Honoring God

We have covered an incredible amount of theological territory and practical application in the book of Hebrews. As we get closer to the end of this sermon that was sent to the troubled, persecuted, and confused Jewish individuals, we are once again brought back to some basics on how a believer ought to conduct themselves in relation to God.

In light of all that Jesus has done for us, we would do well to intentionally honor Him in all areas of our lives.

Sanctification of People - 13.10-14

We cannot afford to get too comfortable in this world. This world is not our final destination. Oh, yes, we should enjoy all the gifts of which our Lord blesses us. But we have to remember that we are only pilgrims, who have been granted some amazing privileges which are reserved only for those who are saved.

Hebrews 13:10–14 (NASB95)

We have an altar from which those who serve the tabernacle have no right to eat. For the bodies of those animals whose blood is brought into the holy place by the high priest as an offering for sin, are burned outside the camp. Therefore Jesus also, that He might sanctify the people through His own blood, suffered outside the gate. So, let us go out to Him outside the camp, bearing His reproach. For here we do not have a lasting city, but we are seeking the city which is to come.

There are many varied ideas about these verses, many of which have some contradictory issues that cause me to lay them aside. However, I believe that if we remember as to whom this book is written, Jews who are undergoing persecution for believing or considering following Christ for salvation, then it’s a bit easier to understand these verses.

The comparison for the Christian would be that as we consider that the Old Testament priest was not supposed to be connected to the sins of the people, as he would go through his purification process, so the Christian cannot be part of the world’s system which is steeped in sin. Even the symbolism connected to the reality of Christ being crucified outside the city gates, there was significance in that this followed Old Testament protocol. Very simply, we should not be living in sin or participating in sin, but rather separated or sanctified.

We all have experienced at one point the mocking and rejection by those who want nothing to do with Christ or His people. During those times, we ought to have the same perspective that Moses had according to Hebrews 11.26 “considering the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt; for he was looking to the reward.”

What other evidence is there in the New Testament that God’s people ought to be sanctified or separate from the world? 2 Corinthians 6.14-15 “Do not be bound together with unbelievers; for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness? Or what harmony has Christ with Belial, or what has a believer in common with an unbeliever?” We see this again in 2 Timothy 2.4 “No soldier in active service entangles himself in the affairs of everyday life, so that he may please the one who enlisted him as a soldier.”

The readers of this book would have also understood that this meant leaving behind Judaism and those things associated with it. The New Covenant completely replaced the Old Covenant the moment that Jesus Christ died on the cross. So we present Jesus, crucified and resurrected; not a list of rules and regulations. We present Jesus as Lord and Savior of our lives, not a Bible-coated worldly life.

In this way, we can intentionally honor God as we show intentionally separate ourselves from the world and its sinful mindset.

Sacrifices of Praise and Practice - 13.15-16

A fair question at this point might be to ask if sacrifices are even needed any longer? It’s been made quite clear that animal sacrifices are no longer needed to cover sin, since Jesus’ sacrifice was once and for all to remove sin. There is no need to even sacrifice in a manner of giving something up to appease God or to earn favor. However, in the following verses, we are told that sacrifices in praise and practice are to be a natural outflowing of honoring Christ.

Hebrews 13:15–16 (NASB95)

Through Him then, let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that give thanks to His name. And do not neglect doing good and sharing, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.

So, you see, there is nothing here about rituals or ceremonies or festivals. Animals and grains are no longer part of the requirements. Instead, Jesus took care of the ultimate sacrifice and as a result, we offer sacrifices of praise and worship, through Him.

What exactly is meant by the believer offering a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that give thanks to His name? Interestingly, we see this in a huge number of the Psalms. In fact, one writer has described the theme of Psalms as being that of praise. We also see that this praise from our lips is to be continually. We are not to be just good times only, praise givers. It’s to be all of the time; good times and bad times. We are encouraged in this even in 1 Thessalonians 5.18 “in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

But it’s not just what we say, but what we do that brings praise to God. It has been said that true worship involves actions, as well. What we say with our lips ought to be observed by our lives. What does that look like? Doing good and sharing. That sounds an awful lot like 1 John 3.18 “Little children, let us not love with word or with tongue, but in deed and truth.”

Not only can we honor God by separating ourselves from evil and truly being a unique, called-out, sanctified people, we can honor God by our proclaiming His praise and practicing good to others.

Surrender to Pastors - 13.17

Another area of honoring God, should be seen in how believers respond to leadership in the church. The author is not suggesting that a pastor be a dictator. However, there are some individuals in churches that have no respect for the pastor and see him as only being their servant and a hired man, rather than a called man. There is an underlying assumption in this verse that the pastor, or under-shepherd, is being faithful to the Lord.

Hebrews 13:17 (NASB95)

Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they keep watch over your souls as those who will give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with grief, for this would be unprofitable for you.

The leaders of a local church are called elders or bishops. Throughout the directives in the New Testament, it was clearly understood that there were to be elders appointed in every congregation. Their responsibility was to feed the believers in the church and to lead them.

