearing the end our study of this instructional book. We have covered a great deal of material in terms of God's standard, what He expects from us believers in the matter of our behavior. I believe that this is especially important in the times in which we live, when individual freedom and the lack of personal accountability and responsibility, and exaltation of self, seem to be the theme of our culture. The Word of God is in direct contrast to the world, based on the ethic of loving God and brotherly love.
I invite you to follow along with me as I read, to set the text in our minds, as we prepare our hearts for a Word from our Lord.
Hebrews 13:20-21.
"Now the God of peace, who brought up from the dead the great Shepherd of the sheep through the blood of the eternal covenant, even Jesus our Lord, equip you in every good thing to do His will, working in us that which is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen."
Benedictions today, are often received by the church with great delight. In short, it means
that the service will soon be over and the people of God will soon be free to go! However, benedictions are intended to impart a gift from God, the conferring of a blessing of unusual grace
and mercy upon all our lives. It is intended to encourage the congregation as we embark on a journey to walk with the Lord. Therefore, I believe that benedictions must never be taken for granted, treated in a casual way; they are very important. It has been suggested that we
should hold our hands out as though we are already receiving the benefits
that God has been pleased to bestow on us as the prayer is offered up on
our behalf as a congregation.
The word "benediction" comes from the two Latin words "bene," meaning well and "dicere," meaning to speak. Therefore, benediction means "to speak well of." The book of Hebrews also closes with two benedictions, one in verses 20-21 and the other in verse 25. The Author asks the blessings of God upon his readers. As we look at
this prayer, we find that the author focuses his prayer God-ward. Of
course, all prayer must focus on God, Who He is, what He has done
for us, and what He is doing in and through us.
Verses 20-21, is a benediction concerning salvation, in the expression, "God of Peace," which is located only here and in the prayers of the apostle Paul. In
Romans 15:33, Paul closes his letter with these words, "
Now the God of peace be with you all. Amen." Peace has been aggressively sought after by humanity ever since Adam and
Eve were driven from Eden. To date, humanity has not been capable of effecting much peace. There is essentially no peace left in our world, except what is to be found in the nature and will of God. For centuries, there have been numerous "peace treaties." Sadly, most of them have been broken.
God alone is the author of peace because He has designed it from eternity,
and He carried it out in the person of Jesus Christ. And so, our Great God offers us peace, however, only when certain
qualifications are met. If a person will turn to God in faith, he can experience peace, no matter how difficult the trouble he may have in this life. Peace only comes through a right relationship with God through His Son Jesus Christ. Everything that is not God begins with God. There is nothing before God.
And therefore, there is nothing above God. God gives an account to nothing or no one. He is
measured by nothing. Nothing sustains, or improves Him, or contributes to his value,in any way. He is God. Furthermore, God does not like to be taken for granted.
In
Romans 5:1-2, the Apostle Paul says "
Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God."
And, in
John 14:27, Jesus Himself said "
Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful."
Jesus not only made peace for us, He is our peace. The God of peace will give us victory over the arch enemy of peace. Only God and God alone can give perfect peace within man’s heart. It is the God of Peace who blesses us.
Salvation is declaration of justification. The believing and repentant sinner is declared
forgiven—justified before God—free from sins
condemnation, in the ongoing process of sanctification, being freed from the power, practice and pleasures of sin.
Our text is a prayer, a summary of the whole book of Hebrews, as it outlines
all that a believer needs for competing, succeeding and completing his
walk, talk or ministry to the glory of God.
In verse 20, the author is confident of this benediction of salvation because He is confident in the Lord of their salvation, the "God of peace." The concept of peace is intimately connected to God’s character and to His relationship with His people. Therefore, let us fix our eyes on the God of peace, for only He is able to meet our deepest needs. He then says "who brought up from the dead the great Shepherd of the sheep." God is the God of resurrection and life, Who had the power to raise the
crucified Lord Jesus from the dead and give Him resurrection life. We know that resurrection life is life that lasts forever. That same great power that is now being made available to us, His believing body, the Church.Because we have already been raised to new life in Jesus Christ. Since Jesus Christ has atoned for our sins, all enmity between God and us has been removed, we are at peace with God. In other words, we have been wonderfully reconciled to God!
In
II Corinthians 5:17, Paul says "
Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come."
However, peace, in a broader application and implication, speaks of an overall well being; it speaks of the wholeness and wholesomeness of the believer. Therefore, it is the birthright of those for whom have been born again, those for whom Jesus Christ is Mediator. Those who will receive Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, into their lives will be given new life, eternal life. Abundant life! The more we nurture and nourish our relationship with Christ, the more His incredible peace takes over our lives. I believe that there is no greater act in all of creation than the resurrection of Jesus Christ. It is the capstone of the Christian faith.
