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Hebrews Chapter
Four
Hebrews 4
The apostle goes on to apply this part of Israel's
history to those whom he was addressing, laying stress on two points: 1st, That
Israel had failed of entering into rest, through unbelief; 2nd, That the rest
was yet to come, and that believers (those who were not seeking rest here, but
who accepted the wilderness for the time being) should enter into it.
He begins by saying, "Let us fear lest, a promise being left us
of entering into his rest, any should seem to come short of it," not
attain to it. For we have been the objects of the proclamation of glad tidings,
as they were in times past. But the word addressed to them remained fruitless,
not being mixed with faith in them that heard it: for we which have believed do
enter into rest. The rest itself is yet to come, and it is believers who enter
into it. For a rest of God there is, and there are some who enter into it:
inasmuch as it is written, "They," that is, those (pointing out a
certain class who are to be excluded) "shall not enter into my rest."
God had wrought in creation, and then rested from His
works when He had finished them. Thus, from the foundation of the world, He has
shewn that He had a rest, as in the passage already quoted, "If they shall
enter into my rest;" but this, shewing that the entering in was yet in
question, shewed that into God's rest in the first creation man had not
entered. Two things then are evident-some were to enter in, and the Israel to
whom it was first proposed did not enter in because of their unbelief.
Therefore He again fixes a day, saying, in David, long after the entrance into
Canaan, "Today-as it is written-today, if ye will hear his voice, harden
not your hearts."
Here a natural objection occurs to which the passage
gives a complete answer, without speaking of the objection itself. The
Israelites had indeed fallen in the wilderness, but Joshua had brought the
people into Canaan which the unbelievers never reached; the Jews were there, so
that they did enter into the rest as to which the others failed. The answer is
evident. It was long after this that God said by David, I sware in my wrath, if
they shall enter into my rest." If Joshua had given rest to Israel, David
could not afterwards have spoken of another day. There remains therefore a rest
for the people of God. It is yet to come; but it is assured by the word of
God-a truth, the bearing of which is immediately seen with regard to the
connection of the believing Jews with the nation, in the midst of which they
were tempted to seek a rest that, for the moment, faith did not afford them,
and being enfeebled saw but dimly before it. To have God's rest was still to be
waited for. Faith alone acknowledged this, and sought for none in the
wilderness, trusting to the promise. God still said "Today."
The state of the people was worse than the rest that
Joshua gave them; which, as their own Psalms prove, was no rest at all.
As to the order of the verses, the exhortation in verse 11 depends on
the whole course of what precedes, the argument having been completed by the
testimony of David coming after Joshua. After the creation God indeed rested;
but He said after that, "If they shall enter into my rest," so that
men had not entered into that rest. Joshua entered into the land; but the word
by David, coming long after, proves that the rest of God was not yet attained.
Nevertheless this same testimony, which forbade the entrance into rest because
of unbelief, shewed that some are to enter in: otherwise there was no need of
declaring the exclusion of others for an especial cause, nor warning men that
they might escape what hindered their entering in. No parenthesis is needed.
Now, as long as any one had not ceased from his works, he
had not entered into rest; he who has entered into it has ceased from work,
even as God ceased from His own works when He entered into His rest. "Let
us therefore use all diligence" is the exhortation of the faithful witness
of God, "that we may enter into that rest"-the rest of God-in order
that we may not fall after the same example of unbelief.
We should especially observe here, that it is the rest of
God which is spoken of. This enables us to understand the happiness and
perfection of the rest. God must rest in that which satisfies His heart. This
was the case even in creation-all was very good. And now it must be in a
perfect blessing that perfect love can be satisfied with, with regard to us,
who will possess a heavenly portion in the blessing which we shall have in His
own presence, in perfect holiness and perfect light. Accordingly all the
toilsome work of faith, the exercise of faith in the wilderness, the warfare
(although there are many joys), the good works practiced there, labour of every
kind will cease. It is not only that we shall be delivered from the power of
indwelling sin; all the efforts and all the troubles of the new man will cease.
We are already set free from the law of sin; then our spiritual exercise for
God will cease. We have already rested from our works with regard to
justification,and therefore in that sense we have now rest in our consciences,
but that is not the subject here-it is the Christian's rest from all his works.
God rested from His works-assuredly good ones-and so shall we also then with
Him.
We are now in the wilderness; we also wrestle with wicked
spirits in heavenly places. A blessed rest remains for us, in which our hearts
will repose in the presence of God, where nothing will trouble the perfection
of our rest, where God will rest in the perfection of the blessing He has bestowed
on His people.
