Back to Home Page | Back to Index
|
Hebrews Chapter Four
The Rest That Remains (4:1-11)
INTRODUCTION
1. In chapter three of "The Epistle To The Hebrews", we saw... a. A comparison of Christ to Moses b. How the comparison led to a warning based upon the example of Israel 2. Appealing to the example of Israel natural one... a. For despite Moses' leadership, most died in the wilderness and did not enter the promised land for lack of faith b. Now under Christ's leadership, we face a similar danger of falling short of our "promise" through a lack of faith - He 3:14-15; 4:1
3. Chapter four continues the warning with a focus on the promised "rest" which awaits the faithful Christian... a. This promised "rest" is actually one of several "rests" found in the Scriptures b. It is a "rest" that Moses and Joshua did not provide, which is just another reason why the Hebrew Christian should not forsake Jesus and return to Judaism c. It is "The Rest That Remains" for the people of God today! 4. In this lesson, we shall address two questions... a. What is "The Rest That Remains"? b. What essential elements are necessary to enter "The Rest That Remains"?
[Let's begin, then, with the first question...] I. WHAT IS "THE REST THAT REMAINS"?
A. IT IS NOT IS THE "CANAAN " REST... 1. This "rest" is alluded to in Deu 3:20; 12:9-10; Josh 1:13-15 2. This "rest" was given as God promised - Josh 21:43-45 3. But in chapter four "His rest" (or "My rest", "God's rest") is clearly delineated from that which Joshua provided - He 4:8 a. Long after Joshua died, the passage in Ps 95:7-8 was written b. The word "Today...", indicates that the Spirit was warning the Israelites who had long before received the "Canaan " rest -- So Joshua provided the "Canaan " rest, but there is still "The Rest That Remains"!
B. IT IS NOT THE "SABBATH" REST... 1. It is natural to think of the Sabbath day when one hears or reads the word "rest" a. When first introduced to the nation of Israel spoken of as "the rest of the holy sabbath unto the LORD" - Exo 16:23 b. This was the seventh day rest, patterned after God's own rest following the creation - Gen 2:2 c. It was encoded into the Law given on tablets of stone - cf. Exo 20:8-11 2. But the Sabbath as a day of rest was given only to the nation of Israel a. It was not given to the nation's fathers (i.e., ancestors such as Abraham, Isaac, Jacob) - Deu 5:2-22; Neh 9:13-14 b. It was given to Israel deliverance from Egypt c. The only Gentiles ever commanded to keep the Sabbath were those living among the Israelites in Canaan ("your stranger who is within your gates") 3. The Sabbath day, like the rest of the Old Law, has been done away a. It was nailed to the cross - cf. Ep 2:14-15; Co 2:14 b. Those in Christ have died to the Old Law, having been delivered from it that they may now serve Christ - Ro 7:4,6 c. As part of "the ministry of death" (the Old Testament), it has been replaced by "the ministry of the Spirit" (the New Testament) - 2 Co 3:5-8,11 d. It is now a matter of indifference to God, left to one's individual conscience, and not to be bound on anyone - cf. Ro 14:4-6; Co 2:16-17 4. Finally, the argument regarding Joshua can also be made regarding Moses... a. Long after Moses provided the "Sabbath" rest, Ps 95:7-8 was written b. Indicating that there was still another "rest" to come -- While Moses provided the "Sabbath" rest, there is still "The Rest That Remains"!
C. IT IS "GOD'S REST"... 1. Through this section of Scripture there are repeated references to: a. "My rest" - He 3:11; 4:3,5 cf. Ps 95:7-11 b. "His rest" - He 3:18; 4:1 1) Which those who fell in the wilderness did not enter - He 3:18 2) Which Christians today have a promise of entering - He 4:1
2. It is a rest that God entered upon the completion of His creation - He 4:4,10 3. It is a rest that Joshua (and Moses) did not provide... 4. God's rest is one in which... a. We must be diligent not to come short of it - He 4:1,11 b. One who has "entered His rest" has "ceased from his works" - He 4:10 -- "God's rest" is the "heavenly rest" of which of which we read in the book of Revelation... "Then I heard a voice from heaven saying to me, "Write: 'Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.' ""Yes," says the Spirit, "that they may rest from theirlabors, and their works follow them."" (Re 14:13)
["The Rest That Remains" in this passage is therefore "God's Rest", and in particular that "heavenly rest" one enters in which they ceasefrom the labors. Now if we wish to one day enter this "rest", some things are necessary...] II. WHAT ARE THE ESSENTIAL ELEMENTS TO ENTER "GOD'S REST"?
