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Christian World Ministry "..the churches of Christ salute you" Romans 16:16
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`Walking Steadfastly With Jesus Christ

Terry B Denis / 2022-06-26


INTRODUCTION

  1. Throughout his epistle, the author exhorts us to a life of "steadfastness". To be steadfast is to be firm and unwavering in our faith until the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

    1. The writer warns us not to drift away from our faith. He 2:1

    2. We need to be steadfast to be partakers of Christ - He 3:14

    3. To inherit the promises. He  6:11-12

    4. Because God is faithful - He 10:23

    5. The promise of a great reward - He 10:35-36

  1. The passage in He 13:7-9 is a practical application from the exhortations of the writer so that we can finish our journey to eternal life: Walking Steadfastly With Jesus Christ.

  2. From the passage found in He 13:7-9, we find 3 things that we need to remember:

    1. Remember those whose faith is worthy of emulation.

    2. Know that Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever.

    3. Let our hearts be established by His Grace.

MAIN DISCUSSION.



I – REMEMBER THOSE WHOSE FAITH IS WORTHY OF EMULATION (7)

7 Remember those who rule over you, who have spoken the word of God to you, whose faith follow, considering the outcome of their conduct. 

The command “remember those who rule over you” is not compared to a command of a “governor” to rule over us. It refers to leaders and teachers who guide us to the obedience of the commands in the Scriptures in order to be steadfast in our faith. These leaders are also under the command of Jesus and they “lead” us after first setting an example themselves.

  1. We remember our leaders who spoke the word and encouraged us to apply them to our lives as well. He 13:7a

      7 Remember those who rule over you, who have spoken the word of God to you

    1. These leaders may have included the apostles who confirmed the word to us as these were spoken to them by Jesus. He 2:3

    2. But it would also be necessary to remember the encouragement of our leaders today who teach and stimulate us by citing applications from the men of faith in the Scriptures and by their own examples.

    3. The goal of our leaders is to lead us to maturity in Christ as a people worthy of the Gospel. - Phil 1:27

  2. Remember their examples as a testimony of their faith. He 13:7b.

      7 Remember those who rule over you, who have spoken the word of God to you, whose faith follow,

    1. Paul reminds us to seek and emulate all those whose faith have set a good example - Php 3:17

      17 Join together in following my example, brothers and sisters, and just as you have us as a model, keep your eyes on those who live as we do.

    2. Whose faith sustained them to the end!

    3. How they exemplified their commitment to preach the Gospel

      • in the face of burdens, trials, and persecutions from the opposition.

    4. We are encouraged by leaders who “Practice what they preach”.

    • They walk the talk.

    • Their actions are consistent with their words

    • They put their money where their mouth is

    • They follow through with their promises

    • They do what they say they will do.

    Practicing what they preached gave them credibility, and people listened to them.

  1. Remember the outcome of their lives. He 13:7c

      considering the outcome of their conduct. 

    1. They practiced humility.

    2. They did not talk about their accomplishments.

    3. Because the outcome of their lives spoke volumes.

      • They set a good examples as we can see in their family

      • We are encouraged by the examples of their obedient children

      • They have a supportive wife

      • They looked forward to the goal of leading Christians to maturity.

    4. They entrusted the teachings to faithful men who later became leaders and teachers. (2 Tim 2:2)

    5. They exemplified complete dependence in God.

      • For God will never leave us nor forsake us. (He 13:5)

      • They trusted in the assurance of God's help. (He 13:6)

Yes indeed! The Lord is our Helper, yesterday, today, and forever.



Ii – KNOW THAT "JESUS CHRIST, THE SAME YESTERDAY, TODAY, AND FOREVER" (8)

8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

  1. The purpose of this verse is to show us that we can trust him and walk with him with steadfastness

    1. because our Lord Jesus Christ has always been the same. HE does not CHANGE!

  2. Jesus sustained his people in the past and he will sustain us today, and forever.

  3. We have a Lord who keeps his promises.

  4. Paul said: Imitate me as I imitate Christ. 1 Cor 11:1

  5. This should give us confidence to walk in his teachings as confirmed by the apostles because of the assurance that Jesus does not change.

AREN'T WE GLAD WE HAVE A LORD WHO DOES NOT CHANGE?



AND ON TO OUR LAST POINT: He loved us yesterday, today and forever.

III – LET OUR HEARTS BE ESTABLISHED BY THE GRACE OF OUR LORD. (He 13:9)

9 Do not be carried about with various and strange doctrines. For it is good that the heart be established by grace, not with foods which have not profited those who have been occupied with them.

  1. Here is a warning about false teachings that may cause our faith to waver and falter.

  2. The author has in mind the temptation of the believers to return to the Law

    1. To the restrictions about food found in the Law

    2. To the altar and tabernacle of the Old Covenant

    3. To go back to the old system of religion

  3. But the commands of Christ include:

    1. Hearts that are strengthened by grace when his commands are established in our hearts.

    2. We grow in Grace. Eph 4:11-15

      • as God has given gifts to the leaders

    3. For the equipping of Christians

      • We need to listen diligently to the teachings of our leaders and bind them in our hearts.

      • Apply their teachings to our lives as we grow towards maturity.

      • So that we should no longer be like children tossed to and from with every wind of doctrine.

    4. So we may walk with confidence and steadfastness, firm and unwavering TO THE END.

  4. Speaking the truth in love - Eph 4:15

    1. refers to leaders, teachers, and guides who ENCOURAGE THE HEART, by speaking the truth in LOVE.



CONCLUSION



We may not be leaders in the church but certainly we are leaders in our families.

  1. Our children look up to us as examples for their inspiration.

    1. Let us be an example to them as we walk steadfastly with Jesus Christ and pray that they will follow our examples

Let us be God's faithful examples at the workplace. - Titus 2:9-15



  1. In our position as managers, supervisors, or ordinary employees.

    1. Let us build up a relationship with our co-workers.

    2. By our good works and examples they may glorify God and will prepare their hearts to receive the teaching of the Gospel when opportunity comes.



 

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