KNOWING THE KING
Sermon • Submitted
0 ratings
· 12 viewsNotes
Transcript
INTRODUCTION
INTRODUCTION
MY MOM ONCE TOLD ME
“DIME CON QUIEN ANDAS, Y TE DIRE QUIEN ERES”
“TELL ME WHO YOU ARE ROLLING WITH, AND I’LL TELL YOU WHO YOU ARE”
She was right.
Hearing that truth over and over . . . Molded who I would one day be
It didn’t effect me then because I did what was right in my own eyes.
I decided to learn the hard way.
I decided to not honor my parents.
I decided, that I knew better.
I wasn’t a Christian, so there wasn’t really any other way for me.
When it came to defining myself and my worth, it was more about who I was with, instead of who I was.
As I was bartending, a cute waitress invited me to Church.
That day, a King invited me into His Kingdom.
But I was a little confused, because I was a little high.
After 3 Weeks of hearing 3 different types of invitations, I knew I had to make a decision.
I knew I was at a crossroads.
I knew what God was calling me into was something that was not normal.
But first, I needed to make a decision.
Do I continue to define my own destiny, or is there something better?
TURN IN YOUR BIBLES TO
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 day in 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. 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 give account.
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 our confession. 15 For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. 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.
PRAY
Hebrews 4:1-
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 day in 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.
HERE IN HEBREWS THE AUTHOR IS SPEAKING TO ENTERING INTO A TIME OF REST IN THE PROMISE LAND
THE BIBLE PROMISES US MANY THINGS
BUT THESE PROMISES HAVE A CAVEAT . . . OR A SWITCH THAT ACTIVATES THEM
DO YOU KNOW WHAT THAT IS?
20 For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us.
2 COR 1:20
HERE IN HEBREWS THE AUTHOR IS SPEAKING TO ENTERING INTO A TIME OF REST IN THE PROMISE LAND
NOW WHAT IS THE CAVEAT?
If God’s promises are yes and Amen in Christ Jesus
Then this time of rest is also found in Christ Jesus
Notice how the author calls for a heart check
He says
This Promise, is soon coming
So don’t think that you can just slack off
Don’t think that you can just sin your little heart out while awaiting this great working of God.
He says
Let us fear lest any of us fall short of this promise and don’t finish the race.
Let us fear God, with a Holy Fear, a Good fear,
Lest we allow the weight of sin or unbelief to slow us down as we approach the finish line.
THE AUTHOR THEN REMINDS THE HEBREW AUDIENCE THAT THERE WAS TWO GROUPS OF PEOPLE IN THE STORY THAT HE IS DESCRIBING
US AND THEM
HE SAYS:
The Good News, the Gospel, the Promises of God were preached to US as well as to THEM
What makes it an Us & Them issue is this:
The Word that was preached
The Good News of the Promises of God
Was of no profit to THEM.
How can the author say this with confidence?
He goes on to say:
The Gospel that they heard was not accepted in Faith
It was mere words that lead to a Passive Faith
A Faith that says
I’m going to the promise land
God’s gonna do whatever he wants
I’ll just kick it and go with the flow
I don’t need to work for it
I don’t need to participate
I don’t need to trust or have faith
Heck, I don’t even need to go to church.
For “THEM”, the promise was made of no effect because of their lack of faith
In the wilderness
A whole generation of Passive Jews, died.
A whole generation of people who heard the word of God, but did nothing with it, died.
A whole generation of people who heard God’s promise but hardened their hearts, died.
They wen’t to their grave never knowing what rest was.
They died, not eve tasting the Milk and Honey of the Promised Land
They died, unsatisfied with life.
BUT THEN THERE WERE TWO
TWO LEADERS WHO HAD FAITH
WHO KNEW THAT THE PROMISES OF GOD WERE BETTER THAN GOLD
WHO OPENED THEIR EYES TO ALL THAT GOD HAD FOR THEM, AND WENT AFTER IT
As Joshua and Caleb entered and led the people into the promised land
As Joshua entered and led the people into the promised land
It painted a picture of what Jesus would one day do on a grander level.
