2-SerHeb4
TEXT: Heb 4:1-16 (ESV) TITLE: “Beware of Unbelief”
1 Therefore, while the promise of entering his rest still stands, let us fear lest any of you should seem to have failed to reach it. 2 For good news came to us just as to them, but the message they heard did not benefit them, because they were not united by faith with those who listened. 3 For we who have believed enter that rest, as he has said, “As I swore in my wrath, ‘They shall not enter my rest,’ ” although his works were finished from the foundation of the world. 4 For he has somewhere spoken of the seventh day in this way: “And God rested on the seventh day from all his works.” 5 And again in this passage he said, “They shall not enter my rest.”
6 Since therefore it remains for some to enter it, and those who formerly received the good news failed to enter because of disobedience, 7 again he appoints a certain day, “Today,” saying through David so long afterward, in the words 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 of another day later on. 9 So then, there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God, 10 for whoever has entered God’s rest has also rested from his works as God did from his.
11 Let us therefore strive to enter that rest, so that no one may fall by the same sort of disobedience. 12 For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. 13 And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account.
14 Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. (ESV)
INTRODUCTION: Chaplain’s Conference
Ø Rabbi Zucker – “Jewish View of Atonement”
Ø Christians => Jesus = Redeemer, procurer of forgiveness, sacrifice
Ø Jews => No reconciliation or original sin
§ OT = Sacrifice, NOW = No Temple = Prayer
§ Redeem themselves
§ Atonement = “right relationship w/ God”
§ 3 Steps = Repent, Prayer, Good deeds
§ Intent gains credit, God knows we’re not perfect
§ He will accept the honest intent over deeds
Ø My Response: I came away in absolute grief…
Ø His knowledge is very dangerous
Ø Quoted…John Stott and other solid theologians
Ø Knows the Gospel…does not believe it!
Ø My Realization: Does this not describe our typical communities?
People know Jesus’ story...don’t believe it!
PROPOSITION: Warning: God will not tolerate those who harden their hearts against His word anymore than than those who are ignorant of it.
TRANSITION: This text presents 4 aspects that are crucial to our eternal well being…Fear, Hope, Diligence, and Dependence.
I. YOU ARE TO MAINTAIN AN ATTITUDE OF FEAR (1-5)
A. Command: Be Afraid of God’s Wrath (1)
1. Context: “Therefore” points back to Chap 3
a. Exposition of Psalm 95
1) 1-6 -> Comparison of Jesus & Moses
(Jewish readers)
2) 7-11 -> Appeal to Psalm 95
3) 12-15 -> Application: Don’t turn away
4) 16-19 -> Summary: Unbelief = eternal death
b. Point: Don’t be like them!
1) They were not allowed to enter the
land
2) They disbelieved the promises of God
2. Response: “Let us fear”
a. “Fear” = be afraid (1st in the text)
1) pass => put to flight, become frightened
2) not the sense of awe or reverence
3) but in the sense of watching yourself
b. “while the promise…still stands”
1) GK = “to leave behind, to reserve”
2) which indicates an end to come
c. Promise?....”entering His rest”
1) “rest” = cessation of activity
2) land = picture of heaven
3) end of hostilities, beginning of peace
3. Reason for fear?: Be sure of your position
a. difficult phrase
- “lest” = freq. used as an emphatic form
after verbs of fearing (“NOT”)
- “seem” = to think, hold an opinion
- “failed to reach it” = fail to reach the goal thru one’s own fault
b. Lit = “lest any one of you think he has come too late for it.”
- sometimes we don’t feel like Christians
- sometimes we are caught in sin
- our confidence becomes shaky
c. Pastor would have us examine ourselves
Heb 3:13 But encourage one another day after day, as long as it is still called "Today," lest any one of you be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. (NAS)
2 Pet 1:10 Therefore, brethren, be all the more diligent to make certain about His calling and choosing you; for as long as you practice these things, you will never stumble; 11 for in this way the entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will be abundantly supplied to you. (NAS)
B. Example: Be Warned Concerning His Wrath (2)
1. Undeniable Fact: We have heard the same Gospel
a. we had the gospel preached
b. as did they
c. OT & NT have the same message
2. Unfortunate Result: They didn’t profit from it
a. “benefit” = help, aid, benefit, be of use
b. the good news was heard, but was of no use
c. they weren’t really listening
3. Regrettable Reason: They had no faith
a. “united by” = mix (together), blend, unite
b. they didn’t mix the Word with faith
c. they heard...but did not believe
4. We must be of those who listen to Him and believe
C. Result: Be A Person Of Faith (Parenthetical) (3-5)
1. Fact #1: We have already entered that rest (3a)
a. we are not like them
-”we who have believed”
b. we entered into that rest already
- like the land of Canaan
- not completely, but most certainly
c. the promise still stands
Rest = “...stands for consummation of a work accomplished and the joy and satisfaction attendant upon this.” G. Vos
