Strengthened by Grace

-THIS SUNDAY'S TEXT- This Sunday we will wrap up our time in Hebrews. Let’s remember Hebrew’s consistent emphasis on the greatness of Jesus. Let’s remember the calling of God out of the shadows and into the true light of Christ. Let’s remember that we must pay closer attention to Christ, draw near with confidence, listen to Him, and holdfast.

In Hebrews 13:9, there is a wonderful truth. It reads, …for it is good for the heart to be strengthened by grace. The scripture is clear in Ephesians that it is by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves. Not only are we saved by the grace of God, but we are also told it is good for the heart to be strengthened by grace. Our salvation and strength, by God’s grace, is in Jesus Christ, who is the same yesterday and today and forever.

Hebrews 13:10-14 – Grace, not works!!! Jesus also suffered…to sanctify the people through His own blood.

Let our hearts be glad that our salvation and strength does not lie in our own power, but in Jesus our great high priest and king and Savior. Let us worship Him with joy and thanksgiving because of His great kindness toward us.

Hebrews 13:15 reads, …let us continually offer up sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge His name.

-CONSIDER & MEDITATE- This last chapter in Hebrews also addresses the body of Christ and its leaders. Notice verse 7 – Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. The church’s leaders are those who speak or teach the body the Word of God. At The River, we would consider these to be primarily the elders and staff. Notice the instruction here for the body regarding their leaders:

The Scripture says to remember your leaders, and then it gives some specifics in how to do this:

1. Consider the outcome of their way of life.
2. Imitate their faith.

As this gives clear instruction for the church regarding her leaders, this brings to my heart a few questions that we leaders must ask ourselves:

1. Do I have a heart for God and His people that keeps me diligently in His Word and faithfully in prayer so that I may teach the Word of God accurately & with authority and that I may teach the Word of God with great confidence & in great humility?
2. As I consider my way of life and the outcome of my life, is it a benefit, a help, an encouragement, a healthy example to the body of Christ?
3. Have I struggled well through life, depending on God and honoring Him? When the pressures of life – (temptation, sin, persecution, loss of job, health, or a loved one) have come my way, has the fruit of the Spirit dripped through the tap of my life or the fruit of the flesh? Is there evidence of the persevering work of the Spirit of God in my life?
4. Is there the wonderful evidence of God’s faithful hand carrying me through the tribulations of life in a way that brings Him glory or have I been swallowed up by the cares and desires of the world? Have the challenges of leading the church become too weighty and unattractive? Has my heart grown cold toward God and His people?
5. When the church is looking for a healthy example of one’s life in Christ, is my life a healthy example? Does my life (in word and deed) point others to Jesus Christ who is the same yesterday and today and forever?

These are important questions for leaders because Hebrews 13:7 instructs the church – Consider the outcome of their (leaders) way of life, and imitate their faith. And in Hebrews 13:17, the church is further instructed – Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account.

Church, this verse ends – (Church) Let them (leaders) do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you (the Church).

As we pause and think through what this means, we will discover something beautiful. As leaders of the church (those who speak the word of God) teach Christ and set a healthy example in living by faith in Christ, the body of Christ experiences great joy in Christ and brings great joy to the church leaders as they obey and submit to Christ exalting leadership. God has designed this for the joy of His people and for His glory. (READ) Ephesians 4:1-16 is a beautiful description of God’s design and purpose for His church.

PRAYER & THANKSGIVING The writer of Hebrews brings his letter to a close with a wonderful prayer. Close your time today with the Lord reading Hebrews 13:20-21 as a prayer. Lift this prayer up to the Lord with the following in mind:

1. You as a follower of Christ.
2. Your family.
3. Your spiritual family – The River Family
4. Your SS Class/Life Group

Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good that you may do His will, working in us that which is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.

Pray for your leaders:

Elders and Wives: Eric & Anna Smeltzer, Mike & Sandy Jaeger, Wirt & Jeanie McKee, Lonnie & Robin Robinson, Will & Michelle van der Hoeven, David & Tammy Small.

Staff and Wives: Jon & Gretchen Smeltzer, Jordan & Kelsey Powers, Luke & Sylvia Humphries.