The great thought of the passage is, that there remains a
rest (that is to say, that the believer is not to expect it here) without
saying where it is. And it does not speak in detail of the character of the
rest, because it leaves the door open to an earthly rest for the earthly people
on the ground of the promises, although to Christian partakers of the heavenly
calling God's rest is evidently a heavenly one.
The apostle then sets before us the instrument which God
employs to judge the unbelief and all the workings of the heart which tend, as
we have seen, to lead the believer into departure from the position of faith,
and to hide God from him by inducing him to satisfy his flesh and to seek for
rest in the wilderness.
To the believer who is upright in heart this judgment is
of great value, as that which enables him to discern all that has a tendency to
hinder his progress or make him slacken his steps. It is the word of God,
which-being the revelation of God, the expression of what He is, and of all
that surrounds Him, and of what His will is in all the circumstances that
surround us-judges everything in the heart which is not of Him. It is more
penetrating than a two-edged sword. Living and energetic, it separates all that
is most intimately linked together in our hearts and minds. Whenever nature-the
"soul" and its feelings-mingles with that which is spiritual, it
brings the edge of the sword of the living truth of God between the two, and
judges the hidden movements of the heart respecting them. It discerns all the
thoughts and intentions of the heart. But it has another character, coming from
God (being, as it were, His eye upon the conscience), it brings us into His
presence; and all that it forces us to discover, it sets in our conscience
before the eye of God Himself. Nothing is hidden, all is naked and manifested
to the eye of Him with whom we have to do. [1] Such is the true help, the mighty instrument
of God to judge everything in us that would hinder us from pursuing our course
through the wilderness with joy, and with a buoyant heart strengthened by faith
and confidence in Him. Precious instrument of a faithful God, solemn and
serious in its operation; but of priceless and infinite blessing in its
effects, in its consequences.
It is an instrument which, in its operations, does not
allow "the desires of the flesh and of the mind" liberty to act;
which does not permit the heart to deceive itself; but which procures us
strength, and places us without any consciousness of evil in the presence of
God, to pursue our course with joy and spiritual energy. Here the exhortation,
founded on the power of the word concludes.
But there is another succour, one of a different
character, to aid us in our passage through the wilderness; and that is
priesthood-a subject which the epistle here begins and carries on through
several chapters.
We have a High Priest who has passed through the
heavens-as Aaron through the successive parts of the tabernacle-Jesus, the Son
of David.
He has, in all things, been tempted like ourselves, sin
apart; so that He can sympathize with our infirmities. The word brings to light
the intents of the heart, judges the will, and all that has not God for its
object and its source. Then, as far as weakness is concerned, we have His
sympathy. Christ of course had no evil desires: he was tempted in every way,
apart from sin. Sin had no part in it at all. But I do not wish for sympathy
with the sin that is in me; I detest it, I wish it to be mortified-judged
unsparingly. This the word does. For my weakness and my difficulties I seek
sympathy; and I find it in the priesthood of Jesus. It is not necessary, in
order to sympathize with me, that a person should feel at the same moment that
which I am feeling-rather the contrary. If I am suffering pain, I am not in a
condition to think as much of another's pain. But in order to sympathize with
him I must have a nature capable of appreciating his pain.
Thus it is with Jesus, when exercising His priesthood. He
is in every sense beyond the reach of pain and trial, but He is man; and not
only has He the human nature which in time suffered grief, but He experienced
the trials a saint has to go through more fully than any of ourselves; and His
heart, free and full of love, can entirely sympathize with us, according to His
experience of ill, and according to the glorious liberty which He now has, to
provide and care for it. This encourages us to hold fast our profession in
spite of the difficulties that beset our path; for Jesus concerns Himself about
them, according to His own knowledge and experience of what they are, and
according to the power of His grace.
Therefore, our High Priest being there, we can go with all
boldness to the throne of grace, to find mercy and the grace suited to us in
all times of need: mercy, because we are weak and wavering; needful grace,
because we are engaged in a warfare which God owns.
Observe, it is not that we go to the High Priest. It is
often done, and God may have compassion; but it is a proof that we do not fully
understand grace. The Priest, the Lord Jesus, occupies Himself about
us-sympathises with us, on the one hand; and on the other, we go directly to
the throne of grace.
The Spirit does not here speak positively of falls; we
find that in 1 John 2. There also it is in connection with communion with His
Father, here with access to God. His purpose here is to strengthen us, to
encourage us to persevere in the way, conscious of the sympathies which we
possess in heaven, and that the throne is always open to us.
[1] The
connection between the word addressed to man and God Himself is very remarkable
here.
