Entering the Sabbath Rest (Part Two)
Notes
Transcript
Prayer
Recap: Last week we looked at the first part of Hebrews chapter 4 and we talked about the Sabbath, We talked about how Jesus reset the expectations of Sabbath and taught that the Sabbath was made for man, not the other way around. We also talked about how we are called to practice Sabbath Rest.
A Day set aside for God to
Replenish Your Soul, Enjoy the Day, Seek God and Trust God…
But this passage is more than just a command for us to follow now…it is also a promise for later.
Let’s read Hebrews 4:1-11
1 Therefore, since the promise of entering his rest still stands, let us be careful that none of you be found to have fallen short of it. 2 For we also have had the good news proclaimed to us, just as they did; but the message they heard was of no value to them, because they did not share the faith of those who obeyed. 3 Now we who have believed enter that rest, just as God has said, “So I declared on oath in my anger, ‘They shall never enter my rest.’ ” And yet his works have been finished since the creation of the world. 4 For somewhere he has spoken about the seventh day in these words: “On the seventh day God rested from all his works.” 5 And again in the passage above he says, “They shall never enter my rest.” 6 Therefore since it still remains for some to enter that rest, and since those who formerly had the good news proclaimed to them did not go in because of their disobedience, 7 God again set a certain day, calling it “Today.” This he did when a long time later he spoke through David, as in the passage already quoted: “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts.” 8 For if Joshua had given them rest, God would not have spoken later about another day. 9 There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; 10 for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from their works, just as God did from his. 11 Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will perish by following their example of disobedience.
Today we are going to focus in on verses 6-11 specifically and talk about the promise for later.
6 Therefore since it still remains for some to enter that rest, and since those who formerly had the good news proclaimed to them did not go in because of their disobedience,
Because of their disobedience, Israel was not allowed to enter into the Promised Land. The land that God had promised to them and their ancestors…The land flowing with milk and honey.
It might be tempting for us to believe that the promised land is the rest that the Lord was talking about. I would argue that the Promised Land was a type of rest, but not the fullness of The Rest of God that the author is talking about.
Type/Portion/foreshadow…but not the full picture. If the rest of God could be quartered up like a pie, one slice would be the eternal state of God’s resting from his work/ second would be the practicing of Sabbath rest and enjoying a deep abiding relationship with Jesus/ a third slice would be the rest given to Israel in the Promised Land, and finally there is a slice of pie in the rest of God that is looking towards the future. It’s a promise that God has a rest for us to enter into that is eternal, everlasting.
And the author of Hebrews is arguing to the people he is writing to that it is possible to eat just a slice or two, but disobedience can keep you from enjoying the whole pie.
And we know this to be true…there are other passages in Hebrews that we quote often about faith. In fact in a little while we will get to Hebrews 11 where we encounter the Hall of Faith and in which the author writes that
Hebrews 11:1,6
1 Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.
6 And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.
Faith- Trusting God…and either we exercise or trust in God which pleases him, or we disobey, we like Israel in the wilderness, in unbelief, and hardened hearts are kept from entering into God’s rest for us.
Turning back to Hebrews 4:7
7 God again set a certain day, calling it “Today.” This he did when a long time later he spoke through David, as in the passage already quoted: “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts.”
The author goes on to argue that Because David was King over the promised land some 400 years after Joshua led Isreal into the Promised Land and it was David who proclaimed in Psalm 95 that if Today, you hear his voice…you can enter into the fullness of God’s Rest.
Yes, Joshua led the nation of Israel, after the passing of Moses and the generation with hardened hearts into the promised land. Yes they experienced a piece of God’s rest by enjoying his favor in the land of milk and honey…
But the author goes on to say in verse Hebrews 4:8
8 For if Joshua had given them rest, God would not have spoken later about another day.
Let me lay out the authors point this way…
God said that he has a rest for the people of God in the Promised Land…and then Joshua led the people into the promised land but then, 400 years later, God spoke through King David saying that there is a future rest for the people of God and you can enter into it…as long as you trust God and do not let you hearts get hardedned…
So what is the futuristic aspect to the rest of God that King David was talking about there in Psalm 95 and that the author of Hebrews is aluding to here in Hebrews 4?
