Considering The End Of Their Conversation

 Temple Baptist Church - 1-27-2021

Hebrews 13:7-8

 

Introduction:

 

A.  I know that I have spent several weeks preaching on these verses but they are so rich concerning the pastor/church relationship and desired biblical result of that relationship. 

 

B.  Tonight, “considering” the desired result or “end of their conversation.”  God has a plan for every child of God and every pastor needs to teach, preach, and lead accordingly.  This is not about the pastor; this is not about the local church; this is about you individually.

 

C.  Let us have a little Bible Study tonight as God says this so much better than I could ever say it.  I have been preaching this verse from left to right, the way that we both read it and see it but, tonight, I will look at the verse from right to left, the way that God sees it.

 

Verse 8.  Hebrews 13:8  Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.

 

The end of the pastor’s conversation is:

 

1.  Jesus Christ.

 

2.  Jesus Christ the same.

 

3.  Jesus Christ the same yesterday.  The Past.

 

4.  Jesus Christ the same to day.  The Present.

 

5.  Jesus Christ the same forever.  The Future.

 

He is in the past, yesterday, looking forward; He is in the present, to day, looking on; He is in the future, for ever, looking back!

 

1.  The Lord’s Predestination.  “Jesus Christ the same”  The Lord sees the end desired from before the beginning; He sees the journey that must be taken; He sees the “clay” in its initial form.

 

Isaiah 46:9-10  Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me,  (10)  Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure:

 

Revelation 22:13  I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.

 

a.  The Lord’s Initial Predestination – Romans 8:29-30  For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.  (30)  Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified. 

 

b.  The Lord’s Final Product - John 17:16-23  They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.  (17)  Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.  (18)  As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world.  (19)  And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth.  (20)  Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word;  (21)  That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.  (22)  And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one:  (23)  I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.  

 

Ephesians 1:3-4  Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:  (4)  According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:

 

2.  The Pastor’s Purpose.  “rule … conversation”  The pastor knows both the initial state and the end desired but leaves the path between the believer and the Lord.  He is the go-between.

 

a.  The Pastor’s Call - Ephesians 4:11-13  And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;  (12)  For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:  (13)  Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:  

 

b.  The Pastor’s Confidence - 1 Corinthians 13:12-13  For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.  (13)  And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.

 

1 Corinthians 15:45-49  And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit.  (46)  Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual.  (47)  The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven.  (48)  As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly.  (49)  And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly.

 

3.  The Believer’s Progression. “Remember … considering”  The believer sees his own lost condition, repents of sin, and places his faith in Christ.  Then embarks on the journey of a life lived in Christ Jesus.

 

2 Corinthians 3:18  But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.

 

a.  The Believer Must Put Off - Ephesians 4:17, 22-24  This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind … (22)  That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;  (23)  And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;  

 

b.  The Believer Must Put On – Ephesians 4:24  And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.

 

Ephesians 4:24  And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.

 

1 John 3:1-3  Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.  (2)  Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.  (3)  And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.