── John Darby《Synopsis of Hebrews》
Hebrews 4
Chapter Contents
Humble, cautious fear is urged, lest any should come
short of the promised rest, through unbelief. (1-10) Arguments and motives to
faith and hope in our approaches to God. (11-16)
Commentary on Hebrews 4:1-10
(Read Hebrews 4:1-10)
The privileges we have under the gospel, are greater than
any had under the law of Moses, though the same gospel for substance was
preached under both Testaments. There have been in all ages many unprofitable
hearers; and unbelief is at the root of all unfruitfulness under the word.
Faith in the hearer is the life of the word. But it is a painful consequence of
partial neglect, and of a loose and wavering profession, that they often cause
men to seem to come short. Let us then give diligence, that we may have a clear
entrance into the kingdom of God. As God finished his work, and then rested
from it, so he will cause those who believe, to finish their work, and then to
enjoy their rest. It is evident, that there is a more spiritual and excellent
sabbath remaining for the people of God, than that of the seventh day, or that
into which Joshua led the Jews. This rest is, a rest of grace, and comfort, and
holiness, in the gospel state. And a rest in glory, where the people of God
shall enjoy the end of their faith, and the object of all their desires. The
rest, or sabbatism, which is the subject of the apostle's reasoning, and as to
which he concludes that it remains to be enjoyed, is undoubtedly the heavenly
rest, which remains to the people of God, and is opposed to a state of labour
and trouble in this world. It is the rest they shall obtain when the Lord Jesus
shall appear from heaven. But those who do not believe, shall never enter into
this spiritual rest, either of grace here or glory hereafter. God has always
declared man's rest to be in him, and his love to be the only real happiness of
the soul; and faith in his promises, through his Son, to be the only way of
entering that rest.
Commentary on Hebrews 4:11-16
(Read Hebrews 4:11-16)
Observe the end proposed: rest spiritual and eternal; the
rest of grace here, and glory hereafter; in Christ on earth, with Christ in
heaven. After due and diligent labour, sweet and satisfying rest shall follow;
and labour now, will make that rest more pleasant when it comes. Let us labour,
and quicken each other to be diligent in duty. The Holy Scriptures are the word
of God. When God sets it home by his Spirit, it convinces powerfully, converts
powerfully, and comforts powerfully. It makes a soul that has long been proud,
to be humble; and a perverse spirit, to be meek and obedient. Sinful habits,
that are become as it were natural to the soul, and rooted deeply in it, are
separated and cut off by this sword. It will discover to men their thoughts and
purposes, the vileness of many, the bad principles they are moved by, the
sinful ends they act to. The word will show the sinner all that is in his
heart. Let us hold fast the doctrines of Christian faith in our heads, its
enlivening principles in our hearts, the open profession of it in our lips, and
be subject to it in our lives. Christ executed one part of his priesthood on
earth, in dying for us; the other he executes in heaven, pleading the cause,
and presenting the offerings of his people. In the sight of Infinite Wisdom, it
was needful that the Saviour of men should be one who has the fellow-feeling
which no being but a fellow-creature could possibly have; and therefore it was
necessary he should actual experience of all the effects of sin that could be
separated from its actual guilt. God sent his own Son in the likeness of sinful
flesh, Romans 8:3; but the more holy and pure he was,
the more he must have been unwilling in his nature to sin, and must have had
deeper impression of its evil; consequently the more must he be concerned to
deliver his people from its guilt and power. We should encourage ourselves by
the excellence of our High Priest, to come boldly to the throne of grace. Mercy
and grace are the things we want; mercy to pardon all our sins, and grace to
purify our souls. Besides our daily dependence upon God for present supplies,
there are seasons for which we should provide in our prayers; times of
temptation, either by adversity or prosperity, and especially our dying time.
We are to come with reverence and godly fear, yet not as if dragged to the seat
of justice, but as kindly invited to the mercy-seat, where grace reigns. We
have boldness to enter into the holiest only by the blood of Jesus; he is our
Advocate, and has purchased all our souls want or can desire.
── Matthew Henry《Concise Commentary on Hebrews》
Hebrews 4
Verse 2
[2] For
unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached
did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it.
But the word which they heard did not profit
them - So far from it, that it increased their damnation. It is then only when
it is mixed with faith, that it exerts its saving power.
Verse 3
[3] For we which have believed do enter into rest, as he said, As I have sworn
in my wrath, if they shall enter into my rest: although the works were finished
from the foundation of the world.
For we only that have believed enter into the
rest - The proposition is, There remains a rest for us. This is proved, Hebrews 4:3-11, thus: That psalm mentions a
rest: yet it does not mean, 1. God's rest from creating; for this was long
before the time of Moses. Therefore in his time another rest was expected, of
which they who then heard fell short Nor is it, 2. The rest which Israel
obtained through Joshua; for the Psalmist wrote after him. Therefore it is, 3.
