Study # 16 Hebrews 4: 4-16
Rest Remains

We are picking up from 2 weeks back concerning God’s rest. Here in 4:4-10 we will see proof that there is a rest remaining for God’s people.

The argument is that God’s rest is still available. Remember as we deal with this that we are still in the warning passage to ENTER the rest.

Follow the progression with me From the beginning to now.

V. 4 We see that the rest began in Genesis 2:2, in verse 5 the wilderness generation of Israelis didn’t enter the rest because of unbelief. IN verse 8 we see that Joshua entering the land STILL didn’t give rest. And in verse 7 (Psalm 95) David shows there was a rest still available.

In verse 9 The rest STILL remains, so keep that in mind as we continue our study in Hebrews.

We left off last time in verse 3 stating that a rest is still available.

Look at part 1 today I. Proof of the Available Rest 4-10

II. Will be a plea for Entering That rest...11-13

III. Will see Power For Entering The Rest 14-16

I. The Proof Of Available Rest.

v.4 “For” He shows that God’s rest is still available by quoting Genesis 2:2 ( That’s the “certain place” and again he attributes authorship to God ) But his point is the rest began with God ceasing from His works.

In verse 5 he quotes Psalm 95, showing that the same rest was available in Moses’ day...now look at verses 6-7 Seeing therefore it remains that some must enter therein, and they to whom it was first preached entered not in because of unbelief: 7 Again, he limits a certain day, saying in David, To day, after so long a time; as it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts.

Since Moses’ generation didn’t take advantage of God’s rest, God extended it into David’s time. He says “and a rest remains”, yet David recognized that even in his day most of the people don’t enter the rest.

What he is saying is “God kept offering rest to each generation because no generation fully took advantage of God’s rest.

Note “The ones to whom it was first preached” That’s Israel in Moses’ time, but thy didn’t enter because of unbelief, literally disobedience.

In David’s time it was the same situation and verse 7, speaking of that time “He limits or ordains a certain day, saying that today, after so long a time 400 years from Moses to David, don’t harden your heart.

In verse 8 is a parenthesis and offers answer to a natural objection: “WAIT,” someone might say, “didn’t Joshua give them rest when they entered the land?” And the answer : Psalm 95 proves that Joshua didn’t bring them complete rest. There is a spiritual aspect to this rest. There was more than a natural rest, a personal rest was available based on having personal faith. SO although Israel entered the land, it’s people didn’t stay true to God, they didn’t serve God with all their hearts but went after idols instead. So he says “NO, the Israelis of Joshua’s day did not get rest.”

So he uses all of this from v.4 to now to prove his point, therefore, since Moses’ day and Joshua’s day and David’s day the rest wasn’t fully entered into it is still available today. Here refers to “ this present age.” and he says “The rest remains.”

The term “rest has been one referring to repose ( katapausis), But here the word “rest” is different (sabbatismos ). It is a SABBATH rest, bringing us back to Genesis 2, a ceasing from works, because this rest is by trust. And the rest remains for those who identify themselves with God through faith in Jesus Christ. He explains why he uses this word in verse 10; because they kind of rest that is available today isn’t earned through works and ritual. This rest is more full than just entering a land, it is a rest like God’s rest, a ceasing from works, a spiritual rest.

He concluded here that they are still able to be saved and we know that the age called grace is still in effect. So I say today, September 14, 2008, Beloved of Nealley’s Corner, there is still a rest available and God is pleading with you to enter that rest, to receive Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, because Christ is the only way to the Father .

Jesus said it in John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

The rest is still available, but for how much longer? For as the Spirit of God showed the Proof of rest, he also adds this PLEA TO ENTER THAT REST in vv 11-13.

The writer applies Psalm 95 again and he is saying this: You better come to Christ as Lord, mean business because God isn’t deceived by a false profession.

Let us LABOR, be diligent, eager, serious, not saying work for it but rather pay diligent attention to your heart and enter God’s rest by faith. Get serious with God, don’t play church any more, pay heed that you do not fall after the same example of disobedience.

FALL here is the same word as 3:17 “carcasses fell in the wilderness.” and if your translation says “unbelief” it is the term which means obstinate and rebellious, disobedience, unbelief.

Look at verse 12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

He has just said “get really saved, show faith by being obedient to God, make sure of your salvation for God knows your heart, God knows where you stand with him.

The “word of God” (not logos here) but God’s words, his pronouncement, is sure because he knows out thoughts and our motives.

His word or pronouncement is alive. Right NOW God is discerning, v3

his pronouncement of judgment is powerful and active, at work to discern our heart attitudes. Our very spirit’s hidden thoughts are not hidden from God.

And Verse 13 continues saying that God’s word or judgment is sure because God sees into our hearts. All things are naked and open. “Open” is the same word we get tracker from and it has a cause ending, so: everything is caused to be laid bare, honest and open in front of the one with whom we have to do. That one is the Christ, the logos, the living word, the one who was and is and ever shall be, the Alpha and Omega, Jesus.

God’s mercy is shown here as the writer not only shows the proof of the rest and the plea to enter it But finally he shows the POWER TO ENTER GOD’S REST 14-16

This is a return to the Main theme of the book showing Christ as high priest, the only one to whom we can come for help n this situation.

And because the one who judges us is also our high priest, because we have a high priest be sure to press on to find that rest.

Because v 15 “our high priest isn’t only our judge but is truly understanding. He isn’t just the one who sits outside and says “don’t you dare.” But he is the one who walked in our shoes, was tempted just as we, tempted to give in to peers, tempted to give in to sin, tempted to give in to doubt, BUT he proved it could be done. He did not sin, and because that sinless one is our high priest we may come with full confidence to God’s throne. to find God’s full mercy. Thanks to Jesus sacrifice the throne of God is a mercy seat to which all have access and from which all may receive all the grace and power needed for timely help in the hour of crisis.

So we have concluded another warning, but what a conclusion. God doesn’t just say “enter the rest or die!” NO! He goes the whole way and provides the door to escape. Jesus said “I am the door, by me if any man enter in he shall be saved.” And in John 14 he says “I am the way,” And i revelation 3 he says “behold I stand at the door and knock, if ANY MAN will open the door I will come in.

Have you any room for Jesus? The one who, at this point, may be quietly knocking on your heart’s door? Have you any room?

Recall that this book is about the superiority of Christ, about a Chris higher than angels, higher than prophets, higher than priests, higher than creation, higher than Moses. And consider your alternatives: fiery Judgment or Eternal life with Jesus Christ.

A king sent for his jester one day and presented him with a stick. He said “,keep this stick with you until you find a bigger fool than yourself.”

Later, lying on his death bed the King sent for his Jester. “I am going away,” said the King.

“Where” asked the Jester.

“To another country,” said the king.

“What provision has your majesty made for that journey and for lliving in that country?” asked the Jester.

“Why None.” answered the king.

The Jester handed the king the stick.

“Take it,” he said “for I have found a bigger fool than I, for I trifle only with the things of time while you have trifled with the things of eternity.”

THINK ABOUT THAT