A. THE WORD OF GOD... 1. Note that both the Israelites and we today have had "the gospel" preached unto us - He 4:2 a. The "gospel" (i.e., good news) proclaimed unto the Israelites pertained to the promises of Canaan b. The "gospel" proclaimed unto us pertains to the blessings we have in Christ 2. The Word of God is essential for at least two reasons: a. Without it we would not even know about our promised rest! b. Without it we would not know how to receive our promised rest! 3. Thus the Word of God (i.e., the gospel) is truly God's power to save - cf. Ro 1:16-17 a. For it tells us of God's salvation in Christ b. And how we might receive that wonderful salvation -- But as we proceed, we learn that the Word of God alone is not sufficient... B. MIXED WITH FAITH... 1. The Word of God did not profit many in Israel not receive it with faith - He 4:2 2. As powerful as the Word of God may be (cf. He 4:12), it's power in our lives is hindered unless we accept it with faith! a. Of course, the Word is designed to create and nurture faith to a point - Ro 10:17; Jn 20:30-31 b. But unless our hearts are good and noble, the Word will not find the proper soil needed to produce its intended fruit - cf. Lk 8:15 -- Without faith, then, the promise of God's rest will not be experienced by us! C. FEAR AND DILIGENCE... 1. The Hebrew writer stressed both of these essential elements a. "let us fear lest any of you seem to have come short..." - He 4:1 b. "Let us therefore be diligent to enter that rest, lest anyone fall..." - He 4:11
2. Fear (awesome reverence) has an important place in the life of the Christian a. Jesus taught us Whom to fear - Mt 10:28 b. Paul taught that "fear and trembling" should accompany our efforts to serve God - Ph 2:12 3. Diligence (strenuous effort) likewise is important - 2 Pe 1:5,10
a. We must be diligent to grow in Christ-like character b. We must be diligent to "make your calling and election sure" -- The need for such fear and diligence is understandable only if the possibility of falling short is very real! CONCLUSION
1. "The Rest That Remains" is indeed a wonderful blessing... a. It is "God's rest", therefore a "heavenly rest" b. It is a rest in which one has "ceased from his work as God did from His" - He 4:10
-- It is the rest of which John heard a voice from heaven speak in Re 14:13 2. But we have seen how disobedience led many Israelites to fall short of their "Canaan rest"... a. Though they collectively as the nation of Israel "elect", predestined to receive the promises made to Abraham (cf. Gen 12:1-3) b. But individually, they failed to make their "calling and election sure" 1) They had the "gospel" spoken to them 2) But they did not receive it with faith 3) And so they did not have the fear and diligence necessary to persevere! 3. Brethren, what about us today? a. If we are "in Christ"... 1) We are blessed to be God's "elect" in a collective sense as Christ's body, the church 2) We are predestined as such to receive the wonderful blessings of salvation in Christ, including the "heavenly rest" that awaits us b. Yet individually we must still make our "calling and election sure"... 1) Are we receiving the Word mixed with faith? 2) Do we have that proper sense of fear? 3) Are we diligent in our efforts to remain faithful and steadfast? -- Only then can we have the assurance of entering into "The Rest That Remains"!
