A Better Rest Is Yet To Come

A Better Rest Is Yet To Com

Text: Hebrews 4:1-11

Introduction

Recap:

The book Hebrews provides us a grand list of people who are considered heroes of the faith. While their faith was truly extraordinary, they remained servants of God and not a son.

The writer of Hebrews will be laboring the point that Jesus Christ is exalted as Son over His own house. His glory and the words He spoke are far superior than that of what was associated with each respective servant.

Here is the exciting thing — Jesus being the Son, make all those who believe on Him as Savior, children and heirs of His inheritance!

Romans 8:17 “17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.”

The writer explained, just as the children of Israel was forgiven of the sin of unbelief toward taking Canaan land, they still faced the consequences of a 40 wondering wilderness experience. If they had consequences under Moses, “so much the more” are the consequences for God’s children you walk in doubt and disobedience. They too will forfeit much of the “rest” that is waiting them through the inheritance given to Jesus Christ.

WARRNING…

This world is all about immediate gratification!

Q — What kinds of future things do people sacrifice just to have some immediate gratification? (home, marriage, school, jobs, relationships, etc…)

Remember, exercising faith is not about instant gratification, but rather a movement of our heart and life in light of the future promises we have in Jesus Christ.

NEW LESSON INTRODUCTION

In chapter 4, the writer will further explain the “rest” that was lost by God’s people and that any present or future believer are at risk of losing must of God’s promised “rest” if disobedience is practiced in lue of their trials.

1) The Tragedy Of Doubt

Section 1 — Verses 1-4

Context: “Therefore”…this is based on the authors example of Psalm 95.

The children of Israel did not believer the spies and forfeited entering into God’s rest in Canaan that He had promised to give them as a result of their obedience.

Then, the author says, “let us fear lest any of you seem to come short of it.”

Israel’s failure to enter Canaan was never a direct result of God withholding truth.

Q — What all did the children of Israel witness during the Exodus (starting with Moses and Aaron confronting Pharoah).

(v2) “the gospel” = this should be seen as “good news”

Not the gospel of Jesus Christ in the sense of justification.

But, the good news of future inheritance.

For them, it was all God had in store for them in Canaan.

(v2) “the word they heard did not profit them” WHY??? “not mixed with faith.”

Let now understand the parallel the writer is making:

Even though the land/rest is different, the principle remains the same: doubt and disobey…you will miss out on God’s promised restful inheritance.

Pop quiz — Is this inheritance Heaven or particular future kingdom blessings through Christ?

Q — Is the situation of our disobedience among our trials ever a direct result of God not giving us proper revelation? NO!

So, how do we also forfeit future kingdom blessings?

Here also, “the gospel” (or good news) should be seen as the future kingdom inheritance we can have if we, by faith, obey Christ until the end.

Think about it…the death, burial, and resurrection is not tech the entirety of the “good news” about Jesus Christ that is revealed to us in the Bible.

Q — Tell me what “good news” do we learn about Jesus.

So, the writer is speaking of those believers who continue in faith-filled obedience living out their predestined partnership with Christ while on Earth.

The writer build a contrast to take notice of:

Unlike those in the wilderness who missed out, (v3) “we which have believed do enter into rest.”

“have believed” = (Greek perfect tense) Meaning, past action with continued consequences. In other words, they are still believing in the future kingdom promises that will be given to them in Christ.

TAKE NOTICE…the writer is not speaking about a head knowledge, he is emphasizing a continued endurance.

The writer now further proves that the rest in view is a “new rest” and not of the same as in the Old Testament.

Turn to Psalm 95:11 “11 Unto whom I sware in my wrath That they should not enter into my rest.”

The King James translators use the same Greek language, but express it in a more literal sense instead of a figurative meaning based on the total sense of the group of words in Psalm 95:11.

What is the purpose of the quote?

The consequences in the wilderness “foreshadow” the consequences that would come to those in the first century if they continued down the path of disobedience instead of enduring until the end.

The writer again borrows from another Old Testament passage:

(v3-5) “although the works were finished from the foundation of the world”

Turn to Genesis 2:2 “2 And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made.”

Don’t forget, Genesis is a record of a six literal day creation.

Q — How did each day end?

Q — What is said following the seventh day?

The reason it did not say, “the evening and morning were the seventh day,” is due to God’s rest from creating would not end.

His point is this, since the land “rest” is not available to us today, the “rest” in view must be of a different nature.

It is the kind of rest that is ongoing like that of God’s creative rest.

The “rest” that is found in Christ that will be enjoyed in the future kingdom are promises that never cease and will be enjoyed for eternity.

Again, only those who remain believing in those promises showing their faith through an active obedience.

2) Rest Is Available For The Laborer

SECTION 2 — VERSES 5-12