Prayers that Please God

Introduction

Gpod morning, please open in your Bibles to Hebrews 13:18-25. That is Hebrews chapter 13:18-25. If you are using one of the Bible’s scattered throughout the chairs this morning you can find our text on page 949. That is page 949.

At Redemption Hill Church it has been our sincere desire to be a praying a church. We take time to pray at the beginning of our service, we pray every Sunday before the sermon for missionaries and other prayer needs, we pray before and after the Lord’s Supper. And I know it is a challenge for some of you, but we take one community group a month and pray. We do this because we actually believe that pray matters. We believe that God does hear us when we pray, and we believe that churches are encouraged to pray together. At the end of the letter of Hebrews we see a request for prayer followed by a written out prayer for this church. The author doesn’t just say he is praying for them, but he prays for them in the letter.

As we seek to be a New Testament church, we have choice but to seek to be a praying church. A church that asks for prayer and a church that prays, and prays in such a way that those being prayed for hear or read the words prayed for them. We want to a be a church that not just goes through the motions of prayer, but prays in a way that pleases God. How do we do this? How do we pray in such a way that pleases the Lord?

Today, I believe we can take our cues from this text and learn how to pray to please God. Let’s read Hebrews 13:18-25.

Pray for Your Leaders v. 18-19

Hebrews 13:18–19 “Pray for us, for we are sure that we have a clear conscience, desiring to act honorably in all things. I urge you the more earnestly to do this in order that I may be restored to you the sooner.”

If you long to please God with your prayers you can do so by being sure to pray for the leaders of your church. In verse 17 the author has commanded this church to obey its leaders, since they are men who are keeping watch over the souls of the people, and they are men who be held accountable for their leadership of the church. Their shepherding care is important because they will stand before God and give an account for it. And in verse 18 the author responds this reality by stating that he and the other church leaders him have a clear conscience and they are desiring to act honorably in all things. The language is a little tough to translate, but the idea being communicated is the leaders who are with our author have a clear conscience as it relates to the past leadership of the church and they desire to continue to act in an honorable way.

Now, I do not believe that these leaders are claiming perfection. I seriously doubt that they never made leadership mistakes. I doubt they never caused offense or that they never sinned against the members of their church. Leaders do both of these things from time to time. I know I have. There are times when I or other leaders in our church make a decision that you would not make. You were do it a little differently, and therefore our leadership has caused an offense. It’s not a sin, but it may be aggravating.

A pastor friend of mine gave an example of such offenses. He liked them to making a peanut and butter and jelly sandwich and asking, “What do you do with the excess peanut butter left on your knife? Do you wipe on the clean bread to get every last bit of peanut butter on the sandwich? Do scrape it on the inner edge of the jar as to not waste it? Do you just enjoy a little peanut butter on the spot and lick the butter knife?” It doesn’t really matter, but when you have peanut butter on the knife you have to do something. Leaders consistently run into these sorts of situations.

Leaders also sin. Sometimes we lose our patience and say things we should not say, sometimes we neglect those in our care, sometimes we are slow to have hard conversations out of fear. All leaders at some point cause offense and all leaders at some point will sin against those who they lead. Just ask any husband who aims to lead his family spiritually.

So, how do we lead with a clear conscience and resolve to act honorably as leaders and how do we respond with our leaders when they cause offense or sin against us?

For leaders, we must be quick to repent when we sin to God to those who have sinned against. We must rely on the cleansing power of the blood of Jesus to purify our conscience as the author of Hebrews has taught us in this book. Jesus forgives sinners, even leaders.

When we cause offense we should seek to reconcile and live at peace with all so far as if depends on us. Romans 12:18 “If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.” If something doesn’t matter then do with the peanut butter what causes the least offense.

For those who are being lead, know that if Jesus forgives sinners, even leaders then you to can forgive your leaders when they sin. That doesn’t mean ignore sin, that doesn’t mean that leader continues leading some cases. But it does mean we as Christians can forgive those who sin against us. Even, when their sin is grievous and do so in a position of leadership. And when it comes to the offenses, ask yourself is this sin or is this just a difference of opinion. Can I look over this? Can I cover it in love? Proverbs 19:11 “Good sense makes one slow to anger, and it is his glory to overlook an offense.” And if not, can you directly to that leader and have a conversation of the offense.

