6.17.52 11.24.2024 Mastering the Basics Hebrews 13

Start:

Entice: It would appear that the author of Hebrews came to the end of his document with several remaining topics to discus

Either his time was short,

or he realized that he’d gone on longer than necessary,

or perhaps he realized that the papyrus sheet he was using was nearly filled.

Whatever his motivation he comes to the last chapter with what might seem like a list of unrelated points he wished to make. I think there is an order to be found and that he brings his work to a close with a final, clear directive.

Engage: He wants us to be equipped. Equipment is not just tools; it’s understanding and context. When he discusses equipment, he means a fully integrated individual who understands her place in the local and global Christian community.

Expand: The word we use for a “fully integrated” person or personality is integrity.

We each function in a number of different, interlocking spheres.

We might call them“layers of integrity”.

In this chapter these various layers of integrity are brought together to provide a final encouraging word.

Excite: The Hebrew author has been consistent in grounding

how we behave

in what we believe.

He doesn’t change his approach here at the end. He again reaffirms the basic fact of our faith.

Explore:

Integrity is the combination of right belief and right behavior.

Expand: In closing the Hebrew author leaves us with these layers of integrity I mentioned…

Body of Sermon: It begins with

1 Personal Integrity

Hebrews 13:1–6 ESV

1 Let brotherly love continue. 2 Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares. 3 Remember those who are in prison, as though in prison with them, and those who are mistreated, since you also are in the body. 4 Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous. 5 Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” 6 So we can confidently say, “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?”

Personal integrity is expressed in love, which yields

1.1 Brotherhood

1.2 Hospitality

1.3 Compassion for the prisoner and mistreated

1.4 Purity in marriage.

1.5 Contentment.

The next layer of integrity is local. He speaks of

2 Community Integrity

Hebrews 13:7–17 ESV

7 Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith. 8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. 9 Do not be led away by diverse and strange teachings, for it is good for the heart to be strengthened by grace, not by foods, which have not benefited those devoted to them. 10 We have an altar from which those who serve the tent have no right to eat. 11 For the bodies of those animals whose blood is brought into the holy places by the high priest as a sacrifice for sin are burned outside the camp. 12 So Jesus also suffered outside the gate in order to sanctify the people through his own blood. 13 Therefore let us go to him outside the camp and bear the reproach he endured. 14 For here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city that is to come. 15 Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name. 16 Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God. 17 Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.

Community integrity is expressed by honoring our leaders. We honor our leaders through

2.1 Practice and Imitation

we honor our leaders through

2.2 Doctrinal Clarity

Focus

Purity

Accuracy

And we honor our leaders through

2.3 Attention and obedience

Leaders can only lead when the led allow themselves to be led.

Finally, the Hebrew author speaks of

3 Mission Integrity.

Mission integrity is expressed by ongoing concern for flourishing, global ministry

through…

3.1 Prayer for ministry

Hebrews 13:18–19 ESV

18 Pray for us, for we are sure that we have a clear conscience, desiring to act honorably in all things. 19 I urge you the more earnestly to do this in order that I may be restored to you the sooner.

Mission integrity is expressed through a

3.2 Passion for ministry

Hebrews 13:22–25 ESV

22 I appeal to you, brothers, bear with my word of exhortation, for I have written to you briefly. 23 You should know that our brother Timothy has been released, with whom I shall see you if he comes soon. 24 Greet all your leaders and all the saints. Those who come from Italy send you greetings. 25 Grace be with all of you.

Shut Down:

What it all means,

Hebrews 13:20–21 (ESV)

20 Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant,

21 equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.

God will equip us, if we will be equipped.

He will prepare us as individuals, as a congregation, as the universal church.

Maybe it would be appropriate to talk less about “going to heaven” and more about being equipped to serve. That, after all, is the purpose of the Church. Heaven is the reward…not the reason.

Each of us must combine

doctrine and duty,

faith and practice.

What we know and what we do.

From the start of this book to the end the Hebrew author is adamant that these

things go together. So, he ends discussing these layers of living to remind us once again of our stake in the cause of Christ. We all participate. As a person, congregant, and part of the global Body of Christ. Each is called to both know what we believe and live out the consequences.

When we are equipped, when we are doing rightly what we are called to do—Jesus gets the glory in us and the Kingdom grows.