Welcome to Day 2286 of Wisdom-Trek. Thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Hebrews-25 Equipped To Do His Will – Daily Wisdom Putnam Church Message – 10/22/2023 Equipped to do His Will - Hebrews 13:18-25 Today, we conclude our extended series through the book of Hebrews in the New Testament. Last week, we compared the shifting world/ to a collection of changeless truths concerning Jesus Christ and the plan_and_purpose of God. This week is our final message in the study of Hebrews. What we have learned through this 25-week study allows us to be Equipped to do His Will. Let’s read Hebrews 13:18-25. On page 1879 in your Pew Bibles. Benediction and Final Greetings 18 Pray for us. We are sure that we have a clear conscience and desire to live honorably in every way. 19 I particularly urge you to pray so that I may be restored to you soon. 20 Now 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,/ 21 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. 22 Brothers and sisters, I urge you to bear with my word of exhortation, for in fact I have written to you quite briefly. 23 I want you to know that our brother Timothy has been released. If he arrives soon, I will come with him to see you. 24 Greet all your leaders and all the Lord’s people. Those from Italy send you their greetings. 25 Grace be with you all. Throughout the book of Hebrews, the author’s tone has been relatively formal, even detached. At times, the book reads like a theological treatise, other times like a sermon that could be preached to any group of believers in Christ. But in the concluding verses of the book, we catch a glimpse of the author’s personal relationship with his audience. He was no mere thirdhand acquaintance who happened to hear of those struggling Hebrew saints and decided to toss in his two cents’ worth. Though we in the twenty-first century don’t know the identity of the author of Hebrews, the original recipients knew him well. In 13:18–25, the writer shares personal prayer requests, even asking that he would see his beloved addressees again (13:18–19). Then he prays for them that they would be equipped to do Christ’s will (13:20–21). Finally, he encourages them once more to heed the words he has written to them (13:22), before extending a few final comments and greetings (13:23–25). These words show our anonymous author's heartbeat and great love for his audience. 13:18–19 In our often overly individualistic approach to the Christian life, when people ask us for prayer, we might assume something must be wrong with them. In the back of our minds,