And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.

Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who must give an account. Obey them so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no advantage to you.

Pray for us. We are sure that we have a clear conscience and desire to live honorably in every way.

I particularly urge you to pray so that I may be restored to you soon.

May the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep,

equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Brothers, I urge you to bear with my word of exhortation, for I have written you only a short letter.

I want you to know that our brother Timothy has been released. If he arrives soon, I will come with him to see you.

Greet all your leaders and all God's people. Those from Italy send you their greetings.

Grace be with you all.

Complete Worship (13:16-19)
A few years ago, Louis Giglio, leader of the Passion movement, preached on this passage, and in particular on the importance of the connection between verses 15 and 16. In verse 15, we read that everything is done “through Christ,” not through ourselves. He is the door which allows us access into the grace that enables us to live worshipful lives. Then verse 15 tells us that we ought to worship God through the “sacrifice of praise” and the “fruit of our lips,” that is, praise offered in the form of prayer, preaching, evangelism, and singing. However, verse 16 begins with the word “and,” which is a strong connective conjunction and should not be divorced from what precedes it. In order for our worship to be complete, we must also remember “to do good and to share with others.” Only then will God be pleased because praise without good works amounts to mere lip service.

Simple Yet Difficult (13:20-25)
A few days ago we looked at a few tensions in the Bible that Christians must live with. Another tension is found here in this passage, and that is the tension between the simplicity and impossibility of Christian living. On one hand, Christianity is simple, especially compared to other religions like Judaism, Hinduism, and Buddhism. The Gospel is easy enough for a child to understand, and instead of having to obey thousands of commandments, we only have to obey a few. The author of this letter even tells his readers to do everything he has written them because, after all, he did not write much (v. 22). But even though Christianity is simple, it is difficult. There is so much opposition working against believers because Satan wages war against the church. That is why verses 20 to 21 remind us that it is God who works in us and equips us to succeed.

- One way we can do good to others is mentioned in verses 17-18. We should pray for and support our leaders at work, at school, in the church, and in government, so that everyone benefits from their leadership.

- We cannot hope to live the life God wants us to live if we rely on our own strength. Ask God to give you His strength today and to equip you for the tasks He has prepared for you to do.