Taught on Wednesday, September 17, 2025
OUTLINE
1. ORGANIZATION of the Church (17)
2. INTERCESSION for the Church (18-21)
3. EXHORTATION to the Church (22)
4. LIBERATION in the Church (23)
5. COMMUNICATION from the Church (24-25)
Hebrews 13:17, “Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you.“
In the Greek language, the word “Obey” is a Present Tense Imperative meaning it’s a command to constantly do.
Kenneth Wuest translated it like this, “…keep constantly obeying your rulers.”
This type of heart, structure, and mindset is critical for any organization, but especially the church. Consider the words of David Jeremiah.
David Jeremiah, “The key to harmony and prosperity in the church is both good leaders and good followers. When God’s people follow God’s leaders with positive, supportive, and submissive attitudes, joy reigns in the church and in the leader’s hearts (13:7; Isa. 62:6; Rom. 13:1; Phil. 4:1; 1 Thess. 2:19-20; 3:9; 5:12-13). But believers are not called to blind obedience either. Church elders or pastors must gently and effectively watch out for the souls in their congregations, knowing that one day they will give an account for their leadership (Luke 12:48; Acts 20:28; 2 Cor. 12:15; James 3:1; 1 Peter 5:2-4).”
We are to be obedient in what we do, and we are to be submissive in who we are. We are to BE Submissive (Another Present Tense Imperative).
We are not to merely “do” submissively, but to be submissive.
Allow leaders to lead, be willing to submissively follow their leadership, UNLESS they ask you to sin. (Acts 5:29)
In 1 Chronicles 12:33, 38 God commends those who can keep rank/battle formation.
Why is this mission of submission within God’s organization so important? Because of the leader’s responsibility, “…they watch out for your souls.”
In the Greek language, the word “watch,” is a fascinating word. Agrypnéō literally means “no sleep.” It speaks of the way the leader is to stay vigilant, alert, attentive; not indulging in unnecessary time off.
William Barclay’s translation, “Obey your leaders and submit to them for they sleeplessly watch over your souls.”
And one day we leaders will stand before Thee leader…and give an account.
We are to let our leaders lead – and not just effectively – but joyfully!
When the people are resistant and rebellious, (some disciples are drama) it grieves the leaders. It would be better for everyone involved to be a source of joy, support, and encouragement.
When Christians are not submissive…no one wins.
If we don’t learn to submit to our God given authority, how can we say we’re submitting to God?
Paul wrote something similar to the Corinthians regarding their leadership.
1 Corinthians 16:15–16 (NLT) “You know that Stephanas and his household were the first of the harvest of believers in Greece, and they are spending their lives in service to God’s people. I urge you, dear brothers and sisters, 16 to submit to them and others like them who serve with such devotion.”
First the author ASKS the people to pray for him!
Hebrews 13:18-19, “Pray for us; for we are confident that we have a good conscience, in all things desiring to live honorably. 19 But I especially urge you to do this, that I may be restored to you the sooner.“
Our leaders desperately need our prayers, maybe even extra prayers.
The author here is obviously an amazing man, strong in his Christian faith (we know when we consider the content of the letter), but he doesn’t hesitate to acknowledge his weakness and need for prayer, as well as those who serve with him.
They had a good conscience, and they were sincere – but good intentions are not enough. They needed actions, they wanted to live honorably and obediently, so they asked for prayer.
I remember reading of Stanley Baldwin, who when he became Prime Minister of Great Britain had his friends all around him, thronging him with congratulations, His words were telling, he said, “It is not your congratulations I need; it is your prayers.”
Pray for your leaders…they need ‘em. And, in this case, he’s asking for prayers, not only to live an honorable life, but to be restored to them sooner. Something was hindering him from coming, but probably not prison (see v. 23).
(Restored to health? Used in this way in Mark 3:5; 8:25)
(Prayer DOES make a difference!) (Because you prayed)
Romans 15:30, “Now I beg you, brethren, through the Lord Jesus Christ, and through the love of the Spirit, that you strive together with me in prayers to God for me.”
