Enter His Rest
Hebrews 4
Richard S. Dickson

  1. Introduction
    2.
    1. "Rest not a nap"
    2. Newpaper clipping re: "we need more sleep"
    3. Amount needed varies
    4. May or may not need much physical rest, BUT
  2. One type of rest we must have
    3.
    1. Background - Israel came to Promised Land, sent spies, 10 give bad report, people rebeled, God swore those 20 years old & older would not enter the land {Numbers 13-14 & Deuteronomy}
    2. The Promise of Rest Remains - Hebrews 4:1-3
      1. There is a fear (v.1)
        1. Look around find 2 other church members
        2. Billy Graham, others estimate 2/3's not saved
        3. "Which one of the three of you is saved?"
      2. Who will not enter that rest
        1. those without faith (v.2) - Heb. 11:6
        2. those with unbelief (v.6)
        3. those who harden their hearts (v.7)
          - through deceitfulness of sin - Heb. 2:12-13
      3. Who will enter that rest (v.3)
        - Believers - John 1:12
    3. The Parameters of Rest
      1. Completed from the foundation of the world (v.3)
        1. Revelation 13:8 - Lamb slain
        2. Ephesians 1:3-4 - chosen us in Him
      2. It is God's rest (v.4-5)
        - completeness, satisfaction with job well done - Genesis 2:2-3
      3. Today is the day to respond (v.6-7)
        - 2 Corinthians 6:2 - now is the time
      4. Rest is to cease working (v.8-10)
        1. Ephesians 2:8-9 - for by grace . . . not of works
        2. compete total trust in the completed work of Christ
          • Joshua (Y'shua) could not (v.8)
          • Jesus (Y'shua) could
      5. Diligence is required (v.11-13)
        1. that none fall through disobedience or unbelief (v.11)
          - 2 Corinthians 13:5 - test yourselves
        2. God's Word reveals (v.12)
          • sliced open in every aspect
          • 2 Timothy 3:16-17 - all Scripture given
          • James 1:22-25 - look into the perfect law of liberty
        3. God knows (v.13)
          • naked - unclothed
          • open - throat or face exposed (either wrestler or prisoner)
          • we must give account
    4. The Provision of Rest (v.14-16)
      1. Great High Priest (v.14)
        1. represents us before God
        2. is Jesus (Y'shua - God our salvation) the Son of God
      2. Great Sympathizer (v.15)
        1. could be judgemental by v.12-13
        2. not only knows our sin, but also our temptations and weaknesses
      3. Throne of Grace (v.16)
        1. not judgemental, not law, but grace
          • Ephesians 2:8 - for by grace
          • Romans 3:24 - justified freely by His grace
        2. bold, confident access
        3. "time of need" = good opportunity, well time
          - 2 Corinthians 6:2 - now is the time
  3. Invitation
    4.
    1. Need rest of salvation
      1. Rest has been provided by Jesus
      2. Rest has been provided through His grace
      3. The work has been completed
      4. Now is the time to examine ourselves
        1. not how good
        2. not what done
        3. not a member
        4. does Jesus know me as His own
          • yes - you have entered this rest
          • no - now is the time to respond
    2. Others - saved, but
      1. no contentment, peace
      2. defeated sin
      3. Galatians 3:3 - begun in Spirit, now maturing in flesh
      4. now is the time to respond
        1. complete trust
        2. complete faith
        3. complete obedience
    3. Jesus' Invitation
      1. Spirit & the bride (the church) say, "Come"
      2. Matthew 11:28-30 - come unto Me
      3. come now - take my hand or kneel & pray

Return to Top of Page

Return to Sermon Index