CHAPTER 13

The closing chapter of Hebrews has focus on practical application
of Christianity.
Jesus is the center (Vs 8), and we are to allow God's Word and His
Holy Spirit to mold us into being like Jesus.

VS 1
1 Let brotherly love continue.

The word "continue" tells us they are ALREADY practicing this.

Jesus said, "A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one
another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.
By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one
to another."(John 13:34-35)

VS 2
2 Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained
angels unawares.

(I remember when I delivered my first sermon. It was "Layman's Day" and
I was asked to preach. I had worked all week to center the sermon on John 3:16.
I had 7 pages of handwritten notes. They lasted about 8 minutes! When I
turned the last page, I looked at my pastor. He smiled because he KNEW
what had happened. But he got up and gave the invitation, and a little girl
came forward to surrender to Jesus!! Her mother had been my wife's
maid of honor in our wedding. I asked her mom if she had been talking
about getting saved. She said, "No! I had no idea!" Then a man in a
beard, whom I had never seen before, came and shook my hand. He said,
"Brother, that was GOOD STUFF!" Then, he walked away, and I never saw
him again!!)

Hospitality is a virtue we should all employ!
Rom. 12:13 says Christians should be "given to hospitality."
1 Pet. 4:9 says, "Use hospitality to one another without grudging."
Jesus said, "I was a stranger and you took me not in!" (Matt. 25:43)

We can be careful and congenial at the same time.
Remember, a "stranger" just COULD BE an "angel!"

VS 3
3 Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; and them which
suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body.

((An older man approached a young woman in the grocery store. He said,
"Excuse me, I can't seem to find my wife. Can you talk to me for a few moments?"
She said, "Why, sure. Do you know where your wife might be?"
He said, "I have no idea. But when I talk to a young pretty woman, she ALWAYS
shows up!"))

The word "Remember," seems to point toward prayerful consideration.
"Remember them that are in bonds" - chains, enslaved.
Also "them which suffer adversity" - difficult things which happen in life.

Remember to pray for them, for YOU are also "in the body" of christ,
and sometimes need help and comfort.

Vs 4
4 Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled:
but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.

I believe there is a special reason for this statement.

Here, we see that marriage is HONORABLE!
Or, honor is to be SHOWN to marriage.

Marriage is NOT to be undervalued.
Celibacy in ministry is LESS valued than marriage!

1 Tim. 3:2 says, the minister should be "husband of one wife."
And, in vs 4, here, the Bible says the marriage bed is undefiled!
There is no shame in sex within a marriage.

And, ministers who are married are not to be LESS valued!

Also, at the time of this writing, there were many houses of ill-repute.
Even some of the temples to gods housed prostitutes!
BUT - whoremongers and adulterers God will JUDGE!"

VS 5
5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such
things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

The word "conversation" is derived from the Greek tropos.
It means manner of living, character.

It has been said before, "Many people don't read the Bible, but they sure
read CHRISTIANS!"

In our life conduct, we should not be known for coventousness!

Instead, we should be "content with such things" as we have!

Yes! We should work to obtain and provide for our families.
We can indeed desire to be successful.

But we should not have desire for what OTHERS have!

Vs 6
6 So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man
shall do unto me.

We maintain faith when we cling to the LORD, and can "boldly say, The LORD
is my HELPER!"
Ps. 27:1 says, "The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?
The LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?"

We cannot say THAT if our life is showing greediness!

VS 7
7 Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the
word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation.

Again, "Remember" points to hold them in regard and give
prayerful consideration to them. Sometimes, our "rule(rs)" are political leaders, and we don't always
agree with them.
But we should have respect to their authority, and pray that God will lead
them to righteous decisions for our benefit!
Sometimes our rulers are over us in the workplace, and we take their orders
with respect; also, praying for them to make righteous decisions.

But here, the Scripture points to those who have "spoken unto you the
word of God!"
And, in Heb. 6:12, the Scripture says, "...be not slothful, but followers
of them who through faith and patience inherit promises."
((See also, Heb. 13:17))

VS 8
8 Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.

This verse furnishes the strongest argument of fidelity to Jesus!
Who ELSE can we DEPEND upon except the everlasting LORD?

Jesus is ALWAYS the same!!
He is loving, compassionate, and patiently desiring that ALL should
come to repentance! (2Pet. 3:9)

Jesus is also JUDGE over ALL mankind!!

One can ALWAYS follow Jesus, because His directions are ALWAYS righteous!

VS 9
9 Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines. For it is a good
thing that the heart be established with grace; not with meats, which have
not profited them that have been occupied therein.

Allow me to make a little clarification.
The words "carried about" are not in the original Greek text.

Perhaps the verse should be read in the following manner:
"Be not with divers and strange doctrines......."

