October 2, 2016
Morning Service

Heb. 13:10-25                                                                                        

 

As we close our study of Hebrews, I would recommend that you take time this week to review the entire letter.  The writer has done his best to convince his hearers how much better the new covenant is, than the old covenant was.  There are important topics in each chapter, and worthy of your revisiting them.  This will burn them on your mind, and help you remember them. 

Last week we moved on from verse 1, “let brotherly love continue”, and looked at verses 2-9;  This morning we want to finish the chapter, and the letter.  We stopped last week with this;

Heb 13:8-9  Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.  (9)  Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines. For it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace; not with meats, which have not profited them that have been occupied therein.    (Grace, unmerited favor, meats, the law.)

·        The different, and strange doctrines had to do with the eating of certain meats, which was a big thing in Jews religion, and the reason being, God, through Moses, told them what they could eat, and what they shouldn’t eat.  It was mainly for health reasons, and not spiritual reasons.  Eating certain meats will not save you, only the blood of Jesus can save us.

 

Heb 13:10-25  We have an altar, whereof they have no right to eat which serve the tabernacle. 

·        Just as Judaism has an altar, we Christians have an altar.  As the Jews were taught to offer animal sacrifices on their altar, we have the Body, and Blood of Christ on our altar.

·        Just as the Jews were taught, under the old law, to offer their animal sacrifices, we are taught by Jesus, and his Apostles, to partake of the Body, and Blood of Christ.

·        And when the writer says, they that serve the tabernacle have no right to partake of our altar, he means the Body, and Blood of Christ, that is what is on our altar.  This is why until a person becomes a Christian, they should not partake of the Communion.  These people that served the tabernacle were not Christians.

(11)  For the bodies of those beasts, whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest for sin, are burned without the camp. 

·         Lev 16:27  And the bullock for the sin offering, and the goat for the sin offering, whose blood was brought in to make atonement in the holy place, shall one carry forth without the camp; and they shall burn in the fire their skins, and their flesh, and their dung.

·         Remember, Jesus fulfilled all the old testament sacrifices.  So the writer explains what Jesus did at Calvary.        (read again chapter 10 of this letter).

(12)  Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate.  (13)  Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach.     

·        Let us Christians go forth into the world bearing His reproach, being thankful for what He did for mankind. 

·        Many in foreign countries are suffering for their faith.  So far in this great country of ours we haven’t had to do that.  Let us do what we can to keep this country free.

(14)  For here we have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come. 

·         Heb 11:13  These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.

·        This should be our mentality also.  “This ole world is not my home, I’m just a passing through, my treasures are laid up somewhere beyond the blue.”

·        Jesus told His disciples, (st.jn. 14:1-3)  “Ye believe in God, believe also in me…………….”

(15)  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. 

·        Praise God continually.  In the good days, and also in the not so good days.  It’s like our wedding vows, “for better, for worse, in sickness, and in health.”  All the time, forever.

(16)  But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased. 

·        Plain and simple, easily understood.

(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. 

·        Paul said it best, when he said, “1Co 11:1  Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.

·        I will stand before God one day, and give an account of what I have taught.  I want it to be said, that I spoke what the Lord spoke, and was silent where He was silent.

·        James said there would be more expected of teachers, than others.

(18)  Pray for us: for we trust we have a good conscience, in all things willing to live honestly. 

·        And we all should have this desire in our hearts.

(19)  But I beseech you the rather to do this, that I may be restored to you the sooner. 

·        Makes me think of Paul in prison.

(20)  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,  (21)  Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.  (22)  And I beseech you, brethren, suffer the word of exhortation: for I have written a letter unto you in few words.  (23)  Know ye that our brother Timothy is set at liberty; with whom, if he come shortly, I will see you.  (24)  Salute all them that have the rule over you, and all the saints. They of Italy salute you.  (25)  Grace be with you all. Amen. Written to the Hebrews from Italy, by Timothy.

 

ALMIGHTY GOD, OUR HEAVENLY FATHER, HELP US TO RECOGNIZE THE TRUTH, AND POWER OF THE BLOOD OF THE EVERLASTING COVENANT, AND TO MAKE US PERFECT IN EVERY GOOD WORK TO DO YOUR WILL.    AMEN.