The Giver of Rest
Notes
Transcript
Hebrews 4:1–13 (NLT)
1 God’s promise of entering his rest still stands, so we ought to tremble with fear that some of you might fail to experience it. 2 For this good news—that God has prepared this rest—has been announced to us just as it was to them. But it did them no good because they didn’t share the faith of those who listened to God. 3 For only we who believe can enter his rest. As for the others, God said, “In my anger I took an oath: ‘They will never enter my place of rest,’ ” even though this rest has been ready since he made the world. 4 We know it is ready because of the place in the Scriptures where it mentions the seventh day: “On the seventh day God rested from all his work.” 5 But in the other passage God said, “They will never enter my place of rest.” 6 So God’s rest is there for people to enter, but those who first heard this good news failed to enter because they disobeyed God. 7 So God set another time for entering his rest, and that time is today. God announced this through David much later in the words already quoted: “Today when you hear his voice, don’t harden your hearts.” 8 Now if Joshua had succeeded in giving them this rest, God would not have spoken about another day of rest still to come. 9 So there is a special rest still waiting for the people of God. 10 For all who have entered into God’s rest have rested from their labors, just as God did after creating the world. 11 So let us do our best to enter that rest. But if we disobey God, as the people of Israel did, we will fall. 12 For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires. 13 Nothing in all creation is hidden from God. Everything is naked and exposed before his eyes, and he is the one to whom we are accountable.
God has planned a rest for us. The invitation Christ gave included rest for our souls (Matt. 11:28–30). Through faith in Christ we have rest for our minds (Phil. 4:7). Besides the rest for our souls and minds, God gives rest for our bodies. Note carefully Isaiah 40:31. This life in Christ will lead to eternal life with Him in heaven.
I. God’s Provision of Rest (vv. 1–3)
I. God’s Provision of Rest (vv. 1–3)
A. Do we fail to listen to God’s word, openly and completely?
A. Do we fail to listen to God’s word, openly and completely?
Hebrews 4:1 “God’s promise of entering his rest still stands, so we ought to tremble with fear that some of you might fail to experience it.” They failed to accept God’s promise of rest. (JESUS) Perhaps they were depending on their own good works for salvation, they believed they could do it all. We know that Jesus was rejected.........
Hebrews 4:1 “God’s promise of entering his rest still stands, so we ought to tremble with fear that some of you might fail to experience it.” They failed to accept God’s promise of rest. (JESUS) Perhaps they were depending on their own good works for salvation, they believed they could do it all. We know that Jesus was rejected.........
John 1:11–12 “11 He came to his own people, and even they rejected him. 12 But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God.
John 1:11–12 “11 He came to his own people, and even they rejected him. 12 But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God.
B. What about the Faithless? We say we have faith, we want others to think we have faith, how are we living? Hebrews 4:2 “For this good news—that God has prepared this rest. It has been announced to us just as it was to them. But it did them no good because they didn’t share the faith of those who listened to God.” For this wonderful news—the message that God wants to save us—has been given to us just as it was to those who lived in the time of Moses. But it didn’t do them any good either because they didn’t believe it. They didn’t get it, like in Jesus’ day, they lacked faith.
B. What about the Faithless? We say we have faith, we want others to think we have faith, how are we living? Hebrews 4:2 “For this good news—that God has prepared this rest. It has been announced to us just as it was to them. But it did them no good because they didn’t share the faith of those who listened to God.” For this wonderful news—the message that God wants to save us—has been given to us just as it was to those who lived in the time of Moses. But it didn’t do them any good either because they didn’t believe it. They didn’t get it, like in Jesus’ day, they lacked faith.
C. Having Faith, believing, seeking our Father.....
C. Having Faith, believing, seeking our Father.....
Hebrews 4:3 For only we who believe can enter his rest. As for the others, God said, “In my anger I took an oath: ‘They will never enter my place of rest,’ ” even though this rest has been ready since he made the world. Enter the rest of salvation by faith. Verse 3 is a quotation from Psalm 95:11.
Hebrews 4:3 For only we who believe can enter his rest. As for the others, God said, “In my anger I took an oath: ‘They will never enter my place of rest,’ ” even though this rest has been ready since he made the world. Enter the rest of salvation by faith. Verse 3 is a quotation from Psalm 95:11.