This was just a figment of an even bigger promise
As the people settled
Though they had entered into a Promised Land, this wasn’t the ultimate destination
He spoke to them prophetically
It was a mere symbol of things yet to come
Even when they arrived, “There remains a rest for the people of God”
“A rest found in other promises”
HE REMINDS US OF THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST
“A rest that is activated by the person and work of Jesus.”
Whoever has entered this rest
Has himself ceased from having to work for it.
Just as God did in the creation story.
He worked for 6 days
On the 7th day he rested.
That word rested is not what you might think.
It is not a flipping of the switch and let’s see what happens.
It is a transition
A stopping
A ceasing from creating
It is an enjoyment of the work he created
To an enjoyment of the work he created
To a communion with what you created
It is a working with and alongside what you created
It is
It is Eden in all its glory
It is the act of a Creator desiring to know His creation
DO YOU KNOW HIM?
HAVE YOU ENTERED INTO THIS REST?
HOW IT WAS PREACHED TO US, MEANING THE JEWS, AND ALSO TO THEM, THE GENTILES
CHURCH
THE BIBLE PROMISES US MANY THINGS
BUT THESE PROMISES HAVE A CAVEAT . . . OR A SWITCH THAT ACTIVATES THEM
DO YOU KNOW WHAT THAT IS?
20 For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us.
NOW WHAT IS THE CAVEAT?
If God’s promises are yes and Amen in Christ Jesus
Then this time of rest is also found in Christ Jesus
MAYBE THE REASON WE ARE TIRED
MAYBE THE REASON WE ARE UNSATISFIED
MAYBE THE REASON WHY WE ARE SEEKING FOR MORE VALUE FROM INFERIOR PLACES
IS BECAUSE WE HAVE YET TO ENTER INTO HIS REST
WE HAVE YET TO KNOW THE KING ON THIS LEVEL
WE HAVE YET TO PAUSE, TO MEDITATE, TO REST IN THE GARDEN.
SO WHAT DOES THIS REST LOOK LIKE?
11 Let us therefore be diligent to enter that rest, lest anyone fall according to the same example of disobedience. 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 give account.
OUR GREATEST REST COMES FROM KNOWING WHO JESUS IS
WHEN WE KNOW THE KING OF KINGS
WHEN WE KNOW THE LORD OF LORDS
WHEN WE KNOW THE SAVIOR
WE KNOW OUR WORTH
WE KNOW OUR VALUE
WE KNOW WHAT HE SAYS ABOUT US
WE HEAR HIS VOICE AND WE FOLLOW HIM
WE AREN’T PASSIVE CHRISTIANS
WE ARE ACTIVE BELIEVERS
WE ARE FAITH PRACTITIONERS
PEOPLE OF GOD EXPERIENCING ALL THAT HIS WORD PROMISES WHILE WE AWAIT THE FINAL PROMISE
PEOPLE WHO TRUST HIS WORD
PEOPLE WHO KNOW ITS POWER TO SAVE
WHO KNOW THAT IT IS LIVING
WHO KNOW THAT IT CAN SAVE US FROM OUR HABITS
WHO KNOW THAT IT CAN RESCUE US FROM OUR SIN
WHO KNOW THAT HIS PROMISES STILL STAND EVEN WE DON’T HAVE THE STRENGTH TO STAND
WHO KNOW THAT THERE IS NO CREATURE HIDDEN FROM HIS SIGHT
WHO KNOW THAT WE ARE BARE IN EVERY WAY BEFORE THE GOD OF THE UNIVERSE.
HE KNOWS OUR EVERY THOUGHT
HE KNOWS OUR FEELINGS
HE KNOWS OUR SITUATION
HE KNOWS WHAT WE ARE GOING THROUGH
BUT HE DOESN’T KNOW IT JUST BECAUSE HE IS GOD
HE KNOWS IT BECAUSE HE EXPERIENCED IT
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 our confession. 15 For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. 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.
