Hebrews 13:18-25: Benediction and Final Greetings

Introduction

Scripture

Hebrews 13:18–25 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. 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. 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.

Outline

Hebrews 1-2 - Jesus is Greater Than the Angels

Hebrews 1:1-4 - God has Spoken

Hebrews 1:5-14 - The Son is Superior to the Angels

Hebrews 2:1-4 - A Warning

Hebrews 2:5-9 - Lowliness to Crowning Glory

Hebrews 2:10-18 - Jesus has Delivered His Brothers

Hebrews 3:1-4:13 - Jesus is a Greater Rest

Hebrews 3:1-6 - Jesus is Worthy of More Glory Than Moses

Hebrews 3:7-19 - Disobedience After the Exodus

Hebrews 4:1-13 - A Sabbath Rest for God’s People

Hebrews 4:14-7:26 - Jesus is Greater than Melchizedek

Hebrews 4:14-16 - Jesus is the Great High Priest

Hebrews 5:1-10 - Jesus is the High Priest After the Order of Melchizedek

Hebrews 5:11-6:20 - Warning and Exhortation

Hebrews 5:11-14 - Failure to Mature

Hebrews 6:1-8 - Pursue Maturity

Hebrews 6:9-12 - Loving Motivation

Hebrews 6:13-20 - The Promise of God’s Word and God’s Oath

Hebrews 7:1-10 - The Greatness of Melchizedek

Hebrews 7:11-19 - Jesus’ Priesthood is Needed

Hebrews 7:20-28 - Jesus Guarantees a Better Covenant

Hebrews 8:1-10:18 - Jesus is the Greater Covenant

Hebrews 8:1-6 - Jesus Mediates a Better Covenant

Hebrews 8:7-13 - The Promise of the New Covenant

Hebrews 9:1-10 - The Earthly Tabernacle Points to What Would Come

Hebrews 9:11-14 - Christ is The Mercy Seat

Hebrews 9:15-22 - Blood is Necessary for Forgiveness

Hebrews 9:23-28 - Christ’s Sacrifice Permanently Removes Sin

Hebrews 10:1-10 - Christ’s Sacrifice Replaces the Law

Hebrews 10:11-18 - Christ's Sacrifice Fully Forgives Sin

Hebrews 10:19-12:29 - Assurance of Faith

Hebrews 10:19-25 - Because of Christ's Sacrifice Let us...

Hebrews 10:26-31 - A Warning Against Apostasy

Hebrews 10:32-39 - A Warm Encouragement

Hebrews 11:1-11:40 - Faith

Hebrews 11:1-7 - Faith Before the Patriarchs

Hebrews 11:8-22 - The Faith of the Patriarchs

Hebrews 11:23-31 - Faith in the Midst of Danger

Hebrews 11:32-40 - The Faith of the Future Hope

Hebrews 12:1-3 - Jesus our Great Example

Hebrews 12:4-11 - The Discipline of the Lord

Hebrews 12:12-17 - Run the Race and Be Wary of Counterfeits

Hebrews 12:18-29 - God’s Unshakable Kingdom

Hebrews 13:1-25 - Sermon’s End

Hebrews 13:1-17 - Final Exhortations for Communal Life

Hebrews 13:18-25 - Benediction and Final Greetings

Hebrews 13:18-19 - Request for Prayer

Hebrews 13:20-21 - Benediction

Hebrews 13:22-25 - Final Greetings

Purpose of Book

Christ, who has accomplished salvation through His atoning sacrifice, is greater than all things; therefore, persevere in true faith and encourage others to do likewise

Main Point

In closing, the author summarizes His main point - Jesus is greater than the angels, He is the greater rest, He is greater than Melchizedek, and He is the greater covenant; THEREFORE PERSEVERE UNTIL THE END IN FAITH!

Hebrews 13:18-19 - Request for Prayer

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.

Pray for us, for we are sure that we have a clear conscience, desiring to act honorably in all things.

Pray for us

Command given to the congregation

Hebrews 4:14–16 ESV

14 Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

For we are sure that we have a clear conscience, desiring to act honorably in all things

We are sure

Both the author and those with him are certain

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.

The author’s desire is to BE WITH the congregation once again

Hebrews 6:9–10 ESV

9 Though we speak in this way, yet in your case, beloved, we feel sure of better things—things that belong to salvation. 10 For God is not unjust so as to overlook your work and the love that you have shown for his name in serving the saints, as you still do.

Hebrews 10:37–39 ESV

37 For, “Yet a little while, and the coming one will come and will not delay; 38 but my righteous one shall live by faith, and if he shrinks back, my soul has no pleasure in him.” 39 But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and preserve their souls.

