A better REST… (3 points)

• 1^st – PROMISE of REST… vs. 1-3
  • 1^st – Let us FEAR… vs. 1
    • Therefore – since a promise remains of entering His rest – let us FEAR…
      • In the GREEK – the sentence begins with – FEAR therefore…
      • FEAR [subjunctive] phobeō – 92x in NT – can mean reverence or ALARM…
      • This is NOT a command to be AFRAID – it is a HOPE we will be ALARMED…
      • Take seriously the WARNING to NOT let our heart be HARDENED by sin!
    • SINCE a PROMISE remains of ENTERING His REST…
      • REST – katapausis [noun] x9 in NT – 8x here in this passage – Hebreo3:7-4:13
      • From a ROOT word [pauō] that means – to STOP sinning!
      • Galatians 5:17 – “[Our] Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are [at war with] each other, so [we] are not [at rest] …”
      • There is a constant WAR within us – between our sinful nature – and our SPIRIT…
      • That BATTLE keeps us from having REST in our walk with the Lord…
      • We fall into sin – it breaks our FELLOWSHIP with God – leaving us feeling DEFEATED…
      • But we have been given the PROMISE – that we WILL have VICTORY…
      • NOT that we STRIVE to overcome sin – Jesus already defeated it – 1 Corinto 15:56
      • We enter into His REST – FREED from sin – through Him we will WIN the BATTLE!
      • Romans 6:14 – “Sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace.”
    • THEREFORE – lest any of you SEEM [subjunctive] to have come SHORT [perfect] of it…
      • We take the BATTLE seriously – NOT wanting to come SHORT of His REST…
      • SHORT [perfect] – to fail or to fall short – be left behind!
      • The grammar suggests we NEVER catch up – sin PERMANENTLY keeps us from His REST!
      • The ONLY way to guarantee we will NOT come SHORT – is to have FAITH!
  • 2^nd – Let us have FAITH… vs. 2
    • Indeed – the GOSPEL was preached to US as well as THEM (Israel) …
      • The POWER to enter His REST – OVERCOME sin – is found in the GOSPEL…
      • Romans 1:16-17 – “I am not ashamed of the GOSPEL of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes… For in it the righteousness of God [begins with FAITH and ends with FAITH]; as it is written, the just shall live by FAITH.”
      • That is why we take so much time studying the Word – simply teaching the Bible…
      • Sunday studies in the NT / Midweek studies in the OT / online Bible studies…
      • Are all done in an effort to get the Word of God out – so we can enter His REST!
    • But the WORD which Israel heard – did NOT profit (help) them…
      • Not being MIXED [perfect] with FAITH in those who heard the WORD!
      • FAITH is one of those interesting words that it is hard for us to relate to daily life…
      • You did not wake up this morning and ask your spouse how their faith was doing!
      • But a good synonym for faith is TRUST – where are we putting our TRUST…
      • The problems we have never come from a lack of FAITH – we all have FAITH!
      • Romans 12:3 – “God has dealt to each one a measure of faith.”
      • But just because I have FAITH I could fly to the moon – that does not mean I can…
      • If we put our FAITH in something that does not have the power – it does not work!
      • FAITH is only as EFFECTIVE as the source that it is CONNECTED to…
      • The ONLY way to enter into His REST – is to put our TRUST in the Word of God!
      • Romans 10:17– “FAITH comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God…”
  • 3^rd – Those who BELIEVE… vs. 3
    • We who BELIEVE – do enter [present] that REST…
      • BELIEVE [aorist] – pisteuō – the VERB form of the noun FAITH…
      • Those who are TRUSTING in the WORD of God – CONTINUALLY enter His REST…
      • What does the WORD of GOD say about having CONTINUAL victory over sin!
    • Be FILLED with the SPIRIT…
      • Galatians 5:16 – “Let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you will NOT be doing what your sinful nature craves.” [NLT]
      • The Holy Spirit convicts us of our sin before we believe in Jesus – John 16:7-8
      • The Holy Spirit come to live within us when after we receive Jesus – John20:22
      • The Holy Spirit is also the gives us the power to overcome the SIN – II Corinthians 3:6
      • Saul was a man with a tainted history – murderer – never really used by God…
      • Until he was filled with the Spirit – and his name was changed to Paul- Acts 13:9
      • Filled with the Spirit he became one of the greatest men used by God in history!
      • If we TRUST in ourselves – our sinful nature – then we will have a defeated life in Jesus…
      • But when we are emptied – not depending on ourselves – full of the Holy Spirit…
      • Then we will find God changes our hearts – we will have VICTORY – enter His REST!
    • The JUST shall live by FAITH – Habakkuk 2:4 / Romans 1:17 / Galatians 3:11
      • It often feels like we are walking through life blind – no idea of how to overcome our sin…
      • The reason is because we are TRUSTING in what WE can see – but we cannot see far…
      • Making decisions by what WE can see – is in truth walking around blind…
      • But Jesus sees it all – and if are willing to TRUST Him – He will give us VICTORY…
      • TRUSTING in the Lord who sees all – that is walking by true sight – II Corinthians 5:7 
    • To those who do NOT BELIEVE – He will always SAY [perfect] …
      • I swore in My wrath they will NOT enter my REST – Psalms 95:11
      • Although the WORKS (rest) were finished (ready) from the foundation of the world!