The eternal rest in heaven.
As he said —
Clearly showing that there is a farther rest than that which followed the
finishing of the creation.
Though the works were finished — Before: whence it is plain, God did not speak of resting from them.
Verse 4
[4] For
he spake in a certain place of the seventh day on this wise, And God did rest
the seventh day from all his works.
For, long after he had rested from his works,
he speaks again. Genesis 2:2.
Verse 5
[5] And
in this place again, If they shall enter into my rest.
In this psalm, of a rest yet to come.
Verse 7
[7] Again, he limiteth a certain day, saying in David, To day, after so long a
time; as it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts.
After so long a time — It was above four hundred years from the time of Moses and Joshua to
David.
As it was said before — St. Paul here refers to the text he had just cited.
Verse 8
[8] For
if Jesus had given them rest, then would he not afterward have spoken of
another day.
The rest —
All the rest which God had promised.
Verse 9
[9]
There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God.
Therefore —
Since he still speaks of another day, there must remain a farther, even an
eternal, rest for the people of God.
Verse 10
[10] For
he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as
God did from his.
For they do not yet so rest. Therefore a
fuller rest remains for them.
Verse 11
[11] Let
us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same
example of unbelief.
Lest any one should fall — Into perdition.
Verse 12
[12] For
the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword,
piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and
marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
For the word of God — Preached,
Hebrews 4:2, and armed with threatenings, Hebrews 4:3.
Is living and powerful — Attended with the power of the living God, and conveying either life or
death to the hearers.
Sharper than any two-edged sword — Penetrating the heart more than this does the body.
Piercing —
Quite through, and laying open.
The soul and spirit, joints and marrow — The inmost recesses of the mind, which the apostle beautifully and
strongly expresses by this heap of figurative words.
And is a discerner —
Not only of the thoughts, but also of the intentions.
Verse 13
[13]
Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things
are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.
In his sight — It
is God whose word is thus "powerful:" it is God in whose sight every
creature is manifest; and of this his word, working on the conscience, gives
the fullest conviction.
But all things are naked and opened — Plainly alluding to the sacrifices under the law which were first
flayed, and then (as the Greek word literally means) cleft asunder through the
neck and backbone; so that everything both without and within was exposed to
open view.
Verse 14
[14]
Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens,
Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.
Having therefore a great high priest — Great indeed, being the eternal Son of God, that is passed through the
heavens - As the Jewish high priest passed through the veil into the holy of
holies, carrying with him the blood of the sacrifices, on the yearly day of
atonement; so our great high priest went once for all through the visible heavens,
with the virtue of his own blood, into the immediate presence God.
Verse 15
[15] For
we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our
infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
He sympathizes with us even in our innocent
infirmities, wants, weaknesses, miseries, dangers.
Yet without sin —
And, therefore, is indisputably able to preserve us from it in all our
temptations.
Verse 16
[16] Let
us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy,
and find grace to help in time of need.
Let us therefore come boldly — Without any doubt or fear. Unto the throne of God, our reconciled
Father, even his throne of grace - Grace erected it, and reigns there, and
dispenses all blessings in a way of mere, unmerited favour.
── John Wesley《Explanatory Notes on Hebrews》
Chapter 4. Superior to Joshua
With Confidence
Approach the Throne of Grace
I. Rest for
Believers
II. The Word of
God Is Active
III. The High
Priest Sympathize
── Chih-Hsin
Chang《An Outline of
The New Testament》
The Rest That Remains (4:1-11)
INTRODUCTION
1. In chapter three of "The Epistle To The Hebrews", we saw... a. A comparison of Christ to Moses b. How the comparison led to a warning based upon the example of Israel 2. Appealing to the example of Israel natural one... a. For despite Moses' leadership, most died in the wilderness and did not enter the promised land for lack of faith b. Now under Christ's leadership, we face a similar danger of falling short of our "promise" through a lack of faith - He 3:14-15; 4:1
3. Chapter four continues the warning with a focus on the promised "rest" which awaits the faithful Christian... a. This promised "rest" is actually one of several "rests" found in the Scriptures b. It is a "rest" that Moses and Joshua did not provide, which is just another reason why the Hebrew Christian should not forsake Jesus and return to Judaism c. It is "The Rest That Remains" for the people of God today! 4. In this lesson, we shall address two questions... a. What is "The Rest That Remains"? b. What essential elements are necessary to enter "The Rest That Remains"?
[Let's begin, then, with the first question...] I. WHAT IS "THE REST THAT REMAINS"?
