Grace to Endure (manuscript)

Title: Grace to Endure

Text: Hebrews 13:9-25

Series: Christ-Centered Endurance

SEE PASTORAL PRAYER SERMON DOCUMENT FOR 09/11/22

Introduction:

What is the goal of this message?

Endure by having a heart strong in grace.

Is there an illustration for this goal?

Why is this goal needed?

How will you accomplish this goal?

Tom Schreiner, “The heart (i.e. the whole person) can only be established” and confirmed by grace. It is the grace of God, manifested supremely in the sacrificial death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, that strengthens a person.” [Hebrews: Evangelical Biblical Theology Commentary, p. 419].

John Owen, “Rather, grace is the only way, though some people have stupidly supposed that it might happen through ceremonial foods.” [Crossway Classic Commentaries, p. 261]

What is this grace? (v. 9 - 14)

Grace is the gifted privilege of unimpeded access to God, secured for us by Jesus Christ, whereby we receive strength to follow Jesus through temporary disgrace while living upon this earth.

Illustration: It is not like the respawn in gaming but like the cheat code that gets you access to unlimited first aid kits for strength.

Grace is the gifted privilege. Grace is unmerited favor bestowed upon individuals who could never earn the reward. Grudem, “God’s grace means God’s goodness toward those who deserve only punishment.” [Grudem, Systematic Theology]

Grace is the gifted privilege of unimpeded access. Hebrews 13:10. The implication here is that these individuals have right to the Heavenly altar, or the presence of God.

Secured for us by Jesus Christ. Hebrews 13:11-12. Jesus has given his body and blood so that we could have this privilege. Hebrews 10:19-20.

“The Lord Jesus, out of an unimaginable love to his people, would spare nothing, avoid nothing, deny nothing, that was necessary for their sanctification, their reconciliation, and dedication to God. He did it ‘with his own blood’.” [Owen, Ibid, 263]

Whereby we receive strength to follow Jesus. Hebrews 13:12-13. As the OT animals were killed outside the camp, so Jesus was killed outside of the gate. We follow Jesus through self-denial, taking up our cross daily, and following Him. Leviticus 16:27.

Through temporary disgrace. Hebrews 13:13-14. To suffer reproach is disgrace. The fact that we have here no continuing city means that this disgrace is temporary. [outside the camp - in OT, lepers] See also Hebrews 11:26. Hebrews 10:33.

“But grace does teach…us how to make mixture of sorrow and a mixture of joy together, and that makes contentment, the mingling of joy and sorrow, of gracious joy and gracious sorrow together.” - Jeremiah Burroughs [Rare Jewell of Contentment published by Canon Press, p. 33-34]

Application:

(1) Grace can only be believed and received.

(2) Believing and receiving grace must continue. Hebrews 4:15-16.

How do I know if I have this grace? (v. 15 - 19)

There are three disciplines of Grace:

(1) Sacrifice - Hebrews 13:15-16.

(2) Obedience - Hebrews 13:17.

(3) Prayer - Hebrews 13:18-19.

These three disciplines are ways in which true Christians experience this grace, and these disciplines are evidences of this grace. In other words, they are graces that grow stronger as you exercise them. [Owen’s categories of these three: Spiritual, Moral, Ecclesiastical, p. 265]

Illustration: Something that you do and in the doing you find the experiencing???

A. Sacrifice: (i) Praise Godward (ii) Sharing with Brethren.

“We must make worship the first priority of living.” - Kent Hughes [Preaching the Word: Hebrews, an Anchor for the Soul, p. 458].

The first of these sacrifices is thanking God for His Person. His Name reveals his Being. The second of these sacrifices has to do with doing good to our brethren — including a sharing of our material good with brethren.

B. Obedience

Obedience is to a plurality of leaders who are faithful to the Jesus the Author has proclaimed in this book. The writer continues to give the reason for this. Leaders are Soul-Watchers. (Luke 2:8) They must give an account, and they want to do it with joy and not grief.

C. Prayer

The final of these listed disciplines is prayer. The writer requests prayer, and the ultimate request is to be restored to the congregation sooner. This kind of prayer is a prayer for reunion together with the body of Christ.

Application:

(1) Are you content with Who God is and not merely what God can give you?

(2) Can you honestly look at your life and see sacrifice?

(3) What is your natural disposition towards spiritual authority?

(4) Do you pray to be reunited with the church?

Where does this grace come from? (v. 20-21)

This is the writer’s prayer for the people. His prayer recognizes some key truths.

This grace comes God.

Illustration: Satisfaction with the Giver not just the gift.

Who is this God?

(1) He is the God of Peace (who gives peace). Hebrews 13:20. - Jeremiah 29:11; What peace? What war?

(2) Who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus. Thus, we can understand that there was no peace between God and the enemy of Death, but God has now conquered Death through the Resurrection of Jesus Christ thereby securing Peace for Christ and His followers.

Who is this Jesus?

(3) Jesus is the great shepherd of the sheep. Thus, it is not merely that God did something to Jesus, but Jesus as the great shepherd laid down his life for the sheep, providing his own blood for the New, Eternal Covenant.

Grace, by definition, can only be for those humble enough to acknowledge they need it and receive it. Pride is the grace-deterrent. James 4:6.

What does God’s grace do? Hebrews 13:21.

(1) Equips you with everything good to do his will

There is nothing lacking in the Christian’s life, so that he or she may accomplish God’s will.

(2) Works IN us that which is pleasing — IN HIS SIGHT

To be able to do what is pleasing in His sight is a sobering reality when one considers that God sees the heart. He knows the exercises happening within the human mind.

(3) Through Jesus Christ

God’s work towards mankind is through Jesus, and man’s sacrifices to God are through Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ is the conduit through which all our experience of God is channelled.

(4) For His glory

Application:

(1) Who is your Source of Peace?

(2) Where do you seek your equipping for life?

(3) As God sees your heart, is there true growth in grace?

How should I respond because of this grace? (v. 22 - 24)

ANSWER: GRACE

(1) Endurance (Hebrews 13:22)

We should learn to increasingly endure the teaching and preaching of the Word. There are few things that an affluent culture will intentionally endure, but of all things that should be endured, the corporate gathering around the word of God should be at the top of our list.

Illustration: Endurance training

What are you doing to increase your endurance for the word?

(2) Care (v. 23)

Caring begins with knowing the right kind of information. Caring also means that we should learn to long to be together.

The trials and victories of brethren should be known. We should journey towards togetherness and not away.

(3) Hospitality (v. 24-5)

Being hospitable through greeting.

Being hospitable through petitioning grace upon them.

Conclusion:

Jesus, full of grace and truth.

I Corinthians 15:10.

II Corinthians 12:9.