Hebrews 13:7

April 7, 2013 Were continuing our study through Hebrews and were building on the command to run with patience the race set before us. The emphasis being on patience, were pointed to Christ who endured everything set before Him because He could see beyond the trials to the end resultHe could see the inheritance and the salvation of many people. We also have to see beyond our experiences now and look ahead to the joy on the other side. And so we asked, what does it mean to run your race? Well, the first 12 chapters focused almost exclusively on obedience to Christ and not forsaking Him as our only hope. It doesnt matter what atheists or evolutionists say or what Orthodox Jews say or what other religions saywe know that Christ is the Son of God and the Lord of all, so we gladly bend the knee to Him now. But theres more to running the race: In chapter 13 we see that believers love each other with brotherly love. You know, we dont give up on each other and we take care of each others needs. Were also careful to entertain strangers. We dont mean that we trust everyone in society and let them sleep in our houses or give just anyone rides, but we do mean that we help even people we dont know. If we see someone hungry or thirsty or in need of shelter we help them out. Part of running this race also means that we remember our brothers and sisters all over the world who are in prison or who suffer because of their faith. We pray for them and send them aid if possible. We contact their government on their behalf and we just do what we can. We also live in sexual purity. The marriage bed is pure, but we dont go beyond those bounds. We recognize that as the bride of Christ we hope for His faithfulness to us and we walk in faithfulness to Him. This pure union is demonstrated through our faithfulness to each other in the marriage bed. Finally, we talked last time about being content with the God who promises to never leave or forsake us. We dont love money and were not chasing after more. We know God will provide all our needs and so we walk by faith. These are all part of running our race, and now we come to 13:7.

If I had to summarize this verse in only a few words I would say that this is doctrine for life and death. Verse 9 says it is a good thing that the heart to be established with grace and verse 7 is leading up to that. Were to remember our leaders who have lived and died well because of a heart established with grace in good doctrine. This is an encouragement to us to finish our race. And so we begin: Remember them which have the rule over you, What do we see here? Well, the command is to remember, and thats simple enough. You want to run your race? Call to mind the people before you. And thats just what he did earlier when he wrote chapter 11. Here are all these men and women who by faith obeyed and were transformed and did mighty things by God. But faith didnt end with the Old Testament examples; these Hebrews had their own examples of faith and he points to them. Now, who were they? They were the men who had ruled over the Hebrews. These are leaders or shepherds who provide for Gods sheep. These are the men who devote themselves to the word and to prayer and who give their lives working in the ministry, and he says look to and remember these men. But I want to show you something here. Were not looking to them because theyre leaders. Thats not the point. No, were looking to them because they are the ones: who have spoken unto you the word of God: Now, he could have said, Remember those who have performed miracles or those who have done great things. But instead he focuses on the fact that they have preached and taught the church true doctrine from the Scripture. Why do you suppose he chooses this specific example in encouraging the Hebrew saints to finish their race? Im always amazed by the power of words in Scripture. Think about it: the serpent didnt force Eve to do anything. He didnt put the apple in her mouthhe just spoke to her (Gen. 3:1). In Romans Paul asks, How can they hear without a preacher? (Rom. 10:14) In John 6:68 Peter tells Jesus You have the words of eternal life. You know, people like to quote St. Francis of Assisi saying, Preach Christ always and when necessary use words. I understand what hes trying to say, but thats really not a great quote. Pauls preaching was in action, but it was nothing without words. He was always going to the synagogue (Acts 9:20) or some pagan meeting place (Acts 17:22) and debating with the religious people there. I mean, what is the

Bible? What are the letters of Paul? These are all records of spoken words! When Paul wrote to Titus about the people teaching false doctrine he said their mouths must be stopped. Miracles and great things have a place, but it is words that encourage and correct. Its through words that we hear the gospel and the promise. God spoke to Abraham and in these last days has spoken to us through His Son (Heb. 1:2). And He has spoken to us through men He has ordained to rightly divide the word of truthmen who teach us doctrine and show us the right way. So the point of directing us to the rulers isnt so much an issue of their status in the church but rather an issue of their ministry in feeding the flock of God. The doctrine they spoke is connected with their lives: whose faith follow, Another word for follow is mimic. Mimic the faith of the men who taught us the word of God. This is why we find the qualifications of elders and deacons: This is a true saying, if a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work. 2 A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach; 3Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous; 4One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; 5(For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?) 6 Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil. 7Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil. 8Likewise must the deacons be grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre; 9Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience. 10And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless. 11Even so must their wives be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things. 12Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well. 13For they that have used the office of a deacon well purchase to themselves a good degree, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus (I Tim. 3:1-13). Are you going to finish the race set before you? Keep in mind these men who walked this way. See their faith. See their good works and obedience. See how God was faithful to them. Pay attention to the words they spoke to you and walk according to the true doctrine of holiness and order and faithfulness. But theres even more, and this is a real blessing:

