August 24,2003

The book of Hebrews

Sunday night

Intro: The bible often continues the thought into the next chapter, so it is in this lesson. The warning continues from chapter three. The unbelief that kept the children of Israel out of the promise land of peace and rest, will likewise keep those who were considering going back to the old covenant from the rest that Christ gives..

Here the word "fear" does not mean reverence as it does in some places but it means to terrified...the reason is obvious in the text...lest we come short of the rest...

This warning is similar to that which Paul gave to the church at Philippi, when he said these words: Philippians 2:12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.

Many times in the bible it gives such warnings to those who are on the fence so to speak. Those who would consider something rather than our Lord Jesus Christ to give rest.. The warning is like Peter in making your calling and election sure for if ye do these things ye shall never fall..

They heard the gospel in type and shadow, and did not believe it, the verse said their hearing was not mixed with faith. Plenty of times people hear the gospel but do not believe it because they have no faith to believe it..

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There is such a danger in not obeying the gospel tonight to you who are lost, you need to understand what it means not to believe the gospel of Christ...

1^st. It means that you remain lost tonight right now with the condemnation of God upon you.

2^nd. It means that if you die in that state you die in your sins:

3^rd. It means that you will hear those sad words of Christ: Matthew 25:41 Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:

III.... " THE REST THAT REALLY COUNTS: VS 3-11

Those whom God has given faith, they have entered into the rest that really counts. That rest is Christ. The contrast that he makes in the remainder of these verses clearly reveals a real rest belong to the people of God.

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David in Psalm 95 refers to his people this same example of unbelief in fact this is partially quoted in this text... Let us turn to it and read it and see...

The truth that must be conveyed here in this text is there is rest that only comes from the Lord and it will be eternal and we need to make sure that, that rest is what we have in our hearts..

John Gill said: Not eternal rest; this is not to be entered into now; nor is an entrance into it to be obtained by labour; salvation is not by works; eternal life is a free gift; good works do not go before to prepare heaven for the saints, but follow after: nor is the saints’ entrance into it a precarious thing; God has promised it, and provided it for his people; Christ is in the possession of it, and is preparing it for them; and the Spirit of God is working them up for the self same thing, and Christ will give them an abundant entrance into it: but the Gospel rest is here meant, that rest which believers now enter into, and is at this present time for them, #Heb 4:3,10 and though true believers are entered into it, yet their rest, peace, and joy in Christ, is not full; they enter by degrees into it, and by believing enjoy more of it: and this is to be laboured for by prayer, hearing the word, and attendance on ordinances; and this requires strength, diligence, and industry; and supposes difficulties and discouragements, through the corruptions of the heart, and the temptations of Satan; and this is designed to quicken and awaken a godly jealousy in God’s people, over themselves:

So let us examine the kind of rest Christ gives his people when they believe the gospel of Christ.

1^st. Christ alone invites sinners to this wonderful rest:

You must realize tonight that you need this rest from your sins and your guilt and if you do it is because the Holy Spirit is dealing with you.

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1.) The person of this rest: " come unto me"

you will not find rest in church, in religion, in school, in sin, in the things that you deem most important in your life. It is in Christ alone, there is no other name whereby ye must be save given under heaven.

If you could just see the preciousness of Christ the Lord then you would fall upon him and cry out thou son of David have mercy upon me.

2^nd. The condition he sets forth: " those that labour and are heavy laden"

This is under the load of sin. Can you feel the burden in your heart tonight are you tired of wrestling with sin and wrestling with God about you condition then fall on Christ tonight...

3^rd. The great promise he makes: " I will give you rest"

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The people of the test in Hebrews is listening to the most elaborate argument that they could hear. Christ is a better way, he is better than Moses, better than angels, better than the law, better than the old testament priesthood.. Because none of these things can give rest only Christ can give rest...

What kind of rest does he give?

1.) He gives a heartfelt rest: Matt 11:29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto

David said of his soul: Psalm 116:7 Return unto thy rest, O my soul; for the LORD hath dealt bountifully with thee.

2.) He gives a rest that is glorious: Isaiah 11:10 And in that day there shall be a root of Jesse, which shall stand for an ensign of the people; to it shall the Gentiles seek: and his rest shall be glorious.

3.) He gives a rest that brings about a lasting peace in the soul:

The rest that Christ gives that produces this wonderful peace does not cause worldly anxiety to cease it is a inward thing : Jesus said: John 16:33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

4.) He give eternal rest: John 6:68 Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.

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