Podcast 134, Hebrews, “Pt 13 B, Ch 13”

Podcast 134, Hebrews, “Pt 13 B, Ch 13”In the last podcast we ended with Injunction 6 of Hebrews 13. In this podcast we shall discuss Injunctions 7-12.Injunction 7Hebrews 13:13-16 Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach. For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come. By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name. But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.The author presents another of the great teachings of Christ. I refer to the phrase, “For here we have no continuing city, but we seek one to come.”The New Jerusalem is one of the favorite images in the Holy Bible. Naturally we think of the Millennium which brings in mind Isaiah. One must read the entire book of Isaiah to get his full vision, so I shall refer only to an earlier chapter. Isaiah 2:2-5And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the Lord’s house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it. And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. And he shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more. O house of Jacob, come ye, and let us walk in the light of the Lord.A companion book to Isaiah is The Book of Revelation by John. The following is only a taste.Revelation 21:1-4And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.Injunction 8:Hebrews 13:17 Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.Injunction 8 is the only one repeated in Hebrews 13. The repetition is found in Injunction 5.Hebrews 13:7-8Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation. Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.Let’s compare the two:Injunction 5: Remember them which have the rule over you.Injunction 8: Obey them that have the rule over you.  Injunction 5: Who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation.Injunction 8: And submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, Injunction 5: Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.Injunction 8: As they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you. Together, Injunction 5 and Injunction 8 complete the concept. Paul asks us to remember those who rule over us, and to obey those who rule over us. And then he gives the following reasons,  (1) They have spoken the word of God. (2) We must trust in their faith considering the end or purpose of their conversation.(3) We must summit ourselves for they watch for our souls,(4)  Jesus Christ is he same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.(5) They that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for us. The special calling of the apostles and prophets then is to watch over our souls, to reveal the word of God, to witness of Christ who is the same yesterday, today, and forever, and to be judges who must account to God who placed them as our rulers. Injunction 9Hebrews 13:18-20 Pray for us: for we trust we have a good conscience, in all things willing to live honestly. But I beseech you the rather to do this, that I may be restored to you the sooner. Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant,Prayer is a central part of worship. Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ, asks the saints to pray for the leaders. He asserts his worthiness of their prayers, that he has a clear conscience in all things willing to live honestly. In other words, Paul lives the word as well as teaches the word. It was the evil rulers that brought the Children of Israel down. Many times the Lord chastised the wickedness of the rulers.Jeremiah 23:1–2Woe be unto the pastors that destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture! saith the LORD.Injunction 10Hebrews 13:21  Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is well pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.Such a rich passage. It contains five concepts: (1) Become perfect in every good work. (2) Do the will of God. (3) Do that which is well pleasing in his sight. (4) It is through faith In Jesus Christ, & (5) Glory will be in Christ for ever and ever.Perfection, of course, is not possible in this life, but notice how these passages refer to a process of becoming. He said, “make you perfect.” We cannot do that ourselves. It is Christ alone who can make us perfect. Paul gives us guidelines: do the will of God, do that which is well pleasing in his sight. That is in our power. Leave perfection to Christ. He will do the rest. Injunction 11Hebrews 13:22  And I beseech you, brethren, suffer the word of exhortation: for I have written a letter unto you in few wordsHe uses the verb “suffer” more like patience. Be patient in “the word of exhortation.” He is referring again to his injunction to obey the words of the apostles and prophets.Injunction 12Hebrews 13:23-25 Know ye that our brother Timothy is set at liberty; with whom, if he come shortly, I will see you.  Salute all them that have the rule over you, and all the saints. They of Italy salute you. Grace be with you all. Amen.He is speaking, of course, of brotherly love which was the first injunction, “Let brotherly love continue.” But he ends with a blessing, “Grace be with you all.” And we all must seek the grace of Christ which is the central message of Chapter 13 as summed up in Injunction 5, “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.”