Grace to Endure (outline)

Title: Grace to Endure

Text: Hebrews 13:9-25

Series: Christ-Centered Endurance

SEE PASTORAL PRAYER SERMON DOCUMENT FOR 09/11/22

Introduction:

Everyone has to find a way to endure or cope with the struggles in life. The question is how can and should Christians endure?

Illustration:

Distance running - training with energy gels, chews, stingers…Some lead to cramping; but no one can endure without a strong heart. In the Christian life, there is a universal way to endure and that is by having a heart that is strengthened by grace.

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].

What is the goal of this message?

Endure by having a heart strong in grace.

Why is this goal needed?

How are people attempting to endure their Christian race today?

Reverting back to practices that they could control and had immediate rewards.

Example: drinking, recreational drugs, gluttony, entertainment…etc

religious service, vegan-ism, environmentalism...

These practices give you the illusion that you are in control, but really you are trusting in these practices to make you feel like you matter or to immediately be rewarded in some tangible way.

These practices can NEVER deliver. These practices weaken the heart and lead to heart-exhaustion, hopelessness, and destruction.

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]

Only a heart that is strengthened by grace can sustain the Christian so that he might finish his race well. (Hebrews 13:9/Warning)

How will you accomplish this goal?

By explaining what grace is, providing evidences of this grace, identifying the source of this grace, and calling us to respond.

What is this grace? (Hebrews 13:9 - 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 (Leviticus 16:27), so Jesus was killed outside of the gate. We follow Jesus through self-denial, taking up our cross daily, and following Him.

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]

We are asked to trade in acceptance in the here and now, the city of this world, for the welcome we will receive in the next life, the city to come. - Nancy Guthrie

See also Hebrews 11:26. Hebrews 10:33.

Grace teaches us how to endure hardship.

“But grace does teach…us how to make mixture of sorrow and a mixture of joy together, and that makes contentment…” - 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.

Illustration: There are different kinds of training. Some training is for weight loss. Some training is for endurance. Especially in the case of endurance training, you have to press through the barriers each time. This requires a discipline but it yields the reward of greater endurance.

As we sacrifice, we both grow and enjoy the reward of the sacrifice. As we obey, we grow and we enjoy the reward of obedience. As we pray, we grow, and we enjoy the reward of prayer.

Growing in grace happens as we simultaneously believe, sacrifice, obey, and pray.

A. Sacrifice: v. 15-16

(i) Praise Godward

(ii) Sharing with Brethren.

The first of these sacrifices is thanking God for His Person. His Name reveals his Being.

Have you determined that Jesus is worthy of praise that costs you something? Or are you willing to give only the praise that is comfortable for you to give? …Praise becomes sacrificial when it is one step closer to what Jesus deserves and one step out of your comfort zone. - N. Guthrie

The second of these sacrifices has to do with doing good to our brethren — including a sharing of our material good with brethren.

Sacrifice is a means whereby we both experience grace and show evidence of grace.

B. Obedience: v. 17

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.

Obedience is a means whereby we both experience grace and show evidence of grace.

C. Prayer: v. 18-19

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.

Prayer is a means whereby we both experience grace and show evidence of grace.

Application:

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

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

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

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

illustration: when you’re at an event and you see people walking around with something that you want.

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

This grace comes from God.

Illustration: Are you satisfied with the Giver of grace and not just His gifts?

Delight yourself in the Lord!

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.

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

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

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

(3) Through Jesus Christ

(4) For His glory

(5) For the good of others (Hebrews 13:22-25).

(i) Exhorters

(ii) Suffering brethren

(iii)Hospitality

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)

Be aware of your temptation to trust in replacements for grace. (both believers/unbelievers)

[Beware] Examine your life for evidences of grace: sacrifice, obedience, and prayer.

Acknowledge the only true Source of the grace you need.

Stop hesitating in making gracious commitments for your brethren.

ANSWER: GRACE

Conclusion:

How has God communicated this grace to us?

Jesus, full of grace and truth - John 1:14 “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.”

I Corinthians 15:10 “But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.”

II Corinthians 12:9 “And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”