A. IT IS NOT IS THE "CANAAN " REST... 1. This "rest" is alluded to in Deu 3:20; 12:9-10; Josh 1:13-15 2. This "rest" was given as God promised - Josh 21:43-45 3. But in chapter four "His rest" (or "My rest", "God's rest") is clearly delineated from that which Joshua provided - He 4:8 a. Long after Joshua died, the passage in Ps 95:7-8 was written b. The word "Today...", indicates that the Spirit was warning the Israelites who had long before received the "Canaan " rest -- So Joshua provided the "Canaan " rest, but there is still "The Rest That Remains"!
B. IT IS NOT THE "SABBATH" REST... 1. It is natural to think of the Sabbath day when one hears or reads the word "rest" a. When first introduced to the nation of Israel spoken of as "the rest of the holy sabbath unto the LORD" - Exo 16:23 b. This was the seventh day rest, patterned after God's own rest following the creation - Gen 2:2 c. It was encoded into the Law given on tablets of stone - cf. Exo 20:8-11 2. But the Sabbath as a day of rest was given only to the nation of Israel a. It was not given to the nation's fathers (i.e., ancestors such as Abraham, Isaac, Jacob) - Deu 5:2-22; Neh 9:13-14 b. It was given to Israel deliverance from Egypt c. The only Gentiles ever commanded to keep the Sabbath were those living among the Israelites in Canaan ("your stranger who is within your gates") 3. The Sabbath day, like the rest of the Old Law, has been done away a. It was nailed to the cross - cf. Ep 2:14-15; Co 2:14 b. Those in Christ have died to the Old Law, having been delivered from it that they may now serve Christ - Ro 7:4,6 c. As part of "the ministry of death" (the Old Testament), it has been replaced by "the ministry of the Spirit" (the New Testament) - 2 Co 3:5-8,11 d. It is now a matter of indifference to God, left to one's individual conscience, and not to be bound on anyone - cf. Ro 14:4-6; Co 2:16-17 4. Finally, the argument regarding Joshua can also be made regarding Moses... a. Long after Moses provided the "Sabbath" rest, Ps 95:7-8 was written b. Indicating that there was still another "rest" to come -- While Moses provided the "Sabbath" rest, there is still "The Rest That Remains"!
C. IT IS "GOD'S REST"... 1. Through this section of Scripture there are repeated references to: a. "My rest" - He 3:11; 4:3,5 cf. Ps 95:7-11 b. "His rest" - He 3:18; 4:1 1) Which those who fell in the wilderness did not enter - He 3:18 2) Which Christians today have a promise of entering - He 4:1
2. It is a rest that God entered upon the completion of His creation - He 4:4,10 3. It is a rest that Joshua (and Moses) did not provide... 4. God's rest is one in which... a. We must be diligent not to come short of it - He 4:1,11 b. One who has "entered His rest" has "ceased from his works" - He 4:10 -- "God's rest" is the "heavenly rest" of which of which we read in the book of Revelation... "Then I heard a voice from heaven saying to me, "Write: 'Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.' ""Yes," says the Spirit, "that they may rest from theirlabors, and their works follow them."" (Re 14:13)
["The Rest That Remains" in this passage is therefore "God's Rest", and in particular that "heavenly rest" one enters in which they ceasefrom the labors. Now if we wish to one day enter this "rest", some things are necessary...] II. WHAT ARE THE ESSENTIAL ELEMENTS TO ENTER "GOD'S REST"?
A. THE WORD OF GOD... 1. Note that both the Israelites and we today have had "the gospel" preached unto us - He 4:2 a. The "gospel" (i.e., good news) proclaimed unto the Israelites pertained to the promises of Canaan b. The "gospel" proclaimed unto us pertains to the blessings we have in Christ 2. The Word of God is essential for at least two reasons: a. Without it we would not even know about our promised rest! b. Without it we would not know how to receive our promised rest! 3. Thus the Word of God (i.e., the gospel) is truly God's power to save - cf. Ro 1:16-17 a. For it tells us of God's salvation in Christ b. And how we might receive that wonderful salvation -- But as we proceed, we learn that the Word of God alone is not sufficient... B. MIXED WITH FAITH... 1. The Word of God did not profit many in Israel not receive it with faith - He 4:2 2. As powerful as the Word of God may be (cf. He 4:12), it's power in our lives is hindered unless we accept it with faith! a. Of course, the Word is designed to create and nurture faith to a point - Ro 10:17; Jn 20:30-31 b. But unless our hearts are good and noble, the Word will not find the proper soil needed to produce its intended fruit - cf. Lk 8:15 -- Without faith, then, the promise of God's rest will not be experienced by us! C. FEAR AND DILIGENCE... 1. The Hebrew writer stressed both of these essential elements a. "let us fear lest any of you seem to have come short..." - He 4:1 b. "Let us therefore be diligent to enter that rest, lest anyone fall..." - He 4:11
