HEBREWS 36


     We will begin this lesson in Hebrews 13:17 "Obey them that have
the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your
souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy,
and not with grief: for that [is] unprofitable for you."

     The hardest thing of all for Paul was taking constant care of the
churches he started. He listed this along with the stoning, being
shipwrecked and being left for dead. Notice in the following
Scriptures why a person who has led someone to Christ feels so
responsible. The leaders of the church are responsible for the flock.
Ezekiel 3:17 "Son of man, I have made thee a watchman unto the house
of Israel: therefore hear the word at my mouth, and give them warning
from me." Ezekiel 3:18 "When I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely
die; and thou givest him not warning, nor speakest to warn the wicked
from his wicked way, to save his life; the same wicked [man] shall die
in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand."  Ezekiel
3:19 "Yet if thou warn the wicked, and he turn not from his
wickedness, nor from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity; but
thou hast delivered thy soul." Ezekiel 3:20 "Again, When a righteous
[man] doth turn from his righteousness, and commit iniquity, and I lay
a stumblingblock before him, he shall die: because thou hast not given
him warning, he shall die in his sin, and his righteousness which he
hath done shall not be remembered; but his blood will I require at
thine hand." Ezekiel 3:21 "Nevertheless if thou warn the righteous
[man], that the righteous sin not, and he doth not sin, he shall
surely live, because he is warned; also thou hast delivered thy soul."
You can easily see from this the awesome responsibility of the leader
of the church. The shepherd is responsible for his sheep. The saddest
thing for any minister of the Word, is to lead someone to Christ and
then have them go back into the world. It is as if you have lost a
member of your family.

     Hebrews 13:18 "Pray for us: for we trust we have a good
conscience, in all things willing to live honestly."

     The members of any congregation should earnestly pray for the
pastor of the church. Philippians 4:8 "Finally, brethren, whatsoever
things are true, whatsoever things [are] honest, whatsoever things
[are] just, whatsoever things [are] pure, whatsoever things [are]
lovely, whatsoever things [are] of good report; if [there be] any
virtue, and if [there be] any praise, think on these things."

     Hebrews 13:19 "But I beseech [you] the rather to do this, that I
may be restored to you the sooner."

     Romans 1:10 "Making request, if by any means now at length I
might have a prosperous journey by the will of God to come unto you."
Romans 1:11 "For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some
spiritual gift, to the end ye may be established;" Romans 1:12 "That
is, that I may be comforted together with you by the mutual faith both
of you and me." As I said before Paul is always concerned about the
members of the churches he started. When he is at one place he is
concerned about all the others.

     Hebrews 13:20 "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," Hebrews 13:21 "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."

     Those of us who have our salvation assured to us, know this peace
of God. Jesus is the Resurrection. The shed blood of Jesus is the
price of our peace. We have confidence in our salvation and that
brings peace. We are not perfect in our self, but have been made
perfect in Jesus. The glory honor and praise go to Jesus who is the
Author and finisher of our faith. Amen means {so be it}. Romans 12:1
"I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye
present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God,
[which is] your reasonable service." Romans 12:2 "And be not conformed
to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind,
that ye may prove what [is] that good, and acceptable, and perfect,
will of God."

     Hebrews 13:22 "And I beseech you, brethren, suffer the word of
exhortation: for I have written a letter unto you in few words."

     Exhortation in this means comfort, or comfort in speech. Paul is
saying in this, I have just written a few words, but understand my
care for you in this.

     Hebrews 13:23 "Know ye that [our] brother Timothy is set at
liberty; with whom, if he come shortly, I will see you."

     Timothy was Paul's young assistant. Paul travelled a great deal
in the company of Timothy. At one time Paul was training Timothy to
take over his work when it became impossible to go. Whether this means
that Paul will be with Timothy or not we can not tell. If Timothy were
there it would be as if Paul were there because when Timothy spoke, it
was the teachings of Paul which came through Timothy. Acts 16:1 "Then
came he to Derbe and Lystra: and, behold, a certain disciple was
there, named Timotheus, the son of a certain woman, which was a
Jewess, and believed; but his father [was] a Greek:" Acts 16:2 "Which
was well reported of by the brethren that were at Lystra and Iconium."
Acts 16:3 "Him would Paul have to go forth with him; and took and
circumcised him because of the Jews which were in those quarters: for
they knew all that his father was a Greek." You can see from this that
Paul was proud of his convert Timothy. Timothy was actually teaching
the very same message Paul had taught him.

     Hebrews 13:24 "Salute all them that have the rule over you, and
all the saints. They of Italy salute you."

     It is more than obvious that Paul wrote this from Rome where he
was imprisoned in his own home. Timothy, being a young Christian, Paul
reminds him that he must submit himself to the authority of the older
leaders. This salutation to the saints here lets us know again that
this is surely Paul's writings.

     Hebrews 13:25 "Grace [be] with you all. Amen."

     This again is typical of Paul. Paul always speaks a blessing on
those he writes to.

     Thank you for taking the time to read this lesson. I believe this
lesson has made me understand a little better Our High Priest Jesus
Christ. I hope that it has done the same for you.


                             Notes







































                             Questions 36

1.  Who are we to obey?
2.  Why should we obey them?
3.  What did Paul list as on of the hardest things for him?
4.  Why do the leaders of the church feel so responsible?
5.  If the shepherd does not warn of sin, what happens to him?
6.  What is the saddest thing for any minister of the Word?
7.  Who should the congregation earnestly pray for?
8.  Quote Philippians chapter 4 verse 8.
9.  Why did Paul want them to pray for him?
10. Why did Paul want to see them?
11. Who was Paul constantly concerned about?
12. Who is God called in Hebrews chapter 13 verse 20?
13. Who is the Lord Jesus called in the same verse?
14. How can we be made perfect?
15. What is the price of our peace?
16. Who is the Author and Finisher of our faith?
17. What does Amen mean?
18. What are we to present our bodies as?
19. How are we to be transformed?
20. What does exhortation mean?
21. Who was Timothy?
22. What nationality was Timothy's father?
23. Why did Paul circumcise Timothy?
24. What makes this so sure that Paul wrote this?
25. What is the salutation Paul sent them?