最後祝福
希伯來書十三章15至25節
15我們應當靠著耶穌，常常以頌讚為祭獻給神，這就是那承認主名之人嘴唇的果子。
16只是不可忘記行善和捐輸的事；因為這樣的祭，是神所喜悅的。
17你們要依從那些引導你們的，且要順服；因他們為你們的靈魂時刻儆醒，好像那將來交賬的人。你們要使他們交的時候有快樂，不至憂愁；若憂愁就與你們無益了。
18請你們為我們禱告，因我們自覺良心無虧，願意凡事按正道而行。
19我更求你們為我禱告，使我快些回到你們那裡去。
20但願賜平安的神，就是那憑永約之血、使群羊的大牧人─我主耶穌從死裡復活的神，
21在各樣善事上成全你們，叫你們遵行他的旨意；又藉著耶穌基督在你們心裡行他所喜悅的事。願榮耀歸給他，直到永永遠遠。阿們！
22弟兄們，我略略寫信給你們，望你們聽我勸勉的話。
23你們該知道，我們的兄弟提摩太已經釋放了；他若快來，我必同他去見你們。
24請你們問引導你們的諸位和眾聖徒安。從義大利來的人也問你們安。
25願恩惠常與你們眾人同在。阿們！
信息分享
他的結束禱告和祝福，可說是新約書信中，其中一篇最偉大的禱文，我們在當中可見到三個寶貴的真理：
神已經為我們成就的事──使耶穌從死裡復活(20節)。
神期望為我們成就的事──在各樣善事上成全你們(21節)。
神期望看見我們成就的事──行祂所喜悅的事(21節)。
上述所描述的神，究竟是怎樣的一位神呢？祂乃是一個賜平安的神。對任何一位基督徒而言，這點實在非常寶貴。每個人的內心都渴望得到一種平和、寧靜、圓滿、和真正永存的安全感。
神既是一位賜平安的神，那麼，當神居住在我的心裡，我的內心便不應再被各種紛亂所困擾。我們為將來憂慮？不必了，因為神掌管明天。我們害怕孤單？不用了，因為神永遠是我們的朋友。因此，當我們有了神，我們的內心便得著平安。
留意作者怎樣稱呼基督。他稱祂是「群羊的大牧人」。誰人像我們的大牧人那樣，對我們的看顧那樣無微不至？誰願意為祂的羊捨命？誰時刻地看顧著我們？那必定是彼得所稱的「大牧人」了。我們要切記，牧人比群羊更清楚知道牠們的需要，他會預先帶領牠們尋找食物、水源和避開危險。
這一切促使我們更深的信靠神。當我們願意信靠神和聽從祂的話語而行，神就可以在我們裡面成就祂的旨意──就是使我們更像祂的兒子，並最終得以進到祂的面前。
領受神的祝福：
願恩惠常與你們眾人同在。阿們。
CLOSING BLESSINGS
Hebrews 13:15-25
15 Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name.
16 But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.
17 Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you.
18 Pray for us; for we are confident that we have a good conscience, in all things desiring to live honorably.
19 But I especially urge you to do this, that I may be restored to you the sooner.
20 Now may the God of peace who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant,
21 make you complete in every good work to do His will, working in you what is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.
22 And I appeal to you, brethren, bear with the word of exhortation, for I have written to you in few words.
23 Know that our brother Timothy has been set free, with whom I shall see you if he comes shortly.
24 Greet all those who rule over you, and all the saints. Those from Italy greet you.
25 Grace be with you all. Amen.
Message
In the book of Hebrews the writer has been appealing to his readers to believe, to accept, to act, to draw near, to go on, to run and to stand. He can say no more. He has made a final application in verses 9-16 and now he must leave them with the Lord and that is what he does.
Here is his final prayer and benediction. It is one of the greatest prayers in any of the epistles. Notice three wonderful statements:
What God has done- raised Jesus from the dead (v. 20).
What God wants to do- make you perfect ... (v. 21).
What God will then see- you will be pleasing in his sight (v. 21).
What kind of a God wants to do all this? The God of Peace. Isn't that a beautiful name? This is one of the greatest names for God and one that means so much to the believer. Every human heart longs for peace. They may call it satisfaction or fulfilment or security but the deep longing in every heart is for a deep abiding peace.
His name tells us that all the things that disturb us should have no place in the heart where God dwells. We are afraid of the future. Why? God knows the future. We are afraid we might lose our friends. But God is the greatest friend of all. Having this God, we can have his peace in our hearts too.
Notice also the name given to Christ. 'That Great Shepherd of the sheep.' Who can care for us like our Shepherd? Who was willing even to give his life for the sheep? Who is constantly watching over us now? Who is coming again? Peter says it is our 'Chief Shepherd'. Remember the shepherd knows the needs of the sheep even before they do.
All of this brings us again to the place of faith. As we trust God and act accordingly, God is able to work out his will in us- that is to make us like his Son and finally to receive us into his presence.
READ THOSE CLOSING WORDS AGAIN:
Greet all your leaders and saints. Grace be with you all. Amen.