Paul's Epistles – Hebrews – Part 6:
A Sabbath-Rest for the People of God
Pastor Bruce A. Shields
SERMON INTRODUCTION
The “official” writer of this epistle is
unknown. However, I obviously believe it is Paul since I have included it in
the “Paul’s Epistles” Sermon Series.
I believe there is enough evidence from
early scholars to agree this was more than likely Paul’s work.
Last week we examined Paul’s writings on
Jesus, the Son being Greater than Angels.
This week, Paul will give a warning for
listeners to pay attention, and the fact that Jesus was made fully human.
We have already seen in Hebrews so far;
·
Jesus is greater than angels
·
And that we are to pay the most careful
attention to Jesus and His way so we do not stray
·
And how Jesus (New Covenant) is greater
than Moses (Old Covenant)
·
Paul’s warning about unbelief
TODAY’S SERMON
“A Sabbath-Rest for the People of God”
SCRIPTURE REFERENCE
Hebrews 4:1-13
Therefore, since the promise of entering
his rest still stands, let us be careful that none of you be found to have fallen
short of it. 2 For we also have had the good
news proclaimed to us, just as they did; but the message they heard was of no
value to them, because they did not share the faith of those who obeyed. 3 Now we who have believed enter that rest,
just as God has said,
“So I declared on oath in my anger,
‘They shall never enter my rest.’”
‘They shall never enter my rest.’”
And yet his works have been finished since
the creation of the world. 4 For somewhere he has spoken
about the seventh day in these words: “On the seventh day God rested from all
his works.” 5 And again in the passage above
he says, “They shall never enter my rest.”
6 Therefore since it still remains for some
to enter that rest, and since those who formerly had the good news proclaimed
to them did not go in because of their disobedience, 7 God again set a certain day, calling it
“Today.” This he did when a long time later he spoke through David, as in the
passage already quoted:
“Today, if you hear his voice,
do not harden your hearts.”
do not harden your hearts.”
8 For if Joshua had given them rest, God would not have spoken later about another day. 9 There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the
people of God;10 for anyone who enters God’s
rest also rests from their works, just as God did from his. 11 Let us, therefore, make every effort to
enter that rest, so that no one will perish by following their example of
disobedience.
12 For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged
sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow;
it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. 13 Nothing in all creation is hidden from
God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare
before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.
The overall
message of this epistle to the church is;
“The Cure for Lacking Boldness or Courage in
your Christian Faith and Backsliding is a Right beginning for the Glory and
Work of Christ”
I. THE
PROMISE TO ALL, OLD AND NEW COVENANT
a. The Good News
was/is proclaimed
i. The message of belief (to TRUST in) God
ii. This message given to the Israelites for putting
trust in God is the same message to us today
iii. We must put our trust in the Lord, trusting in Him
is the belief we need to enter His rest!
b. The disobedient
shall never enter in to His rest
i. We see they wandered for 40 because they were disobedient
ii. Because of disobedience, they were never allowed to
enter His rest
iii. Paul explains the same goes for today
1. If you do not Trust in the Lord, you are
disobedient
2. If you are disobedient, you “will never” enter the
Lord’s rest
c. Therefore, be
obedient “today” and enter His rest
i. We see Paul mention scripture referring to “today” multiple times
ii. Paul is stressing God’s point, if you hear God’s
voice TODAY, answer Him TODAY
1. Proverb 27:1 “Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know
what a day may bring.”
2. James
4:13-14 “Come now, you who say,
“Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there
and trade and make a profit”— yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring.
What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then
vanishes.”
iii. God urges us to make
right with Him NOW, TODAY, do not wait, for you may not have tomorrow!
II.
ENTER IN TO HIS REST
a. “Today” if you
hear His voice, do not harden your heart
i. Isaiah
22:13 “Behold, joy
and gladness, killing oxen and slaughtering sheep, eating flesh and drinking
wine. “Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die.”
b. There was no
rest from Joshua (not Jesus)
i. First of all, this was supposed to be translated Joshua, not Jesus
1. Remember last week, Joshua and Caleb were the only
2 who did not provoke the Lord in the wilderness.
ii. Paul reminding the Hebrews that Joshua leading the
Israelites into Canaan was symbolic of the rest that was to come in trusting in
Jesus, not the actual rest of God.
iii. Rest is found nowhere but in the Lord, and by no
means (acts/works or man) other than Trusting in the Lord
c. When you rest,
you rest from works as God did
i. God rested on the 7th day when creation was completed
ii. We, through our faith in Christ Jesus, can rest
because the plan of redemption is finished, no works/deeds/acts need to be done
to receive Salvation
iii. Paul states in verse
11, “Let us hasten therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man
fall after the example of unbelief”
III.
FOR THE WORD OF GOD IS ALIVE
a. Alive and
Active
i. The Word is actively seizing the conscience of the sinner
ii. Cutting him to the heart (the seat of disobedience
and obedience)
iii. Then comforting him and binding up the wounds so
that we transform in accordance with the Holy Spirit
b. Penetrating,
dividing soul & spirit
i. It convinces us powerfully
ii. Converts us powerfully
iii. Destroying the strongholds Satan sets up in us, so
that the Lord’s Kingdom may be built up within us
c. Dividing joints
and marrow
i. It enters where no sword can making critical dissection
ii. Causing habitual offenders to prevail
iii. Proud souls humble
iv. Perverse spirits meek and obedient
v. This sword can make men willing to undergo the most painful of
operations for the purpose of conquering sin
d. The Word of God
judges THOUGHTS and ATTITUDES of the heart
i. The Word will turn a sinner inside out, and allow him to see himself
for what he truly is, bringing to light the very sin that keeps him from living
a victorious and obedient life
ii. Reveal to me my heart Lord!
CONCLUSION – nothing in all
creation is hidden from god’s sight
Everything is
uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.
The Lord Jesus
Christ, His person, His omniscience…
Nothing in all
creation is hidden from His sight. Nothing is concealed from Christ, therefore,
no motions or workings of our heads or hearts are covered, yet revealed, open
and manifest to Him.
Let us conduct
ourselves appropriately toward the Lord of Salvation.
If you hear His
voice calling, answer TODAY!
Hold firmly to
faith and profess Him.
Never deny Him
or be ashamed of Him before men.
Boldly come to
His throne of Grace, there His Grace reigns and acts with sovereign freedom,
power and bounty.
It is good for
us to be found at His throne of Grace where we receive mercy and fond Grace to
help us in our time of need.
Through our
faith in Him, Trusting, we can find God’s rest, and find ourselves in a place
where the Holy Spirit can begin a work in us.
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