Enter Into True Rest
Notes
Transcript
A couple of weeks ago I preached on the definition of Sabbath rest. Many of you may not remember because we all were taking a Sabbath rest that day in particular due to the snow and ice and also the number of illnesses we had here at church. The text that day, if you remember was Psalm 92, which is in the Old Testament. The idea of Sabbath has been around since the beginning of time. Of course, that may seem obvious to many of us. We read in Genesis that God rested on the seventh day after creation. However, this particular psalm is in regards to the belief or understanding of true Sabbath rest for those of us who are children of God. The Jewish law was that nothing, no work or any activity, was to be done on the seventh day of the week. That was how the law of God as found in the Ten Commandment was interpreted for the Hebrew people; we find the Ten Commandments in the book of Exodus and the detailed law in Deuteronomy. For us as Christians, we have come to understand that God’s laws never change, yet they have been fulfilled in Jesus Christ. In other words, we don’t live to obey the law and risk eternal consequence for our disobedience. Instead, Jesus paid the price for us, He took away our bondage to our human condition of sin and dismantled the eternal consequences of sin for all who love Him. Yet, God’s laws are still the laws. We obey them through the power of the Holy Spirit, a conviction because of our love of God.
So, simply put, we are to observe the Sabbath. Sabbath rest is a law of God. Yet through the grace of Christ, this rest is a gift. Gifts are meant to be a sign of love and enjoyed by the receiver. Today, we will read what Sabbath means for us as Christians as it was written in this letter to the Early Church.
Pray and Read Hebrews 4:1-11
Therefore, while the promise of entering his rest is still open, let us take care that none of you should seem to have failed to reach it. For indeed the 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. For we who have believed enter that rest, just as God has said, “As in my anger I swore, ‘They shall not enter my rest,’ ” though his works were finished at the foundation of the world. For in one place it speaks about the seventh day as follows, “And God rested on the seventh day from all his works.” And again in this place it says, “They shall not enter my rest.” Since therefore it remains open for some to enter it, and those who formerly received the good news failed to enter because of disobedience, again he sets a certain day—“today”—saying through David much later, in the words already quoted, “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts.” For if Joshua had given them rest, God would not speak later about another day. So then, a sabbath rest still remains for the people of God; for those who enter God’s rest also cease from their labors as God did from his. Let us therefore make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one may fall through such disobedience as theirs.
The one who wrote this letter is writing to Christians who are Jewish in culture. They have committed to life in Christ, but they were once loyal Jews going to synagogue and hearing the Torah and words of the prophets. For them, it was hard to understand how some of them believed that Jesus was and is the promised Messiah, and see family and friends who don’t believe. There were doubt among them and concern regarding what is truth. They wanted to make sure that they were obedient to God and were going to Heaven when they died.
This letter, the whole letter of Hebrews, is really good at describing the bridge between the Jewish faith and this new Christian faith. Many of the issues plaguing the new converts were what traditions do they continue and what beliefs do they hold on to. This passage speaks about Sabbath rest specifically.
One thing that we addressed in Psalm 92 is that the Sabbath, like the Kingdom of Heaven is already here and yet to come. So, we have rest here and now. There is also rest coming after we die on earth and are raised up in Heaven or in the new Heaven and Earth, which ever comes first for us. That is something that Christian and Jews agree on, although maybe not for each other. The author references another psalm, close to this one, Psalm 95. The words in quotation in verse 7 and also the phrase “enter into that rest” are from Psalm 95. This psalm is a praise to God in part and in part a warning for those who do not hear the voice of God will not “enter into His rest”, or enter eternity with God.
The writer of this letter also warned against going against their beliefs in Christ. Those who fail to be obedient to the Son of God, will not enter Heaven. Those who are disobedient will not enter into heavenly rest. Jesus said that He did not come to abolish the law and the prophets, therefore, the law of Sabbath is also still true. God said to keep the Sabbath holy. So we also, as believers in His Son must also keep the Sabbath day holy. But isn’t it wonderful that we get a glimpse of Heaven here on Earth as we enter into rest with Him now, and are at peace knowing that we will rest from our labors for eternity with God?
This is why Sabbath rest is not just a law to be obeyed, but a gift to be experienced. Let us look again at verses 9-11:
So then, a sabbath rest still remains for the people of God; for those who enter God’s rest also cease from their labors as God did from his. Let us therefore make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one may fall through such disobedience as theirs.
There are two things about Sabbath that I want each of you to understand. Sabbath rest isn’t just for Sundays or Saturdays. Sabbath rest is any time you spend with your mind not on this world, but on God and who God created you to be. The second thing is that not only is Sabbath rest for the mind, but for the body. Rest your body and your mind and you will notice that you are a healthier and happier person. Don’t believe me? Just try it!
When was the last time you took a day off from everything? I mean a day off from even chores around the house or from running errands? When was the last time you sat in silence for five minutes? How long can you go without your cell phone, without social media, video games, or TV? How long can you stay silent, but for a good reason?
Have you ever let your mind wander what Heaven would be like? Have you ever sat in prayer, but just daydreamed with God on a brighter future or what wonderful pet project you could work on together, with God? Have you read the Bible not because you should, or because you have to for a Bible Study, but read it and prayerfully thought what it might mean to you personally? Maybe read a Bible Story and try to imagine what the people of the time were seeing or experiencing? Have you ever written a love letter to God? Or written a letter to anyone that means something special to you for no other reason but to show love? Any of these are good activities to do on a beautiful Sabbath day. The thing is, it doesn’t have to be today. I personally am not going to hold you to having Sabbath rest, I am simply inviting you to find time to make it a priority in your life. I hope you will share with me in the future ways you are making Sabbath rest a priority.
In the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen