July 24, 2014
GOD IS NOT JOKING: HIS REST IS NO CASUAL COMMAND.
Hebrews 4
Whitney Wright
Central Truth
We must take the Word of God seriously and in every aspect of our lives. We are called to be like Jesus, sanctified into righteousness. Although not frequently taught, it is a sin to not enter God's rest. This command still stands!
Key Verse | Hebrews 4:9–10
So then, there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God, for whoever has entered God's rest has also rested from his works as God did from his. (Hebrews 4:9-10)
Hebrews 4
1 Therefore, while the promise of entering his rest still stands, let us fear lest any of you should seem to have failed to reach it. 2 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. 1 4:2 Some manuscripts it did not meet with faith in the hearers 3 For we who have believed enter that rest, as he has said,
“As I swore in my wrath,
‘They shall not enter my rest,’”
although his works were finished from the foundation of the world. 4 For he has somewhere spoken of the seventh day in this way: “And God rested on the seventh day from all his works.” 5 And again in this passage he said,
“They shall not enter my rest.”
6 Since therefore it remains for some to enter it, and those who formerly received the good news failed to enter because of disobedience, 7 again he appoints a certain day, “Today,” saying through David so long afterward, in the words already quoted,
“Today, if you hear his voice,
do not harden your hearts.”
8 For if Joshua had given them rest, God 2 4:8 Greek he would not have spoken of another day later on. 9 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.
11 Let us therefore strive to enter that rest, so that no one may fall by the same sort of disobedience. 12 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. 13 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.
Jesus the Great High Priest
14 Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
Dive Deeper | Hebrews 4
I need to start by making a confession to you all. I am so convicted! I stumbled across Hebrews 4 over a year ago and could hear the Holy Spirit urging me to take the Sabbath seriously. The first thing I did was consult some friends on how exactly to observe such a thing. I thought I did well for several months, but sitting here typing this to you all, I've realized I'm not far from where I started!
In an overview of this chapter, we can clearly hear the concern in the writer's voice. In my mind, I imagine it like so: "People, COME ON! Don't be like your foolish ancestors who were handed everything and still disobeyed this simple task of REST!" If I were the one to deliver such a message, my patience would be thin, face red, and fists clenched. I am so glad we have a God who is slow to anger!
Next, in verse 3, our socks are shaken off: "For we who have believed enter that rest, as he has said, 'As I swore in my wrath, "They shall not enter my rest . . . ."'" The writer is rather emphatic that if we are believers, we are called to enter His rest, and if we do not, we displease Him. So now we get the picture: God's rest is obviously a big deal. If that's not enough, take a look at verses 11-13 again. We must be diligent in this rest so that we do not fall. God's Word is living/active/sharper than any two-edged sword, and we are completely exposed to Him no matter what!
So now that we are all good and riled up, take heart. The end of chapter 4 takes a turn and says to lean on Jesus, as He is our great high priest in whom we can find mercy and grace. Verses 14-16 deserve some extra attention this morning. We can summarize them in this way: Jesus is the Son of God, who sympathizes with us. Let us draw near to the throne of grace with CONFIDENCE. In Him alone, we find mercy and grace.
Discussion Questions
1. In regard to my confession earlier, it's really a trust issue in my heart. By taking a true day of rest, I have to physically and mentally lay everything down for time with God and trust that those things will get finished. What are you letting creep into your day of rest, and can you commit to eliminating it by confessing and having another person hold you accountable?
2. Take a moment to write out what a day of rest means to you personally -- what it looks like in your life -- and then take a look at the following Scriptures: Genesis 2:1-3, Ephesians 5:1-2, Exodus 16:22-30. How does your view differ from the Bible, how is it the same, and can you relate to the stubborn Israelites?
3. Read Proverbs 11:14 and 12:15. Let others who know you well read your answer to question 2. Do they agree or disagree?