In
Psalm 119:165, the psalmist wrote "
Those who love Your law have great peace, And nothing causes them to stumble."
In our society, many people long to be associated with great persons. In fact, we casually drop the
names of some of the greatest people that we have had contact with in order
to impress those with whom we are speaking. Yet, many today, reject the One Who is the greatest name, the name above of all names, our great Shepherd, the Lord Jesus Christ.
Jesus, Who is our Great Shepherd, feeds His sheep, ruling over them and instructing them. However,
this Shepherd also lays down His life for His sheep, and so He is a
priest who offers Himself as a holy sacrifice. In fact, the entire book of Hebrews affirms His sufficiency, His supremacy, the One Who offers a better sacrifice and brings a better covenant. There is no one who can compare to Jesus!
The experience of God’s peace, or shalom, was to be the mark that separated the people of Israel from all other peoples. How fitting that the writer to the Hebrews should end his letter with a similar blessing! However, in this case, it is not a blessing through merely a human high priest, but a promise of shalom through the God-Man, the Son of God, the High Priest, the Lord Jesus Christ. However, this matter of God’s peace, His shalom, is not only for old covenant Jews; it is for new covenant sons of Abraham as well. This is why it is found
in every epistle of the New Testament.
I believe that every Christian needs to reminded, to hear, embrace and experience this benediction. May we not only hear it, may we heed it. Clearly, this is the author’s fundamental point, that the God of peace, the
God who is at perfect peace with Himself, is not only able to make us at peace
with Him, but with others and ourselves, "through the blood of the eternal covenant, even Jesus our Lord." The blood referred to the substitutionary sacrificial death of Christ,
which satisfied the divine justice of God, because when we were unable to make a sufficient payment for ourselves. Christ's blood is the great
pledge and assurance of our peace with God. He is not subject to revise His plan because of what some think are the unexpected movements of men and nations. God's peace is eternal, and His plans are sure.
Pastors, do not have all of what it takes, in and of themselves, to meet all the needs of
a congregation and community of our day. But "through our Lord," He promises to put
us into the proper condition in order that we can do great exploits for Him. He will do a work in us that which is well-pleasing in His sight so that we accomplish every good work.In other words, every good work is simultaneously the work of our Lord Jesus Christ, by the effectual energizing and in-working of the grace of God.
It is this same peace that drove the apostles, in
Acts 4, to boldly stand for the gospel in the face of opposition. And, though you may be facing some very difficult challenges to your life, but peace is your inheritance. I can speak from my experience, peace may accompany illness, or unemployment. But to know the God of peace is to be able to know the peace of God.
I believe that this to be one of the most encouraging texts to help those who need great encouragement as they face challenges. We can accomplish nothing in our strength, therefore, the honor and praise of all our work must be laid at the feet of our Lord Jesus Christ. Consider the account of Peter walking on the water, it was that he didn't believe Jesus, it was that he doubted what Jesus said because he forgot who Jesus was.
Verse 21, "equip you in every good thing to do His will, working in us that which is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen." This is a prayer seeking the blessings of God upon the readers of the
book of Hebrews and the will of God for everyone
of us. The will of God is not perfected in us by our own effort, try as we might, we will surely fail. God must do the work in us. The will of God can only be perfected in us by God Himself.
In P
hilippians 1:6, Paul said "
For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus." God does the saving through the blood of Christ. God does the keeping and the empowering. We are a broken people, and need to be fixed. This is what the work of redemption is all about. "Equip" is a wonderful redemptive term, which is an important concept in the lives of individual Christians and in the church.
The Apostle Paul used it in
Galatians 6:1, in the context of
restoring fallen Christians. And, he used it in
Ephesians 4:12 to speak of the work of the leadership of the church, to equip church members for the works of ministry. This prayer is the expression of the author’s heart for the congregation. God is able not only to supply what is needed, He can also repair what is broken.
Simply and profoundly this prayer is a promise. A promise
backed by God’s peace, God’s power, and God’s Pastor. In other words, we have been
supplied with everything we need to live the Christian life.
In Closing..
My preaching as an effort to apply the promise of this prayer to your lives. In doing the will of God, doing what pleases Him, God "equips you with everything good that you may do his will." We do it as He is doing it in us.
Beloved, God at work in you today, equipping you for every good work, that is pleasing in His sight.
This is the mystery of our sanctification. Together, may we all realize His perfect peace by receiving His great grace by the work of the Holy Spirit. As we continue to grow and mature, we overcome the power of sin, and Jesus Christ receives all the glory.
We have every reason to be encouraged, may today mark the beginning of a life-changing experience.
And, to God be glory, both now and forever.
May it be so..
And now may the Lord bless you and keep you;
the Lord make His face shine upon you,
And be gracious to you;
The Lord lift up His countenance upon you,
And give you peace.
Now and forever, in Jesus' name
Amen
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