The Ultimate Source of Persevering Faith

INTRODUCTION

Well, here we are at the end of the book of Hebrews. Jesus is GREATER…FLESH OUT.

Transition

The author ends this message to the Hebrew Christians with a prayer for them. It’s a prayer for perseverance.

Hebrews 13:18–25 “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. 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. I appeal to you, brothers, bear with my word of exhortation, for I have written to you briefly. 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.”

MPS Persevering faith is ultimately produced in us by God.

The crux of this prayer is vs. 21 and that’s where I want us to dig in for just a few minutes. The “what” of His prayer is that God would “equip you with everything good that you may do his will…”

That’s how he ends this. He’s praying for their faith…praying for them to remain steadfast and faithful but he knows that they—just like us many times—are weak.

That’s why the word “equip” is so important, here. This is good. In the original language of this book, Greek, the word “equip” actually has a couple of meanings. It means to “supply” something that we otherwise don’t have or don’t have access to. Here’s the reality. We don’t have, within us, anything good that we can offer to God that is pleasing to Him. We, by our nature, don’t “have what it takes” to stay faithful and to do the will of God. Right? We, in our sinfulness, want to do OUR will. The will of our flesh. So, everything good that we need so that we can do the will of God, God produces in us.

A second meaning for “equip” is to “restore” or “repair.” The word actually appears in the gospels to describe what the disciples did when they were “mending” their broken nets.

In equipping his people with everything good, our God is able not only to supply what is necessary, but also to repair what is broken. Some of the believers who first received this letter may well have felt that their compromise with Judaism had marred their distinctive Christian witness, that their inadequate view of Jesus had led to devastating effects, not only in their own Christian experience, but in the lives of others. Could they ever be restored to their former devotion? The writer urges them to believe that they can, because the God of peace is able to do this for them. Or there may be a hint here about the corporate difficulties within this local church. It had become torn and divided by strife; the limbs had been dislocated (12:13) and some were beginning to wonder whether they could ever be made whole again. The superb final prayer of this letter assures these believers that things can be different; the God of peace can mend that which is torn and repair that which is broken.

“Working in us that which is pleasing in his sight.”

Not only must God equip us/produce in us every good thing we need so that we can do the will of God…he must work in us to produce in us what pleases Him.

Through Jesus for His glory.

We started this sermon series on January 5. That was 308 days ago. A lot has happened over the last 308 years. Now, I want you to take a moment and think back. Where was your walk with Jesus 308 days ago? Were you spending time every day in God’s Word and in prayer? Maybe you were starting the year out strong. Maybe you’ve fallen, at some point, into apathy. What sin were you struggling with? Are you still struggling with it?

Now…how does He do this?

1) God uses His people to produce persevering faith in us.

Not only does the author pray for these believers…he asks them to pray for him. His desire is that he be “restored to them.”

Bear with my word of exhortation…

Now, let me make sure I clarify this—the author is writing this “word of exhortation” under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit and, whether he knew it at the time or not, this is part of the canon of God’s word.

This letter is a word for us…but it’s also a call to exhort one another.

Hebrews 10:25 “not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.”

We’ve already seen that he points back to their leaders and calls them to obey and submit to their present leaders.

We need each other. We need each other in Life Groups. We need each other in homes around dinner tables. We need each other over coffee/lunch “grabs.”

You need community. We have GOT to do better at this. We can’t just “attend.”

Some of you, over the course of this year have stopped going to a Life Group. You’ve come up with different reasons or excuses. Can I tell you something? All of that is from Satan. He doesn’t want you growing in fellowship and community.

2) God's peace produces persevering faith in us.

“God of peace.” Interesting that this is the attribute of God that the author ends this letter with. What a word for believers whose faith is taking a hit.

I KNOW there are some/many of you who, over the last 308 days, have had your peace rocked. Your faithfulness/perseverance tested.

He is the God OF peace who GIVES peace. He is the fountain from which peace flows.

John 14:27 “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.”

Philippians 4:7 “And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Colossians 3:15 “And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.”

3) God's power produces persevering faith in us.

The God who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus Christ

The power of Jesus—our great shepherd.

That sin that you’re struggling—the resurrection power/the power of the blood of Jesus can give you victory.

Conclusion

To live a life that honor him, please him, and glorify him.

Jesus is greater than anything this world has to offer. Jesus is greater than your sin. He’s greater than your shame and your guilt. He is greater than any pain you have experienced. He is greater than your works of righteousness.