“A promise remains of entering his rest.” Title Slide: “A Promise of Entering His Rest” (Heb.4:1-13) Hebrews 4:1-13

A Rest Remains A Promise That Remains “Therefore, since a promise remains of entering His rest, let us fear lest any of you seem to have come short of it…Since therefore it remains that some must enter it, and those to whom it was first preached did not enter because of disobedience.” {Hebrews 4:1,6} According to the Hebrew writer “ a promise remains.” (Heb.4:1,6) continue next slide…

A Rest Remains A Promise That Remains “Again He designates a certain day, saying in David, ‘Today, after such a long time, as it has been said: Today, if you will hear His voice, Do not harden your hearts…’ There remains therefore a rest for the people of God.” {Hebrews 4:7,9} According to the Hebrew writer “ a promise remains.” (Heb.4:7,9) We want to try to learn what this REST is that remains…We know God cannot lie…(Titus 1:2).

A Rest Remains Not the Sabbath Rest “For He has spoken in a certain place of the seventh day in this way: ‘And God rested on the seventh day from all His works.’” {Hebrews 4:4} “And on the seventh day God ended His work which He had done, and He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had done.” {Genesis 2:2} Not the Sabbath Rest. (Heb.4:4) Also Gen.2:2—this is the rest God took after His six days of creation work.

A Rest Remains Not the Sabbath Rest “Then he said to them, this is what the LORD has said: 'Tomorrow is a Sabbath rest, a holy Sabbath to the LORD...’” {Exodus 16:23} “You made known to them Your holy Sabbath, And commanded them precepts, statutes and laws, By the hand of Moses Your servant.” {Nehemiah 9:14} Not the Sabbath Rest. (Exo.16:23) Also Neh.9:13,14—this SABBATH REST God gave in the Law of Moses. Also see Exo. 20:8-11—part of Ten Commandments. Deut.5:12-15—part of reminding the second generation of the original Ten Commandments. Eph.2:14,15—brought peace by removing the “wall of separation” created by the Old Law. Nailed to the cross—Col.2:14-17—Sabbath commands then removed.

A Rest Remains Not the Canaan Rest “For if Joshua had given them rest, then He would not afterward have spoken of another day. There remains therefore a rest for the people of God.” {Hebrews 4:8,9} “Until the LORD has given rest to your brethren as to you, and they also possess the land which the LORD your God is giving them beyond the Jordan. Then each of you may return to his possession which I have given you.” {Deuteronomy 3:20} Not the Canaan Rest. (Heb.4:8,9) Also Deut.3:20—this CANAAN REST God gave THE Jews after they took the Land of Promise following period of conquest.

A Rest Remains Not the Canaan Rest “For as yet you have not come to the rest and the inheritance which the LORD your God is giving you. But when you cross over the Jordan and dwell in the land which the LORD your God is giving you to inherit, and He gives you rest from all your enemies round about, so that you dwell in safety.” {Deuteronomy 12:9,10} Not the Canaan Rest. (Deut.12:9,10) This CANAAN REST God gave the Jews after they took the Land of Promise following period of conquest.

A Rest Remains Not the Canaan Rest “Until the LORD has given your brethren rest, as He gave you, and they also have taken possession of the land which the LORD your God is giving them. Then you shall return to the land of your possession and enjoy it, which Moses the LORD'S servant gave you on this side of the Jordan toward the sunrise.” {Joshua 1:15} Not the Canaan Rest. (Josh.1:13-15) Talking with the tribes of Gad, Reuben, and ½ tribe of Manasseh concerning their inheritance on the other side of Jordan (before they crossed over). After the land was fully taken, God would grant rest to ALL the people. God fulfilled this promise, Josh.21:43-45—read. Also look at Psa.95:7,8

A Rest Remains The rest comes when the labor is done. Rest from… “There remains therefore a rest for the people of God. For he who has entered His rest has himself also ceased from his works as God did from His.” {Hebrews 4:9,10} Rest from… Trials, tribulations, persecution Temptations, sin, Satan Evil people Weariness and physical drudgery of life The Rest Comes When The Labor is Done. (Heb.4:9,10) Rest From… Trials, tribulations, persecution—no longer will we have to be tried and tested—all trials will be over. Temptations, sin, and our adversary, Satan—no longer lurking (1 Pet.5:8). Evil people—all will be in Hell with the devil! (Rev.21:8) Weariness and physical drudgery of life, Rev.21:1-4.

A Rest Remains The rest comes when the labor is done. Rest with… “There remains therefore a rest for the people of God. For he who has entered His rest has himself also ceased from his works as God did from His.” {Hebrews 4:9,10} Rest with… The saints The faithful of old The Lord Jesus Christ God the Father The Rest Comes When The Labor is Done. (Heb.4:9,10) Rest with… The saints—the whole family of God The faithful of old through all the ages The Lord Jesus Christ—the one who died for us. God the Father—who loved us enough to send and allow His Son to die on the cross…

Entering is Conditional “Let Us Fear” “Therefore, since a promise remains of entering His rest, let us fear lest any of you seem to have come short of it… And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.” {Hebrews 4:1,13} Entering is Conditional. “Let Us Fear.” (Heb.4:1,13) We can enter this rest only if we have met the requirements established by the Son. We must respect God’s word!

