God's Promise of Rest - Hebrews 4:1-13

What is the goal of the message?

To lovingly shepherd the heart of all the hearers to make every effort to enter the promised rest of God.

How will you meet this goal?

Though a biblical exposition and application of Hebrews 4:1-13.

Why is this message necessary?

Because many misdefine what true rest is.

Because some are in danger of missing God’s rest.

Because others are too passive in entering God’s rest.

How will you go about this goal sermonically?

By defining this rest, showing its’ availability, and calling for a response to enter this rest.

Big Idea:

Make every effort to enter this promised rest of God.

Preview:

What is the promise of rest?

Is the promise of rest still available today?

What are my options with the promise of rest?

(1) What is the promise of rest? (v. 1-5)

(i) it is a rest that no one should make assumptions about (v. 1)

(ii) it is a rest that is radically different than our modern concepts (i.e. vacation or relaxation) (v. 1 - 2)

Why? Because it’s only entered by one formula — faith + promise of God = entering rest

(iii) It is something God has enjoyed from the beginning that we enter into, not that we receive. (v. 3-5)

To receive something gives the idea that we can take hold of it or that we can manipulate it. Rather, this is something we enter into, we submit to, our entire being is subjected to...

Answer: This rest is God’s promise to bring those who believe his word into his presence so that they might experience calmness of soul.

Ill:

How do I know if my faith in the gospel is genuine?

v. 3 do enter - a present verb - you know that you have exercised genuine faith in the gospel when you are continuing to believe and obey the gospel.

Are you actively believing the word of God?

Many people claim that they are, but when you speak to them, they actually rarely refer to the word of God in their responses.

To what can you point in your life that is revealing active belief?

Over the last few weeks, I have asked several people what evidences are in your life today that confirm you are a believer?

It is amazing how many unbiblical evidences are often give.

(2) Is the promise of rest still available today? (v. 6-11)

(i) Another test of those who have not entered - “unbelief” = disobedience (v. 6)

Do you actually love the people of God?

(ii) This rest is still available since all prior examples left the followers speaking of another day of rest (v. 7-9)

(iii) This rest does not mean the cessation of activity but a kind of activity that proves your faith in God’s promise (10)

Ill: Cain & Abel

This rest is active but distinct. It is a rest that is experienced only by faith in God’s word — a true faith that is proven by acts of obedience.

Because both the promise of God and the opportunity to believe and obey are still matters available to us today, just like in the past, we can say that this rest is still available.

Answer: Yes. The promise of God’s rest is still available today to those who apply real faith to what He is saying.

Ill: We often trust the instructions on the medicine bottles or that the doctors prescribe to us...

What gives you a sense of being?

What is the true source of your confidence?

What do you work so much at that if/when it does not work out, you fall apart?

Are you content?

Don’t give up making effort to enter into this rest.

(3) What are my options with the promise of rest (v. 12-13)

(i) You can make every effort to enter this rest (v. 11)

(ii) You can carefully consider your full exposure before God’s final Word: Jesus. (v. 12)

Hebrews 1:1-2 w/ Hebrews 4:12.

In his full being humanity, Jesus fully exposes us.

Ill: You cannot make excuses before someone who has fully experienced what you have experienced.

(v. 13) An awareness of nakedness is a bi-product of not believing and obeying the word of God. Genesis 3:7-11.

But now, it is not God the Father who has come down into the garden of Eden. Rather, it is Jesus whom God has sent.

Why?

(1) God wants you to see Jesus as God’s command to the world. Jesus is the gospel! Acts 17:29-31.

(2) If you will believe and obey Jesus, you will be brought into rest of soul!

Ill: Big 10 Championship Game Ohio State vs. Wisconsin — you get immersed into the environment on the merits of someone else, but faith has to be appropriated.

(*) True belief begins a life of believing and obeying Jesus’ word, where you will experience rest of soul.

Answer: You may hear and believe God’s final word — Jesus. You may continue hearing and believing God’s final word — Jesus. You may refuse and accept full accountability for God’s final word — Jesus.

Conclusion:

Have you misdefined what true rest is?

Are you in danger of missing God’s rest?

Are you being too passive about entering into God’s rest?

Option #1 - I often misdefine rest by thinking that temporary things will bring rest to me rather than faith in God’s promises?

Option #2 - I understand in my mind what God’s rest is, but I am having a hard time trusting that I can have true rest in Jesus.

Option #3 - I have believed and do believe in Jesus, but sometimes by day-to-day living is very passive in doing the things that help me experience God’s rest.