Equipped by God

As we continue our study of Colossians on Sunday, we are reminded that we are to put off the old self and its wicked, sinful desires and put on the new self which is being made into the image of Christ. We have seen the fruit that this new life brings about as the Holy Spirit sanctifies us through the renewing of our mind with truth–which is Christ. This week, Paul will offer some practical application of this new life through how we relate to and treat others–specifically husbands, wives, and children. We find that in all things we are to be working for the Lord and not for men.

This week’s scripture reading will come from the book of Hebrews. In these verses, the writer of Hebrews will also instruct us in the way we should walk as Christians. As we examine these verses, my goal is to point us to Christ. The writer, in reminding us what the Chrisitan life looks like, does so by pointing us to the suffering and sacrifice of our Lord and Savior. In chapter 12, we are reminded that Jesus endured the cross in order to bring many sons to glory. We are encouraged here in chapter 13 to go to Him outside the camp and endure the reproaches that He endured. Having seen the sacrifice that He made for us, is it any wonder that we should also live a life of sacrifice?

Scripture Reading for Sunday, April 6, 2025

Hebrews 13:1-21 (ESV)

1 Let brotherly love continue. 2 Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares. 3 Remember those who are in prison, as though in prison with them, and those who are mistreated, since you also are in the body. 4 Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous. 5 Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” 6 So we can confidently say,
“The Lord is my helper;
I will not fear;
what can man do to me?”
7 Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith. 8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. 9 Do not be led away by diverse and strange teachings, for it is good for the heart to be strengthened by grace, not by foods, which have not benefited those devoted to them. 10 We have an altar from which those who serve the tent have no right to eat. 11 For the bodies of those animals whose blood is brought into the holy places by the high priest as a sacrifice for sin are burned outside the camp. 12 So Jesus also suffered outside the gate in order to sanctify the people through his own blood. 13 Therefore let us go to him outside the camp and bear the reproach he endured. 14 For here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city that is to come. 15 Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name. 16 Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.
17 Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.
18 Pray for us, for we are sure that we have a clear conscience, desiring to act honorably in all things. 19 I urge you the more earnestly to do this in order that I may be restored to you the sooner.
20 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, 21 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.

Reflections on Scripture Reference

The Christian Walk Continued

In verses 1 - 6, the writer of Hebrews echoes the Apostle Paul (some would argue that Paul is the writer of Hebrews as well) by reminding us how we should live. Of course, brotherly love is the first reminder. Love is the hallmark of the Christian life–especially love for our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. The writer here also encourages us to show hospitality to strangers, remember those who are mistreated, hold marriage in high regard, and avoid adultery and sexual immorality. Along with these, we are to be content in what God has given us, avoiding the love of money. How do we find this contentment? By recalling what God has promised: “I will never leave you or forsake you.”

Christian Leaders and Teaching

In verses 7-14 we are reminded to hold fast to the teaching of the scriptures and, as Paul often taught, not be led astray by the strange teachings of men who run after idols and visions. As we are taught, the writer of Hebrews offers some sobering advice. Don’t just listen to what is said, but examine the lives being lived by those who teach you. He encourages us to consider how they live. If it is in line with what the scripture teaches, then we are to imitate their faith. This should be evident in the trustworthy and steady manner in which they live. Not in a constantly changing and volatile life. For we are immediately reminded that Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever. What we are taught and how we should live are to be consistent and unchanging. We are not to run after every strange new teaching for the gospel is sure and unchanging.

The Model of Sacrifice

The writer reminds us that the forgiveness of sin requires the shedding of blood. Christ, the perfect lamb of God, was taken outside the city to suffer and die in our place. We are pointed here to Christ–reminded of the ultimate sacrifice He made on our behalf. We are then encouraged to ourselves go outside the camp and bear the reproach He endured. We are to be people of sacrifice as well: “Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name” (v. 15). Here we are commanded to continually offer praises to God through Him. This should not be a one and done or every once and a while thing. As Christians, we should live in such a way that we are always offering the sacrifice of praise to God for who He is and what He has done for us through Christ.

Equipped by God

The writer of Hebrews returns to our Christian walk here in the final verses of chapter 13. We are encouraged to obey our leaders and submit to them. We are to walk in joy without grumbling. I don;t know about you, but this one alone leads me to repentance daily. Finally, we are to pray for those who are our teachers. Having now been shown the way in which we are to walk as believers, we must ask ourselves how in the world we will ever live up to such a calling–for we are called to be holy as He is holy. The final benediction here in chapter 13 gives us hope and relief. Read it again: “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” (v. 20-21). It is God who, through Jesus, equips us with everything good that we may do His will. It is He who is sanctifying us that we might do what is pleasing in His sight.

Song Selection for Sunday, April 6, 2025

Song 1

How Firm a Foundation

What more can He say? God’s word provides us the truth of the gospel for salvation through Christ and points us to the one we are to be like. How does God sanctify us? “When through fiery trials thy pathway shall lie, My grace, all sufficient, shall be thy supply. The flame shall not hurt thee; I only design Thy dross to consume and thy gold to refine.”

Song 2

There is a Fountain

What a beautiful reminder of what Jesus has done for us at the cross. This hymn points us to the one who made the ultimate and perfect sacrifice on our behalf. “There is a fountain filled with blood drawn from Immanuel’s veins, and sinners plunged beneath that flood lose all their guilty stains.”

Song 3

Knowing You

Having been redeemed by Christ, knowing Him more is the cry of our heart and the source of our sanctification. We are to put away the old self and put on the new. “All I once held dear, built my life upon, all this world reveres, and wars to own, all I once thought gain I have counted loss; spent and worthless now, compared to this. Knowing You, Jesus, knowing You, there is no greater thing!”

Song for Consideration

All Creatures (Sing the Harmony)

Shane & Shane

Written by William Henry Draper, Shane Barnard, St. Francis of Assisi, Bryan Fowler

© 2023 More Songs From Wellhouse (Admin. Right Angle)

Songs From Wellhouse (Admin. Right Angle)

Be Essential Songs, bryanfowlersongs (Admin. Essential)




Lyrics:

All creatures of our God and King

Lift up your voice and with us sing

O praise Him! O praise Him!

Thou, burning sun with golden beam

Thou, silver moon with softer gleam

O praise Him! O praise Him!


Hallelujah!

Hallelujah!

Hallelujah!


Thou rushing wind that art so strong

Ye clouds that sail in Heaven along

O praise Him!

Hallelujah!


Thou rising moon, in praise rejoice

Ye lights of evening, find a voice!

O praise Him! O praise Him!

Hallelujah!

Hallelujah!


Every mountain say high

Every valley say low

And everything in-between sing the harmony


Every mountain say high

Every valley say low

And everything in-between sing the harmony


Every mountain say high

Every valley say low

And everything in-between sing the harmony


Every mountain say high

Every valley say low

And everything in-between sing the harmony


Let all this that Creator blessed

Had worship Him in humbleness

O praise Him! Hallelujah!


Praise, praise the Father, praise the Son

And praise the Spirit, Three-in-One

O praise Him! O praise Him!


Hallelujah!

Hallelujah!

Hallelujah!