A Pastor’s Heart
Heb. 13.18-25
Hebrews Sermon Series
December 14, 2014 Dr. Mike Fogerson, Speaker
Introduction:
A These final words in Hebrews pull away the veil that hides the heart of the author (His identity is in question, but his heart is on full display.)
1 In these closing verses we discover the deepest desires/longings in the heart of the man of God.
2 In v.17, the pastor was shown to be one that “watches over the people.”
Hebrews 13:17 (NASB) 17 Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they keep watch over your souls as those who will give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with grief, for this would be unprofitable for you.
a As a watchman, he looks after the needs of the people.
b Shepherds them (instruction, discipline, care)
B If you could look into the heart of a true pastor, what would you see?
1 Let’s look at three thoughts that you would observe.
2 Pray
I A Pastor’s Dependence on the People (vv. 18,19)
Hebrews 13:18-19 (NASB) 18 Pray for us, for we are sure that we have a good conscience, desiring to conduct ourselves honorably in all things. 19 And I urge you all the more to do this, so that I may be restored to you the sooner.
A The author was unable to visit the readers personally, but he did want their prayer help.
1 It isn’t uncommon for the Apostle Paul to ask fellow Christians to be in prayer for him
1 Thessalonians 5:25 (NASB) 25 Brethren, pray for us.
2 Thessalonians 3:1 (NASB) 1 Finally, brethren, pray for us that the word of the Lord will spread rapidly and be glorified, just as it did also with you;
Romans 15:30 (NASB) 30 Now I urge you, brethren, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to strive together with me in your prayers to God for me,
Ephesians 6:18 (NASB) 18 With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints,
Colossians 4:3 (NASB) 3 praying at the same time for us as well, that God will open up to us a door for the word, so that we may speak forth the mystery of Christ, for which I have also been imprisoned;
2 Corinthians 1:11 (NASB) 11 you also joining in helping us through your prayers, so that thanks may be given by many persons on our behalf for the favor bestowed on us through the prayers of many.
a Usually, the prayer request is specific, and it seems to be the case here in Heb. 13 too.
aa It’s likely that the author had enemies that had lied about him, his behavior, his honesty, and integrity.
bb The implication is that there were unflattering suspicions that had arisen about the author.
cc What could they be? (Food? Ritual? Religion? Tradition?)
b The heart of his request was just to live rightly in all circumstances.
2 A man of God ought to have a prayer life, but he needs more.
a He needs the lifeline of prayer support from the people he serves.
b The greatest need of a pastor is for a praying people.
aa We do not become infallible/omniscient, but, under the Spirit’s direction, we are able to distinguish right from wrong in a way we were never able to do before.
bb A cleansed conscience enables us to better tell right from wrong and to be honest about it with ourselves and with others.
B Your pastor needs the protection of your prayers.
II The Pastor’s Desire for His People
Hebrews 13:20-21 (NASB) 20 Now the God of peace, who brought up from the dead the great Shepherd of the sheep through the blood of the eternal covenant, even Jesus our Lord, 21 equip you in every good thing to do His will, working in us that which is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.
A After requesting prayer from his people, he offers up a prayer for the people that would meet their deepest need.
1 It addressed the problem of hostility.
a He prays for “the God of peace” for his folks.
aa BTW, the apostle Paul is the ONLY NT writer that uses the praise “God of Peace” in the NT.
bb Six times this phrase is used to answer the hostility/conflict people face.
b Romans 15:33 (NASB) 33 Now the God of peace be with you all. Amen.
1 Corinthians 14:33 (NASB) 33 for God is not a God of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints.
2 Corinthians 13:11 (NASB) 11 Finally, brethren, rejoice, be made complete, be comforted, be like-minded, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you.
Philippians 4:9 (NASB) 9 The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.
All deal with God, who gives peace to the church.
aa 1 Thessalonians 5:23 (NASB) 23 Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Speaks of inner peace
bb Romans 16:20 (NASB) 20 The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you.
Declares that God has brought victory and given us peace in the victory of Christ over our enemy, Satan.
cc God is the answer to our hostility.
2 It answers the problem of mortality.
a We no longer have to fear death because Jesus conquered that enemy for us.
aa By the blood & covenant of the cross, God established peace with humankind.
bb Jesus destroyed the devil & power of death on Calvary.
b John Wesley’s mom lay dying, her last request was, “Children, as soon as I am released, sing a psalm of praise to God.” Her fear of death/grave was broken because of Jesus.
