Untitled Sermon (94)

Hebrews 4:11 ESV

Let us therefore strive to enter that rest, so that no one may fall by the same sort of disobedience.

Hebrews 4 teaches about the rest we can have in Christ.

Hebrews talks about how God wanted Isreal to have rest… But they did not obey

Strive: to be eager v. — to have or show keen interest, intense desire, or impatient expectancy.

Rest: rest (change) n. — a change of state from activity or work to a cessation from work that results in a feeling of refreshing tranquility and an absence of tension or worry; especially that God provides.

The only way we can enter is by obedience to the word of God

We are in need of God’s word, so we don’t fall by the same sort of disobedience.

Hebrews 4:12 ESV

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.

What is the word of God: It’s Living & Active - It causes things to happen. It drives home warnings to the disobedient and promises to the believer.

Living: to be alive v. — to have life, be alive.

God’s Word is active

It actively works in our lives, changes us, and sends us into action for God

Active: effective — producing or capable of producing an intended result.

Sharper than any tow-edged sword -

Piercing to the division of soul and of Spirit / Joints and of marrow ‘soul’ and ‘spirit’, ‘joints’ and ‘marrow’, add to the description of the power of God’s word to penetrate to the center of one’s being, both physical and spiritual“

Discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart”

It passes judgment on our feelings and our thoughts. What we regard as secret and hidden, God brought out for inspection by the discerning power of his Word

Hebrews 4:13 ESV

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.

Naked and exposed....

God wants us to experience the REST

I thought about what Jesus said in Matthew

Matthew 11:28 ESV

Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

Stuart Weber said…

The Jewish people struggled under an enormous load of religious expectations and legalities that were laid on them by their false religious leaders.

Jesus was saying, “Come, take on yourself the light burden of obedience under the covenant I will seal with my own blood, and I will give you the covenant reward of deep-down, peaceful rest.

You were designed by God to carry my load, not man’s”

Labor: to tire v. — to exhaust or get tired through overuse or great strain or stress.

Heavy Laden: to load (fill) v. — to fill or place a load on.

Tire and load

Salvation / Life / Ministry

Sinning is tiring!

Living a life that is contrary to the Life that Christ wants me to live is draining!

I know that I am missing the mark…

I know my ways doesn’t please God....

I feel empty...

I’m searching…

I’m tired…

If it’s not my salvation....

Life (situations) is filling up on top of you…

If it’s not one thing it’s another!

Ministry can be tiring!!!!!

Wait!!!!!!

Jesus said I’ll give you Rest

Rest: to cause to rest v. — to cause someone to take a break from their activities in order to be refreshed.Two different Rest.... Rest: rest (change) n. — a change of state from activity or work to a cessation from work that results in a feeling of refreshing tranquility and an absence of tension or worry; especially that God provides.In order for you to take a rest… Jesus has to be the cause…

Jeremiah 31:25 ESVFor I will satisfy the weary soul, and every languishing soul I will replenish.”

Languishing: failing to make progress or be successful.The Cause is connected to our perspective Cause: a principle, aim, or movementThis is why Jesus said “Come to ME” I want to be the reason why...... Who is Jesus to you?

If he’s not our: Provider Way maker Healer Peace Joy Protector Defender Friend Refuge Guide Happiness Then He will never be the cause/reason But Jesus said.... Let me be the reason.... Let me take your Stress / Mess / Heartaches / Headaches / Your Family / Your Marriage / Your singleness / Your Kids / Finances

1 Peter 5:7 ESVcasting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.

It’s not my problem to figure out what He does with it.... My assignment is to acknowledge that He is the cause / reason!