Our church no longer practices congregational rule, because our desire is to be much more like the guidelines given the church in the New Testament. There is not any suggestion or example in the Bible of the congregation leading the elders/pastor. However, it is completely inappropriate for the leadership to be authoritarian, or like a dictatorship. The leadership is to lead the church under God’s authority. Peter gives clear guidance on this in 1 Peter 5.2-3 “shepherd the flock of God among you, exercising oversight not under compulsion, but voluntarily, according to the will of God; and not for sordid gain, but with eagerness; nor yet as lording it over those allotted to your charge, but proving to be examples to the flock.”

There are also guidelines given for the church family in honoring the Lord. That is to submit in love and humility to those placed in leadership over Christ’s church, and for all practical purposes, this refers to local congregations. Paul gives very practical guidelines in 1 Thessalonians 5.12-13 “But we request of you, brethren, that you appreciate those who diligently labor among you, and have charge over you in the Lord and give you instruction, and that you esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Live in peace with one another.”

Why is this important? . . . for they keep watch over your souls, as though who will give an account. My friends, let me share one of my many favorite verses in the Bible, one which I hold onto regarding my own children, but also, those under my care in the church. It is found in 3 John 4 “I have no greater joy than this, to hear of my children walking in the truth.” I have to admit that one of my greatest sorrows is when people are not listening to God’s Word and are focused on themselves and/or petty issues, rather than growing in Christ with their focus upon Him and what He desires they be doing.

The last part of this verse has been an encouragement and quite humbling and sometimes embarrassing for me to notice. Let them do this with joy and not with grief, for this would be unprofitable for you. Church, I have to tell you that the majority of the time, as I seek to lead you for the Lord Jesus Christ, I find myself filled with joy. I do admit that there are moments when I go through grief, which in the Greek, means an inner, unexpressed groaning. This happens when the focus of people turns to a selfishness or a desire to do whatever they want to do regardless of what the Word of God says. Yet, I realize that I am not alone, now or throughout history. We see it with Jeremiah, Jesus, Paul, and others. Those people who are constantly casting a dark shadow, often do so because they are not living in the light as they should. This becomes unprofitable for that individual and will affect the church in a negative way, as well.

Another verse which I often hold onto is what happens when those under my responsibility are doing life biblically. That is found in Philippians 1.3-4 “I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always offering prayer with joy in my every prayer for you all . . .”

I appreciate a quote I read some time back, possibly on a card or as part of an article. You will never find a truly happy pastor apart from a happy congregation, or a happy congregation apart from a happy pastor. This is one more area in which we can intentionally honor Christ in our lives.

Seeking Prayer - 13.18-19

The last area to look at is to pray for those in leadership. I am so appreciative of all who lift me and my family in prayer to the Lord so that we might serve Him well, as we lead you in a growing, deepening relationship with Christ.

Hebrews 13:18–19 (NASB95)

Pray for us, for we are sure that we have a good conscience, desiring to conduct ourselves honorably in all things. And I urge you all the more to do this, so that I may be restored to you the sooner.

When God’s people pray for their pastor/elders, that pleases the Lord. Here, we can assume that the author was most likely leading these Hebrews, as their under-shepherd. There was a personal relationship. He was not a super saint. He was simply called by God to lead these people. He most likely could identify with many of them as to the struggles which they had.

We ought to recognize that Satan wants to bring down pastors/leaders of local churches. If he can do that, he can drag others within the congregation down, as well. If Paul could say to the Ephesians in Ephesians 6.19, “and pray on my behalf, that utterance may be given to me in the opening of my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel,” how much more do we, who are not apostles and men of faith like Paul need this prayer. We, too, seek it earnestly.

The reasoning for this request was that he may be restored to [them] sooner. Evidently, he was elsewhere, seeking that how he lived his life would be honorable in every area.

A church family honors the Lord greatly when they lift up the church leadership in prayer.

Conclusion

We must remember that separation or sanctification from the world and its values does not suggest that we isolate ourselves from those who are unsaved. Thinking that we’re above those who are unsaved is actually behaving as those in the world. We must be available to them and be in contact with them so we can share the gospel of the grace of Jesus Christ. This is honoring to the Lord.

Sharing with others how great our Lord is gets the attention of others. Doing good to benefit and bless others definitely causes people to wonder what our who motivates us to do that. As we offer a sacrifice of praise with our lips and do good with our lives, this is honoring to the Lord.

Behaving as a biblical family and not like a sit-com family, sets the Christian apart from the world. The majority of people in the world want that in their lives. As we submit to the leadership of the local church as we strive to present God’s Word and shepherd the flock, this is honoring to the Lord.

The world sets up ways to tear down those in leadership. It’s almost as if there are traps being set to cause leaders to fail. In the church, there should be a desire that leaders succeed under Christ’s direction, for that can only help the church family to become more like Jesus. As we pray for those in leadership and ask the Lord to strengthen and enable them to lives worthy of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, this is honoring to the Lord.

In light of all that Jesus has done for us, we would do well to intentionally honor Him in all areas of our lives.

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