Strengthened to Do God's Will

Introduction: Tell the story of my first days at Farm Bureau where the power to do my job was locked away in a computer I did not have access to.

Likewise, we can work as hard as we want at being good or being religious, but it all amounts to nothing unless we recognize the one true source of power—the only power that saves us and enables us to do anything for God—and that power comes only through faith in Jesus. Throughout our study of Hebrews, the author has held up various parts of the Old Covenant for us to examine, and time after time he has led us to the same conclusion: Jesus is far better than anything the Old Covenant offered. He is the only one who ever kept the law perfectly, and it is only through Him—our great High Priest—that we have any hope of fulfilling the law, because He has fulfilled it on our behalf.

And so as the author closes out this book, he does do in the most fitting way possible

Strengthened to Do God’s Will

A request for prayer

The offer of prayer

A final command

A Request for Prayer

“pray for us”

James 3:1 “My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment.”

Ephesians 6:19 “and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel,”

“for we are confident that we have a good conscience, in all things desiring to live honorably.”

“But I especially urge you to do this, that I may be restored to you the sooner.”

Romans 15:30–31 “Now I beg you, brethren, through the Lord Jesus Christ, and through the love of the Spirit, that you strive together with me in prayers to God for me, that I may be delivered from those in Judea who do not believe, and that my service for Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints,”

The Offer of Prayer

Read Hebrews 13:20-21

Without God’s direct power, all of our efforts to live the Christian life will be worthless.

1 Corinthians 3:12–13 “Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each one’s work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is.”

The power we have available to us is the same power that was displayed at the resurrection of Jesus

Colossians 1:20 “and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross.”

Ezekiel 37:26 “Moreover I will make a covenant of peace with them, and it shall be an everlasting covenant with them; I will establish them and multiply them, and I will set My sanctuary in their midst forevermore.”

We can work out our salvation because God is at work in us both to will and to work for His good pleasure

Philippians 2:12–13 “Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.”

The Final Exhortation

“And I appeal to you, brethren, bear with the word of exhortation, for I have written to you in few words.”

“Know that our brother Timothy has been set free, with whom I shall see you if he comes shortly.”

“Greet all those who rule over you, and all the saints. Those from Italy greet you. Grace be with you all. Amen.”

Conclusion: Close out in two ways

An invitation to salvation

A prayer of dedication