Receiving the Gift of God's Rest | Hebrews 4:1–13

Scripture Reading

Keyword in today’s passage: REST (point to insert)

Sermon title: Receiving the Gift of God’s Rest

The letter to the Hebrews was written to a group of discouraged Xtians going through a season of trials.

Hebrews 4 is written as an encouragement. It’s not a slap in the back of the head “work harder!” but an arm around their shoulders with an invitation to “enter God’s rest.”

Here’s why this passage is so important for them and for us.

Main Idea The source of our strength comes not from how hard we work for God but by how well we rest in God.

In other words, The more you rest in God, the stronger you become in God.

Let me share with you a couple of things about God’s rest.

God is the Author of Rest

Hebrews chapters 3 & 4 speak of God’s rest.

Look at Hebrews 4:4 “For he has somewhere spoken of the seventh day in this way: “And God rested on the seventh day from all his works.””

This is a reference to Genesis 2:2 “And on the seventh day God finished his work that he had done, and he rested on the seventh day from all his work that he had done.”

Rest - to cease one’s work or activity (Louw-Nida).

The reason why God rested or ceased to work is not because he was tired, but because everything was completed. God declared, “It is finished.”

Look at Hebrews 4:5 “ And again in this passage he said, “They shall not enter my rest.””

The author of Hebrews is quoting Psalm 95:11[which he also quoted in chapter 3] “Therefore I swore in my wrath, “They shall not enter my rest.””

Who are “they?” The people of Israel in the dessert.

The phrase “My rest” is a reference to the Promised Land.”

Promised Land is a synonym of rest.

The opposite of the Promised Land is Egypt.

Pharaoh sets over the people of Israel taskmasters “to afflict them with heavy burdens.” (Ex 1:11).

Egypt is all about work, work, work, work, work, work, work, and more work. No rest!

The people of Israel’s identity = productivity.

In Exodus 5, Moses tells Pharaoh, “The Lord says, ‘Let my people go.’” Pharaoh refuses and gives them more work thinking “they have way too much time in their hands thinking about rest and worship.”

In Exodus 14, the people of Israel is on their way to the Promised Land, but Pharaoh pursues them, “what is this we have done, that we have let Israel from serving us.” (Ex 14:5). Pharaoh reasons, “that’s a lot of hours worth of work.”

The Promised Land is a promise and an invitation to receive God’s gift of rest. Rest from being slaves to work. It’s a declaration of freedom. I control work, work doesn’t control me. Rhythm is introduced again. Six days of work, one day of rest.

God’s rest is Good News!

Hebrews 4:2 “For good news came to us just as to them (also v.6)

Good news = gospel

We receive the gift of God’s rest is by believing and trusting the gospel of Jesus.

Look with me at the rest of Hebrews 4:2-3 “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.”

We receive the gift of God’s rest is by believing and trusting the gospel of Jesus. What is this good news?

Heb 4:9-10 “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.”

Here’s why God’s rest is Good News.

We rest from our works and enter God’s rest when we trust in Christ. We no longer have to live our lives trying to “prove” our righteousness before God. Instead, we “rest” from that labor because Christ has already proved that righteousness on our behalf. (Albert Mohler, Exalting Jesus in Hebrews)

Religion: I obey therefore I’m accepted.

Gospel: I’m accepted therefore I obey.

Paul said it best in Philippians 3:7-9 “7 But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. 8 Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith—”

Living in God’s Rest

Here’s an invitation for all of us today.

Hebrews 4:11, “Let us therefore strive to enter that rest, so that no one may fall by the same sort of disobedience.”

Resting requires effort because resting is not natural to us. It’s al about earning and outworking everyone else.

The way to receive God’s gift of rest is by believing and resting in God’s promises

Let’s go back to the main idea. The source of our strength comes not from how hard we work for God but by how well we rest in God.

I would like to share with you a resource with you.

Gospel Prayer.

The gospel is not just the diving board off of which we jump into the pool of Christianity; it is the pool itself. J.D. Greear

“In Christ, there is nothing I can do that would make You love me more, and nothing I have done that makes You love me less.”

I can rest and trust God with my eternity. God rested on the 7th day because his work was completed. “It is finished.”

You know who else said those words? On the cross, Jesus said, “It is finished.”

“Your presence and approval are all I need for everlasting joy.”

I can rest and trust God with my identity. I don’t need to prove my worth and value through my work.

In Christ, “I’m loved and accepted by my heavenly Father.”

“As You have been to me, so I will be to others.”

I can rest and trust God with my relationships.

“As I pray, I’ll measure Your compassion by the cross and Your power by the resurrection.”

I can rest and trust God with the uncertainty of life.

The source of our strength comes not from how hard we work for God but by how well we rest in God.