2. Fear (awesome reverence) has an important place in the life of the Christian a. Jesus taught us Whom to fear - Mt 10:28 b. Paul taught that "fear and trembling" should accompany our efforts to serve God - Ph 2:12 3. Diligence (strenuous effort) likewise is important - 2 Pe 1:5,10
a. We must be diligent to grow in Christ-like character b. We must be diligent to "make your calling and election sure" -- The need for such fear and diligence is understandable only if the possibility of falling short is very real! CONCLUSION
1. "The Rest That Remains" is indeed a wonderful blessing... a. It is "God's rest", therefore a "heavenly rest" b. It is a rest in which one has "ceased from his work as God did from His" - He 4:10
-- It is the rest of which John heard a voice from heaven speak in Re 14:13 2. But we have seen how disobedience led many Israelites to fall short of their "Canaan rest"... a. Though they collectively as the nation of Israel "elect", predestined to receive the promises made to Abraham (cf. Gen 12:1-3) b. But individually, they failed to make their "calling and election sure" 1) They had the "gospel" spoken to them 2) But they did not receive it with faith 3) And so they did not have the fear and diligence necessary to persevere! 3. Brethren, what about us today? a. If we are "in Christ"... 1) We are blessed to be God's "elect" in a collective sense as Christ's body, the church 2) We are predestined as such to receive the wonderful blessings of salvation in Christ, including the "heavenly rest" that awaits us b. Yet individually we must still make our "calling and election sure"... 1) Are we receiving the Word mixed with faith? 2) Do we have that proper sense of fear? 3) Are we diligent in our efforts to remain faithful and steadfast? -- Only then can we have the assurance of entering into "The Rest That Remains"!
May the words of the writer to the Hebrews sink deep into our hearts... "Let us therefore be diligent to enter that rest, lest anyone fallaccording to the same example of disobedience." - Hebrews 4:11
God's Powerful Word (4:12-13)
INTRODUCTION
1. In He 4:11, we find a succinct summary of all that has been said in He 3:7-4:10... a. We need to be diligent to enter "the rest that remains", our heavenly rest b. Or we may fall short of our rest, just as many Israelites fell short of their Canaan rest... "Let us therefore be diligent to enter that rest, lest anyonefall according to the same example of disobedience." - He 4:11
2. To stress the need for diligence, we are reminded regarding the Word of God - He 4:12-13 a. That Word which provided the example of the Israelites' disobedience b. That Word which is now warning them not to emulate the Israelites' example 3. In this passage, the Word of God is described in amazing terms... a. It is "living" b. It is "powerful" c. It is "sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit"
d. It is "a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart" 4. At a time in which God's Word is so often neglected, even by some Christians, it never hurts to contemplate the wonder of God's Word... a. And so we take this opportunity to reflect upon what is said in this passage b. With a desire to renew and increase our appreciation of the power of God's Word! [We begin by noticing...] I. THE WORD OF GOD IS "LIVING" AND "POWERFUL"
A. GOD'S WORD IS NOT SOME "DEAD LETTER"... 1. Not only in this passage, but elsewhere we read of the abiding nature of God's Word a. Notice Peter's description of it - 1 Pe 1:23-25 1) It "lives and abides forever" 2) It "endures forever" - cf. Isa 40:8 b. Jesus said "my words shall not pass away" - Mt 24:35 2. The "life" of God's Word is due to the nature of God Himself! a. God is eternal, He is "the living God" - cf. He 3:12; Jer10:10
b. He cannot lie, so what He says will come to pass - He 6:18;Ti 1:2
-- Thus His Word will never perish! 3. As Jesus said, "...the words that I speak unto you, they arespirit, and they are life." - Jn 6:63