      • In other words the way into the REST has ALWAYS been the same – from the beginning…
      • There was NEVER any other way to have VICTORY – then through FAITH in the WORD…
      • And because Israel refused to BELIEVE – they did not put their TRUST in His Word…
      • God swore they would NEVER enter into His REST!

• 2^nd – Two examples of REST…  vs. 4-10
  • 1^st – The SABBATH – looking for a TIME of REST… vs. 4 / 9-10
    • For God has spoken in a certain place of the SEVENTH day this way… vs. 4
      • And God RESTED on the SEVENTH day from all His works – Genesis 2:2
      • We call it the SABBATH – from the word [שָׁבַת] – meaning to REST…
      • SIX days men were to do ALL their work – but they had to REST on the SEVENTH day…
      • Because in SIX days God created the heavens and the earth – Genesis 1
      • And on the SEVENTH day He RESTED [שָׁבַת]!
      • The SABBATH was meant to give men a REST from their DAILY struggles…
      • Do not miss application – God wants to give us a SABBATH from our SIN…
      • Not just ONCE a week – He wants us to have DAILY victory / REST in Him!
    • There REMAINS therefore a REST for the people of God… vs. 9-10
      • REST – only here NT – keeping the SHABBAT…
      • He who has ENTERED His REST – has also CEASED from his works – and God did from His!
      • Those who BELIEVE in the WORD – those who ENTER the REST…
      • STOP working – fighting the BATTLE – just as God STOPPED on the SEVENTH day…
      • In other words – the SABBATH – was meant to point us to a BETTER rest!
      • Colossians 2:16-17 – “Let no one judge you… regarding a festival or a new moon or sabbaths, which are a SHADOW of things to come, but the substance is of Christ.”
      • If you see the shadow of your best friend – do you run up and hug the shadow…
      • Of course not – but the shadow does tell you your friend is close!
      • The Sabbath was a shadow of Jesus – He is our DAILY and true REST!
      • Matthew 11:28-30 – “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you REST… For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”
  • 2^nd – The Promised Land – looking for a PLACE of REST… vs. 5-8
    • Israel in – the time of Moses refused – to enter the PROMISED LAND… vs. 5-6
      • Quoting again from Salmo 95:11 – they shall NOT enter my REST!
      • Since it REMAINS that some (people today) must (still) enter in (to the REST) …
      • And those to whom it was PREACHED did NOT enter in because of DISOBEDIENCE!
      • The PROMISED LAND – was the REST – God had promised to give to Israel…
      • But when Israel arrived – they sent out SPIES to who gave a bad report – Numbers 13:32
      • They were DISOBEDIENT – and did NOT BELIEVE they could ENTER the Promised Land…
      • Therefore – God swore in His wrath – they shall NOT enter my REST!
    • King David wrote about entering the Promised Land… vs. 7
      • David lived over 400 YEARS after Israel was turned away from the PROMISED land…
      • Yet – David designates a certain day – saying TODAY – after such a long time…
      • Today – if you will hear His voice – do not HARDEN your hearts – Psalms 95:7-8
      • Meaning there is still a CHANCE for us to enter into His REST – TODAY – if we do NOT…
      • HARDEN [subjunctive] 6x in NT / 4x here in this passage – to be STUBBORN…
      • I am often amazed how STUBBORN we can be – refusing to admit our way does NOT work!
      • If MONEY was the answer to life – then the RICH would be CONTENT …
      • If INFLUENCE was the answer – then the FAMOUS would have JOY…
      • If POSITION was the answer – then the POWERFUL would have PEACE…
      • But that is NOT what we SEE – which is why if we are not STUBBORN – we can HEAR…
      • TODAY – is the day to realize there is a BETTER REST!
    • Joshua did NOT give Israel REST… vs. 8
      • If Joshua had given the REST – King David would not afterwards spoken of another day!
      • Although Israel did DISOBEY and HARDEN their hearts in the time of Moses… 
      • They did eventually get into the PROMISED Land – led by Joshua – Joshua 3-4
      • But if that was the REST – then King David would not have spoken of another day!
      • So the REST is not a PLACE – the PROMISED Land…
      • The REST is not a DAY – the SABBATH…
      • Both of these pointed to a PERSON who was a BETTER REST – in Jesus!

• 3^rd – ENTERING the REST…  vs. 11-13
  • 1^st – Be DILIGENT… vs. 11
    • Let us therefore be DILIGENT to enter that REST…
      • DILIGENT (subjunctive) – spoudazō – to exert effort / to act quickly / to work hard…
      • We do NOT work hard to overcome sin – we are NOT the answer!
      • Typically when we hear how to be a GOOD Christian – we are given rules…
      • Read your Bible / go to church / pray every day / stay away from bad people…
      • So many Christians are under the bondage of trying to keep the RULES…
      • Thinking the more they do for God – the more they will GROW in God…
      • But we are not a better person if we read our Bible today – or worse if we do not…
      • If we try and follow RULES – they may change the outside – but it is superficial…
      • The danger of these RULES are they cannot change our HEARTS!
