11/13/2024 - Warning Two (Pt. II): Don't Miss God's Rest

Hebrews 4:1-13

Last Monday morning I drove up to Mikado, to the McGuire Farm for a week of studying and prayer.

I was all prepared with food to cook, for when I wasn’t fasting, clothes to wear, books to read and everything I needed to get my planning done.

I got to the farm, and parked…got out of the car, and reached into my pocket for the key to the farm door, only to realize I had forgotten to grab the key at home.

I had driven two and half hours and couldn’t get inside.

I called Michelle to tell her what I did, and she had the idea to call Teresa and ask if maybe someone closer had a another key.

She told us where we could get a key to get in.

I felt tired, and ridiculous!

The rest and study time I was longing for was just out of my reach.

I nearly blew it!

The author of Hebrews speaks to us about a kind of rest far greater than physical rest—a rest promised by God Himself, a place of peace, security, and eternal satisfaction in Him.

It’s a rest that has been offered since the beginning of time, available to everyone who approaches God with faith.

But Hebrews warns us: just like the Israelites, many might come short of this rest—not because the promise is flawed or insufficient, but because they fail to respond in faith.

Today, we’ll see how God’s promise of rest is as real and available to us as it was to the Israelites.

And we’ll look at how we, too, can miss out on it if we fail to hear, believe, and trust in what God has offered.

Hebrews 4 is a wake-up call to those who think they can coast through life without addressing the state of their heart before God.

God’s promise of rest stands open, but the door won’t stay open forever.

So, this is a warning—a loving, earnest call to not miss what God is so willing to give.

The question before us today is: Will we receive it?

The chapter begins with:

I. The Warning Was Provided

1 Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it.

The author of Hebrews reminds us of a precious promise that we have from God, one that some have failed to receive it due to their own unbelief.

If you will remember a couple of weeks ago, we looked at chapter 3, and saw how the author used the Israelites that refused to trust and obey God’s leading to enter the promised land, had to wander the wilderness rather than enter God’s rest.

However, this warning is not only for the Israelites who failed to enter the Promised Land but also for us today.

There are many who interpret this verse as to warning against losing your salvation.

However, I believe it is written to those Jews who had heard the gospel, and even had an outward acceptance of the gospel, but did not truly believe.

So they were in danger of going back to the ritual Judaism.

I believe this interpretation fits the rest of Scripture the best.

So, the author warns them, of what they may miss out on.

We see first that...

A. The Promise Was Given

The people of God have had the promise all the way back to the Garden of Eden.

God rested on the seventh day in Genesis 2.

He established a pattern for us to follow, and gave them the perfect environment to live that rest, in the garden.

The promise was given again in the Promised Land.

If they would just obey, and follow God’s leading, they would have rest.

Conflict and turmoil only comes when we are not following God.

Storms come, whether we are following God or not, but we will not be bothered or beaten by the storms.

Rest was personified when Christ came and offered His yoke and to bear our burden.

The promise of rest has been offered many times.

But we see in the case of the Israelites, as well as many today:

B. They Came Short

“…any of you should seem to come short of it.”

Unbelief prevented the Israelites from experiencing rest.

The same risk applies to us—faith, not works, secures our place in God’s rest.

We can even get a foretaste of what that rest is like, if we follow the leading of the Holy Spirit in our lives as Christians.

Far too many Christians are beat down and discouraged, because they are ignoring what they know is right.

They don’t have the rest…because they resist!

By faith — we believe and are saved

By faith — we enter into God’s Rest

By faith — we follow God’s leading into rest now.

“Fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it.”

II. The Truth Was Proclaimed

2 For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it.

The Gospel—the good news— was proclaimed both to the Israelites and to us.

But the message only benefits those who receive it with faith.

If you are told that you have a disease that will kill you in 10 days, and you are given the medicine to cure it…it will do not good to hold the medicine in your hand…you must accept it inside of you…you must ingest it.

Knowing the cure isn’t enough; you must trust it enough to apply it.

But we see it is the same faith that saved...

A. Both Then and Now

“... For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them...”

The gospel of rest was presented to the Israelites and is presented to us today.

Faith is the only difference between those who receive the benefits of the promise and those who do not.

Romans 10:16–17 KJV

16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report? 17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

The promise remains the same, but it must be accepted by faith.

B. No Good Without Faith

The proclamation of the truth does no good if it is not received by faith.

Faith is the means by which we enter into rest.

Without it, the promise becomes void.

If I go into the store when they have a great sale on something but find they are all out of the product, I can sometimes go to Customer Service and get a rain check.

For those who are young, and aren’t used to that…it’s a little slip of paper that acts like a coupon for a future purchase that gives you the same price as the sale price.

I have gotten rain checks before, but never cashed them.

The rain check was a promise that I could get that product for the sale price, but it became void, because I never cashed them in.

Some are afraid that the promise made by God is too good to be true, but as D.L. Moody once said, “God never made a promise that was too good to be true.”

Faith is our hand to grasp His promise.

III. The Rest for Believers Promised

Hebrews teaches that God’s rest was designed from the beginning, but there is a time limit on when this rest can be entered.

Hebrews 4:3-13.

So first we see this promise was given to believers...

A. From the Beginning

3 For we which have believed do enter into rest, as he said, As I have sworn in my wrath, if they shall enter into my rest: although the works were finished from the foundation of the world.

4 For he spake in a certain place of the seventh day on this wise, And God did rest the seventh day from all his works.

5 And in this place again, If they shall enter into my rest.

God’s rest has been available since creation.

Adam and Eve did not have to work for righteousness… they were innately righteous, before the fall.

The rest of the Promised Land was not offered based on their works…just faith and obedience.