B. THAT GOD'S WORD IS "ALIVE" IS SEEN IN ITS "POWER"... 1. It has the power to accomplish its intended purpose - Isa 55:10-11
2. The gospel in particular has the power to save - Ro 1:16-17;Ja 1:21
3. Through God's word we can be born again - 1 Pe 1:22-23; Ja 1:18
4. It works effectively in those who believe - 1 Th 2:13; cf. He4:2
5. It can build us up, and give us the inheritance that is ours - Ac 20:32 6. It can make the man of God complete for all good works - 2 Ti3:16-17
-- How could anything with such power be a "dead letter"? [With such a "living" and "powerful" word at our disposal, we would befoolish to neglect the blessings it offers, or the warnings it gives! It's power is seen further as we note how...] II. THE WORD OF GOD IS "SHARP" AND "A DISCERNER"
A. SHARPER THAN AN "TWO-EDGED SWORD"... 1. The Word of God is often likened to powerful objects a. Here it is described as a sword - cf. also Ep 6:17 b. Elsewhere it is it described as fire, and a hammer - Jer 23:29
2. To illustrate its sharpness as a "sword", the Word of God is said to pierce... a. "...even to the division of soul and spirit" b. "...and of the joints and marrow" -- i.e., the divine word is able to cut through everything that is in man (Lightfoot) B. A DISCERNER OF "THE THOUGHTS AND INTENTS OF THE HEART"... 1. With its sharpness, it is capable of sifting through and revealing the heart of man 2. It's effect on man reveals his true heart... a. In some cases, that one's heart is sincere and open to change - e.g., Ac 2:36-37 b. Other times, that one's heart has no desire to change - e.g., Ac 5:33; 7:54 -- One cannot hear or read the Word of God without being affected! [As stated earlier, the "life" of God's Word is due to the nature of God Himself. In a similar way, the "power" of God's word is due to thenature of God...] III. THE POWER OF GOD'S WORD IS DUE TO HIS OMNISCIENCE
A. GOD IS OMNISCIENT... 1. The word "omniscient" means "all-knowing" 2. David extolled the omniscience of God in Psa 139:1-12 3. Solomon also wrote of God's omniscience - Pr 15:3 -- That is why "there is no creature hidden from His sight, butall things are naked and open" to His eyes
B. THEREFORE NO CAN HIDE FROM THE JUDGE... 1. As David counseled his son Solomon - 1 Chr 28:9 2. It is before this Omniscient Judge that we must one day give an account a. There is a judgment day coming, in which God will judge the world through His Son, Jesus Christ! - cf. Ac 17:30-31; Ro2:16; 2 Co 5:10
b. We read of that Judgment Day in the last book of Bible - cf. Re 20:11-15 3. The standard by which we will be judged are the words spoken through His Son a. As stated by Jesus in Jn 12:48 b. Which should give special force to the warning found in He 2:1-3 1) If the word spoken through angels proved steadfast, and every transgression was justly punished... 2) ...then how shall we escape judgment if we neglect the words spoken through God's Son? CONCLUSION
1. Yes, the power of God's Word is derived from God Himself... a. God is omniscient, able to see into the hearts of men; therefore His Word is able to cut to the hearts of men and reveal their true nature b. God is living, eternal, who will one day judge the world; therefore His Word that abides forever will be the standard by which we will be judged 2. In view of the power of God Himself and His powerful Word... a. How dare we neglect the warnings given in it, such as those found in He 4:1,11? b. How dare we neglect to even read about the warnings (as many do by not reading the Bible)? 3. And remember, how we react to the Word of reveals our true character... a. Some are so "dull of heart", that they react with indifference and say "so what?" b. Some are "cut to the heart", angrily resist the Word, and blame the messenger - Ac 7:54 c. Some are "cut to the heart", and cry out "what shall I do?" - Ac 2:37 What kind of heart do you have? If your heart cries out "what shall Ido?" in response to the gospel message of salvation in Christ, then Iencourage you to heed what Peter said: "Then Peter said to them, "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins;and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit." - Ac 2:38
If you have so responded to God's saving grace, then I encourage you toheed the warnings found throughout the Scriptures, especially here inthe book of Hebrews, and in the words of our Lord Himself: "Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life."- Rev 2:10
Coming Boldly To The Throne Of Grace (4:14-16)