      • Colossians 2:23 – “Rules may seem wise because they require strong devotion, pious self-denial, and severe bodily discipline. But they provide no help in conquering a person’s evil desires.” [NLT]
    • We work hard to enter into His REST…
      • II Peter 3:18 – “Grow [through] the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus…”
      • GROW (present / active / imperative) – a DAILY command to INCREASE in GRACE!
      • There are ONLY two resources in life we can draw from to live for God…
      • We can depend on OUR strength – look to RULES we can follow…
      • Or we can depend of the strength of GOD – look HIM – to give us REST / VICTORY!
    • Lest anyone FALL according to the same example [Israel] of DISOBEDIENCE!
      • DISOBEDIENCE – 7x in NT – to REFUSE to put their TRUST in the Lord!
      • I Peter 5:5 / James 4:6 – “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”
      • If God is set Himself against us – we are in trouble – that is a battle we will NOT win!
      • Pride can be tricky – it is not always easy to see – but it always sets us up for a fall…
      • Pride can be – I think I know it all / I am never wrong / I do not need correction…
      • Pride can also be – thinking I am nothing / being shy / pride means its all about me…
      • Whether it is arrogance / or false humility – if I am the focus it is pride…
      • If I am the focus – then I am not looking to Jesus – and a FALL is sure to follow!
      • Proverbs 16:18 – “Pride goes before destruction, an arrogant spirit before a fall.”
  • 2^nd – Be in the WORD… vs. 12
    • The Word of God is LIVING [present] …
      • II Timothy 3:16 – “All Scripture is given by inspiration [God breathed] of God.”
      • While the Bible was written by MEN – in the same way we type letter on a keyboard…
      • The Bible is NOT the words of MEN – it is the WORD of God!
      • That is why we can read the same Bible verse over and over…
      • And each time God can speak to us in a DIFFERENT way – because it is ALIVE!
    • The Word of God is POWERFUL…
      • POWERFUL – energēs 3x in NT – to have ENERGY – to be ACTIVE…
      • The WORD is not just ink on paper – it is not passive – it WORKS!
      • If we do not UNDERSTAND something in life – the Word of God TEACHES us…
      • If we are living in SIN – they Word of God will CORRECT us…
      • If we are not sure what to DO – the Word of God will GUIDE us…
      • The Word of God has the POWER to EQUIP us for EVERY good work!
      • II Timothy 3:17 – “Profitable for doctrine… correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
    • The Word of God is SHARP…
      • The Word is SHARPER than a TWO edged sword – the Word is a WEAPON…
      • SHARPER – only here NT – a word that means to cut with ONE strike…
      • PIERCING even to the division of the SOUL and SPIRIT / the BONE and MARROW…
      • Emphasizing how POWERFUL a WEAPON the WORD is!
      • How can you separate SOUL and SPIRIT – BONE and MARROW…
      • These are virtually INSEPARABLE – but not for something as POWERFUL as the WORD!
    • The Word of God DISCERNS…
      • DISCERN – only here NT – skilled or able to JUDGE…
      • The WORD is able to JUDGE between the THOUGHTS and INTENTS of  our heart!
      • While I know my THOUGHTS – I cannot DISCERN their INTENT…
      • Is what I am thinking from my own DESIRES – or is it from God…
      • The ONLY way for me to KNOW is to come back to His WORD!
      • So we put our TRUST / FAITH in the WORD of God TODAY…
      • Because if we do NOT – ONE DAY – we will be held ACCOUNTABLE!
  • 3^rd – Be ACCOUNTABLE… vs. 13
    • There is no creature HIDDEN from His sight…
      • HIDDEN – only here NT – to be exposed by the LIGHT…
      • All things are NAKED and OPEN to [his] eyes – Hebrews 4:13
      • OPEN – only here NT – to expose the neck in order to give a death blow!
      • We may think that we got away with some sin in our life – that no one knows…
      • We may even convince ourselves that because God has done nothing – its OK…
      • But God knows everything we do – every thought we have…
      • We should not take his Grace and longsuffering to mean He is OK with sin…
      • He just gives us time so that we can CHOOSE to REPENT – turn back to Him!
      • Proverbs 15:3 – “The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.”
    • Whom we MUST give an ACCOUNT…
      • God see EVERY sin – every ACTION / every WORD / every THOUGHT…
      • And one day we will have to give an ACCOUNT for them all!
      • Revelation 20:11-12 – “Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat on it…  And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God…”
      • If the name of someone is not found written in the Book of Life – the Books are opened…
      • They are then judged according to their works – that are written in the Books…
      • Everything they did – every word they said – every thought in their head…
      • Not to see if they will go to heaven or hell – but to show them why they will go to hell!
      • Which is WHY we want to be DILIGENT to enter the BETTER rest of Jesus – TODAY!
      • So He can give us VICTORY over our sin – through the POWER of His WORD…
      • Knowing one day we when stand and give an ACCOUNT for our lives – we will hear…

Matthew 25:21 – “Well done, good and faithful servant… enter into the joy of your lord.”