May the words of the writer to the Hebrews sink deep into our hearts... "Let us therefore be diligent to enter that rest, lest anyone fallaccording to the same example of disobedience." - Hebrews 4:11
God's Powerful Word (4:12-13)
INTRODUCTION
1. In He 4:11, we find a succinct summary of all that has been said in He 3:7-4:10... a. We need to be diligent to enter "the rest that remains", our heavenly rest b. Or we may fall short of our rest, just as many Israelites fell short of their Canaan rest... "Let us therefore be diligent to enter that rest, lest anyonefall according to the same example of disobedience." - He 4:11
2. To stress the need for diligence, we are reminded regarding the Word of God - He 4:12-13 a. That Word which provided the example of the Israelites' disobedience b. That Word which is now warning them not to emulate the Israelites' example 3. In this passage, the Word of God is described in amazing terms... a. It is "living" b. It is "powerful" c. It is "sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit"
d. It is "a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart" 4. At a time in which God's Word is so often neglected, even by some Christians, it never hurts to contemplate the wonder of God's Word... a. And so we take this opportunity to reflect upon what is said in this passage b. With a desire to renew and increase our appreciation of the power of God's Word! [We begin by noticing...] I. THE WORD OF GOD IS "LIVING" AND "POWERFUL"
A. GOD'S WORD IS NOT SOME "DEAD LETTER"... 1. Not only in this passage, but elsewhere we read of the abiding nature of God's Word a. Notice Peter's description of it - 1 Pe 1:23-25 1) It "lives and abides forever" 2) It "endures forever" - cf. Isa 40:8 b. Jesus said "my words shall not pass away" - Mt 24:35 2. The "life" of God's Word is due to the nature of God Himself! a. God is eternal, He is "the living God" - cf. He 3:12; Jer10:10
b. He cannot lie, so what He says will come to pass - He 6:18;Ti 1:2
-- Thus His Word will never perish! 3. As Jesus said, "...the words that I speak unto you, they arespirit, and they are life." - Jn 6:63
B. THAT GOD'S WORD IS "ALIVE" IS SEEN IN ITS "POWER"... 1. It has the power to accomplish its intended purpose - Isa 55:10-11
2. The gospel in particular has the power to save - Ro 1:16-17;Ja 1:21
3. Through God's word we can be born again - 1 Pe 1:22-23; Ja 1:18
4. It works effectively in those who believe - 1 Th 2:13; cf. He4:2
5. It can build us up, and give us the inheritance that is ours - Ac 20:32 6. It can make the man of God complete for all good works - 2 Ti3:16-17
-- How could anything with such power be a "dead letter"? [With such a "living" and "powerful" word at our disposal, we would befoolish to neglect the blessings it offers, or the warnings it gives! It's power is seen further as we note how...] II. THE WORD OF GOD IS "SHARP" AND "A DISCERNER"
A. SHARPER THAN AN "TWO-EDGED SWORD"... 1. The Word of God is often likened to powerful objects a. Here it is described as a sword - cf. also Ep 6:17 b. Elsewhere it is it described as fire, and a hammer - Jer 23:29
2. To illustrate its sharpness as a "sword", the Word of God is said to pierce... a. "...even to the division of soul and spirit" b. "...and of the joints and marrow" -- i.e., the divine word is able to cut through everything that is in man (Lightfoot) B. A DISCERNER OF "THE THOUGHTS AND INTENTS OF THE HEART"... 1. With its sharpness, it is capable of sifting through and revealing the heart of man 2. It's effect on man reveals his true heart... a. In some cases, that one's heart is sincere and open to change - e.g., Ac 2:36-37 b. Other times, that one's heart has no desire to change - e.g., Ac 5:33; 7:54 -- One cannot hear or read the Word of God without being affected! [As stated earlier, the "life" of God's Word is due to the nature of God Himself. In a similar way, the "power" of God's word is due to thenature of God...] III. THE POWER OF GOD'S WORD IS DUE TO HIS OMNISCIENCE
A. GOD IS OMNISCIENT... 1. The word "omniscient" means "all-knowing" 2. David extolled the omniscience of God in Psa 139:1-12 3. Solomon also wrote of God's omniscience - Pr 15:3 -- That is why "there is no creature hidden from His sight, butall things are naked and open" to His eyes
