Friday, April 20, 2012

In Need of Mending

502.  "In Need of Mending"                          April 20, 2012
Hebrews 13-Part 9
Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.  Hebrews 13:20-21


LET IT GLOW

I have not been a fisherman, soldier, a sailor, nor a doctor, but my broken heart has been in need of mending, my ways need mending or changed, I need outfitted with the Armor of God in preparation for spiritual battle, even equiped for my journey of life. God sees to it that I have these things. Let's stop our walk and look closer.

In this benediction, we see the major themes  of Hebrews:
  • peace-Concerning Christianity, peace is the tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, and so fearing nothing from God and content with its earthly lot, of whatsoever sort that is; the Lord who is the author and promoter of peace. (Thayer's Lexicon)                      mmIn Numbers 6:24-26, God told Moses to tell Aaron and his sons how to bless the children of Israel saying:The Lord bless thee, and keep thee: The Lord make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: The Lord lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.
  • the resurrected Christ-He is brought again from the dead. (Acts 2:24) Jesus said,"I am the resurrection and the life..." (John 11:25)
  • the blood-We are justified by Jesus' blood. (Rom. 5:9)
  • the covenant-Genesis 9:16 talks about the rainbow as a reminder of this everlasting covenant of not flooding the earth again as to destroying all flesh; Genesis 17:7-8 tells of the everlasting covenant God made with Abraham: possession of the land of Canaan, and He would be their God, the covenant would continue with his seed.
  • spiritual perfection (maturity)-integrity, clear mind, clean heart, lively affections, regular and resolved wills, which result from the work of God. 
  • God's work in the believer-He works through and in us by way of His Holy Spirit.(Gal. 5:22-26)
We also see the titles of Christ: God of peace, our Lord, Great Shepherd of the sheep (who died for the sheep, lives in us today and in heaven( John 10:11). As Chief Shepherd, He will come for the sheep (1Peter 5:4). As our High Priest, Jesus interceeds for us now.

Do I praise Him for being the God of Peace, my Great Shepherd that leads me and provides for me daily?


LET IT GROW

In the rest of his closing prayer, the writer asks God to "make you perfect in every good work to do His will." Make perfect is translated in the word katartidzo, to doctors means "to set a broken bone;" to fishermen it meant "to mend a broken net;" to sailors it meant "to outfit a ship for voyage;" to soldiers it meant "to equip an army for battle."

Our Savior in heaven wants to equip us for life on earth. He tenderly sets our broken bones in our lives so that we might walk straight and run our life-races successfully. He wants to repair the breaks in the nets so that we might catch fish and win souls. He wants to equip us for battle and outfit us so that we will not be battered in the storms of life. He wants to marture us, work in us and through us, that which pleases Him and accomplishes His will.

Do you have anything in need of mending-marriage, relationships, feelings, ways, etc.? Jesus is waiting to help.

What does God use to equip us? He uses the Word of God (2Tim. 3:16-17), prayer (1Thess. 3:10), and fellowship of the local church (Eph. 4:11-12).

Do I ask the Lord to make me perfect ion every good work to do His will? Do I ask Him to work in me that which is well-pleasing in His sight? Do I live through Jesus for His glory? 
[Resource: Warren Wiersbe's book Be Confident]


LET IT GO

Praise the God of Peace, the Great Shepherd, my Resurrected Savior.

Don't resist His breaking me, since it is for my good and His glory.

Watch as He equips me for the storms and battles of life.

Live to please Jesus and to do His will.




    

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