Do not allow yourself to be indoctrinated with different ideas and
tradtions that conflict with Biblical instruction.

INSTEAD, let your heart be "established with grace."
Grace is receiving what you don't deserve.
Mercy is NOT receiving what you DO deserve.
God, in His inestimable power of LOVE, gives BOTH upon His
consideration of the person's LIFE.
And, God knows the END of the life from the BEGINNING of it!

And not, being established with grace means "NOT with meats!"
It is more beneficial to adhere to SPIRITUAL doctrine (coming from the
Bible), than to adhere to dietary traditions of men!

VSS 10-13
10 We have an altar, whereof they have no right to eat which serve the tabernacle.
11 For the bodies of those beasts, whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the
high priest for sin, are burned without the camp.
12 Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood,
suffered without the gate.
13 Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach.

The Hebrews were familiar with the altar of sacrifice at the temple.
The bodies of those sacrifices were taken "outside the camp."
THEN, the blood of the sacrifices was brought INSIDE the temple, and
sprinkled on the altar.

Jesus died "outside the camp;" but His blood is sufficient for
perpetual cleansing, since it is God's blood!
Jesus came to "sanctify the people with His OWN blood!"

"Let us go forth therefore to HIM!"
Let us crucify SELF and LIVE for HIM!
Which is "bearing His reproach!"
He gave Himself for us, reprooving the world's sinfulness.
Let us give ourselves for Him in the manner of righteousness.

We are FOLLOWERS of Christ!
Let us then be ready and willing to bear the same reproaches as He did for us!

1Pet. 4:13 says, "But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's
sufferings; that, when His glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with
exceeding joy!"

When death approaches, by whatever means, we must KNOW that in faith,
our Lord is SMILING upon us!

VS 14
14 For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come.

OUR CONTINUING city is HEAVEN!
NO CITIES will CONTINUE on this earth!! (See 2Pet. 3:10-11)

One day, the Lord will FOLD UP all that is here; and, He will create a
NEW Heaven and a NEW Earth!

We, who are given to Christ, YEARN for that CONTINUING City, for it
will last ETERNAL!

VS 15
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.

PRAISE to God is a SACRIFICE to Him!
Our hearts are THANKFUL, and the emotion of praise is pushed upward
to emit from our mouths!

THANK God for:
His LOVE which REACHES us at all times,
His MERCY which allows us to be called to salvation,
His GRACE which touches our hearts and calls us to FAITH,
His PROMISE that there will be a HEAVEN, which will be place
WITHOUT sin FOREVER!

LET THERE BE PRAISE from our HEARTS pouring out through our MOUTHS!
SING with me:
"Praise God from Whom all blessings flow;
Praise Him all creatures here below;
Praise Him above ye heavenly hosts;
Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost!!
AMEN!!!

(((A Christian doctor entered the patient's room after surgery.
He said, "Your recovery is a MIRACLE!"
The patient said, "GOOD! I don't have to PAY you! I can just PRAISE JESUS!")))

VS 16
16 But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is
well pleased.

The Greek for "do good" is eupoiia which means to show
benficience. Let someone else benefit from what you have.
The word "communicate" is translated from the Greek koinonia
which means fellowship. Share in fellowship what you have.

This is also SACRIFICE TO God!

The most meaningful thing we have in this world is salvation through Jesus Christ!
When we share our testimony with others, it may lead them to Jesus, but it is
ACCOUNTED as a SACRIFICE to God!!

VS 17
17 Obey them that have the rule over you, 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.

Back in verse 7, I referred to this verse.

We are to be obedient to those who "have the rule" over us, in the faith.
They are on "watch" for our "souls"!

And, they will give an "account" for how they have done so!
Ministers KNOW that they must face God for how they have taught, prayed for,
and helped their people.
Therefore, they are striving to do well and give a happy report to God!
As they are striving to do well, they EVANGELIZE, EDIFY and EDUCATE
the people.

It would be an account of "grief" if THEY did not do correctly, AND, if
YOU did not do correctly!
((A boy was acting wild in the house on a rainy day. Mom told him to go sit
in the corner. He did. Then he yelled, "MOM! I'm SITTING on the OUTSIDE,
but on the INSIDE I'm STANDING up!"))

The Scripture says, "...for that is UNPROFITABLE for YOU!"

18 Pray for us: for we trust we have a good conscience, in all things willing to live honestly.

There might be a THEREFORE there!
The penman for God's Word is saying, "SO THEN, or THEREFORE, PRAY for us!!"

As a pastor, I often felt the need for someone to PRAY for me so that I could
act in "good conscience" with God!!
((Once I was playing golf with 3 other men. One of them said he was going on a
mission trip to Scotland. I said, "Well, as a retired pastor, I can no longer afford
to take those trips. I'm just a poor preacher." One of the men had been a member
in one of the churches I pastored. He said, "I KNOW! I've heard you preach!"))

