Hebrews 4:1-11 Enjoying His Rest TPC 5,19,25

INTRODUCTION: Rest is one of the most sought after commodities in life today

A.)People purchase vehicles, Homes, toys take trips trying to achieve REST

B) Special places are built and designed called "resorts" - where people pay top dollar try and experience rest - hectic lives

1) Advertisers really appeal to need and desire for people have for rest

Go to therapist - pay huge amounts – In Hopes to finding some rest

But Nothing compares to rest we will discuss in our passage today.

Doesn't cost a thing; don't have to go anywhere to find it

A)It is the Ultimate in experiencing the rest, refreshment, and fulfillment - people longing for. Rest I refer to is the COMPLETE rest found in J.C.

Read v.1-11

B) In Chapters 3&4 of Hebrews the writer pulls from the O.T. picture of Israel’s Deliverance from Egypt

1) And God desire to lead them to the promised land as an Illustration of

the Ultimate Rest found in Christ.

C) Ch. 4 is a Continuation of Ch.3 that we looked at on Wed. night – where we noted that God led his people out of Egypt – Great Power

1) Destroyed their Former – Master – at the Red Sea

D) For a yr. & ½ He Miraculously provided for them – water / manna / quail He led them Cloud by day – Pillar fire by night / Protection from Enemies

1) 7 Stops – Seven lessons – Who He was how He would Provide /

After that He took them to the door way of the Promised land – Kadesh Barnea – Spies sent in – Joshua & Caleb – Preached Gospel –

A)Good news – God has given us this land – Land flowing w/ milk & Honey – awesome place – Inhabitants are our Bread – lets go

B) But the other ten spies – Giants - we can’t take them / People doubted

1) And after all that God had done & showed them of His Power & Provision – they didn’t Believe –

C) God said Because of their Unbelief they will not enter into MY REST :

1) That was the focus of our study Wed. The Sin of Unbelief / It’s symptoms & Affects

Now as we come to Ch.4 – The Writer tells us something of the Complete Rest that God Provides : note 6 things

A)1^st the Rest involves more than just being delivered from Bondage

B) God led His people out of the Bondage of Egypt for the purpose of leading them into the Promised Land

C) When The Lord saves a person – His purpose isn’t just to deliver them from the Bondage of Sin

1) But He wants them to experience that Ultimate Rest in Christ

D) V.1 There remains a promise of entering His Rest / v.9 …. For the people of God

2^nd Not based on a certain day: When I was a kid - I lived for Saturdays - the day!

A.) T.V. in the morning - baseball, basketball - all day! Some days Bike 10 miles beach - catch waves - lay on sand (awesome)

B.) People today LIVE for weekends - party - cut loose; relax - get away from stress

1.) For the Jews they had a Special day Sabbath – A day of Rest

C)The Lord instituted for His people one day in seven where they would cease from Labor , work, exertion

1) He modeled this Himself in Creation on the 7^th day after He declared that His work was finished - He rested – Now the Lord did this for 2 reasons

It wasn’t that He was tired – spoke the World into existence

A)1^st Example to His People – take one day in seven – give that day completely to the Lord –

B) 2^nd See He knew how important this would be for their spiritual & Physical Health

The Sabbath was also a time of trusting in God’s Provision

A)Pick Manna for 5 days – only enough for that day – on the 6^th day they would pick for 2 days – had to trust God would provide enough

B) There were the Sabbath yrs – work the fields for 6 yrs / then take one off / trust that the Lord would provide enough in that 6^th yr. for the 7^th

1) The Sabbath was a special day/ but the pt. The writer is making in v.4-7 is it wasn’t the Complete Rest which is why the Lord spoke of another day

3^rd Thing we want to note is this REST is not found in a Special Place

v.8 For if Joshua had given them rest, then He would not afterward have spoken of another day.

A)Joshua led the 2^nd Generation of Israelites into the land of Rest / they experienced some of the Blessings & the Abundance

B) It was a Rich Land/ yet Joshua spoke of another day – More Perfect Rest

4^th Key – Rest is not found in a day/ not found in a place – Person

There remains therefore a rest for the people of God. ¹⁰For he who has entered His rest has himself also ceased from his works as God did from His.

