HEBREWS CHAPTER FOUR

VS. 1-10HOWARD BUCK

FEBRUARY 23, 2014

TABLE TIME:WHAT HAVE WE LEARNED

JESUS IS IN THE FIRST 3 CHAPTERS?????

At least:13 in Chap. 1 5 in Chap. 2 4 in Chap. 3

Chapter OneCreator of the universeGodHolding/moving the universeThe purifier of our sinSitting on the throne of GodHigher than the angelsThe LORDHeir of all thingsThe living WordSon of GodFirst BornWorshiped by AngelsAnointed of God

Chapter TwoCrowned with Glory/Honor Ruler of All Creation Our sanctifier Our brotherOur Savior

Chapter Three Our High PriestApostle (sent)Higher than MosesFaithful

PLEASE PAY ATTENTION TO THE WORDS OF THIS SONG THEY SPEAK DIRECTLY TO OUR LESSON TODAY!

THANKS

Hebrews 4:1-10

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.

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,’”

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 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.

REST: a state or period of refreshing freedom from exertion

the repose of sleep that is refreshing to body and mind and is marked by a reduction in metabolic activity

the cessation of movement or action

death perceived as freedom from earthly toilfreedom from mental or emotional anxiety

a stopping place for shelter and relaxation

something used for support, especially on a piece of furniture(Encarta)

GOD’S REST:No more self effort to please God by fleshy works

God’s perfect rest is a rest in free graceRest from worry

Freedom from being bothered by nuisances and hasslesInwardly quiet

To be at peace with GodFree from guilt or unnecessary guilt

Freedom from worry about sinRest from fear

Rest = to lean on GodHebrews 3-4 includes all of the above

(John MacArthur)

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.

As Dr. Sam/Warren pointed out, Hebrews is a book of comparisons

It is no different here:3:19 And so we see that they were not able to enter because

of unbelief

Our comparison here is the unbelieving Jews that wanted to return to Egypt instead of entering the promised land

But then for clarity, even though those guys missed out, the promise of rest still remains for us BUT,

The author warns us that we should:

fear lest any of you should seem to have failed to reach it

Does that mean that we are in some kind of race to reach His rest?

Is it something we should be trying to earnIs it some kind of test?

Then WHAT DOES THIS MEAN?...Verse 2 might have a good answer:

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.

Is the he saying the Jews were given the gospel?...

For the answer, look back at Verse 1:while the promise of entering his rest

The Jews were given the promise that if they believe, they would enter God’s rest

Most did not and therefore, did not!!!

What caused this failure?...

they were not united by faith

Simply, they did not receive God's promise (word) with faith, they heard it but just didn’t accept it in

faith!Without faith, we have nothing

Of the 243 times Faith is used in the NT, this kicks of the author’s use of the word for a total of 32

So how important is it to have faith?...

From the human side, belief with nothing else will save us; unbelief with everything else will condemn us

(JM)

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,’”

The people united in faith will receive what?...God’s rest

Those not exercising faith to belief are promised what?...

God’s wrath

So how important is that belief thing????

4 For he has somewhere spoken of the seventh day in this way: “And God rested on the seventh day

from all his works.”

Would you consider Adam and Eve at rest prior to committing the first sin?...

OF COURSE THEY WERE AT REST

They needed nothing! They walked and talked with God, they were sinless, perfect

and living in a perfect environment!!

And, so was God:

Go to Genesis 1:Last sentence in verse: 5, 8, 13, 19, 23, 31

Now compare with 2:1-3

What is the difference in the comparison?...God RESTED!

Does this mean God is idle?...John 5:17

But Jesus answered them, “My Father is working until now, and I am working.”

God rested on the seventh day (Gen. 2:2-3) from His work of Creation. But Jesus pointed to the continuous work of God as

a justification for His Sabbath activity. God sustains the universe, begets life, and visits judgments

The Bible Knowledge Commentary

But, though he rested from creating, he never ceased from preserving and governing that which he had formed

Adam Clarke

This rest is more like that of the satisfaction of a job well done

Simply, God rested from the work of creation but not from the work of God!!

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,

The comparison is between the Israelis refusing (disobedience) to enter Cannan where they would find rest

And us, refusing salvation which leads to God’s rest as discussed (peace with God) and ultimately the rest of heaven

They were given a choice between God’s will and their own

Same choice is on the table for all mankind today!

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.”

How can we enter God’s rest today – doesn’t that mean going to heaven??

NO! as previously discussed:

• No more self effort to please God by fleshy works• God’s perfect rest is a rest in free grace • Freedom from being bothered by nuisances and

hassles; • Inwardly quiet • Rest from worry• To be at peace with God • Rest from fear• Free from guilt or unnecessary guilt• Freedom from worry about sin• Rest = to lean on God

THIS REST IS AVAILABLE NOW TO ANY THAT ASKES FOR IT SIMPLY BY RECEIVING CHRIST AS SAVIOR AND

LORD THIS REST IS AVAILABLE

TODAY!!!RIGHT NOW!!!

“Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts.”

2 Corinthians 6:2

for He says, "AT THE ACCEPTABLE TIME I LISTENED TO YOU, AND ON THE DAY OF SALVATION I HELPED

YOU." Behold, now is "THE ACCEPTABLE TIME," behold, now is "THE DAY OF SALVATION"—

THE QUESTION NOW:

WILL THERE BE A DAY WHEN THE REST OF GOD WILL NO LONGER BE AVAILABLE?

YES

WHENAT THE END OF THE MILLENNIUM PERIOD:

Revelation 20:11-15 11 Then I saw a great white throne and him who was

seated on it. From his presence earth and sky fled away, and no place was found for them.

12 And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Then

another book was opened, which is the book of life. And the dead were judged by what was written in the

books, according to what they had done.

13 And the sea gave up the dead who were in it, Death and Hades gave up the dead who were in them, and

they were judged, each one of them, according to what they had done.

14 Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire

15 And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.

Those alive non-believers were already judged (v9) This is the last judgment, that of the dead

8 For if Joshua had given them rest, God would not have spoken of another day later on.

9 So then, there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God,

Could Joshua have provided “rest” if they followed him?...Yes – the rest of Canaan

Is this the rest discussed here?...No – this is spiritual rest that only God can provide

And yes, God provided Cana for His people as a form of rest just like receiving Christ provides a form of rest for us!

10 for whoever has entered God’s rest has also rested from his works as God did from his

We transition here

Previously we were discussing the immediate rest that comes when we accept Christ

Now it looks as though the author is discussing the final rest, when we enter the presence of God!

How else can we be rested from his (our) works?

So how do we apply this to us today, right now?...Let’s take a test:

• Are you trying to please God by fleshy works• His rest is a rest in free grace, is that how you live• Do you rest from worry• Are you free of being bothered by nuisance and

hassle • Are you inwardly quiet (peaceful) • Are you at peace with God• Are you free from guilt or unnecessary guilt• Are you free from worry about sin• Do you rest from fear• Do you lean on God