We NEED to pray for pastors, missionaries, deacons, teachers DAILY!!
Like my pastor once told me, "Pray for me. I need the prayers, and you need
the practice!"

VS 19
19 But I beseech you the rather to do this, that I may be restored to you the sooner.

ANOTHER request for prayer.
The writer had been deterred from visiting those to whom he was penning the letter.
His desire was to visit with them again.
He was asking for them to pray that God would make that possible.

When we travel to other countries to share the Gospel, we should ask people to
pray that we return safely.

VSS 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
wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

This is a very insightful prayer!

"Now the God of PEACE...."
The word "peace" is from the Greek Eirene (i ray' nay).
It means to set at ONE again!

God is the One (ONLY ONE) Who can join us back to Him!
Sometimes Eirene is used for REST.
God is the One (ONLY ONE) Who can give us REST with Him!

"..that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus.."
ONLY through Christ's resurrection can we be JUSTIFIED with God!
And when we are JOINED with God through repentance and surrender to
Jesus, we are indwelled with His Holy Spirit! (Eph. 1:13)
We are JUSTIFIED to be truly JOINED to God!

"Through the blood of the everlasting covenant.."
Jesus' shed blood ENDED the need for other blood sacrifices!
That is a blood covenant which is "everlasting" because it is made
with the everlasting blood of God!
That blood came from the GREAT SHEPHERD Who CARES for His sheep
like you and me!

"Make you perfect.."
That word "perfect" comes from the Greek katartizoo and
means to make one FULLY READY, or COMPLETE.

It does NOT mean we are perfect here in this earthly life!
It is a prayer that God will CONTINUE working in His people until they are
FULLY READY to inhabit His Heavenly Kingdom.
God is WORKING IN Christians to "DO His WILL!" (Ppns 2:13)

"through Jesus Christ"
ALL the works of God IN us and THROUGH us are done by the Jesus IN us!
And "to HIM be glory forever and ever..."

I have a phone nearby me.
It has NO POWER of itself to emit conversations our do any work.
ONLY the OWNER can make voice be given or text to be done.
It is the same with our lives in Jesus Christ!!

We can do NOTHING good without Him!!! (John 15:5)

Let us give glory to Christ for waking us each day and helping us to
WORK for Him!

VS 22
22 And I beseech you, brethren, suffer the word of exhortation: for I have written
a letter unto you in few words.

This is a plea to not only HEAR but to HEED!
The whole letter of Hebrews is short. BUT, it is a practical exhortation unto PERSERVERANCE in Christ!

VS 23
23 Know ye that our brother Timothy is set at liberty; with whom, if he come shortly,
I will see you.

Timothy is set at liberty to visit with those to whom the letter is written.
It seems here, that Timothy is visiting other churches, and will soon return
to the penman of the letter.

And, the penman expresses hope that, if Timothy returns to him, he will be
able to come with Timothy and visit those to whom the letter is addressed.

VS 24
24 Salute all them that have the rule over you, and all the saints. They of Italy salute you.

Again, there's the term "that have the rule over you."
By this salutation, we are sure that the penman was in Italy, and was writing to
get the recpients to share with their spiritual overseers.

VS 25
25 Grace be with you all. Amen.

"Grace" is from the Greek charis, and means favor or benefit.

God's grace is Divine favor which influences the heart of a person to be:
CONVICTED of sin
CONVINCED that Jesus is the Only Savior
CALLED to repent and surrender to Jesus
and COMMITTED to Him for life!

THEN, grace is Divine favor which God pours into the believer to CONTINUE
in trust, faith and love.

((Many golfers are familiar with the name Harvey Penick. He wrote a set of notes
for a book he wanted published. He took it to a writer and asked if he though it
was ok to publish.
The writer read the notes, and told Penick he liked it. In fact, he was going to
help him write the book, and contact a publisher.
The very next evening, that writer contacted Penick again. He said that the
publisher (Simon & Schuster) agreed to publish the book and give an advance
of $90,000!
Now, Penick misunderstood, and thought the publisher wanted the money to
publish the book. He explained that, being 90 years old, and having many
doctor bills, he could PAY that much!
But the writer finally convinced Penick that the publisher was going to make a
payment of $90,000 to Penick and then pay him MORE after it was published!
That book sold over one million copies and earned the title of being the
best selling sports book of all time in 1992.
SOURCE: Leadership Journal, Fall 1995))

What a DIVINE BLESSING to KNOW that God has ALREADY paid the price
for our sins!! AND, He has agreed to give us DIVINE GRACE that CONTINUES to hold us
to Him!