B. THEREFORE NO CAN HIDE FROM THE JUDGE... 1. As David counseled his son Solomon - 1 Chr 28:9 2. It is before this Omniscient Judge that we must one day give an account a. There is a judgment day coming, in which God will judge the world through His Son, Jesus Christ! - cf. Ac 17:30-31; Ro2:16; 2 Co 5:10
b. We read of that Judgment Day in the last book of Bible - cf. Re 20:11-15 3. The standard by which we will be judged are the words spoken through His Son a. As stated by Jesus in Jn 12:48 b. Which should give special force to the warning found in He 2:1-3 1) If the word spoken through angels proved steadfast, and every transgression was justly punished... 2) ...then how shall we escape judgment if we neglect the words spoken through God's Son? CONCLUSION
1. Yes, the power of God's Word is derived from God Himself... a. God is omniscient, able to see into the hearts of men; therefore His Word is able to cut to the hearts of men and reveal their true nature b. God is living, eternal, who will one day judge the world; therefore His Word that abides forever will be the standard by which we will be judged 2. In view of the power of God Himself and His powerful Word... a. How dare we neglect the warnings given in it, such as those found in He 4:1,11? b. How dare we neglect to even read about the warnings (as many do by not reading the Bible)? 3. And remember, how we react to the Word of reveals our true character... a. Some are so "dull of heart", that they react with indifference and say "so what?" b. Some are "cut to the heart", angrily resist the Word, and blame the messenger - Ac 7:54 c. Some are "cut to the heart", and cry out "what shall I do?" - Ac 2:37 What kind of heart do you have? If your heart cries out "what shall Ido?" in response to the gospel message of salvation in Christ, then Iencourage you to heed what Peter said: "Then Peter said to them, "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins;and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit." - Ac 2:38
If you have so responded to God's saving grace, then I encourage you toheed the warnings found throughout the Scriptures, especially here inthe book of Hebrews, and in the words of our Lord Himself: "Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life."- Rev 2:10
Coming Boldly To The Throne Of Grace (4:14-16)
INTRODUCTION
1. In our study thus far we seen the concern of the author of "The BookOf Hebrews"...
a. That Jewish Christians remain steadfast and firm in their faith b. That they not make the same mistake of departing from the living God, as did many of their ancestors 2. His "modus operandi" (method of operation) has been two-fold... a. Illustrate the superiority of Jesus (e.g., to prophets, to angels, to Moses) b. Exhort them to faithfulness in light of these comparisons 3. In two exhortations we have seen thus far, to remain faithful we must... a. "...give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard" - cf. He 2:1-4
b. "...exhort one another daily..." - cf. He 3:12-14 4. To put it another way, to remain faithful we must be diligent... a. In our study of the Word of God b. In exhorting one another daily -- Other things are also necessary, and in our text we read of another - cf. He 4:14-16 5. The main thought in this passage is that we should "come boldly tothe throne of grace"
a. But what does that mean? b. And why should we be diligent to do this? [These are the questions we shall address in this lesson, and so we begin by considering...] I. WHAT IT MEANS TO "COME BOLDLY TO THE THRONE OF GRACE"
A. THE "THRONE OF GRACE"... 1. This is simply another way to say the "throne of God" a. Other passages emphasize that "God's throne" is one of righteousness, justice, mercy and truth - cf. Psa 89:14 b. I.e., God is known for, and is the source of, these things 2. He 4:16 emphasizes that "God's throne" is one of MERCY a. "the throne of GRACE" b. I.e., where kindness, mercy, and benevolence may be found B. THE EXPRESSION "LET US COME" ("DRAW NEAR" ASV)... 1. This is a priestly expression, used in the OT of priests in their approach to God a. E.g., Lev 21:17-21 b. It denotes approaching God for worship and prayer 2. It's use here suggests that the priestly privilege of access to God is now extended to all Christians! a. As we saw in Leviticus, only certain individuals had this privilege b. But now, in Christ we can ALL "draw near" to God in worship and prayer! C. THIS WE CAN DO "BOLDLY"... 