A clear conscience is not the result of the absence of conflict or sin, a clear conscience is the result of sinners choosing to handle their sin and the sins of others in a way that glorifies God. The author has taught that only Jesus was tempted in every way yet without sin. But he also taught that the blood of Jesus (and his blood alone) can purify the conscience. He has a clear conscience and seeks to continue living is a way that keeps his conscience clear. Therefore, he asks that his people pray for him.

I ask you, pray for me. Not because I am a perfect leader, I am not. But I, like this author, have attempted to handle conflict and my sin in the way that would please God. It is my aim that I would continue to do so. So, pray for me and the other leaders of our church, earnestly. Give yourself to praying for your leaders, because every leader knows that desperately need the intervention of God if they hope to lead God’s people with a clear conscience.

It will be really hard to overlook offense, deal with sin God’s way by going to the offender directly, or forgive sin if you are not praying for those who have offended you. If you aren’t praying for your leaders for me, Jimmy, Kendall, for your CG leader then today is the day to start. Pray for your leaders!

T/S- As we pray for our leaders we also must pray for one another. We pray that each of us might be equipped to do God’s will.

Pray for Others to be Equipped v. 20-21

Hebrews 13:20–21 “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, 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.”

This is a beautiful model of prayer. I don’t know that I can be quite as eloquent in my prayers as the author of Hebrews. He has an uncanny knack to say so much in such a short prayer. I don’t believe we need to be just as eloquent as our author, but I do believe we can glean from this prayer to better form our own prayers. In this short prayer we see who the author relies on in his prayer and his chief desire for those whom he prays for.

He prays relying upon God and as he relies upon God he recounts the reality of God’s character. He rehearses the truth of the Gospel as a means to stir up faith in himself to boldly make his request. He worships and adores God for who God is and this leads him to ask God to equip his readers with everything good that they may do his will. He reminds his readers and perhaps himself that God is the God of peace. God has made peace with man and he has done by raising Jesus from the dead. When we remember that God is the God of peace who can raise the dead we are empowered to ask Him for great and miraculous things. We are reminded of his great and awesome power to do the impossible. Abraham knew God could raise the dead, which is why he was willing to sacrifice his own son according to Hebrews 11:19. The belief in resurrection power shapes our prayers. Do you pray knowing God raises the dead?

If you are to pray boldly you must know you pray to a powerful God, but that is not enough. If God is only powerful, then why approach him. If he has might but no care for you, then he is simply terrifying. He is not one that we would go to in prayer. But this is not the God of the Bible. Yes, the God of the Bible is powerful and has authority over death itself. But He is also kind and cares for his sheep. He is the great shepherd of the sheep. He is the shepherd of Psalm 23 “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” God is the kind of God that grants us rest, restores us, leads us to righteousness, cares for us even when in the midst of trouble (the valley of the shadow of death), His protection and guidance (rod and staff) comfort us in the midst of adversity. He enables us to eat in the presence of our enemies… I struggle to eat before anything that makes me nervous. I shouldn’t, trust in God as my shepherd should free me from fear and worry. He is powerful and he cares. And because of this surely! Goodness and mercy will follow me all the day s of my life. Jesus is our chief shepherd, He is the shepherd that lays down his life for the cheap.

And in laying down his life he secures the eternal covenant, the new covenant by his blood. The old covenant of works is void. The new covenant now stands. This is a reminded of Hebrews 8 and 9 in which the author argued the the old covenant of the law was obsolete. It could not purify us, and cleanse us from our sins. But Jesus’ died and by his blood secured redemption for sinners. Hebrews 9:11–14 “But when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things that have come, then through the greater and more perfect tent (not made with hands, that is, not of this creation) he entered once for all into the holy places, not by means of the blood of goats and calves but by means of his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption. For if the blood of goats and bulls, and the sprinkling of defiled persons with the ashes of a heifer, sanctify for the purification of the flesh, how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works to serve the living God.”

Jesus’ death, his blood, purifies our conscience, he makes us clean because he atones for our sin. And therefore we can serve the living God. Which is why this author can pray like he does. He can pray with confidence God will equip his readers with everything good that they may do his will. That’s what the death and resurrection of Jesus accomplished. It accomplished our salvation, which means we are now able to be equipped to serve the Living God. The knowledge of the Gospel is the foundation for bold prayers. It is bold to pray that people be equipped with everything… he doesn’t leave anything out. He prays they have everything they need to do God’s will.

