Post by arete on Aug 4, 2014 23:37:43 GMT
Introduction:
I have a love for family history. I used to spend a lot of time with my grandmother and mother listening to stories of relatives I would never meet. They told me stories about where they had lived and what they had done. It gave me a sense of how I got to be where I was. These stories gave me an identity. For Israel, this was especially true. The history of their people is the Old Testament. There is a special love for the first five books. The Law, or Torah, holds a place of emphasis in their national and religious identity. This is one of the reasons the author of the Hebrews is reminding them of the story of the Exodus, using Psalm 95 as his introduction. He can assume that his audience is most familiar with their shared family history as he continues to warn them that unbelief, that faithlessness, means no rest in God…
Context:
Beginning in chapter 3, the author expanded his teaching of Christ’s supremacy to all things, by showing that Christ is greater than Moses. Christ’s greatness is that of the creator of the house of God and the true son of God. Moses is a servant in God’s house like us. Now in Christ we are adopted as sons, saved by grace through faith in Christ, just like Moses. The author focused on the confidence and hope that God’s children, God’s household have in Christ. The author moved last week to a solemn warning based on the life of Moses and the Exodus. The warning was about hard hearts. The letter’s recipients were warned to exhort one another to saving faith where needed and to soft hearts among the believers. They were warned that holy fear was a cure for rebellion by the emphasis on Israel’s lack of faith and obedience rooted in a lack of fear. The author continues to rely on the history of Israel from Psalm 95 as he continues with this morning’s text…
Body – Hebrews 3:16-4:5 – ESV
16 For who were those who heard and yet rebelled? Was it not all those who left Egypt led by Moses? 17 And with whom was he provoked for forty years? Was it not with those who sinned, whose bodies fell in the wilderness? 18 And to whom did he swear that they would not enter his rest, but to those who were disobedient? 19 So we see that they were unable to enter because of unbelief.
4:1 Therefore, while the promise of entering his rest still stands, let us fear lest any of you should seem to have failed to reach it. 2 For good news came to us just as to them, but the message they heard did not benefit them, because they were not united by faith with those who listened. 3 For we who have believed enter that rest, as he has said,
“As I swore in my wrath,
‘They shall not enter my rest,’”
although his works were finished from the foundation of the world. 4 For he has somewhere spoken of the seventh day in this way: “And God rested on the seventh day from all his works.” 5 And again in this passage he said,
“They shall not enter my rest.”
Rebels Denied 3:16-19
The author wants to drive home the state of Israel at the Exodus. He does this by pounding his audience with questions. Even the answers to his questions are questions themselves. He trusts that they know the history of Israel and his questions are meant to drive his point home as they answer these questions in their minds.
Who rebelled (v. 16)? The rebellion here is emphasized by the word “heard”. They had heard God’s voice and seen his hand at work and yet rebelled and demanded that Moses take them back to Egypt. The answer is a question that reminds us that everyone who left in the Exodus rebelled. No one was without guilt.
Who provoked God (v. 17)? Not only did they taunt and goad God to anger, they did it for forty years! Imagine the patience and grace of God to endure their thanklessness and doubt of his person. The answer is posed again as a question. The provokers were sinning and the consequence of their unrepentant sin was to die in the wilderness and never behold the Promised Land.
Who did God swear to discipline (v. 18)? He swore that he would act in holiness and righteousness and hold the rebels accountable. Their sin was not merely one of omission. The word “disobedient” highlights that they knew the right way and sinned against God on purpose.
The conclusion of these questions is the indictment of Israel (v. 19). Even though God had proved himself over and over – Israel was faithless. They did not belief that God would deliver them to the Promised Land. They had every reason to belief and they remained faithless.
Illustration:
This section makes me think of the celebration of the Passover – when the angel of Death passed over Israel and killed the firstborn of Egypt and Pharaoh obeyed God and released Israel from bondage. There is a song called “Dayenu” sung at this time of year. 1) If He had brought us out of Egypt. 2) If He had executed justice upon the Egyptians. 3) If He had executed justice upon their gods. 4) If He had slain their first born. 5) If He had given to us their health and wealth. 6) If He had split the sea for us. 7) If He had led us through on dry land. 8) If He had drowned our oppressors. 9) If He had provided for our needs in the wilderness for 40 years. 10) If He had fed us manna. 11) If He had given us Shabbat. 12) If He had led us to Mount Sinai. 13) If He had given us the Torah. 14) If He had brought us into the Land of Israel. 15) If He built the Temple for us. The reality is that it was never enough for Israel and they remained faithless and that faithless generation died in the wilderness
Application:
Do not provoke God! Do not hear his word and then rebel. Do not disobey him. Do not be faithless. The God who is mighty to save is mighty to guide and direct all your days. Even today, we can be disciplined unto death. Don’t think discipline can’t happen to you. It is guaranteed to happen if you disobey your heavenly father.