2. Fact #2: His promise stands, as does His curse(3b)
a. believers and non-believers hear the Word
b. enrollment period is still open
3. Fact #3: Our rest is fashioned after God’s (3c-5)
a. He rested (ceased) from His works of creation
b. He instituted the Sabbath as a pattern
4. Point: We have already entered our rest because He has...we should rejoice in our glorious priviledge
and be sure of our position
D. “Healthy” fear of God’s wrath is appropriate for Xian.
II. YOU ARE TO MAINTAIN AN OUTLOOK OF HOPE (6-10)
A. Unalterable Fact: There Is A Future (6)
1. There is still room
a. “since therefore”...appeals to proof offered
b. some have yet to enter the rest…doors not
closed
2. But not for everyone
a. OT people of God did not enter into the rest
- they had heard the good news
- “failed” = to go into, to not enter
- died in the wilderness
b. downward progression
- they did not believe
- their disbelief turned into disobedience
- they perished
c. same threat stands today
B. Requirement: Faith Is Essential (7,8)
1. The call is urgent (7a)
a. “appoints” = determine, appoint, fix, set
b. refers back to Psalm 95
c. “Today”....right now!
2 Cor 6:1 And working together with Him, we also urge you not to receive the grace of God in vain-- 2 for He says, "At the acceptable time I listened to you, and on the day of salvation I helped you"; behold, now is "the acceptable time," behold, now is "the day of salvation"-- (NAS)
2. The call is consistent and continual (7b)
a. Moses had introduced the Sabbath
b. David referred to Moses’ time (Psa 95)
c. Pastor continues the call
Heb 3:8 Do not harden your hearts as when they provoked Me, As in the day of trial in the wilderness...
3. The rest is only partial (8)
a. The promise has not yet been completed
b. conditional sentence “if......then....”
(Joshua delivered the charge to the people)
c. there remains a fulfillment
C. Conclusion: There Is A Rest Waiting (9,10)
1. Indisputable Fact: The promise continues (9)
a. “So then” or “therefore” points again back to the proof (5X in this text)
b. “Sabbath rest” - final rest (pictured each wk)
c. “people of God” - ones called by His name
2. Glorious Vision: There will be an end (10)
a. works will cease for the people of God
b. toils and heartaches will be over
c. he will rest as God Himself has
3. This awaits the faithful
D. An outlook of hope is essential for the Christian
III. YOU ARE TO MAINTAIN A COMMITMENT TO DILIGENCE (11-13)
A. Command: Be Diligent In Seeking His Rest (11)
1. Entrance demands work
a. “Let us therefore” based on this
reality...the promise…
b. “strive” = be zealous or eager, take
pains, make every effort
c. to enter fully into that rest
d. entrance demands faithfulness
2. Disobedience is fatal
a. “fall” = fall in the relig. or moral sense, be completely ruined
b. their failure stands as a warning
3. Question: How do we remain faithful and diligent?
B. Means: Be Submissive To His Standards (12)
1. Appeal to God’s Word
a. “living” è to be alive...refers to everything that brings life from God
- 1st word in sentence...emphasis...ALIVE!!
- it lives forever
…it is quick; it is very lively and active, in all its efforts, in seizing the conscience of the sinner, in cutting him to the heart, and in comforting him and binding up the wounds of the soul. Hendrickson.
- 2-fold meaning (alive & vibrant) (gives life)
b. “active” = effective, powerful
- english word “energy”
- able to accomplish great things
Matt Henry - When God sets it home by his Spirit, it convinces powerfully, converts powerfully, and comforts powerfully. It is so powerful as to pull down strong holds (2 Co. 10:4, 5), to raise the dead, to make the deaf to hear, the blind to see, the dumb to speak, and the lame to walk. It is powerful to batter down Satan’s kingdom, and to set up the kingdom of Christ upon the ruins thereof.
2. God’s Word is effective...able to distinguish
a. “two-edged sword” è 2 mouths
- unclear and lost image today
- apparently sharpest weapon
b. “piercing” - penetrating
(middle voice - for itself)
c. “joints & marrow” = beyond human ability
d. able to distinguish between the
indistinguishable
3. God’s Word is revealing and decisive
a. “discerning” = able to judge or separate
b. “thoughts” = reflections, musings
c. “intentions” = attitudes, purposes
d. both refer to the hidden resolve of the heart
Jam 1:23 For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks at his natural face in a mirror;24 for once he has looked at himself and gone away, he has immediately forgotten what kind of person he was.25 But one who looks intently at the perfect law, the law of liberty, and abides by it, not having become a forgetful hearer but an effectual doer, this man shall be blessed in what he does.