Entering is Conditional “Let Us Fear” “Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.” {Philippians 2:12} “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; a good understanding have all those who do His commandments. His praise endures forever.” {Psalm 111:10} Entering Is Conditional. “Let Us Fear.” (Phil.2:12; Psa.111:10) This REST is conditional on our having the proper “fear” (respect) for Him. Also see Prov.1:7; Matt.10:28.

Entering is Conditional “The Gospel Was Preached” “For indeed the gospel was preached to us as well as to them; but the word which they heard did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in those who heard it... For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” {Hebrews 4:2,12} Entering is Conditional. “The Gospel Was Preached.” (Heb.4:2,12) God’s word was preached, believed, and obeyed—this put them in line to receive the promised rest!

Entering is Conditional “The Gospel Was Preached” “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.” {Romans 1:16} “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” {Romans 10:17} Entering is Conditional. “The Gospel Was Preached.” (Romans 1:16; 10:17) God’s word was preached, believed and obeyed—this put them in line to receive this promise rest! Preached to the whole world—Col.1:5,23.

Entering is Conditional We Who Have Believed Do Enter “Let us therefore be diligent to enter that rest, lest anyone fall according to the same example of disobedience.” {Hebrews 4:11} “Therefore I said to you that you will die in your sins; for if you do not believe that I am He, you will die in your sins.” {John 8:24} “But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” {Hebrews 11:6} Entering is Conditional. “We Who Have Believed Do Enter.” (Heb.4:1,2,7,11,12) {Emphatic futuristic present middle indicative of “eiserchomai”. We are sure to enter in, we who believe.} Also see Jno.8:24; Heb.11:6. One’s adherence to God commands assures us of entrance into this rest! (Mk.16:16; Gal.3:26,27; Rev.2:10)

Entering is Conditional “Let Us Therefore Be Diligent to Enter That Rest” “Let us therefore be diligent to enter that rest, lest anyone fall according to the same example of disobedience.” {Hebrews 4:11} “Do not labor for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to everlasting life, which the Son of Man will give you, because God the Father has set His seal on Him.” {John 6:27} Entering is Conditional. “Let Us Therefore Be Diligent To Enter That Rest.” (Heb.4:11; Jno.6:27) Entrance depends on a continual walk with the Master. (2 Pet.1:5-11; Heb.6:11)

“Lest Any of You Seem to Have Come Short of It” We Could Fail to Enter “Lest Any of You Seem to Have Come Short of It” “Therefore, since a promise remains of entering His rest, let us fear lest any of you seem to have come short of it… For we who have believed do enter that rest, as He has said: So I swore in My wrath, 'They shall not enter My rest,' although the works were finished from the foundation of the world.” {Hebrews 4:1,3} We Could Fail to Enter!. “Lest any of You Seem to Have Come Short Of It.” (Heb.4:1,3) That’s why those of old failed to obtain their promised rest—Heb.3:7-14. Look at the warning in 1 Cor.10:1-13. Vine and branches—Jno.15:1-10.

“Did Not Enter Because of Disobedience” We Could Fail to Enter “Did Not Enter Because of Disobedience” “For indeed the gospel was preached to us as well as to them; but the word which they heard did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in those who heard it... Since therefore it remains that some must enter it, and those to whom it was first preached did not enter because of disobedience.” {Hebrews 4:2,6} We Could Fail to Enter!. “Did Not Enter Because of Disobedience.” (Heb.4:2,6) Sadly, those to whom the promises were made failed to enter because they did not obey His voice! Also see Hebrews 3:15-19. We must be obedient, Heb.5:8,9; Matt.7:21-23; 2 Jno.9; 2 Pet.2:20-22.

Do Not Harden Your Hearts “Today if you will hear His voice” (Vs.7) “For the Word of God is living…: (Vs.12) Timeless and permanently effective “Discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” Demands a response Exposes the honesty of the heart Any “wounds” from reading the Word? Do Not Harden Your Hearts. “Today if you will hear His voice.” (Heb. 4:7) “For the word of God is living…” (Heb.4:12). Timeless and permanently effective—the word will do its job! “Discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” Gets down to the real issues and reasons for our faith and actions. Demands a response—we cannot just sit by idly without making a choice. Exposes the honesty of the heart —one’s true motive and desire. Any “wounds” from reading the Word? How if we are following God’s will and plans? Impossible!

Lessons Learned Grace does not exclude conditions Grace never excludes healthy fear Grace does not exclude faithfulness It is possible to fall from grace - to fail to reach the rest We must give an account to Him who sees all - vs. 13 As the promise remains, so does God’s threat Lessons Learned: Explain and discuss briefly each point…

Will You Enter? “A promise remains of entering His rest” Final Slide: “A Promise of Entering His Rest” Will you Enter? {Invitation} Will You Enter?