9 There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; 10 for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from their works, just as God did from his.
Church…there will be a day when we rest from our labors…like God rested from his on the 7th Day. There will be a day when our work here on earth is done. There will be a day when we are called home and we need to be prepared to enter into that rest. We need to be ready for the afterlife.
The Apostle John in his Revelation writes these words…
13 Then I heard a voice from heaven say, “Write this: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.” “Yes,” says the Spirit, “they will rest from their labor, for their deeds will follow them.”
Blessed are those who die in the Lord…
You are blessed when you die in the Lord.
Paul writes it this way to the church in Philippi…
15 It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill. 16 The latter do so out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. 17 The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains. 18 But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice. Yes, and I will continue to rejoice, 19 for I know that through your prayers and God’s provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance. 20 I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. 21 For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. 22 If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! 23 I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; 24 but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body. 25 Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, 26 so that through my being with you again your boasting in Christ Jesus will abound on account of me.
To live is Christ and to die is gain.
When a believer dies, when a faithful follower of Christ passes through death they receive a blessing from God. While we are here on this earth, we have work to do. But as soon as we breath our last breath…as faithful followers of Christ then we receive a blessing…it is a gain to our souls when we die…because…
In Christ, when you die, then you are present with the Lord
1 For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands. 2 Meanwhile we groan, longing to be clothed instead with our heavenly dwelling, 3 because when we are clothed, we will not be found naked. 4 For while we are in this tent, we groan and are burdened, because we do not wish to be unclothed but to be clothed instead with our heavenly dwelling, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. 5 Now the one who has fashioned us for this very purpose is God, who has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come. 6 Therefore we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord. 7 For we live by faith, not by sight. 8 We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord. 9 So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it.
NKJV…
“So we are always confident, knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord. 7 For we walk by faith, not by sight. 8 We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord.”
There is a beautiful story that I often reflect upon in Scripture and it gives me a great hope...it’s the story of the Theif on the Cross found in Luke 23:32-43
32 Two other men, both criminals, were also led out with him to be executed. 33 When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him there, along with the criminals—one on his right, the other on his left. 34 Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided up his clothes by casting lots. 35 The people stood watching, and the rulers even sneered at him. They said, “He saved others; let him save himself if he is God’s Messiah, the Chosen One.” 36 The soldiers also came up and mocked him. They offered him wine vinegar 37 and said, “If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself.” 38 There was a written notice above him, which read: this is the king of the jews. 39 One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!” 40 But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence? 41 We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.” 42 Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” 43 Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”
Today…you will be with me in paradise…
What a glorious promise brothers and sisters…and how amazing will it be that day when we get to enter into the presence of God and finally rest from all our labors here on the earth.
It is a complete reversal of the curse that came upon humanity at the fall in Genesis 3. At the fall mankind was cursed with a broken relationship with God. Death…separation…no longer walking with God in a full and beautiful relationship. At the fall, manking was cursed with labor…hard work…toil. But in Christ, he reverses the curse. Because of his perfect sacrifice and because of his perfect submission to the will of God the curse is broken and mankind will again have a perfect relationship with God and we will finally rest from our labors. Entering into that eternal rest of God…
Blessed are those who die in the Lord…to die is gain…and here is why…
3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. 4 ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” 5 He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”
10 Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere; I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked. 11 For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor; no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless. 12 Lord Almighty, blessed is the one who trusts in you.
15 As for me, I will be vindicated and will see your face; when I awake, I will be satisfied with seeing your likeness.
So What? Now What?
11 Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will perish by following their example of disobedience.
Both the rest available to us here and now in practicing/obeying the Sabbath as well as being found faithful to remain in Christ so that we will be with him in paradise, sharing His likeness and eternally resting from labor, resting and loving and worshiping our King of Kings and Lord of Lords…
let us make every effort to enter into that Rest…
Yes, to live is Christ…to live is to work for him here on earth…to love him with all our hearts, our souls, our minds and our strength and to love our neighbors as we love ourselves…
to live is Christ but to die is Gain…
Prayer…