And as he prays this for this people that he leads he includes himself. The “you” changes to “us” at the end of verse 21. He prays that as they are equipped God will work in us that which is pleasing in his sight. Prayer is the great equalizer. Leaders in the church know they need the exact same thing that their followers need. They need God’s resurrection power, God’s pastoral or shepherding care, and God’s atoning sacrifice. As we pray God works in us to change us so that we as a community of faith leaders and members might please him. And as the church please God the Father through the work of the son, being indwelt by the Holy Spirt we bring our Triune God glory forever and ever Amen.

T/S- This is so important because this is a letter written to a people who are being told to hang on. They are being encouraged throughout the letter to perserve in their faith. They believe that Jesus is better, they must live in light of Jesus’ work on the cross, and they must pray for one another if they are to make to the end. Which is why he concludes the letter by saying…

Bear with His Exhortation v. 22-25

Hebrews 13:22–25 “I appeal to you, brothers, bear with my word of exhortation, for I have written to you briefly. He then concludes the letter with some updates about other church leaders and their future travel plans. You should know that our brother Timothy has been released, with whom I shall see you if he comes soon. Greet all your leaders and all the saints. Those who come from Italy send you greetings. Grace be with all of you.”

He has written briefly in comparison to all he could have said about the old covenant and the new covenant. He has simply given this church a brief overview of how Jesus fulfills the Old covenant and how in that fulfillment it is better for them. It is through Jesus and his sacrifice on the cross that these people and all people can have access to God. He wants them to bear with this exhortation that is they are to heed his warnings, to embrace his teachings, and to obey his commands. It is through this that they will persevere in their faith. They are to rest assured of their salvation in Christ and not return to the old Jewish sacrificial system.

As I considered a passage of Hebrews that would summarize the book I landed on this one: Hebrews 10:19–24 “Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works,” I believe this text reminds us what this audience was to bear with. It reminds us what we should take with us as we wrap up our study of the book of Hebrews.

This is my prayer as we move on to a new book of the Bible next week. I pray that we would leave the book of Hebrews with confidence. That we would know that we are able to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus. That when you and I pray we go before a holy God, but we are heard because of the blood of Jesus. That we would know beyond a shadow of a doubt that Jesus has done all that is necessary for us to go before the Father. He has made it possible for sinners like me and you to enter into the presence of a holy God.

Our conscience can be clean and our bodies washed with pure water. Yes, you are a sinner that has broken God’s law. But in Jesus you are clean. Guilt and shame no longer have a hold on you, and you do not need to worry about your acceptance before God. If you are in Christ, then know that Christ has paid the price. You sin is covered and you can draw near to God with full assurance. You can hold fast to your confession, because God is holding fast to you!

And you and I do not do this alone. We are saved into a family and the house of God. And Jesus is our high priest that intercedes for us. He binds us together by binding us to Himself. And therefore, we get to stir up one another toward love and good works. What are they to bear with, hold on to from this teaching in Hebrews? They are to hold on to their faith in Christ with full assurance. They are to be convinced that Jesus is better than their old way of life. So, they can know that when they pray they are heard. When you pray, you are heard.

Conclusion

I pray for Redemption Hill Church as a whole and for you as individuals often. We handed out the members list at our last members meeting so you could pray for one another on a regular basis. If you missed that meeting let me know and I will get you the list. It can also be found Church Center in the chat feature. Let’s commit to being a praying church as the school year starts up again. The school year can be a restart for many of us, even for those that don’t have kids in school. The Fall just sort of resets life here in the Midwest. So, take advantage and give yourself to prayer. Pray for your leaders in your church. Kendall as he leads the music, Jimmy as he leads our kids ministry, me as I pastor you. And every other leader in our church needs your prayers. Pray for one another, pray with confidence in the God who raises the dead, pray knowing God cares for you and others as the great shepherd of the sheep, pray knowing his death and resurrection have brought us peace. Pray and know he hears you. Psalm 4:1–3 “Answer me when I call, O God of my righteousness! You have given me relief when I was in distress. Be gracious to me and hear my prayer! O men, how long shall my honor be turned into shame? How long will you love vain words and seek after lies? Selah But know that the Lord has set apart the godly for himself; the Lord hears when I call to him.”