He clearly understands the role of a shepherd - to be with his sheep tenderly caring for their spiritual needs/maturity

Hebrews 13:20-21 - Benediction

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.

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.

Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus

God of peace

The God who gives peace

Though ostracized from the community at large, their God will give them true peace

God is the initiator of peace and Jesus is our peace

Brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus

Resurrection theology fills the book of Hebrews and makes once last appearance in the epistle

Hebrews 1:3 ESV

3 He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high,

Hebrews 10:12 ESV

12 But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God,

Hebrews 12:1–2 ESV

1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

The great shepherd of sheep

John 10:7–11 ESV

7 So Jesus again said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. 8 All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. 9 I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture. 10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. 11 I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.

Revelation 7:15–17 ESV

15 “Therefore they are before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple; and he who sits on the throne will shelter them with his presence. 16 They shall hunger no more, neither thirst anymore; the sun shall not strike them, nor any scorching heat. 17 For the Lamb in the midst of the throne will be their shepherd, and he will guide them to springs of living water, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”

By the blood of the eternal covenant

Hebrews 9:13–15 ESV

13 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, 14 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. 15 Therefore he is the mediator of a new covenant, so that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance, since a death has occurred that redeems them from the transgressions committed under the first covenant.

Equip you with everything good that you may do his will

Everything good spiritually that will enable you to do His will including persevering in the faith

Working in us that which is pleasing in his sight

God has equipped us what is required so that we are able to do - only through the Spirit

What is pleasing in His sight? FAITH

Hebrews 11:5–6 ESV

5 By faith Enoch was taken up so that he should not see death, and he was not found, because God had taken him. Now before he was taken he was commended as having pleased God. 6 And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.

Through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever

Through Jesus Christ

Equipping and working in us only comes through Jesus!!

Glory is ascribed to God the Father

Lexham Survey of Theology God’s Glory

The glory of God is the splendor and brilliant beauty that shines through all of the divine attributes but is especially evident in the crucified and risen Christ.

Psalm 8:1 ESV

1 O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory above the heavens.

Isaiah 6:3 ESV

3 And one called to another and said: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory!”

Hebrews 1:1–4 ESV

1 Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, 2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. 3 He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, 4 having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs.

2 Corinthians 3:18 ESV

18 And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.

Amen.

Hebrews 13:22-25 - Final Greetings

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.

I appeal to you, brothers, bear with my word of exhortation, for I have written to you briefly.

I appeal to you, brothers

Bear with my word of exhortation

Bear - command

The sermon is almost finished

For I have written to you briefly

In this brief sermon, he has clearly detailed that Jesus is greater than the angels, He is the greater rest, He is greater than Melchizedek, and He is the greater covenant; THEREFORE PERSEVERE UNTIL THE END IN FAITH!

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.

Hebrews Exegesis

The author of Hebrews prays that God’s grace will be with all his readers, for the grace of God will keep them from apostasy, and the grace of the new covenant established through the blood of Jesus Christ cleanses them from all sin.

Main Point

In closing, the author summarizes His main point - Jesus is greater than the angels, He is the greater rest, He is greater than Melchizedek, and He is the greater covenant; THEREFORE PERSEVERE UNTIL THE END IN FAITH!

Closing Quote

Hebrews Vol 1&2—An Anchor for the Soul 1: The Eloquence of God

C. S. Lewis memorably portrayed the growing Christian’s experience of an ever-enlarging Christ in his Chronicles of Narnia. Lucy, caught up in her spiritual quest, saw the lion Aslan—Christ—shining white and huge in the moonlight. In a burst of emotion Lucy rushed to him, burying her face in the rich silkiness of his mane, whereupon the great beast rolled over on his side so that Lucy fell, half-sitting and half-lying between his front paws. He bent forward and touched her nose with his tongue. His warm breath was all around her. She gazed up into the large, wise face.

“Welcome, child,” he said.

“Aslan,” said Lucy, “you’re bigger.”

“That is because you are older, little one,” answered he.

“Not because you are?”

“I am not. But every year you grow, you will find me bigger.”

Expanding souls encounter an expanding Christ! And this is why I am particularly enthused about these study volumes on the book of Hebrews, for that epistle has a double dose of growth-producing power—first, because it presents the greatness of Christ as no other New Testament writing does, and, second, because it repeatedly demands a response from the reader. Seriously considered, Hebrews will make us grow and find a bigger Christ.

Our prayer is that you are bigger and are finding Christ bigger as a result of going through Hebrews!