A)His Rest – ceased from His Works / Christ declared on the Cross – it is finished – Work was complete – Seating at right Hand

B) Here is the point – the person who has found His rest in Christ has learned it is not found in Keeping a Code / following rules

1) It is not found in some special place of worship or Meditation

C) It is found by placing my faith in the finished work of Christ & surrending to His leading in my life

D) How does one Rest & Cease from His Works – it is in ceasing from Self

1) See it is the old self that always insist on Proving its goodness & strength & presses forward to do the works of God

E) But it is only in death to self & the flesh that we rest from Works

The 3 Rest that Israel experienced are illustrations of the Complete Rest that Christ offers to those who put their trust in Him

A)The Deliverance of Israel from Egypt is a picture of what Happens to a person who places their faith in Jesus Christ – SALVATION REST

B)They are delivered from the Bondage of Sin / Satan’s power is destroyed

C) The weariness that sin brings & the Burden of guilt that people carry because of Sin is lifted

1) It means freedom from the worry of Sin because it is FORGIVEN

The Sabbath Rest pictured the Finished work of Christ

A)That when He died on the Cross at Calvary it meant that the Work of Salvation was done

B) It signifies that I am RESTING IN THE PROVISION OF GOD for my salvation

1) It is believing that God has provided all that is needed for right standing w/ Him – nothing we can do to add to it

But what does Canaan represent for the Christian – heaven?

A) No in Canaan there were battles to fight / work to be done / Enemies to Conquer

B) There is No SUCH THINGS IN HEAVEN –

The Land of Canaan – the rest of Canaan represents for the Believer in Jesus Christ the SPIRIT FILLED /LED LIFE

A) A Life that is fixed on the Promise of God: Joshua 1

B) Life of being submitted to & led by the Lord – JERICHO CH.5

C) Canaan represents the Christian life as it ought to be/ sure conflicts; battles; warfare - but victories!

1) Canaan represents that time where we are moving forward / living on promises / seeking to take hold of the inheritance we have in Christ!

It is described as a Land of Rest – because God was the one doing the work – although they were Participants in what He was doing

A)The Lord was doing the work - they just reaped blessing

B) Fighting not for Victory but From Victory – More than Conquerors but looking to Him to Lead us

C) Seen clearly at Jericho – what did they do? – They marched / they shouted but God brought the walls down

D) But He wasn’t going to bring the walls down unless they trusted Him stepping out in faith – believing

1) Life of absolute dependency / Partnering w/ the Lord in Faith & trust

So It was God who was giving the victory / but they were called to participate by faith in what He was doing

A)The Rest of Canaan signifies Christ as our Leader & Helper in life / our need to Look to Him in all things

B) Depending upon Him for strength & Following Him in Faith / Relying upon the Power of His Spirit to help us accomplish His Will

Jesus illustrated this as well in Matt.11:28,29 – Turn

²⁸Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. ²⁹Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. ³⁰For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

A)Come – Christ invitation – Notice Not a to do list – but He draws people to Himself – Come

B) That is the initial step in Salvation is about Coming to Christ – by placing faith in His finished work – we exercise that by coming

C) Who is the Invitation presented to? All who are Weary & Heavy laden

1) Weary speaks of those who are exhausted by the pressures of life All who are weary from trying to follow God in their own efforts /

D) Heavy Laden speaks of Burdened down – Burdened by Guilt – burdened by sin / burdened by pressure – Jesus says Come

So To come speaks of the method of salvation

A)Take His Yoke – speaks of the purpose of Salvation – not saved by your works but God has a work for you to accomplish

B) He has a Plan for your life / Partner w/ Him

Now a yoke is a harness / a connection - that joins to animals together / they would walk side by side to plow a field

A) Now often times they would take an older stronger animal & Yoke it w/ a younger animal.

B) The older stronger animal would know how to walk /where to go &

what to do / sturdy in its tracks / knowing the plan/ where to go.

1) So when the younger animal would try to get away or to go another way - they would be stuck –

C)Sometimes that would wiggling back & forth so much that the yoke would begin to make neck sore /

D) But it was all part of the breaking process of getting that animal to finally give up & get w/ the program. That younger animal would realize

1) I can’t run I had better stay right here.

E)Entering the rest that comes from being Yoked to Christ means I am ceasing from self effort & yielding up oneself in full surrender to God

Jesus also says Learn of Me – Not Learn from me – but Learn of me

A)See Him in each situation – see how He works – see His power displayed - Learn to trust Him –

B) Yoke is easy = Well fitting – perfect fit for You

C)Here is how some people think - problem - God has a plan for my life - He is mean - - He is unfair

1) They have this fear of total surrender - won't like His plan

D)Problem is they don't know God - God of poor religious upbringing

What does scripture tell us about God's plan for us

Rom 12:1,2 - ¹I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. ²And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that That is God's will good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

A) Good - as opposed to bad / Acceptable - as opposed to rejectable

It is perfect as opposed to flawed

B) But why is it that so many think - really give life to God pay back time -

Don’t' understand His heart

1) I have been there - believers' meeting

C) Dating - couple of gals I was not physically attracted to/ Is this the one not my will but maybe God's will - open - learn to be attracted I guess

C) Learned - 3 kinds of love in marriage - Agape - highest

Unconditional self - sacrificing love

D)Phileo - brotherly - friend - love your company

1) Eros - attracted -want to hold you

E) Learned that Person I marry is going to be someone attracted to Spiritually see the Lord