3 It answers the problem of anxiety.
a Tonight, You have the Lord Jesus working on your side.
aa As the Good Shepherd,
John 10:11 (NASB) 11 "I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.
He died for the sheep, as the Great Shepherd, he lives for the sheep in heaven today, working on their behalf.
As the Chief Shepherd,
1 Peter 5:4 (NASB) 4 And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.
He will come for the sheep at His return. (He cares for His own in the past, present, and future.)
bb He is our true Pastor.
b Psalm 23:1-6 (NASB) 1 The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want. 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters. 3 He restores my soul; He guides me in the paths of righteousness For His name's sake. 4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You have anointed my head with oil; My cup overflows. 6 Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life, And I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.
Reflects the attitude every sheep ought to have because of our Great Shepherd.
aa We don’t want, implication, shall not worry.
bb Worry has been compared to a rocking chair: “It will give you something to do, but it won’t get you anywhere.”
4 It answers the problem of iniquity.
a “. . . through the blood of the everlasting covenant”
Hebrews 13:20 (NASB) 20 Now the God of peace, who brought up from the dead the great Shepherd of the sheep through the blood of the eternal covenant, even Jesus our Lord,
aa God has taken care of our guilt once and for all . . . case closed.
bb We are in a blood covenant with Jesus.
b He didn’t save us for us remain miserable, but for us to be free from the bondage of sin.
5 It answers the problem of inability (. . . makes you complete.)
a To a doctor, “equip” meant to set a bone that was broken.
aa Fisherman, equip meant to mend a broken net
Matthew 4:21 (NASB) 21 Going on from there He saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets; and He called them.
bb Soldiers, equip an army for battle.
b Our Savior in heaven wants to equip us for life on earth by repairing us & fixing us.
aa God will restore & equip us to do everything He needs us to do for the Kingdom.
bb A loving pastor desires for his people to have their needs met as he leads them to know Christ in a deeper & fuller way.
B In these verses we feel & sense the heartbeat of a true pastor.
1 He wants his flock to hear & heed the exhortation & encouragement, keep moving.
2 The same word, “exhortation”
Hebrews 13:22 (NASB) 22 But I urge you, brethren, bear with this word of exhortation, for I have written to you briefly.
Is used of the Holy Spirit in the Gospel of John, and is translated there as “comforter.”
III The Pastor’s Dedication to His People
Hebrews 13:22-25 (NASB) 22 But I urge you, brethren, bear with this word of exhortation, for I have written to you briefly. 23 Take notice that our brother Timothy has been released, with whom, if he comes soon, I will see you. 24 Greet all of your leaders and all the saints. Those from Italy greet you. 25 Grace be with you all.
A The spirit of encouragement/helpfulness is seen in the author’s concern for and desire to see the Hebrew Christians.
1 His desire to see them is wrapped around a blessing, “Grace be with you all”
Hebrews 13:22-25 (NASB) 25 Grace be with you all.
a What a way to end this letter that has declared the grace of God in Jesus Christ to be superior to the Law, Levitical priests, angels, etc.
b Grace is the rhythm that this letter follows.
aa Hebrews 2:9 (NASB) 9 But we do see Him who was made for a little while lower than the angels, namely, Jesus, because of the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, so that by the grace of God He might taste death for everyone.
Hebrews 4:16 (NASB) 16 Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
Hebrews 10:29 (NASB) 29 How much severer punishment do you think he will deserve who has trampled under foot the Son of God, and has regarded as unclean the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and has insulted the Spirit of grace?
bb It’s all about that grace!
2 God’s undeserved favor has been poured out on us. . . let live life according to His gracious Word, work and way.
B We don’t live life according to His Word by our will power, but by the power of the Holy Spirit.
1 The Power that resurrected the Lord Jesus raises us up to live for Him.
2 2 Corinthians 3:5 (NASB) 5 Not that we are adequate in ourselves to consider anything as coming from ourselves, but our adequacy is from God,
Conclusion:
A Do you face the five problems mentioned earlier: hostility, mortality, anxiety, iniquity or inability?
B The God of peace - - the good, great, chief shepherd - - - our Lord Jesus— can provide for you, make you adequate and give you victory in every situation.
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Respectfully,
Mike Fogerson
