Faith is the Key to Pleasing God Hebrews 4:1-16

Hebrews 4:1-11 (NKJV) 1 Therefore, since a promise remains of entering His rest, let us fear lest any of you seem to have come short of it. 2 For indeed the gospel was preached to us as well as to them; but the word which they heard did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in those who heard it. 3 For we who have believed do enter that rest, as He has said: "So I swore in My wrath, 'They shall not enter My rest,' "although the works were finished from the foundation of the world. 4 For He has spoken in a certain place of the seventh dayin this way: "And God rested on the seventh day from all His works"; 5 and again in this place: "They shall not enter My rest." 6 Since therefore it remains that some must enter it, and those to whom it was first preached did not enter because of disobedience, 7 again He designates a certain day, saying in David, "Today,"after such a long time, as it has been said: "Today, if you will hear His voice, Do not harden your hearts." 8 For if Joshua had given them rest, then He would not afterward have spoken of another day. 9 There remains therefore a rest for the people of God. 10 For he who has entered His rest has himself also ceased from his works as God did from His. 11 Let us therefore be diligent to enter that rest, lest anyone fall according to the same example of disobedience.

I. By faith we enterinto rest

Hebrews 4:12-13 (NKJV) 12 For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. 13 And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must giveaccount.

II. By faith we submitto the Word

Hebrews 4:14-15 (NKJV) 14 Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast ourconfession. 15 For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yetwithout sin.

III. By faith we hold fast to our confession

Hebrews 4:16 (NKJV) 16 Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

IV. By Faith we come boldlybefore the throne

What is the main promise discussed in Hebrews 4:1-11?

What role does faith play in entering God's rest?

What does it mean to hold fast our confession in practical terms?

How does Jesus' role as our High Priest influence our access to God?

How can knowing that God is sympathetic to our weaknesses help us in our struggles?

What does the author mean when stating that the Word of God is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart?

In what ways can we 'come boldly' to God in prayer?