Philippians 1:19, “For I know that this will turn out for my deliverance through your prayer and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ.”
Philemon 22, “But, meanwhile, also prepare a guest room for me, for I trust that through your prayers I shall be granted to you.”
I still pray for my pastor.
First, he asked for prayer from them, then he prayed for them – – and what an awesome prayer it is!
Ray Stedman, “Verses 20-21 must rank among the most powerfully worded blessings found in Scripture. They gather up the passionate concern of the writer for his reader’s spiritual growth and stress the major factors that make such growth possible…”
Hebrews 13:20-21, “Now may the God of peace who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, 21 make you complete in every good work to do His will, working in you what is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.“
This is what we would call a benediction, a blessing upon the people, especially at the end of the service. What a powerful prayer he prayed – something we can all pray for our loved ones.
NOTICE – WHO?
He prays to the God of Peace who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead. Peace even when they pass (maybe they were afraid to die).
Who is this God of Peace? The One who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead. In case you’re wondering, all three members of the Godhead were part of the resurrection.
(The Father – Romans 6:4; Acts 2:32)
(The Son – John 10:18)
(The Holy Spirit – Romans 8:11)
So the God of Peace includes the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
What a Title! The God of Peace!
David Jeremiah, “Peace is so much a part of God’s plan that He is called the God of peace, not just here but in five other NT Passages.”
NKJV Study Bible, “The title God of Peace is used six times in the NT (see also Rom. 15:33; 1 Cor. 14:33; 2 Cor. 13:11; Phil. 4:9; 1 Thess. 5:23). Whenever the title was used, some sort of difficulty existed among the recipients of the letter. This is also the case here: The readers of Hebrews were wondering whether they should reject Christianity and return to Judaism in the face of increasing persecution.”
God of Peace…Shepherd of the sheep, pointing specifically to Jesus (John 10:11, 14)
(Good Shepherd John 10:11, 14/Psalm 22; Dies for the sheep)
(Chief Shepherd 1 Peter 5:4/Psalm 23; Cares for the sheep)
(Great Shepherd Hebrews 13:20/Psalm 24; Returns for the sheep)
NOTICE – WHAT? (21a)
…make you complete in every good work to do His will, working in you what is well pleasing in His sight.
(Good works – Ephesians 2:10; Philippians 2:13)
We are complete in Christ’ and yet He continues to work in us and through us 2 Timothy 3:17; James 1:4
HOW? (20b; 21b)
…through the blood of the everlasting covenant,
…through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.
NKJV Study Bible, WORD STUDY: covenant (6 time in Hebrews), “Just as the stipulations of a will go into effect when a person dies, so Christ died to initiate the New Covenant, the covenant that frees us from bondage to the first covenant.”
Hebrews 13:22, “And I appeal to you, brethren, bear with the word of exhortation, for I have written to you in few words.“
Hebrews 13:22 (NLT) “I urge you, dear brothers and sisters, to pay attention to what I have written in this brief exhortation.”
Take it to heart!
NKJV Study Bible, “It is an exhortation not to depart from the living God (3:12), but to go on to maturity (6:1) and endure in the faith to the end (3:6, 14).”
Hebrews 13:23, “Know that our brother Timothy has been set free, with whom I shall see you if he comes shortly.“
Most likely Timothy had been imprisoned in Ephesus, but he’s now set free.
The author was hoping to visit them with Timothy soon.
Hebrews 13:24-25, “Greet all those who rule over you, and all the saints. Those from Italy greet you. 25Grace be with you all. Amen.“
Greeting ALL – all the leaders and all the people (from the writer) and those with him – some who were FROM ITALLY.
Written from Rome?/Italy? Possibly. Or maybe he was accompanied by some from Italy.
And then the word Grace!
NKJV Study Bible, “In light of what has been said about grace in the letter (see v. 9; 2:9; 4:16; 10:29; 12:15), this closing is particularly appropriate.”
(OT under law; NT under grace) The Old Covenant Law of Moses says “Do,” the New Covenant of Christ says, “Done.”
Thank You Jesus!