1. This word means "with confidence" (Gr., parresia, meaning "full story") 2. In ancient Greece a. It was used to describe the right of a citizen to speak his mind on any subject in the town assembly (Lightfoot) b. Only "full citizens" had this right, slaves did not 3. As used here in Hebrews, it stands for our freedom to approach God... a. Without hesitation or inhibition b. Made possible by the blood of Jesus - cf. He 10:19-22 [And so this passage speaks of the wonderful privilege Christians havethrough prayer to approach our gracious God, with full confidence thatHe hears our prayers! It is important to utilize this privilege, and in our text we find several REASONS for doing so...] II. WHY WE OUGHT TO "COME BOLDLY TO THE THRONE OF GRACE"
A. BECAUSE WE HAVE YET TO ENTER "THE REST THAT REMAINS"... 1. As seen earlier in this chapter, there is still a promised "rest" for the people of God a. We need to "fear" lest we come short of it - He 4:1 b. We need to be "diligent" - He 4:11 2. This being true, we need all the "mercy" and "grace" we can find! B. BECAUSE OF THE "HIGH PRIEST" THAT WE HAVE... 1. In Jesus we have a "great" High Priest - He 4:14 a. One who has "passed through the heavens" - cf. He 9:24;7:26-27
b. Having ascended to the right hand of God, He has become "higher than the heavens"! 2. In Jesus we have a "sympathetic" High Priest - He 4:15 a. The word "sympathy" literally means "to suffer with" 1) The Greek word suggests an intensity that is lost in the English word "sympathy" (Lightfoot) 2) Westcott describes it as "the feeling of one who enters into the suffering and makes it his own." b. Jesus' sympathy is due to being "tempted as we are, yet without sin." 1) This qualifies Him to be a "merciful and faithful" High Priest - He 2:17 2) One who is "able to aid those who are tempted" - He 2:18 3. With such a High Priest interceding for us, shall we not take advantage of Him while we can? - cf. He 7:24-25 a. Especially since He is able "save to the uttermost thosewho come to God through Him"
b. And since He "always lives to make to make intercession forthem"
-- Does this not encourage us to "come boldly to the throne of grace"? C. BECAUSE OF THE "MERCY" AND "GRACE" THAT AWAITS... 1. Christians continue to need two things throughout their lives: a. "mercy" 1) I.e., forgiveness for our sins 2) For we do sin; to deny that is to call God a liar - cf. 1 Jn 1:8,10 b. "grace to help in time of need" 1) I.e., God's favor to help us in time of need 2) E.g., His providential protection (cf. 1 Co 10:13) and divine strength (cf. Ro 8:13; Ph 4:13) 2. The Christian finds these things in answer to PRAYER! a. By confessing our sins to God in prayer, there is mercy - cf. 1 Jn 1:9 b. By praying for strength from God's indwelling Spirit, there is grace to help in time of need - cf. Ep 3:16,20; 6:10-13 CONCLUSION
1. Brethren, when we are diligent to "come boldly to the throne of grace", what do we find?
a. A "graceful God" and a "sympathetic High Priest"! b. Mercy, and grace to help us in time of need! 2. The means by which we "draw near" is prayer, and so, to... a. Diligent study of the Word of God - cf. He 2:1-4 b. Diligent exhortation of our brethren on a daily basis - cf. He 3:12-14
-- We must add diligent prayer if we are to going to find the mercy and grace necessary to "hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end"
3. Brethren... a. Do we appreciate the "great" and "sympathetic" High Priest that we have in Jesus? b. Are we utilizing the opportunities we have to "come boldly to the throne of grace"? -- May this passage remind us never to take the privilege of prayer lightly! As for the "privilege" of prayer itself, by which we can now "draw near" to God, bear in mind that it is made possible by "a new and living way" (He 10:19-20). Only by the blood of Jesus shed in His deathcan we now come to God. Have you been washed in the blood of Jesus for the remission of your sins? For those seeking this wonderful blessing, give careful attention to these words by the disciple sent by Jesus to Saul of