Introduction:

1. The writer now closes this great letter with a sweeping round of commandments, admonitions, appeals, well-wishes and greetings.

2. Imitating Christ’s unchanging nature is the core of it all (Hebrews 13:8-9, 15-16).

Discussion:

I. Loving As He Loves (13:1-6, 18-19)

A. Here we see many layers of love.

B. The confession we hold demands we:

1. Love the brethren (vv. 1, 18-19; 1 Peter 2:17; 1 John 3:15-18; 4:7-12)

2. Show hospitality to the stranger (vs. 2; 1 Timothy 3:2; 1 Peter 4:9)

3. Tend to the suffering (vs. 3; Matthew 25:31-46; Luke 10:25-37; Deuteronomy 24:17-21)

4. Honor marriage (vs. 4; Matthew 19:3-12)

5. Love God over material (vv. 5-7; Matthew 6:19-24; 1 Timothy 6:6-10)

II. Anchoring Down in Christ (13:7-17)

A. Such a life demands firm anchoring.

B. Again, the Lord supplies it all for us through:

1. Faithful leaders (vv. 7, 17; Acts 20:28-32; 1 Timothy 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-9; 1 Peter 5:1-4).

2. Assurance of His unchanging nature (vs. 8; Numbers 23:19; James 1:17)

3. Pure, unadulterated teaching (vs. 9; Ephesians 4:11-16; 2 Peter 1:16-21)

4. Remembrance of His perfect sacrifice and its attendant promises (vv. 10-14; John 14:1ff; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18)

5. A life of gratitude lived out in praise and service (vv. 15-16; Romans 12:1-2).

III. Trusting the God of Peace (13:20-25)

A. It is folly to think we can complete the race set before us by our own might.

B. Though we must do our part, success depends on the God of peace Who:

1. Raised the Lord to defeat death and the devil (cf. 2:14-15; 1 Corinthians 15:20-25; Genesis 3:15; Romans 16:20).

2. Gave us our Great Shepherd to guard us (cf. John 10:14-15; 1 Peter 2:25; 5:1-4).

3. Providing permanent stability by the blood of the eternal covenant (10:29; Isaiah 54:10; Jeremiah 32:40; Zechariah 9:11).

4. Equipping the faithful to do His will (cf. Philippians 2:13; 1 Corinthians 15:10; 1 Peter 5:10).

5. Largely by a word of exhortation (vs. 22; 1 Thessalonians 2:13; 2 Timothy 3:15-17).

6. Never leaving us to face the challenges alone (vv. 23-25; 3:13; 10:24-25).

1. So much more can be gleaned from this great inspired letter.

2. The overarching takeaway is simply that, through Jesus, God has supplied all we need to live faithfully and inherit the eternal kingdom.

3. Therefore, we must hold fast our confession until the end!