We Shall Rest Shortly

Heb. 4:1-11

Introduction

• Let’s read Deut. 5:12-15 and notice an additional argument given by God for the establishment of the sabbath.
• It was not just the practice of God at Creation that forms the basis of the sabbath, but now it is God’s deliverance from Egypt that makes observing the sabbath important.
• To answer the question “Why?” we have to go to the most comprehensive and extensive passage that deals with this subject: Heb. 4.
• Fact: The OT events of significance were lived out to illustrate the NT realities in Christ; God had every intention of bringing Christ into the world and directed history for that event.
• The sabbath was no different - it was given by God to be observed because it served a greater purpose.
• The Pharisees missed the significance of the sabbath because of the deceitfulness of sin; the sabbath to them was to be observed (flesh) instead of enjoyed (spirit).
• Here is the truth that God is trying to convey to all people: The rest that was pictured in the weekly sabbath, partially experienced by the Jews in Canaan and promised to the NT saint is in reality the enjoyment of  complete eradication of the curse of sin and the eternal worship of God through a relationship with Christ!

I. Rest from the Curse

A. What does sin’s curse look like?

1. The bondage of creation to produce unprofitable fruit and wear out (decay).
2. Disharmony in relationships, from relationships between inanimate objects in a system to people making a contract.
3. Inability to think clearly and every ability to conceive of foolishness, disharmony and misconduct.
4. Ultimately sin leads to death and everything that makes death possible (crime, disease, accident).

B. That is slavery! We and our world are bound by the chains of sin to work for the prince and power of the air!

C.  The work of God to provide that sabbath rest from sin’s curse was initiated in the OT and finished by Jesus Christ on the cross. (John 5:17 cp. John 17:4)

1. Part of Christ’s work was to deal with the effects of the curse of sin in mankind and He did it in two ways: 1) Casting out demons (spiritual) & 2) Healing the diseased (physical)
2. His favorite day to do these miracles was on the sabbath; why? Because it was the sabbath that should have pictured for the people a rest from sin’s curse!
3. Illus. - Our elected officials are sometimes accused of “photo ops” and for staging special announcements with symbols; what great symbolism in the ministry of Christ! Here you have the ultimate weapon against sin, the Savior, dealing with the progressive corruption of sin’s curse, disease and possession, on a day that is observed in honor of God’s rest in creation and redemption of Israel!

II. So . . . What Does All This Mean? (Heb. 4:1-11)

A. Examine Yourself (Heb 4:1-2)

1. The writer of Hebrews gives a warning to the Hebrew Christians - it is possible to miss God’s rest!
2. The children of Israel had the same good news preached to them as we have and still all of them but two (Joshua & Caleb) failed to enter the land of rest.
3. Other examples:
   • Adam & Eve (Gen. 3); and
   • NT Jews (Matt. 11:28-30)
4. Our tendency is to want to serve the body of Christ for our salvation or display morality for our salvation or testify for our salvation or cry for our salvation or organize a church ministry for our salvation.
5. Many of the Israelites looked like children of promise, looked like the stock of true Israel, but they died in the desert because of unbelief.
6. The promises of God have no benefit to you or I unless they are coupled with a belief that becomes so real to us that it radically changes the direction of our lives!
7. “It is not the hearing of the gospel by itself that brings final salvation, but its appropriation by faith; and if that faith is genuine faith, it will be a persistent faith.”
   (F. F. Bruce, The Epistle to the Hebrews, NICNT pg. 105)

B. Embrace the Promises (Heb 4:3-10)

1. If you have genuine faith in Christ alone for your eternal life, then you are guaranteed the deepest rest imaginable - soul rest! (Matt. 11:28-30)
2. The Hebrew Christians were beginning to doubt whether they had done the right thing - they had left the ritual of Judaism and had simply trusted Christ for their eternal life.
3. The writer had to reassure them that their faith had eternally secured their soul's rest and there was no losing it in the midst of trial.
4. Application: If you are struggling with sin’s curse and you are looking for relief, rest in the promises of God given in His Word. The reading of God’s Word does you no good if it is not coupled with faith and a willingness to test those promises!
5. Illus. - Many a counselee has told me that they don’t understand why God is not working in their particular situation since they are reading their Bible and praying daily; those two activities will forever give no reward until they are coupled with a faith demonstrated!
6. Illus. - Sitting on a chair is an exercise of faith! (Do you remember the famous EE illustration of faith?)
7. It is not enough to know the symbolism of the furniture in the OT Tabernacle (head knowledge) - we must live our lives in complete confidence that God will fulfill His promises to us, His children!

C. Exhort One Another (Heb 4:11)

1. It was the intention of God to have the 7th day of creation (the day God rested from His creative work) to picture an eternal rest with Himself.
2. God has not stopped working, however; He has been at work since the Fall to bring His creation back to that place of rest by encouraging trust and obedience in those who will embrace the reality of His promises.
3. Our tendency is to be like the Israelites, though, and essentially say in our hearts that we don't want to enter God's promised rest because we like the slavery of Egypt - we like the struggle and striving and misery of sin!
4. The slavery of sin does have a strong appeal for some and they are drawn back into the habitual practice of unrighteous thinking and activity.
5. Like the writer of Hebrews fears, we also fear that there are some of our friends and family who have come short of entering into God's rest. (See Heb 4:1)
6. How do we counteract that tug and pull of sin in our lives and the lives of others around us?
   • We encourage one another day after day!
   • That is what we are doing and have done tonight - this message is going out to you and it’s imploring you to hold fast the truths of Scripture which free you from sin so that you will enter the rest God has provided! (Heb 3:12-14)
   • We have encouraged one another through songs and hymns and spiritual songs (Col 3:16) tonight with a purpose to keep us following hard after God.
   • Beyond that, though, and in light of what we have heard tonight, the wells of compassion inside of our soul ought to burst forth and overflow toward those who are on the verge of walking away from God!
   • Even at the personal risk of misunderstanding and criticism, we ought to humbly and lovingly exhort one another to pursue God with a white-hot intensity (diligently - Heb 4:11)

D.Expect God’s Rest

1. The day of eternal rest is just around the corner for those of us who are believers!
2. That day will be a day of rejoicing because God’s creation will no longer be in bondage, the curse will be over, we will be free as God intended.
3. God will rest again as He did on that 7th day of creation!
4. Yearn for that day and fill your heart with expectation; may it guide you and give you strength in these troublesome days as we struggle against sin!
5. Read Rev. 22:1-5

Conclusion

• Remember the sabbath rest and keep it special in your heart!
• Are you truly trusting the Savior for your salvation?
• Are you truly living a life of faith?