CHURCH, OUR GOD ISN’T LIKE SOME BOSS THAT WAS AN EXTERNAL HIRE
WHO KNOWS NOTHING ABOUT THIS BUSINESS
HE IS NOT SOME PASTOR THAT NEVER KNEW WHAT IT WAS LIKE TO START IN CHILDREN’S MINISTRY
But who said, bring the children unto me
HE IS NOT LIKE SOME HIERLING THAT PEACE’S OUT WHEN THINGS GET TOUGH
BUT WHO FOR THE JOY SET BEFORE HIM, ENDURED THE CROSS AND DESPISED THE SHAME
HE ISN’T SOME PASTOR WHO EARNED A DEGREE AT SOME PRESTIGIOUS SEMINARY
He is the WORD of God made FLESH
HE ISN’T SOME KING WITH MATERIAL WORTH
But a King whose riches were defined by what He gained when a Crown of Thorns was placed on His head.
HE IS A GREAT HIGH PRIEST WHO EARNED EVERYTHING HE OWNS
HE IS A GREAT HIGH PRIEST WHO FOREVER LIVES TO MAKE INTERCESSION FOR US
HE IS A GREAT HIGH PRIEST, WHO KNOWS EXACTLY WHAT YOU ARE DEALING WITH
For He was tempted in all things and yet without sin.
IF HE KNOWS
He knows how to minister to you
He has been speaking to you
He has been calling you
He is so in love with You
Today is a testimony of that Love
WHY WOULD A KING WANT TO BRING US INTO HIS KINGDOM?
MAYBE BECAUSE HE KNOWS HOW TIRED WE ARE
MAYBE BECAUSE HE KNOWS SOMETHING WE DON’T
MAYBE BECAUSE HE SEE’S HIMSELF AS ABLE TO SAVE
MAYBE YOU HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR A BREAKTHROUGH
MAYBE YOU CAME TO CAMP NOT EXPECTING ANYTHING
BUT TODAY GOD HAS SPOKEN TO YOU POWERFULLY
YOU ARE READY FOR A BREAKTHROUGH
BUT YOU THOUGHT YOU COULD EXPERIENCE IT LIVING A PASSIVE CHRISTIAN LIFE
GOD IS CALLING YOU OUT OF THIS PASSIVITY
GOD IS CALLING YOU OUT OF THE MUNDANE
GOD IS CALLING YOU TO TAKE A STEP OF FAITH
GOD IS CALLING YOU TO BREAKTHROUGH INTO HIS THRONE ROOM
IT’S NOT SOME, LET ME SEE IF HE IS THERE . . . TYPE OF WAY
OR A SUGGESTION TO MAYBE APPROACH HIS THRONE
IN THE OT, YOU WOULD DIE IF YOU ENTERED INTO THE KINGS ROOM
NO KING WOULD EVER ALLOW IT
NO KING WOULD EVER LET YOU INTERRUPT HIS QUIET TIME
NO KING WOULD EVER LET YOU BARGE IN
JESUS IS A DIFFERENT TYPE OF KING
NO KING WOULD EVER ALLOW IT
NO KING WOULD EVER LET YOU INTERRUPT HIS QUIET TIME
NO KING WOULD EVER LET YOU BARGE IN
BUT THE KING I KNOW WELCOMES IT
HE BIDS US
TO COME BOLDLY TO HIS THRONE ROOM
TO COME CHARGING IN THAT WE MAY RECEIVE HIS GREATEST ATTRIBUTES
HIS UNRIVALED GRACE & MERCY
YOU KNOW YOU NEED HELP
YOU KNOW YOU’RE TIRED
YOU KNOW WHERE YOUR HELP COMES FROM
YOU JUST HAVEN’T TAPPED INTO IT
IT IS TIME.
COME UP.
IF YOU FEEL UNWORTHY
IF YOU FEEL UNVALUED
IF YOU FEEL UNABLE
IF YOU FEEL UNGODLY
HE INVITES YOU IN, THAT HE MAY CREATE SOMETHING BEAUTIFUL FROM SOMETHING HOPELESS.
COME UP.
