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FINAL COMMANDS AND FINAL WORDS

Hebrews 13:7b-9a

Victor M. Eskew

 

INTRODUCTION

 

A.    The writer is nearing the conclusion of his epistle to the Hebrews.

 

B.      There are lots of things that he longs for them to know and do.  Thus, he gives them a list of twelve commands before closing the chapter.

 

C.     As we read these last twenty-five verses, we find the writer still draw to his theme (Heb. 13:9-14).

 

D.    We have divided the chapter into two sections:

 

i.                    FINAL COMMANDS (Heb. 13:1-19)

 

ii.                  FINAL WORDS (Heb. 13:20-25)

 

I.             FINAL COMMANDS (Heb. 13:1-19)

 

A.    Brotherly love (Heb. 13:1)

B.      Hospitality (Heb. 13:2)

C.     Those in affliction (Heb. 13:3)

D.    Marriage (Heb. 13:4)

E.      Contentment and Reliance (Heb. 13:5-6)

F.      Church rulers (Heb. 13:7)

1.        Call to mind your rulers (Heb. 13:7a)

2.       Copy their faith

 

…whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation.

 

a.       The just are to live by faith (Heb. 10:28).

1)       Christians are supposed to pattern their lives by the Word of God, the faith (Gal. 2:20).

2)      Thus, if a person is following our life, they should be following our faith. 

b.      The elders are a special breed of man within the church. 

1)       They are older.

2)      They are knowledgeable.

3)      They are experienced.

4)      They have raised their families.

5)      They are mature.

6)      They have met all of the qualifications for the office of elder.

c.       LESSONS: 

1)       Elders are to be examples to the church.  The writer of Hebrews tells his readers to “consider” these men.

a)      Definition

-          Strong (33):  to look again (that is, attentively).

-          Thayer:  to look attentively, to consider well, to observe accurately.

b)     It is sad when members do not believe that their elders are men who are worthy to be followed.

c)      It is sadder when elders fail to see that they are not living their lives in such a way as to be an example for their flock to follow.

2)      Members of the local church should be able to pattern their lives after the lives of the elders and make it to heaven.

 

3.       Consider the end of their conversation

a.       End

1)       Strong (1545):  to go out, an exit

2)      Thayer:  an egress, way out, exit, …the end of one’s life…refers not only to end of physical life, but the manner in which they closed a well spent life as exhibited by their spirit in dying

b.      Some of their leaders had died for the cause of Christ. 

1)       The church was urged to remember, not just their death, but the attitude they had in death. 

2)      “Their faith sustained them.  They were enabled to persevere in a Christian course, and did not faint or fail” (Barnes, e-sword).

 

G.    Jesus Christ (Heb. 13:8)

 

Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.

 

1.        This is an interesting verse.  It seems to appear out of nowhere.  It just seems to be an expression of truth about Jesus in the midst of a list of commands given to the readers.

2.       Let it first be remembered that some of these individuals were moving away from Jesus.

a.       Why?  Had Jesus changed?  Absolutely not.

b.      He was the same yesterday (when they became Christians), today (while they suffering for His name), and forever.

3.       The words are intended to be a reason for the readers to remain faithful.

a.       Jesus was the same Savior and Redeemer as yesterday.  Tomorrow, He will continue to be the same.  His character will never change.

b.      Too, His faithfulness to His promises is the same, yesterday, today, and forever. 

c.       NOTE:  If Jesus is the same, then put all your faith and confidence in Him, even during trials and tribulations, and serve Him unto the end.

d.      Barnes:  “The argument here, therefore, for perseverance is founded on the “immutability” of the Redeemer. If he were fickle, vacillating, changing in his character and plans; if today he aids his people, and tomorrow will forsake them; if at one time he loves the virtuous, and at another equally loves the vicious; if he formed a plan yesterday which he has abandoned today; or if he is ever to be a different being from what he is now, there would be no encouragement to effort. Who would know what to depend on? Who would know what to expect tomorrow? For who could have any certainty that he could ever please a capricious or a vacillating being? Who could know how to shape his conduct if the principles of the divine administration were not always the same? At the same time, also, that this passage furnishes the strongest argument for fidelity and perseverance, it is an irrefragable proof of the divinity of the Saviour. It asserts immutability - sameness in the past, the present, and to all eternity but of whom can this be affirmed but God?” (e-sword).

 

H.    False doctrines (Heb. 13:9)

1.        Direction (Heb. 13:9a)

 

Be not carried away with divers and strange doctrines…

 

a.       The don’t:  Be not carried away

1)       Definition:

a)      Strong (4064):  to convey around, to transport hither and thither

b)     Thayer:  to carry around, in doubt and hesitation to be led now to this option, now to that

2)      There are some people who can never make up their minds and come to a conviction about truth.  They believe this, and they believe that.  They hold to two truths that contradict one another.

 

b.      The doctrines

1)       Divers

a)      Strong (4164):  motley, various in character

b)     Thayer:  of various sorts

2)      Strange

a)      Strong (3581):  foreign, alien

b)     Thayer:  foreign, strange, alien, new, unheard of

c.       LESSONS

1)       There is one truth, but there are many strange doctrines (I John 4:1).

 

Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God:  because many false prophets are gone out into the world.

 

2)      NOTE:  In the context, the author has in mind the doctrines and teachings of the Jews that we leading these Christians away from the truth.

3)      Only truth makes one free (John 8:32).  Strange doctrines carry us away from God, Christ, the Word, and the church.

4)      We can take steps to protect ourselves from strange doctrines.  The best step is to study and learn the truth for ourselves.

5)      “False teachers have been tolerated, ignored, and in some instances embraced by unfaithful elders, preachers and members.  Far too little has been done in answer to the false teachers presently assailing the walls of Zion” (Wacaster, p. 556).

2.       Distinction (Heb. 13:9b)

 

…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.