Reaching God’s Rest 4:1-2
Therefore… the author has a conclusion for us to consider. Let’s consider this conclusion as it unfolds…
The promise of God’s rest still stands (4:1a). Physical entry to the Promised Land did not fulfill the true rest found only in God. For believers, God’s rest includes the assurance of salvation, reliance on his strength, and assurance of a future heavenly home. These are essentially the peace we have in justification, sanctification, and glorification (explain each a bit). God’s rest is a promise that a believer can rely on; rest his full weight on
Let us fear (4:1b). The New Testament at several points reminds us to consider our own spiritual state with reverential fear. We should take full stock as to where we stand before God and be certain our standing before him is in Christ alone. There is also to be a holy fear concerning the spiritual state of others. The Gospel of Christ is the only cure for our friends and neighbors who are dead in sin.
Let us fear lest we seem to fail to reach that rest (4:1c). The way this is written, it is meant to remind everyone who reads this letter, it is not too late to get right with God. While there is life there is hope. You have not missed the bus. The sure rest of God is still available through the supreme Son of God.
The Good news is the same for us and those who came before us (v. 2). God still promises to deliver us. While the Exodus generation did not have the revelation of Jesus Christ, they did know the bad news that all min are sinners and the good news that God saves sinners. They didn’t know the name of the Savior. We do.
The necessary response to the Good news is faith (v. 2). Knowledge about God’s salvation is not enough. Without saving faith, there is no salvation. The Exodus generation heard God, but did not obey. The saved children of God have heard and listened – they obeyed by responding in faith.
Illustration:
Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure. (Philippians 2:12-13 ESV)
Application:
Do examine your spiritual condition. That doesn’t mean to live without the real assurance of God’s salvation. It does mean that first you make certain that you have believed in Christ alone and have been born again. It also means that we don’t get saved from the penalty of sin just so we can keep sinning and get into heaven by the skin of our teeth. We have an obligation to our God to be an active participant in his sanctification, in his saving us from the power of sin. As we examine our spiritual condition, we turn from sin and repent and rely on the Holy Spirit to continue his great work of making us more and more like Jesus Christ.
Repetitious Refrain 4:3-5
The author echoes again the Scripture of Psalm 95. He wants his audience to truly understand that even though they may be Israelites, there is no guarantee of salvation in their pedigree, but only in Christ.
Only those who have saving faith in Christ are saved (v. 3a). Now I’m being repetitious. But Jewish belief often equated being born Jewish as being right with God. Today, some folks think that just being alive means that they go to heaven – that as long as a person is not wholly given to evil, he must be good. Others think that their membership with a particular church means they are saved. Salvation is an individual reality that becomes a unity of brethren – not a group who gets in all together.
The work of wrath and work of salvation are finished from God’s perspective (v. 3b-4). Since God founded the world, his salvation was already complete. He knew who would call to himself and he finished that work. This is for the assurance of the believers – that the author of their faith is its finisher. The saved are eternally secure in Christ.
The final refrain is the reminder that the disobedient & faithless will have no part of God’s rest (v. 5). This is a terrible thing. Let its terribleness remind you that once your salvation is made sure, that you at once begin to tell others how to enter into God’s rest.
Illustration:
And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified. (Romans 8:28-30 ESV)
Application:
Do rest securely in God’s salvation. That is, of course, if you have it. God does not save his children temporarily. When he calls us to himself in Christ and adopts us, we are his forevermore. Do tell others. Again, there are lost dying souls all around us. Remember that you too were once lost and living in rebellion. Tell others of the security of God’s rest found in Jesus Christ alone.
So What?
Trust in God to be who he is and to do what he has promised. Israel provoked God by their lack of faith in his person and promises. Don’t let your trust be words only. Act on that trust. Whatever he calls you to do; he will empower you to do. His initial call on you is to be saved in Christ. His power saved you and his power keeps you secure in his salvation.
Scrutinize yourself. That scrutiny is not just for salvation, but also sanctification. Examine your heart for darkness. Ask God to shine his light upon you. Wherever evil and sin take root tear it out in repentance.
Whatever your family history and whatever your church history, your salvation does not depend on either. It depends solely on Jesus Christ. Your nationality can’t save you. Church membership or affiliation can’t save you. Only Jesus saves. Believe it? Good! Now tell it to others. Pass on the family history of being adopted as God’s very own child.