INTRODUCTION
1. In our study thus far we seen the concern of the author of "The BookOf Hebrews"...
a. That Jewish Christians remain steadfast and firm in their faith b. That they not make the same mistake of departing from the living God, as did many of their ancestors 2. His "modus operandi" (method of operation) has been two-fold... a. Illustrate the superiority of Jesus (e.g., to prophets, to angels, to Moses) b. Exhort them to faithfulness in light of these comparisons 3. In two exhortations we have seen thus far, to remain faithful we must... a. "...give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard" - cf. He 2:1-4
b. "...exhort one another daily..." - cf. He 3:12-14 4. To put it another way, to remain faithful we must be diligent... a. In our study of the Word of God b. In exhorting one another daily -- Other things are also necessary, and in our text we read of another - cf. He 4:14-16 5. The main thought in this passage is that we should "come boldly tothe throne of grace"
a. But what does that mean? b. And why should we be diligent to do this? [These are the questions we shall address in this lesson, and so we begin by considering...] I. WHAT IT MEANS TO "COME BOLDLY TO THE THRONE OF GRACE"
A. THE "THRONE OF GRACE"... 1. This is simply another way to say the "throne of God" a. Other passages emphasize that "God's throne" is one of righteousness, justice, mercy and truth - cf. Psa 89:14 b. I.e., God is known for, and is the source of, these things 2. He 4:16 emphasizes that "God's throne" is one of MERCY a. "the throne of GRACE" b. I.e., where kindness, mercy, and benevolence may be found B. THE EXPRESSION "LET US COME" ("DRAW NEAR" ASV)... 1. This is a priestly expression, used in the OT of priests in their approach to God a. E.g., Lev 21:17-21 b. It denotes approaching God for worship and prayer 2. It's use here suggests that the priestly privilege of access to God is now extended to all Christians! a. As we saw in Leviticus, only certain individuals had this privilege b. But now, in Christ we can ALL "draw near" to God in worship and prayer! C. THIS WE CAN DO "BOLDLY"... 1. This word means "with confidence" (Gr., parresia, meaning "full story") 2. In ancient Greece a. It was used to describe the right of a citizen to speak his mind on any subject in the town assembly (Lightfoot) b. Only "full citizens" had this right, slaves did not 3. As used here in Hebrews, it stands for our freedom to approach God... a. Without hesitation or inhibition b. Made possible by the blood of Jesus - cf. He 10:19-22 [And so this passage speaks of the wonderful privilege Christians havethrough prayer to approach our gracious God, with full confidence thatHe hears our prayers! It is important to utilize this privilege, and in our text we find several REASONS for doing so...] II. WHY WE OUGHT TO "COME BOLDLY TO THE THRONE OF GRACE"
A. BECAUSE WE HAVE YET TO ENTER "THE REST THAT REMAINS"... 1. As seen earlier in this chapter, there is still a promised "rest" for the people of God a. We need to "fear" lest we come short of it - He 4:1 b. We need to be "diligent" - He 4:11 2. This being true, we need all the "mercy" and "grace" we can find! B. BECAUSE OF THE "HIGH PRIEST" THAT WE HAVE... 1. In Jesus we have a "great" High Priest - He 4:14 a. One who has "passed through the heavens" - cf. He 9:24;7:26-27
b. Having ascended to the right hand of God, He has become "higher than the heavens"! 2. In Jesus we have a "sympathetic" High Priest - He 4:15 a. The word "sympathy" literally means "to suffer with" 1) The Greek word suggests an intensity that is lost in the English word "sympathy" (Lightfoot) 2) Westcott describes it as "the feeling of one who enters into the suffering and makes it his own." b. Jesus' sympathy is due to being "tempted as we are, yet without sin." 1) This qualifies Him to be a "merciful and faithful" High Priest - He 2:17 2) One who is "able to aid those who are tempted" - He 2:18 3. With such a High Priest interceding for us, shall we not take advantage of Him while we can? - cf. He 7:24-25 a. Especially since He is able "save to the uttermost thosewho come to God through Him"
b. And since He "always lives to make to make intercession forthem"
-- Does this not encourage us to "come boldly to the throne of grace"? C. BECAUSE OF THE "MERCY" AND "GRACE" THAT AWAITS... 1. Christians continue to need two things throughout their lives: a. "mercy" 1) I.e., forgiveness for our sins 2) For we do sin; to deny that is to call God a liar - cf. 1 Jn 1:8,10 b. "grace to help in time of need" 1) I.e., God's favor to help us in time of need 2) E.g., His providential protection (cf. 1 Co 10:13) and divine strength (cf. Ro 8:13; Ph 4:13) 2. The Christian finds these things in answer to PRAYER! a. By confessing our sins to God in prayer, there is mercy - cf. 1 Jn 1:9 b. By praying for strength from God's indwelling Spirit, there is grace to help in time of need - cf. Ep 3:16,20; 6:10-13 CONCLUSION
1. Brethren, when we are diligent to "come boldly to the throne of grace", what do we find?
a. A "graceful God" and a "sympathetic High Priest"! b. Mercy, and grace to help us in time of need! 2. The means by which we "draw near" is prayer, and so, to... a. Diligent study of the Word of God - cf. He 2:1-4 b. Diligent exhortation of our brethren on a daily basis - cf. He 3:12-14
-- We must add diligent prayer if we are to going to find the mercy and grace necessary to "hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end"
3. Brethren... a. Do we appreciate the "great" and "sympathetic" High Priest that we have in Jesus? b. Are we utilizing the opportunities we have to "come boldly to the throne of grace"? -- May this passage remind us never to take the privilege of prayer lightly! As for the "privilege" of prayer itself, by which we can now "draw near" to God, bear in mind that it is made possible by "a new and living way" (He 10:19-20). Only by the blood of Jesus shed in His deathcan we now come to God. Have you been washed in the blood of Jesus for the remission of your sins? For those seeking this wonderful blessing, give careful attention to these words by the disciple sent by Jesus to Saul of