Equipped to Follow the Great Shepherd (Heb 13:20-21)

[Is this on point or off topic?] God’s will isn’t something we need to search for and pray to receive. God’s will is something already communicated that we need to seek to understand and pray to walk faithfully in. (I’m not saying we don’t pray for wisdom. )

A prayer for God’s work in us through Jesus to do His will for His glory

God’s work in us to do His will

God WANTS to bless you to do his will

What God wills he provides

Hebrews 13:20–21 ESV

Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.

God’s provision - Our response - Why we should pray like this

GOD’S PROVISION

God initiated peace

Colossians 1:19–20 ESV

For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.

By His power raising Jesus

Ephesians 1:19–20 ESV

and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places,

God sent to us the Great Shepherd

John 10:11 ESV

I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.

Who by His payment established a new covenant

Hebrews 9:15 ESV

Therefore he is the mediator of a new covenant, so that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance, since a death has occurred that redeems them from the transgressions committed under the first covenant.

God equips His people with everything good

2 Peter 1:3 ESV

His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence,

In order to do his will

Hebrews 10:36 ESV

For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised.

God works in us (through Jesus)

Ephesians 2:8–10 ESV

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

To accomplish what pleases Him

Philippians 2:13 ESV

for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.

God receives all the glory

- Now may God do this for His glory.

1 Timothy 1:17 ESV

To the King of the ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.

WOAH, that sounds so amazing to be equipped by God to follow Jesus like that! - But that begs a big fat question. What’s our part? - Or how should this prayer impact us?

OUR RESPONSE

Faith is our response to God’s initiative

By faith we repent of the sin that has us positioned as God’s enemies

Colossians 1:21–23a ESV

And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him, if indeed you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard, which has been proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, became a minister.

By faith we admit that we are lost and powerless

Isaiah 53:6 ESV

All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.

Romans 5:6 ESV

For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly.

John 15:5 ESV

I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.

By faith we receive Jesus as Lord to follow Him

As the answer to our need

John 1:12 ESV

But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God,

John 10:27–28 ESV

My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand.

By faith we stand assured in the new covenant in Christ

Romans 5:1–2 ESV

Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

Hebrews 7:25 ESV

Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.

Hebrews 10:35 ESV

Therefore do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward.

By faith we trust & submit to our Lord’s training and discipline

Hebrews 12:6–7 ESV

For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.” It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline?

Hebrews 12:10 ESV

For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness.

By faith we prioritize His plans above our own

Hebrews 12:1–2 ESV

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

By faith we stay close to Jesus to allow him to work in us and through us

Hebrews 4:14–16 ESV

Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

By faith we strive to please Him by making him known

Colossians 1:28–29 ESV

Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ. For this I toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me.

By faith we grow in understanding that his greatest glory is our highest good

2 Corinthians 3:18 ESV

And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.

[Conclusion]

WHY WE SHOULD PRAY THIS WAY

We need intervention and transformation

Are you reticent or ready to receive help?

Hebrews 11:6 ESV

And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.

Have you been brought from death to life?

John 3:18 ESV

Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.

John 5:24 ESV

Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.

We need ongoing training and power for endurance in the Christian life

Are you embracing the growth process as a child of God? - Right thinking for right living

Hebrews 13:20–21 ESV

God gives the growth, but will we…

-Will we pray like this for our hearts to be pleasing to God?

-Will we nurture our souls with God’s truth every day?

-Will we water the souls of those around us with comfort from God’s love and proclaim Jesus in grace and truth?

-Will we fight for one another for joy in God by together pruning and pulling weeds in our lives?

Our task is to stay focused on our need and God’s provision, staying focused on allowing him to make us part of His plan to make for Himself a people for the praise of His name.

[Corporate Song]

One important help for us to that end (staying focused on our need and God’s provision) is regular participation in the ordinance of the Lord’s Table.