C. Judge: Be Honest with Your God (13)
1. God knows all His creatures
a. “creature” refers to all living things
b. “hidden” = invisible
c. God knows the entire created realm intimately
2. God knows all your secrets
a. “naked” = stripped, bare
b. “exposed” = everything is open
c. you can’t hid your sins
3. All will have to answer to Him (speaker of that Word)
a. “him to whom we must give account”
b. all are accountable
D. A commitment to diligently seeking His rest thru
obedience is crucial to our well-being
Summary of where we have been.....we should.....
1) ...maintain a healthy fear of God’s wrath (1-5)
2) ...maintain an outlook of hope that we will enter His rest (6-10)
3) ...maintain a diligent effort to enter that rest thru obedience (11-13)
In short.......we should be sure of our standing before Him
Jews…might even agree so far…sort of…fear…hope…diligence???
Burning Question that arises! Do you hear it?
Listen....it’s screaming for attention!
Not in the text....but is raised by the text!
“What happens when I fail?” “Will I become like them?”
Jews…ask the same question…but here is the dividing line!!!
Our pastor offers a 4th aspect for our troubled hearts
(like a chorus on a song....the climax)
IV. YOU ARE TO MAINTAIN AN POSITION OF DEPENDENCE (14-16)
A. 1st Command: Be Confident in His Work (14)
1. Shift in emphasis
a. 1-13 focuses on our responsibility (fear, hope, diligence)
b. 14-16 focuses on our help (Dependence)
c. Answers the burning question
2. You have an advocate
a. “great high priest” - superior
b. “Jesus, the Son of God” - name above all names
3. Your advocate is worthy
a. “passed thru the heavens” - accepted
b. not just thru the veil, but thru the heavens
4. Your advocate can be trusted
a. “hold fast” = hold fast, to grab something
- and hence remain closely united to it
b. “confession” = acknowledgment one makes
- based on what we have heard & believed
- cling on to something we know\confessed
ILLUS: Rock in the sea – Our job = cling to; His job = secure
B. Reason: Be Trusting In His Qualifications (15)
1. He knows your struggles
a. people have a way of not understanding
b. “sympathize”...LIT – to suffer with, have sympathy for
c. he condescends to our level
d. “weakness” = incapacity, limitation
2. He understands you temptations
a. “tempted as we are”...coped with what we fight
b. he understands what we feel
c. He knows where we are
3. He experienced the same, but He is different
a. we are sinners and regularly give in to sin
b. He is sinless and never failed where we fail
c. Point: He is worthy of our trust
C. 2nd Command: Draw Near To His Face (16)
1. You should seek him confidently
a. “Let us then” = “Therefore” based on Christ’s
position & work
b. “draw near” = approaching a deity, seek (middle)
c. “confidence” = courage, boldness, fearlessness
(not arrogantly, but humbly & w/o fear)
d. He understands us and receives us openly
2. You will receive mercy
a. focus is on forgiveness over judgment
b. forgiveness for the past (extended to us)
c. Your Lord is compassionate on you
3. You will find grace
a. focus is on acceptance over rejection
b. grace for the present (ask for)
c. “help”....support to overcome our weaknesses
- “time of need” = well-timed, suitable
d. Your Lord is good and loving to you
QUESTION: Where do you go when you sin? Do you wait or rush in to Him?
4. Your Lord will both hear and respond
D. Being totally dependent on His mercy and grace frees us
to always enjoy His rest....now & forever.
CONCLUSION: What’s my point???
We live in a society of mixed gospels.
- People are picking and choosing their religion
- What hope does Rabbi Zucker have to give to the dying?
- “Try, try, try again???”
- What kind of hope is that?
I am not concerned with the people in this room…
I am concerned for those in your communities who know the truth and turn away from it!
Two Applications:
1) Make sure of you’re not in the “self-salvation” trap
2) Be willing to be used by Christ to turn a sinner back
Man is still trying to earn his own salvation…which cannot be done!
They need to accept the one who did it for them!
Rom 10:9 …if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. (ESV)
This meal before you…Holy Communion…is a blessed sacrament given to encourage your faint heart….and to assure you that your dependence upon His completed work…will escort you into your final rest…to live with Him forever! Amen!