Psalm 95:10–11 10 For forty years I was angry with them, and I said, ‘They are a people whose hearts turn away from me. They refuse to do what I tell them.’ 11 So in my anger I took an oath: ‘They will never enter my place of rest.’ ” Those without faith who reject this rest will face God’s judgment.
Psalm 95:10–11 10 For forty years I was angry with them, and I said, ‘They are a people whose hearts turn away from me. They refuse to do what I tell them.’ 11 So in my anger I took an oath: ‘They will never enter my place of rest.’ ” Those without faith who reject this rest will face God’s judgment.
II. God’s Plan of Rest (vv. 4–11)
II. God’s Plan of Rest (vv. 4–11)
A. God watches our Practices. He knows when we are listening. God also needed and took time to rest.
A. God watches our Practices. He knows when we are listening. God also needed and took time to rest.
Hebrews 4:4 “We know it is ready because of the place in the Scriptures where it mentions the seventh day: “On the seventh day God rested from all his work.” God rested from His work after six days. We read in Genesis 2:2–3 “2 On the seventh day God had finished his work of creation, so he rested from all his work. 3 And God blessed the seventh day and declared it holy, because it was the day when he rested from all his work of creation.”
Hebrews 4:4 “We know it is ready because of the place in the Scriptures where it mentions the seventh day: “On the seventh day God rested from all his work.” God rested from His work after six days. We read in Genesis 2:2–3 “2 On the seventh day God had finished his work of creation, so he rested from all his work. 3 And God blessed the seventh day and declared it holy, because it was the day when he rested from all his work of creation.”
B. In Hebrews 4:5 we read concerning Prophecy that was written in Hebrews 4:5 “But in the other passage God said, “They will never enter my place of rest.” this is a quotation from Psalm 95:7–11 (NLT)
B. In Hebrews 4:5 we read concerning Prophecy that was written in Hebrews 4:5 “But in the other passage God said, “They will never enter my place of rest.” this is a quotation from Psalm 95:7–11 (NLT)
7 for he is our God. We are the people he watches over, the flock under his care. If only you would listen to his voice today! 8 The Lord says, “Don’t harden your hearts as Israel did at Meribah, as they did at Massah in the wilderness. 9 For there your ancestors tested and tried my patience, even though they saw everything I did. 10 For forty years I was angry with them, and I said, ‘They are a people whose hearts turn away from me. They refuse to do what I tell them.’ 11 So in my anger I took an oath: ‘They will never enter my place of rest.’ ”
7 for he is our God. We are the people he watches over, the flock under his care. If only you would listen to his voice today! 8 The Lord says, “Don’t harden your hearts as Israel did at Meribah, as they did at Massah in the wilderness. 9 For there your ancestors tested and tried my patience, even though they saw everything I did. 10 For forty years I was angry with them, and I said, ‘They are a people whose hearts turn away from me. They refuse to do what I tell them.’ 11 So in my anger I took an oath: ‘They will never enter my place of rest.’ ”
C. If we accept God’s rest we will be Pardoned. We have to receive this rest though. Hebrews 4:6 “So God’s rest is there for people to enter, but those who first heard this good news failed to enter because they disobeyed God.” The door is open to God’s rest and pardon. No one knows how long it will remain open.
C. If we accept God’s rest we will be Pardoned. We have to receive this rest though. Hebrews 4:6 “So God’s rest is there for people to enter, but those who first heard this good news failed to enter because they disobeyed God.” The door is open to God’s rest and pardon. No one knows how long it will remain open.
D. Each day we have a Problem, maybe selfishness, maybe a hard heart, maybe pride fullness, Hebrews 4:7 (NLT) “7 So God set another time for entering his rest, and that time is today. God announced this through David much later in the words already quoted: “Today when you hear his voice, don’t harden your hearts.” We must be Accepting this invitation. Don’t harden your heart the
D. Each day we have a Problem, maybe selfishness, maybe a hard heart, maybe pride fullness, Hebrews 4:7 (NLT) “7 So God set another time for entering his rest, and that time is today. God announced this through David much later in the words already quoted: “Today when you hear his voice, don’t harden your hearts.” We must be Accepting this invitation. Don’t harden your heart the
The Psalmist tells us: Psalm 95:7–8 “7 for he is our God. We are the people he watches over, the flock under his care. If only you would listen to his voice today! 8 The Lord says, “Don’t harden your hearts as Israel did at Meribah, as they did at Massah in the wilderness.” Those who harden their hearts will be destroyed.