Benediction:
Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.”
(1 Peter 1:13-16 ESV)
I have a love for family history. I used to spend a lot of time with my grandmother and mother listening to stories of relatives I would never meet. They told me stories about where they had lived and what they had done. It gave me a sense of how I got to be where I was. These stories gave me an identity. For Israel, this was especially true. The history of their people is the Old Testament. There is a special love for the first five books. The Law, or Torah, holds a place of emphasis in their national and religious identity. This is one of the reasons the author of the Hebrews is reminding them of the story of the Exodus, using Psalm 95 as his introduction. He can assume that his audience is most familiar with their shared family history as he continues to warn them that unbelief, that faithlessness, means no rest in God…
Context:
Beginning in chapter 3, the author expanded his teaching of Christ’s supremacy to all things, by showing that Christ is greater than Moses. Christ’s greatness is that of the creator of the house of God and the true son of God. Moses is a servant in God’s house like us. Now in Christ we are adopted as sons, saved by grace through faith in Christ, just like Moses. The author focused on the confidence and hope that God’s children, God’s household have in Christ. The author moved last week to a solemn warning based on the life of Moses and the Exodus. The warning was about hard hearts. The letter’s recipients were warned to exhort one another to saving faith where needed and to soft hearts among the believers. They were warned that holy fear was a cure for rebellion by the emphasis on Israel’s lack of faith and obedience rooted in a lack of fear. The author continues to rely on the history of Israel from Psalm 95 as he continues with this morning’s text…
Body – Hebrews 3:16-4:5 – ESV
16 For who were those who heard and yet rebelled? Was it not all those who left Egypt led by Moses? 17 And with whom was he provoked for forty years? Was it not with those who sinned, whose bodies fell in the wilderness? 18 And to whom did he swear that they would not enter his rest, but to those who were disobedient? 19 So we see that they were unable to enter because of unbelief.
4:1 Therefore, while the promise of entering his rest still stands, let us fear lest any of you should seem to have failed to reach it. 2 For good news came to us just as to them, but the message they heard did not benefit them, because they were not united by faith with those who listened. 3 For we who have believed enter that rest, as he has said,
“As I swore in my wrath,
‘They shall not enter my rest,’”
although his works were finished from the foundation of the world. 4 For he has somewhere spoken of the seventh day in this way: “And God rested on the seventh day from all his works.” 5 And again in this passage he said,
“They shall not enter my rest.”
Rebels Denied 3:16-19
The author wants to drive home the state of Israel at the Exodus. He does this by pounding his audience with questions. Even the answers to his questions are questions themselves. He trusts that they know the history of Israel and his questions are meant to drive his point home as they answer these questions in their minds.
Who rebelled (v. 16)? The rebellion here is emphasized by the word “heard”. They had heard God’s voice and seen his hand at work and yet rebelled and demanded that Moses take them back to Egypt. The answer is a question that reminds us that everyone who left in the Exodus rebelled. No one was without guilt.
Who provoked God (v. 17)? Not only did they taunt and goad God to anger, they did it for forty years! Imagine the patience and grace of God to endure their thanklessness and doubt of his person. The answer is posed again as a question. The provokers were sinning and the consequence of their unrepentant sin was to die in the wilderness and never behold the Promised Land.
Who did God swear to discipline (v. 18)? He swore that he would act in holiness and righteousness and hold the rebels accountable. Their sin was not merely one of omission. The word “disobedient” highlights that they knew the right way and sinned against God on purpose.
The conclusion of these questions is the indictment of Israel (v. 19). Even though God had proved himself over and over – Israel was faithless. They did not belief that God would deliver them to the Promised Land. They had every reason to belief and they remained faithless.
Illustration:
This section makes me think of the celebration of the Passover – when the angel of Death passed over Israel and killed the firstborn of Egypt and Pharaoh obeyed God and released Israel from bondage. There is a song called “Dayenu” sung at this time of year. 1) If He had brought us out of Egypt. 2) If He had executed justice upon the Egyptians. 3) If He had executed justice upon their gods. 4) If He had slain their first born. 5) If He had given to us their health and wealth. 6) If He had split the sea for us. 7) If He had led us through on dry land. 8) If He had drowned our oppressors. 9) If He had provided for our needs in the wilderness for 40 years. 10) If He had fed us manna. 11) If He had given us Shabbat. 12) If He had led us to Mount Sinai. 13) If He had given us the Torah. 14) If He had brought us into the Land of Israel. 15) If He built the Temple for us. The reality is that it was never enough for Israel and they remained faithless and that faithless generation died in the wilderness
Application:
Do not provoke God! Do not hear his word and then rebel. Do not disobey him. Do not be faithless. The God who is mighty to save is mighty to guide and direct all your days. Even today, we can be disciplined unto death. Don’t think discipline can’t happen to you. It is guaranteed to happen if you disobey your heavenly father.
