Rest for Life
Hebrews 4:1-13
September 27, 1998
Morning Service
Introduction
1. The idea of zest
A. TV Commercials: There are lots of TV ads - Renew your zest for life, Put the zest back into life, Get zestfully clean, all of these ads are focusing on getting something more out of life or a product, there are several different nutritional companies that show people being incredibly active with the help of their suppliments, there is a seasoning company that wants people to add zest to their food with whatever their blend of spices may be, Zest soap wants people to use their product because it leaves more clean and more refreshed
B. The concept focus: Whatever the ad or product the focus is the same - do more, live more get more out of life, this trend in our society is clear in everything, we should live life to the fullest but it can not be done non stop
2. Society and the zest for life
A. Our society wants more: Much of our society is focused on doing more - American express, getting more - fast food chains and becoming more - Army be all you can be, there is nothing wrong with any of this but are we losing sight of something important,
B. Key Study: study was conducted in the 70’s based on the evolution of computers and technology, it stated that the average work week would be shortented and there would be more time for family, shows that the amount of free time has shrunk in the past 20 years, work week has actually increased, we seem to have such a focus on these things that people have lost something very important - perhaphs we need to put the rest back into life
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Body
I. The Meaning of Rest
A. Basic Definition: Greek term - katapausis: we get the word pause, litterally means to stop working or to cease action, rest is the ceasing of action it is also described in other ways, freedom from worry, to lean on for support
B. Spiritual meaning: No more self effort - we don’t have to search anymore, spiritual needs have been met, we have been centered in Christ, we have peace with God through Christ, He gives us strength to live life,
II. The Availability of Rest
Verse 1: “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.”
A. The key problem: God had openly offered rest for Israel but they rejected it, they would not enter into the rest of God, the writer is stating that all believers need this rest but far too many don’t enter into God’s rest, when we don’t accept God’s promises they will not bear fruit in our lives,
B. The solution: God has not removed the promise of rest, it is still available for us and our lives, all we have to do to enter His rest is accept it
III. The Elements of Rest
Verse 4:2-3: “For we also have had the gospel preached to us, just as they did; but the message they heard was of no value to them, because those who heard did not combine it with faith. Now we who have believed have entered that rest, just as God has said, ‘So I declared on oath in my anger, They shall never enter my rest.’ And yet His work has been finished since the creation of the world.”
A. Personal faith: Rest in God starts with faith, those who do not believe in God will never enter his rest, it is just not possible, those who don’t trust him will never have the fullness of rest, they will never be able to let go and let God do his work, we will never be able to get the fullness of relationship if we hold back on our resting in Him,
Verse 4:4-6: “For somewhere he has spoken about the seventh day in these words: ‘And on the seventh day God rested from all his work.’ And again in the passage above he says, ‘They shall never enter my rest.’ It still remains that some will enter that rest, and those who formerly had the gospel preached to them did not go in, because of their disobedience.”
B. Divine decree: God sets the example for us, he took one day from that week of creation to rest, God rested not because he was tired but because he was finished with his work, God commands us to enter his rest, God wants the best for us, this includes resting in him,
Verse 7: “Therefore, God again set a certain day, calling it Today, when a long time later he spoke through David, as was said before: “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts.”
C. Immediate action:God expects us to follow Him, when he calls we are to answer - too many times we fail to listen or are to hardened to hear, far too many fail to follow and walk down their own path, they do not walk where God is directing, when God calls we must act and obey, it must be an immediate action, the longer we wait to follow the harder it becomes to do so
What it takes to follow
a. A willing spirit
b. An open mind
c. A courageous heart
IV. The Nature of Rest
Verses 8-10: “For if Joshua had given them rest, God would not have spoken later about another day. There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from his own work, just as God did from His.”
A. Spiritual: We have been given new life in Christ, we no longer need to live in search of spiritual things, those who are without Christ or the freedom of Christ are in bondage to religion and religious searching, they search from philosophy to philosophy, religion to religion, regulation to regulation, what separates Christianity from all religions is the aspect of relationship, religion is based on rules but Christianity is based on having a relationship with God, far too often Christians get wrapped up in keeping regulations over having a relationship with God, you can not fully enter the rest that God has if you base your faith in rulekeeping
B. Designed for Israel: Sabbath was for Israel to follow, God designed it as a way to instruct and lead the people, they focused on God by ceasing all work for one day, following God’s example in creation, it was not just a ceasing of work but it was time set apart for God, we do not observe the sabbath, Christian worship is based on Christ’s day of resurrection, however we still need the day set apart for worship, focus on Jesus
C. Future Nature: God has a plan for every life and that plan will come to completion in death, we have a special rest in God awaiting us, eternal rest that brings us into full restoration and relationship with Him, God also has a larger plan for Israel and wants them to enter into His rest, he will bring this to completion
V. The Urgency of Rest
Verse: 11-13: “Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will fall by following their example of disobedience. For the word of God is living 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. 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.”
A. Rest is highly needed: We are to follow God, we must enter into His rest and focus on Him, this is not just a one time thing but rather a daily part of our lives, resting in God shows our faith and trust in Him,
B. We need the full rest of God: God has a specific purpose and plan for our lives, he wants us to follow and obey Him, resting in God means trusting him and walking with him, we can hide nothing from God, he sees our hearts and knows our thoughts, we may be able to foll others and even ourselves but we can not fool God, he knows everything there is to know about us and He will judge us for it
Conclusion
How can we have rest with God?
1. Rest is available: God still gives rest to those who want it, he wants us to find that which is a benefit to our souls, all we have to do to have God’s rest is accept it
2. Rest is crucial: We all need to enter God’s rest but often fail to do so, we try so hard to be our own person, we see that God wants us to be in deep relationship with Him, we need to lean on him for strength and support
3. Three keys to resting in God:
a. Personal faith: We must believe in God before we will receive His rest,
b. Immediate action: We must follow when God calls
c. Courage to do as God wants us to do