considering the end of their conversation. The Greek word used here for considering means to examine something closely or to look at it a second time. 1 Paul uses this word when he tells the Greeks that hed been examining their idols before he goes on to preach to them about their unknown God (Acts 17:23). So, the command to us here is to look and re-look. Examine this closely. And what is it that were supposed to examine? Were to examine the end of their conversation or the end of their lives. The Greek word for the end is only used in the Scripture in one other place: First Corinthians 10:13 where it says that when were tempted God provides a way of escape. Here in Hebrews were commanded to closely examine the lives and the deaths of the men who have taught us the truth! Now, why do you suppose he wants us to do that? Well, men are afraid to die, but as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; 15And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage (Heb. 2:14-15). These arent empty words; this is true and correct doctrine! I dont mean that every Christian is automatically and completely free from the fear of death. But when I look at Scripture I see many examples of men and women who faced death with confidence and hope because they really believed in the promise of God. Think about Stephen: When they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed on him with their teeth. 55But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God, 56 And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God. 57Then they cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and ran upon him with one accord, 58And cast him out of the city, and stoned him (Acts 7:54-58). Heres a man who died in the faith and he serves as an example to us. Look also at Acts 21:10-14: There came down from Judaea a certain prophet, named Agabus. 11And when he was come unto us, he took Pauls girdle, and bound his own hands and feet, and said, Thus saith the Holy Ghost, So shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man that owneth this girdle, and shall deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles. 12And
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http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/morph?l=anaqewrountes&la=greek#lexicon

when we heard these things, both we, and they of that place, besought him not to go up to Jerusalem. 13Then Paul answered, What mean ye to weep and to break mine heart? for I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus. 14And when he would not be persuaded, we ceased, saying, The will of the Lord be done. In fact he even confesses that he longed to depart from this body: For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. 22But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labour: yet what I shall choose I wot not. 23For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better (Phil. 1:21-23). Ive preached many funerals and seen many people die, and I can tell you theres a noticeable difference in the deaths of those who trust in the promise and those who do not. Wicked men love this life, but righteous men hate the war with the flesh, and for them death is a release and rest. After one dear lady passed away one of my friends said it was a blessing to be a part of her passing. What a testimony of faith for her! Remember your leaders who spoke to you and taught you the word of God. Look at their lives and how they bore fruit from God. Remember their deaths and how they departed from this life full of faith in grace. They are a testimony to us that what they preached is not in vain. They are an encouragement to us who sometimes want to give up or fall backGod carries us through all the way to the end! Lets close with one last verse: Fear not; for thou shalt not be ashamed: neither be thou confounded; for thou shalt not be put to shame: for thou shalt forget the shame of thy youth, and shalt not remember the reproach of thy widowhood any more. 5For thy Maker is thine husband; the LORD of hosts is his name; and thy Redeemer the Holy One of Israel; The God of the whole earth shall he be called. 6For the LORD hath called thee as a woman forsaken and grieved in spirit, and a wife of youth, when thou wast refused, saith thy God. 7For a small moment have I forsaken thee; but with great mercies will I gather thee. 8In a little wrath I hid my face from thee for a moment; but with everlasting kindness will I have mercy on thee, saith the LORD thy Redeemer. 9For this is as the waters of Noah unto me: for as I have sworn that the waters of Noah should no more go over the earth; so have I sworn that I would not be wroth with thee, nor rebuke thee. 10For the mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed; but my kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of my peace be removed, saith the LORD that hath mercy on thee. 11O thou afflicted, tossed with tempest, and not comforted, behold, I will lay thy stones with fair colours, and lay thy foundations with sapphires. 12And I will make thy

windows of agates, and thy gates of carbuncles, and all thy borders of pleasant stones. 13And all thy children shall be taught of the LORD; and great shall be the peace of thy children. 14In righteousness shalt thou be established: thou shalt be far from oppression; for thou shalt not fear: and from terror; for it shall not come near thee. 15Behold, they shall surely gather together, but not by me: whosoever shall gather together against thee shall fall for thy sake. 16Behold, I have created the smith that bloweth the coals in the fire, and that bringeth forth an instrument for his work; and I have created the waster to destroy. 17No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of me, saith the LORD (Is. 53:4-17). newgracebaptistchurch.wordpress.com