Closing Thoughts

-God gives us His Gifts of Grace, His Word, and His People for our Good

Facing the ultimate question of life and death, our hearts can turn to bitterness:

Mark Twain, became morose and weary of life. Shortly before his death, he wrote, "A myriad of men are born; they labor and sweat and struggle;...they squabble and scold and fight; they scramble for little mean advantages over each other; age creeps upon them; infirmities follow; ...those they love are taken from them, and the joy of life is turned to aching grief. It (the release) comes at last--the only unpoisoned gift earth ever had for them--and they vanish from a world where they were of no consequence,...a world which will lament them a day and forget them forever."

I. Seek the Blessings of God vv. 20-21

In our passage tonight, we are coming into the final thoughts of the author of Hebrews

In it, we find three gifts of God that we can look to as we face the hardships of the Christian life

First, we seek the blessings of God

In the last verse, the author asked for prayer, now he gives it

This comes in the form of a blessing, a priestly kind of prayer on behalf of the people.

In the middle of trouble, we see the God of peace (that’s what we need!)

He brought Jesus from the dead- this is good news for suffering people

Jesus is alive and is the great shepherd of the sheep, leading and feeding us

By the blood of the eternal covenant- everything that has taken place is part of a greater promise of God to redeem and restore Creation

We can trust Him to equip us:

He gives us everything that we need to do His will

He is going to work out what is pleasing to Him

This work takes place in us

This work takes place through Jesus

This work takes place for God’s glory

We can trust God for this work, because it is ultimately for His glory!

John 15:5–8

[5] I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. [6] If anyone does not abide in me, he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. [7] If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. [8] By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. (ESV)

II. Submit to the Word of God v. 22

Next, we see an appeal from the author: Bear with my words

I don’t think this is an apology, but it speaks to a fact

Most of us don’t like to read or study, especially as it relates to spiritual things

We are easily distracted or bored

Frankly, it is work and an act of concentration and the will

However, we are missing out on something critical

These are words of exhortation; they are give for our encouragement

Further, they are truthfully rather brief

Most of us, including myself, tend to fill our lives with more content of less value than the Scripture!

When their son left for his freshman year at Duke University, his parents gave him a Bible, assuring him it would be a great help. Later, as he began sending them letters asking for money, they would write back telling him to read his Bible, citing chapter and verse. He would reply that he was reading the Bible--but he still needed money. When he came home for a semester break, his parents told him they knew he had not been reading his Bible. How? They had tucked $10 and $20 bills by the verses they had cited in their letters. 

III. Share with the People of God vv. 23-25

Finally, the author gives us some encouragement related to God’s people

First, he lets them know that Timothy has been released and they intend to come visit their brothers in Christ

Interestingly, when Timothy finds freedom, his immediate reaction is to be with God’s people

Most of us are looking to fellowship with everyone except God’s people

Our spiritual FOMO is killing our fellowship!

Second, we see the author pass out greetings to the leaders and members of the church

There is a spiritual kinship that is not limited by position

Further, it is not limited by geography- even the Christians who have come from Italy know and love them

Third, we here a final blessing: Grace be with all of you

Grace is what God gives

Grace is what we need!

I am not come hither to deny my Lord and Master.

Anne Askew--July 16, 1545/burned at the stake after torture on the rack, at the age of 25.