Hebrews 13:20-25 Now may the God of peace, who brought up from the dead our Lord Jesus—the great Shepherd of the sheep—through the blood of the everlasting covenant, equip you with everything good to do his will, working in us what is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen. Brothers and sisters, I urge you to receive this message of exhortation, for I have written to you briefly. Be aware that our brother Timothy has been released. If he comes soon enough, he will be with me when I see you. Greet all your leaders and all the saints. Those who are from Italy send you greetings. Grace be with you all. Big Idea: The God of peace equips His people. Hebrews 13:20a “Now may the God of peace…" Other places in the New Testament where “God of Peace” is used as a benediction: Romans 15:33 May the God of peace be with all of you. Amen. Romans 16:20 The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you. Philippians 4:9 Do what you have learned and received and heard from me, and seen in me, and the God of peace will be with you. 2 Thessalonians 3:16 May the Lord of peace himself give you peace always in every way. The Lord be with all of you. Peace is not a lack of conflict. Peace is the end of enmity. Hebrews 10:19–22 Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have boldness to enter the sanctuary through the blood of Jesus—he has inaugurated for us a new and living way through the curtain (that is, through his flesh)—and since we have a great high priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed in pure water. Hebrews 13:20b "...who brought up from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great Shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the everlasting covenant…" Ezekiel 34:23 I will establish over them one shepherd, my servant David, and he will shepherd them. He will tend them himself and will be their shepherd. And then, two verses later… Ezekiel 34:25 “I will make a covenant of peace with them and eliminate dangerous creatures from the land, so that they may live securely in the wilderness and sleep in the forest.” OT References to an everlasting covenant: Jeremiah 32:40 “I will make an everlasting covenant with them" Ezekiel 37:26 “I will make a covenant of peace with them; it will be an everlasting covenant" Hebrews 9:15 Therefore, he is the mediator of a new covenant, so that those who are called might receive the promise of the eternal inheritance, because a death has taken place for redemption from the transgressions committed under the first covenant. Why was death necessary to bring about the new covenant? Hebrews 9:22 According to the law almost everything is purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness. And so, through this new covenant, that was established through the death of Christ, we can draw close to God… Hebrews 10:19 Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have boldness to enter the sanctuary through the blood of Jesus… And again, we see in Hebrews 12:24 of the new covenant and Christ’s blood: Hebrews 12:24 …and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood… Hebrews 13:21 …equip you with everything good to do his will, working in us what is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen. The Greek word for “equip” is: katartizō — to equip, prepare, restore. NOT teleioō — the “perfect/mature” word that runs through Hebrews. 1 Peter 5:10 The God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, establish, strengthen, and support you after you have suffered a little while. God does not merely command what pleases Him; He produces it. Philippians 1:6 “…he who started a good work in you will carry it on to completion.” Philippians 2:13 "…it is God who is working in you both to will and to work." Hebrews 13:22 “Brothers and sisters, I urge you to receive this message of exhortation, for I have written to you briefly.” paraklēsis - encouragement, comfort, exhortation kaleō - to call, summon, name para - alongside, together The through-line of the warnings in Hebrews is drift. Receiving involves understanding, internalizing, and implementing Hebrews 13:23-25 Be aware that our brother Timothy has been released. If he comes fairly soon, I will see you along with him. Greet all your leaders and all the saints. Those from Italy send you greetings. Grace be with you all." Next Step: I will repent and submit my life to Christ.