The rest offered to us is not based upon our good works, just our willingness to yield to the Holy Spirit and obey.

We may still do good works, but it is not laborious when we are yielded to God, and sharing His yoke.

Are you going to enter into that rest with Him?

Secondly notice,

B. There Is a Time Limit

6 Seeing therefore it remaineth that some must enter therein, and they to whom it was first preached entered not in because of unbelief:

7 Again, he limiteth a certain day, saying in David, To day, after so long a time; as it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts.

8 For if Jesus had given them rest, then would he not afterward have spoken of another day.

Here the author reminds and warns us that the opportunity to enter God’s rest will not last indefinitely.

This urgency speaks to the fleeting nature of life and the ever-present danger of missing out.

If you do not know that your home is in heaven, and that Jesus Christ is your Savior—today is the day of salvation!

Life is short, and you just never know when your life will end.

Psalm 95:7–8 KJV

7 For he is our God; And we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand. To day if ye will hear his voice, 8 Harden not your heart, as in the provocation, And as in the day of temptation in the wilderness:

The Psalmist reminds us that today is our moment to respond to God’s Call.

The same is true for us, why spend this life without the rest that God offers us?

Why live grueling your way through your service for Him?

Walk with Him, depend upon Him, Let Him work with you.

Thirdly we see that ...

C. It Is a Rest from Works

Not that we will do no works, but the burden that works salvation, or works sanctification causes us to carry.

We can rest from that burden!

9 There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God.

10 For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his.

11 Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.

Believers enter into God’s rest by ceasing from their own works to get His favor.

Then you can rest in the completed work of Christ.

Someone once said, “When Jesu said, ‘It is finished,’ He meant that no more striving, no more sacrifice, no more works were needed.”

Can somebody say amen?

And yet faith will spur us to serve Christ, in His power and through His Holy Spirit.

James 2:17 KJV

17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.

Fourthly we see that you can’t fake it!

D. There Is No Pretending

12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

13 Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.

God’s Word is described as sharper than a two-edged sword.

It discerns the thoughts and intentions of the heart, revealing whether our faith is genuine or not.

When the Bible describes God’s Word as "sharper than any two-edged sword" (Hebrews 4:12), it’s using a vivid image to highlight the power and precision of God’s Word in discerning and judging the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

A "two-edged sword" in the ancient world was likely a short, double-edged dagger or sword known as a machaira in Greek, a weapon used by Roman soldiers that could cut in both directions with extreme precision and effectiveness.

There are a few key points about this illustration:

1. It Is Precise and Powerful in Judgement

The machaira was known for its sharpness and accuracy.

With two edges, it could penetrate deeply and be wielded with precision.

Hebrews uses this metaphor to illustrate how God’s Word penetrates to the very core of a person’s being—dividing "soul and spirit, joints and marrow," showing its capacity to reveal and judge the deepest parts of us that are often hidden from others.

2. It Is a Symbol of Authority and Justice

In ancient times, the double-edged sword also symbolized authority and the execution of justice.

Judges and rulers would sometimes carry such a sword to symbolize their power to make final decisions and judgments.

By comparing God’s Word to this sword, Hebrews conveys the idea that God’s Word has supreme authority to discern, convict, and instruct.

3. It Is Able to Cut Away the Unnecessary

A two-edged sword could separate and slice with exceptional precision, making it a fitting symbol for how God’s Word cuts away what is false, harmful, or unnecessary in our lives.

Like a surgeon’s scalpel, it removes what is spiritually unhealthy or sinful, convicting us and refining our character.

4. It Has Great Defensive and Offensive Capability

The machaira was used both offensively and defensively in battle, which speaks to the same dual role of God’s Word.

Scripture equips us to stand firm against spiritual attacks...

Ephesians 6:17 KJV

17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:

This Sword of the Spirit enables us to grow, making us more like Christ as it reveals areas in need of change or strength.

These verses here in Hebrews emphasizes that nothing can be hidden from God.

His Word is living and active, not just ink on a page, but a force that penetrates to reveal, convict, and purify our innermost being.

Conclusion

As we come to the close of this message, I want to leave you with a reminder of the incredible opportunity God has placed before us.

the chance to enter into His rest, a rest that is not only eternal but also deeply satisfying in the here and now.

Yet, like the Israelites, like so many before us, we may miss it if we do not respond in faith.

I can’t help but think of the famous story of The Titanic, one of the largest, most luxurious ships ever built.

When it set sail in April 1912, its maiden voyage was meant to be a symbol of human achievement—unsinkable, unbeatable.

But there was one crucial flaw—there were not enough lifeboats to save everyone in case of an emergency.

On the night of the ship's tragic sinking, many passengers refused to believe the ship was in danger, dismissing the warnings.

As a result, they delayed getting into the lifeboats.

The lifeboats that were available were filled only half full in some cases, and those who hesitated or hesitated too long missed the chance to escape.

Tragically, 1,500 souls perished because they didn’t respond in time.

Just as the passengers of the Titanic failed to recognize the urgency of their situation and missed the opportunity to be saved, there are many today who miss the offer of God’s rest.

The lifeboat of salvation is there, waiting for all who will believe and enter in.

But like those passengers, we cannot afford to delay.

The rest is available to us now, but God’s Word reminds us that “today” is the day to respond to His call.

The door of opportunity won’t remain open forever.

Remember the words of the psalmist, echoed here in Hebrews 4:7: “To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts.”

Will you enter into His rest today?

Will you seize the opportunity to stop striving, to stop trying to earn favor by works, and simply trust in His completed work on the cross?

Don’t come short of His promise.

Don’t stand on the outside looking in, thinking you’ll have another chance tomorrow.

The promise is available to you now—grasp it by faith, and enter into the rest that God has been offering since the beginning.