Worship Preparation Guide for Sunday, August 26

This Sunday we will conclude our study in the book of Hebrews.  The writer refers to these 13 chapters containing 303 verses as a “brief” word of exhortation.  Our study has gone on for over two years.  Is that “brief”?  I can say that the time has seemed short to me and for me personally the study has been the highlight of my preaching /teaching ministry.  During this time we did not answer the question of who wrote the letter, or who its original recipients were. But I think we can say why was the letter of Hebrews was written and what the author believed was needed in the lives of the recipients.   Perhaps it could best be summarized in these verses:

Therefore do not throw away your confidence, 

which has a great reward. 

For you have need of endurance, 

so that when you have done the will of God 

you may receive what is promised. 

For, “Yet a little while, and the coming one will come 

and will not delay;

 but my righteous one shall live by faith, 

and if he shrinks back, my soul has no pleasure in him.”   

But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, 

but of those who have faith and preserve their souls. 

(Hebrews 10:35-39 ESV)

This Sunday as we review the book of Hebrews I am praying that we all will see that:

First, We Endure to the End by Looking to Jesus, because there is no one is like Him and there is no one who has done what He has done

           

Second, We Endure to the End by Listening to the Warnings that God gives us in this book.   Don’t drift away (2:1), don’t turn away (3:12), don’t fall away (6:6), don’t stay away (10:25), don’t throw away your confidence & shrink back (10:35) and don’t turn away and refuse Him (12:25) are all given for our protection and progress in this journey of faith. 

Finally this Sunday we will be reminded again that We Endure to the End by Faithfully Running the Race.

As you run look to Jesus – He ran the race before us and on our behalf (12:1-2).   As you run trust in Jesus – He intercedes for us and helps us run (4:14-16); as you run accept God’s discipline – He loves us enough to make us holy (12:7-11);  as you run hold on to one another –  He gives us each other to help us finish  (3:13, 10:24, ch13)

As I’ve reflected on the conclusion of this study this week I have been praying for each of you in the following ways:

Lord Jesus, I pray we are looking on Your splendor and beauty with the deep gaze of love and worship, and that our devotion to You is much stronger than it was when we began Hebrews two years ago.  There is no one like You. 

I pray we are living in the assurance and intimacy of the new covenant that has been secured for us by Your once-for-all, eternally sufficient sacrifice, and that my love for You has grown as You have engraved Your Word upon my heart.

Lord Jesus, I pray we are paying much closer attention to our own spiritual health and growth in holiness; that we remember the warnings You give us in Hebrews and pay attention to them.  They are for our good.

Finally, Lord, I pray we are more attentive and committed to the spiritual growth and well-being of each other.  In Hebrews You call us to exhort one another, encourage one another, love one another, meet together with one another, to see to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God so that we all finish this race of faith together for Your glory. 

Please join me in praying for these things as we prepare to gather for worship this Sunday.  I look forward to seeing you there.