Hebrews God's Plan For Spiritual Maturity by John Power - HTML preview

Introduction

The emphasis of the last chapter of Hebrews is evidences of faith. Believers are instructed to live by faith. Chapter 11 gave examples of some who lived by faith. Chapter 12 gave encouragements to faith.

The question for believers today is "Are there evidences that you are living by faith?" Do those around you know by the way you live that you know Jesus Christ as your Saviour and that you are living for Him?

In this chapter, the writer set forth some evidences of faith. We have noted that those who live by faith are enjoying spiritual fellowship, submitting to spiritual leadership, and sharing in spiritual worship. In this lesson, we will look at the evidence of experiencing spiritual lordship.

HE IS THE GOD OF PEACE Verse 20

He gives peace to those who are justified.

Romans 5:1: "Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through

our Lord Jesus Christ."

Ephesians 2:14: "For He is our peace, Who hath made both one, and hath broken

down the middle wall of partition between us."

Colossians 1:19-20: "For it pleased the Father that in Him should all fullness

dwell; And having made peace through the blood of His cross, by Him to

reconcile all things unto Himself; by Him, I say, whether they be things in earth,

or things in heaven."

He gives peace to obedient believers.

Psalm 29:11: "The LORD will give strength unto His people; The LORD will

bless His people with peace."

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Psalm 119:165: "Great peace have they who love Thy law: and nothing shall

offend them."

Isaiah 26:3: Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Thee:

because he trusteth in Thee."

John 14:27: "Peace I leave with you, My peace I give unto you: not as the world

giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."

John 16:33: "These things I have spoken unto you, that in Me ye might have

peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have

overcome the world."

HE IS THE GOD OF PROVISION Verse 20

Note the things listed in Verse 20 which God has provided.

1.

Peace

2.

The resurrected Christ.

3.

The blood of the everlasting covenant.

4.

The everlasting covenant.

5.

The Great Shepherd of the sheep.

Our Great High Priest is also our Great Shepherd. As the Good Shepherd, Jesus Christ died for the sheep.

John 10:11: "I am the Good Shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the

sheep."

As the Great Shepherd, Jesus lives for the sheep in heaven today, working in their behalf.

Hebrews 13:20: KJV 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,

As the Chief Shepherd, Jesus Christ will come for the sheep at His return.

1 Peter 5:4: "And when the Chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown

of glory that fadeth not away."

When Jesus was on earth, He worked for us when He completed the great work of redemption (John 17:4). Now that He is in Heaven, He is working in us to mature us in His will and bring us to a place of spiritual perfection.

John 17:4: KJV 4 I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work

which thou gavest me to do.

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He has given us the privilege of prayer (Verse l8).

Luke 11:9: "And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall

find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you."

John 14:14: "If ye shall ask any thing in My name, I will do it."

John 15:7: "If ye abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye

will, and it shall be done unto you."

Matthew 18:19: "Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as

touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of My Father

which is in heaven."

1 John 3:22: "And whatsoever we ask, we receive of Him, because we keep His

commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in His sight."

HE IS THE GOD WHO MAKES US PERFECT Verse 21

The God of peace "makes you all perfect" in every good work to do His will. The verb "make perfect" comes from the Greek word "katartizo" which means to make folly ready, put in foil order, perfectly equip, prepare folly. The doctor knew the meaning of this word because it meant to "set a bone." To the fisherman, it meant "to mend a broken net." (Matthew 4:21). To the sailors, it meant "to outfit a ship for a voyage." To soldiers, it meant "to equip an army for battle."

Matthew 4:21: KJV 21 And going on from thence, he saw other two brethren,

James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in a ship with Zebedee their

father, mending their nets; and he called them.

Jesus Christ wants to equip us so that we may live the Christian life here on earth. He wants to set the "broken bones" in our lives so that we may walk straight and run the race before us successfully.

He wants to equip us for battle and outfit us so that we will not battered in the storms of life. In short, He wants to mature us so that He can work in us and through us so that which pleases Him and accomplishes His will.

How does He equip us? He uses the Word of God.

2 Timothy 3:16-17: "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable

for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That

the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works."

He uses prayer.

I Thessalonians 3:9-10: "For what thanks can we render to God again for you,

for all the joy wherewith we joy for your sakes before our God; Night and day

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praying exceedingly that we might see your face, and might perfect that which is

lacking in your faith?'

He uses the fellowship in the local church.

Ephesians 4:11-13: "And he gave some, apostles; some prophets; and some,

evangelists, and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for

the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come

in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a prefect

man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ."

He uses suffering to perfect His children, and this relates to what we learned from Hebrews 12

about chastening.

1 Peter 5:10: "But the God of all grace who hath called us unto His eternal glory

by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you prefect, stablished,

strengthen, settle you."

The basis of this marvelous work of maturing the believes is the "blood of the everlasting covenant." This is the New Covenant which was discussed in Hebrews 8. It is the covenant which is based on the sacrifice discussed in Hebrews 10. Because this New Covenant was a part of God's eternal plan of salvation, and because it guarantees everlasting life, it is called "the everlasting covenant". But apart from the death of Jesus Christ, we can share in none of the blessings named in the verses of this lesson.

HE IS THE GOD TO BE PRAISED Verse 21b

".. .to Whom be glory for ever and ever."

Psalm 67:3: "Let the people praise Thee, O God; let all the people praise Thee."

Psalm 100:4: "Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with

praise: be thankful unto Him, and bless His name."

Psalm 107:21-22, "Oh, that men would praise the LORD for His goodness, and

for His wonderful works to the children of men! And let them sacrifice the

sacrifices of thanksgiving, and declare His works with rejoicing."

Hebrews 13:15: KJV 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.

When we are experiencing the Lordship of Jesus Christ, we will find ourselves praising Him for His goodness and blessings.

Conclusion

The writer pleaded with His readers to "suffer" or bear with, endure the exhortation of this letter.

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The writer reminded the Hebrew believers that God the Father has spoken to us by His Son Jesus Christ. Because God has given Jesus Christ to die for our sins, we have a better covenant, sacrifice, High Priest, and a better hope. The lost are instructed to acknowledge that God loves them, has provided salvation for those who believe, and gives eternal life. The lost must acknowledge that they are sinners and are not able to save themselves. When they call upon Him in faith, He will forgive their sins. Believers are instructed to live by faith and to so live for God that the evidence of their being children of God is obvious from the evidence produced.

Do you know that your sins have been forgiven? Are you walking in fellowship with Him?

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