[Linux4christians] B7 - Wednesday - Hebrews 4

Tue Apr 17 22:49:09 EDT 2012

    Wednesday

      Hebrews 4

God's Promised Rest

4:1 Therefore we must be wary that, while the promise of entering his 
rest remains open, none of you may seem to have come short of it.

4:2 For we had good news proclaimed to us just as they did. But the 
message they heard did them no good, since they did not join in with 
those who heard it in faith.

4:3 For we who have believed enter that rest, as he has said, "/*As I 
swore in my anger*//,/ '/*They will never enter my rest!*/'" And yet 
God's works were accomplished from the foundation of the world.

4:4 For he has spoken somewhere about the seventh day in this way: 
"/*And God rested on the seventh day from all his works*/,"

4:5 but to repeat the text cited earlier: "/*They will never enter my 
rest!*/"

4:6 Therefore it remains for some to enter it, yet those to whom it was 
previously proclaimed did not enter because of disobedience.

4:7 So God again ordains a certain day, "Today," speaking through David 
after so long a time, as in the words quoted before, "/*O*//, //*that 
today you would listen as he speaks!*/ /*Do not harden your hearts*/."

4:8 For if Joshua had given them rest, God would not have spoken 
afterward about another day. 4:9 Consequently a Sabbath rest remains for 
the people of God.

4:10 For the one who enters God's rest has also rested from his works, 
just as God did from his own works.

4:11 Thus we must make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one 
may fall by following the same pattern of disobedience.

4:12 For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any 
double-edged sword, piercing even to the point of dividing soul from 
spirit, and joints from marrow; it is able to judge the desires and 
thoughts of the heart

4:13 And no creature is hidden from God, but everything is naked and 
exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must render an account.

Jesus Our Compassionate High Priest

4:14 Therefore since we have a great high priest who has passed through 
the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast to our confession.

4:15 For we do not have a high priest incapable of sympathizing with our 
weaknesses, but one who has been tempted in every way just as we are, 
yet without sin. 4:16 Therefore let us confidently approach the throne 
of grace to receive mercy and find grace whenever we need help.

      Prayer

Lord, we must do more than to confess You with our mouths if we wish to 
have certain-salvation, we must genuinely surrender to Your Lordship 
with our hearts. May I be sure to challenge every new believer to know 
that they have absolutely-surrendered.

      Summary & Commentary

While it has generally been said that Hebrews was addressed to 
Hebrew-believers it may be more-correct to say that it was addressed to 
those who were among the Hebrew-believers -- because this text addresses 
incomplete-believers /"Thus we must make every effort to enter that 
rest, so that no one may fall by following the same pattern of 
disobedience."/ rather than believers-only.

Disobedience, or rebellion, against the Lordship of God was what got 
Adam and Eve kicked out of the Garden.

Disobedience, or rebellion (as reported in the text of Hebrews 3), is 
what kept the adult (age of accountability) Jews out of the Promised Land.

Disobedience, or rebellion (against the full Lordship of Christ), is the 
same disqualification which God places upon the admission of anyone to 
Heaven.

The Jews and Gentiles alike heard from Jesus as He proclaimed the "... 
good news", yet it was up to each to "... join in with those who heard 
it in faith."

Neither Moses or Joshua brought their people to the "rest" of which God 
speaks; through David the Lord God said "Today, after so long a time 
..." he still desires to bring to them His eternal rest from the works 
of the law.

"And God rested on the seventh day from all *His* works." [Emphasis on 
"His", added.] - through Jesus the Christ, the Lord God desires that, 
through faith, we also may rest (a "Sabbath rest) from our fruitless 
efforts that are works-seeking-righteousness-to-earn-admission-into-Heaven.

"... the Word of God [the Holy Spirit, enlightening and empowering the 
written Word] is living and active and sharper than any double-edged 
sword, piercing even to the point of dividing soul from spirit, and 
joints from marrow; it [the Word through the Holy Spirit] is able to 
judge the desires and thoughts of the heart.

"... no creature is hidden from God, but everything is naked and exposed 
to the eyes of Him to whom we must render an account."

"Therefore ..."

"... we have a great high priest"

"Who has passed through the heavens ..."

"Jesus the son of God"

"... let us hold fast to our confession"

He is not "... incapable of sympathizing with our weaknesses"

He "... has been tempted [tested] in every way as we are, yet without sin."

"Therefore ..."

"... let us confidently approach the throne of grace"

"... to receive mercy and find grace"

"... whenever we need help."

      Interaction

        Consider

Jews and Gentiles alike heard from Jesus as He proclaimed the "... good 
news", yet it was up to each to "... join-in with those who heard it in 
faith." Salvation is volitional.

        Discuss

What are some ways you might explain to a "not-yet-completed Jew", or 
someone who has been immersed in neo-Christian OT-centrism, that neither 
Moses or Joshua brought their people to the "rest" of which God speaks. 
The Lord God said, through David, "Today, after so long a time ..." that 
He still desires to bring to them His eternal rest -- apart from the 
works of the law.

        Reflect

One may claim the name of Christ, as in the parable of Jesus some will 
come saying "Lord, Lord" but He will send them away saying "... I never 
knew you" - because they never truly surrendered.

        Share

When have you observed a practical example of the gospel presented to a 
varied audience and the obvious choices made by different people to 
either respond or to reject. What were some of the reasons given for 
either choice?

      Faith in Action

        Prayer:

Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to you a "not-yet-completed Jew", or 
someone who has been immersed in neo-Christian OT-centrism, who in 
either case is trapped in the bondage of works-righteousness.

        Action:

Today I will share with them the teaching that Jesus brings a "sabbath 
rest" which frees them from works-righteousness.

        Be Specific _____________________________________________________

    Thursday's text will be:

      Hebrews 5

-- 

Draw nearer to the Lord and He will bless you,
David M. Colburn, DMin. MaCo
Have an Ultrafidian.com Day!
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Bible Resources: bible.org
Teacher's Verse: John 7:16
Personal Site: bibleseven.com
I don't google I SEARCH! ddg.gg
1Cor. 15:22 "For just as in Adam all die,
so also in Christ all will be made alive."
Savannah-Statesboro needs a Bible College/Seminary!
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