1) Friendship – enjoy their company / Physically there is going to be some chemistry there / desire to hold & touch

Well Met Denise - glad - agape - neat - love the Lord in her

Phileo - friend - loved hanging out / Eroes - attracted

A)1^st date - let me hold her hand – she likes me too

B) God’s will is good / acceptable – perfect – It is what He made you for

1) This perfect plan – Made for this –

Now when Jesus says take my Yoke – He is saying let me lead you let me train you / allow me to be your guide / your Strength

A)That life results in an ACTIVE REST - active because I am serving – but it is restful because He supplying the strength & resources

B) One of the greatest examples of this life is found in George Muller

George Mueller was a Man of incredible faith - He was used mightily by the Lord!

A.) Started ministry orphans and street kids - when he died in 1898, his death was national event -

It is recorded of his funeral that nothing like it was ever seen in the city. Businesses closed to give their employees time off to witness the event. Thousands lined the streets leading to the cemetery. The whole city mourned

Obituary notices appeared in newspapers nationwide. England's Daily Telegraph summed up the life of this great Christian: "Mr. Mueller robbed the cruel streets of thousands of victims, the jails of thousands of felons, the workhouse of thousands of helpless Kids ."

The Bristol Times said, "He was raised up for the purpose of showing that the age of miracles is not past"

Few people labored as long and as arduously in the cause of Christ as George Mueller. When he was seventy years of age he decided to become a missionary. He already had behind him some mighty monuments to a life of faith. Five large orphan houses stood as monuments to his extraordinary vision, zeal, and trust in God. More than a thousand orphans has been loved, housed, fed, educated and settled in gainful employment.

Nearly two million Bibles had been circulated through his efforts. three million books and tracts had been given away. A poor man, solely dependent on God, George Mueller had received and given away the astonishing sum of $7.5 million

When he was seventy he decided the time had come for a change. He would be a missionary! Five times within the first eight years of his Christian life George Mueller had offered himself as a missionary candidate to various mission boards. He had always been turned down as unpromising material!

Now suddenly the world became his parish. He traveled throughout the United Kingdom, the European continent, the United States, the mainland of Asia, the subcontinent of Australia. He traveled more than 200,000 miles in days when traveling was not as convenient and as comfortable as it is today. He spoke more than six thousand times, despite advancing years. He died at the age of ninety-three and entered into his eternal rest.

What was the secret of this busy life? Rest! He had learned the secret of Christ rest. He had learned the secret summed up in the lines of the hymn:

Lord Jesus, Thou has promised rest, Then give it not to me

The rest of ceasing from myself To find my all in thee

#5 - About this Rest! We need to make experiencing it a priority in our lives. v.11 - Diligent means make haste!

A.) Make experiencing that rest a priority!

classified ad in a New Mexico Paper :"Farmer with 160 irrigated acres wants marriage-minded woman with tractor. When replying, please show picture of tractor''

B)There was no doubting what the priority was

Someone is reported to have asked a concert violinist in New York's Carnegie Hall how she became so skilled. She said that it was by "planned neglect." She planned to neglect everything that was not related to her goal.

Our Goal - experience Fullness Christ!

C) The Writer of Hebrews says – Make this your Priority / Enter into the Fullness of Christ Rest - How ?

1) First step - get saved!

If are saved – Cease from Self Works /

A)Daily acknowledges Dependency on Christ /

1) Trust Christ to Fill you w/ His Power & Lead you by His Spirit but not

#6 - Possibility to miss out on it! V.1

A.) Come short of it - wander!

1.) How unbelief - v.2 - gospel - good news - not mixed with faith

B.) Those who did enter believed!

Same is true - all encompassing rest in Jesus!

C)Believe it - experience it - or don't - wander

Once of characteristics of unbelief - is apathy! Example

A.) Reuben & Gad - Didn't enter it - but chose to dwell on other side!

B.) Some believers that way - God has so much for them to experience - content - just be saved!

1.) Miss out on the fullness of salvation - never really grow in Christ! - Listen carefully

The rest is not contingent on my believing and submitting!

A.) Note: it is there - it is available - but my experiencing the rest is contingent on my believing and submitting!

B.) Let's say - I deposit 1 million dollars in your account - "It is there , it is yours" - but you don't believe it!

1.) Live in shack - walk everywhere - have only 1 pair clothes

C.) You missed it - but there all the time!

Guys - don't' miss it!

Murray :The reason they did not enter into Canaan was their unbelief .The land was waiting the rest was provided God Himself was going to bring them in & give them rest One thing was lacking – they did not believe so they did not yield themselves to Him – they didn’t yoke themselves to Him . Unbelief closes the heart against God withdraws the life from God’s power – unbelief renders the word of promise of no affect in that persons life