Mar. 23, 2025

“LIVE BY FAITH, NOT BY SIGHT”

“THE SPIRITUAL LIFE OF THE BELIEVER”

HEBREWS 13:18-25

1.  Pray for Us- Hebrews 13:18-19

In the back of our minds we might think, “Why don’t they just pray for themselves?” However, as we grow and mature in our faith, we realize that praying for one another is the core purpose of the body of Christ the church:

James 5:16 “Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.”

1 Thessalonians 5:25 “Brethren, pray for us.”

2 Thessalonians 3:1 “Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may run swiftly and be glorified, just as it is with you.”

Ephesians 6:18 “praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints.”

So here in Hebrews Paul asks the Hebrew audience to support him in prayer:

Hebrews 13:18-19 “Pray for us; for we are confident that we have a good conscience, in all things desiring to live honorably. 19But I especially urge you to do this, that I may be restored to you the sooner.”

A lot of people are not walking in the light, that is why we need to pray for each other:

1 John 1:6-7 “If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. 7But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.”

“…that I may be restored to you the sooner.” vs.19

2.   He Prays For Them- Hebrews 13:20-21

Hebrews 13:20-21 “Now may the God of peace who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, 21make you complete in every good work to do His will, working in you what is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.”

vs.20 “the God of peace,” the audience would of recalled the sweet, refreshing breeze of the Hebrew word “shalom.”

vs.20 “… our Lord Jesus from the dead, that great Shepherd of the sheep,”

This turns us to the main theme of this book, the superior person and work of Jesus Christ. He is the Great Shepherd.

Psalm 23:1 “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.” 

The great Shepherd provides for His sheep.

Psalm 23:2-3 “He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. 3He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake.” 

The great Shepherd nourishes and refreshes His sheep.

Psalm 23:5 “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over.” 

The great Shepherd protects His sheep from their enemies.

vs.21 “make you complete in every good work to do His will, working in you what is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever.”

Philippians 2:13 “for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.”

“Make you” vs.21- means to prepare for a purpose, equip, create, outfit.

3.   Take Heed To The Written Word- Hebrews 13:22-25

After his prayer request and benediction of blessing and praise, Paul wraps up this monumental testimony to the superiority of Christ with three final commands.

*The First Parting Command Exhorts Us To Bear With The Truth of God.

Hebrews 13:22 “And I appeal to you, brethren, bear with the word of exhortation, for I have written to you in few words.”

The word translated “appeal” or urge, is a word of gentle encouragement. 

The Greek term for “bear with” is an interesting word choice here. It means to endure, bear with, put up with, almost in the sense of tolerating something uncomfortable, frustrating, or irritating.

Matthew 17:17 “Then Jesus answered and said, “O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I bear with you? Bring him here to Me.”

2 Corinthians 11:1 “Oh, that you would bear with me in a little folly—and indeed you do bear with me.”

*The Second Parting Commands Tells Us To Take Notice of the People of God.

Hebrews 13:23 “Know that our brother Timothy has been set free, with whom I shall see you if he comes shortly.”

Specifically, Paul refers to his child in the faith, Timothy.

1 Timothy 1:2 “To Timothy, a true son in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord.”

*The Third Parting Command Encourages the Church to Express and Accept Greetings.

Hebrews 13:24-25 “Greet all those who rule over you, and all the saints. Those from Italy greet you. 25Grace be with you all. Amen.

After these final commands, Paul concludes with a short farewell. He doesn’t end on a negative note, he ends with a simple but powerful prayer for grace. “Grace be with you all.” vs.25

Three Practical Applications from Hebrews:

1. The Superiority of Christ- Let His life, His words, and His example inspire and transform you.
2. The Message-The Practicality of Christianity: We are to trust and obey Christ every moment of every day until the end of our lives.
3. The Goal- The Maturity of Christians.