The Psalmist tells us: Psalm 95:7–8 “7 for he is our God. We are the people he watches over, the flock under his care. If only you would listen to his voice today! 8 The Lord says, “Don’t harden your hearts as Israel did at Meribah, as they did at Massah in the wilderness.” Those who harden their hearts will be destroyed.
E. This Place, where is this place? Where can it start, this rest? It can be in your family room, it can be in your car, it can be this morning in church, it can start with being at a traffic light.
E. This Place, where is this place? Where can it start, this rest? It can be in your family room, it can be in your car, it can be this morning in church, it can start with being at a traffic light.
Hebrews 4:8–11 “8 Now if Joshua had succeeded in giving them this rest, God would not have spoken about another day of rest still to come. 9 So there is a special rest still waiting for the people of God. 10 For all who have entered into God’s rest have rested from their labors, just as God did after creating the world. 11 So let us do our best to enter that rest. But if we disobey God, as the people of Israel did, we will fall.”
Hebrews 4:8–11 “8 Now if Joshua had succeeded in giving them this rest, God would not have spoken about another day of rest still to come. 9 So there is a special rest still waiting for the people of God. 10 For all who have entered into God’s rest have rested from their labors, just as God did after creating the world. 11 So let us do our best to enter that rest. But if we disobey God, as the people of Israel did, we will fall.”
III. God’s Power of Revelation (vv. 12, 13)
III. God’s Power of Revelation (vv. 12, 13)
A. Revelation, as I call it, where the rubber meets the road. Verse 12 tells us: Hebrews 4:12 “12 For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.”
A. Revelation, as I call it, where the rubber meets the road. Verse 12 tells us: Hebrews 4:12 “12 For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.”
1) The Scriptures reveal our character. If we are reading scripture we will know that.....The Bible shows us what we really are. Luke 12:2–3 “2 The time is coming when everything that is covered up will be revealed, and all that is secret will be made known to all. 3 Whatever you have said in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you have whispered behind closed doors will be shouted from the housetops for all to hear!”
1) The Scriptures reveal our character. If we are reading scripture we will know that.....The Bible shows us what we really are. Luke 12:2–3 “2 The time is coming when everything that is covered up will be revealed, and all that is secret will be made known to all. 3 Whatever you have said in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you have whispered behind closed doors will be shouted from the housetops for all to hear!”
2) The Scriptures reveal our complacency. Our doing nothing for God’s Kingdom.
2) The Scriptures reveal our complacency. Our doing nothing for God’s Kingdom.
3) The Scriptures reveal our concerns and priorities. It shows what we put first in our lives.1 Corinthians 4:5 “So don’t make judgments about anyone ahead of time—before the Lord returns. For he will bring our darkest secrets to light and will reveal our private motives. Then God will give to each one whatever praise is due.”
3) The Scriptures reveal our concerns and priorities. It shows what we put first in our lives.1 Corinthians 4:5 “So don’t make judgments about anyone ahead of time—before the Lord returns. For he will bring our darkest secrets to light and will reveal our private motives. Then God will give to each one whatever praise is due.”
B. Reality (Hebrews 4:13). “He knows about everyone, everywhere. Everything about us is bare and wide open to the all-seeing eyes of our living God; nothing can be hidden from him to whom we must explain all that we have done”
B. Reality (Hebrews 4:13). “He knows about everyone, everywhere. Everything about us is bare and wide open to the all-seeing eyes of our living God; nothing can be hidden from him to whom we must explain all that we have done”
CONCLUSION:
CONCLUSION:
There is no rest outside of Christ. There is nothing but sorrow and disappointment. God promised his people when in Egypt, The power of God will give rest for our souls, minds, and bodies. If we have rest in these areas we will be more effective Christians, more effecting leaders, preachers..... A person with a tired soul, mind, and body is unsatisfied, unhappy, unproductive.....
There is no rest outside of Christ. There is nothing but sorrow and disappointment. God promised his people when in Egypt, The power of God will give rest for our souls, minds, and bodies. If we have rest in these areas we will be more effective Christians, more effecting leaders, preachers..... A person with a tired soul, mind, and body is unsatisfied, unhappy, unproductive.....
AMEN
AMEN