LET US
Hebrews 4: 1- 16
Introduction:
1. The writer of the book of Hebrews obviously had two notable expressions:
a. A fervent knowledge and love of the Hebrew history of law and its promises.
b. A fervent love and knowledge for the Christian, whose life is governed by a better Law, with better Promises, with a greater Mediator, and better Sacrifice.
2.
The lessons learned from the Hebrew journeys through
the wilderness are related to the reader for one purpose only: TO SHOW US WHAT NOT TO DO THAT WE MIGHT BE OF THOSE
ENTERING INTO GOD’S PROMISED REST. Through chapter 12:40, the writer
consistently gives illustration of FAITHFUL vs. UNBELIEVING (unfaithful). At
chapter 3, he introduces the subject of REST (for the Hebrew, the Promised
Land, for the obedient on this side of
I. LET US FEAR (vs. 1 – 10)
A. Fear = “be afraid”
B. The Hebrews were given a promise (conditional upon their BELIEF) of rest, but came short of it because of their UNBELIEF!
1. The truth given them was not MIXED (blended and respected) with FAITH.
2. They feared God for the wrong reason! They felt His voice too harsh, His presence too great, His commandments too strict!
C. “Gospel preached” means “good news”
1.
Theirs was good news of
2. Ours is good news of Christ and His church
3. They could not enter in because of their lack of FEAR FOR HIS WRATH when they disobed.
a. Psalms 95:10 - 11 -- Forty years long was I grieved with this generation, and said, It is a people that do err in their heart, and they have not known my ways: Unto whom I sware in my wrath that they should not enter into my rest.
b. Yet God’s promise was THEY SHALL enter into My rest. (Ex. 20:11) Therefore, some HEBREWS had to do so, but it would NOT be with that generation who DID NOT BELIEF – they did not FEAR/RESPECT GOD – they were not afraid of being lost!
D. There is rest for the people of God!
1. Those who entered in were GOD’S people. Those lost in the wilderness were lost due their UNBELIEF!
2. Those today who refuse to fear God and keep His commandments are destined to eternal destruction – Romans 1:20 – 25; 28 – 32
3. IT IS NOT GAINED WITHOUT FEARING GOD AND KEEPING HIS COMMANDMENTS!
a. Eccl. 12:13 – 14; Matthew 21 – 23
II. LET US LABOR (vs. 11 – 13)
A. Fearing LOSS of this promise (not by His doing, but by our UNBELIEF) we must labor/strive to enter in!
B. God never promised a “downhill slide” in His service
1. Luke 13:24 Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able.
2. 2 Timothy 2: 1 – 7
C. The instructions are penetrating!
1. vs. 12
2. Romans 10:17; 2 Timothy 2:15
D. The Eyes of God see our progress in labor
1. vs. 13
2. Hebrews 6: 10 – 12
III. LET US HOLD FAST OUR PROFESSION
A. This is the next progression of our journey toward Eternal Rest!
1. Some translations use the word “confession.” There is no distortion here, for the word is “acknowledgment of what we are and what we do.” We ARE believers, if we hold fast His truth and we SERVE Him, if we are holding fast our faith!
2. Because we fear losing our promise, we LABOR to retain it, ever holding TIGHTER to the REALITIES that got us this far! I.E., we have GROWN IN GRACE AND KNOWLEDGE! (2 Peter 3:18)
B. We have the PERFECT EXAMPLE in Christ Jesus!
1. He understands OUR feelings, OUR infirmities!
2. He experienced the temptations of this time world! (1 John 2:15 – 17)
3. He endured it all WITHOUT sin in order to be the PERFECT sacrifice for our sins!
IV. LET US HOLD COME BOLDLY TO THE THRONE OF GRACE
A. This is the security of our journey! Once we understand the right FEAR, continue in LABORING for Him, and HOLD TIGHT TO OUR ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF WHO AND WHAT WE ARE, we then understand how God has taken us this far, and are ASSURED of the remaining distance to eternity with Him!
B. “Boldly” means with confidence! We might experience some timidity in the beginning of this journey, if not at times within the journey! But the farther we go, the more work we accomplish, the stronger our faith, the greater our boldness to fully know “I will not leave thee nor forsake thee,” is His ASSURED MERCY! Further, it is HERE – AT HIS THRONE OF GRACE, we find grace to HELP US (not “do it for us”, but HELP US) IN TIME OF NEED!
1. Sacred Selections # 297 – When my love for Christ grows weak … When my love for man grows weak …
2. Hebrews 13:5 – 6
Conclusion:
1. Regardless of our placement within this journey, WE NEED GOD
a. God to fear
b. God to serve
c. God to hold onto
d. God to help you!
2. Throughout this journey, we must BELIEVE because of
a. Fear of His wrath for disbelief
b. Our labor is not in vain in the Lord (1 Cor. 15:58 -- Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.)
c. Our tight grip on God’s Word must get stronger as we get closer to heaven.
d. We have no other Being from which to obtain mercy and grace when we need the help!