Reaching God’s Rest 4:1-2
Therefore… the author has a conclusion for us to consider. Let’s consider this conclusion as it unfolds…
The promise of God’s rest still stands (4:1a). Physical entry to the Promised Land did not fulfill the true rest found only in God. For believers, God’s rest includes the assurance of salvation, reliance on his strength, and assurance of a future heavenly home. These are essentially the peace we have in justification, sanctification, and glorification (explain each a bit). God’s rest is a promise that a believer can rely on; rest his full weight on
Let us fear (4:1b). The New Testament at several points reminds us to consider our own spiritual state with reverential fear. We should take full stock as to where we stand before God and be certain our standing before him is in Christ alone. There is also to be a holy fear concerning the spiritual state of others. The Gospel of Christ is the only cure for our friends and neighbors who are dead in sin.
Let us fear lest we seem to fail to reach that rest (4:1c). The way this is written, it is meant to remind everyone who reads this letter, it is not too late to get right with God. While there is life there is hope. You have not missed the bus. The sure rest of God is still available through the supreme Son of God.
The Good news is the same for us and those who came before us (v. 2). God still promises to deliver us. While the Exodus generation did not have the revelation of Jesus Christ, they did know the bad news that all min are sinners and the good news that God saves sinners. They didn’t know the name of the Savior. We do.
The necessary response to the Good news is faith (v. 2). Knowledge about God’s salvation is not enough. Without saving faith, there is no salvation. The Exodus generation heard God, but did not obey. The saved children of God have heard and listened – they obeyed by responding in faith.
Illustration:
Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure. (Philippians 2:12-13 ESV)
Application:
Do examine your spiritual condition. That doesn’t mean to live without the real assurance of God’s salvation. It does mean that first you make certain that you have believed in Christ alone and have been born again. It also means that we don’t get saved from the penalty of sin just so we can keep sinning and get into heaven by the skin of our teeth. We have an obligation to our God to be an active participant in his sanctification, in his saving us from the power of sin. As we examine our spiritual condition, we turn from sin and repent and rely on the Holy Spirit to continue his great work of making us more and more like Jesus Christ.
Repetitious Refrain 4:3-5
The author echoes again the Scripture of Psalm 95. He wants his audience to truly understand that even though they may be Israelites, there is no guarantee of salvation in their pedigree, but only in Christ.
Only those who have saving faith in Christ are saved (v. 3a). Now I’m being repetitious. But Jewish belief often equated being born Jewish as being right with God. Today, some folks think that just being alive means that they go to heaven – that as long as a person is not wholly given to evil, he must be good. Others think that their membership with a particular church means they are saved. Salvation is an individual reality that becomes a unity of brethren – not a group who gets in all together.
The work of wrath and work of salvation are finished from God’s perspective (v. 3b-4). Since God founded the world, his salvation was already complete. He knew who would call to himself and he finished that work. This is for the assurance of the believers – that the author of their faith is its finisher. The saved are eternally secure in Christ.
The final refrain is the reminder that the disobedient & faithless will have no part of God’s rest (v. 5). This is a terrible thing. Let its terribleness remind you that once your salvation is made sure, that you at once begin to tell others how to enter into God’s rest.
Illustration:
And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified. (Romans 8:28-30 ESV)
Application:
Do rest securely in God’s salvation. That is, of course, if you have it. God does not save his children temporarily. When he calls us to himself in Christ and adopts us, we are his forevermore. Do tell others. Again, there are lost dying souls all around us. Remember that you too were once lost and living in rebellion. Tell others of the security of God’s rest found in Jesus Christ alone.
So What?
Trust in God to be who he is and to do what he has promised. Israel provoked God by their lack of faith in his person and promises. Don’t let your trust be words only. Act on that trust. Whatever he calls you to do; he will empower you to do. His initial call on you is to be saved in Christ. His power saved you and his power keeps you secure in his salvation.
Scrutinize yourself. That scrutiny is not just for salvation, but also sanctification. Examine your heart for darkness. Ask God to shine his light upon you. Wherever evil and sin take root tear it out in repentance.
Whatever your family history and whatever your church history, your salvation does not depend on either. It depends solely on Jesus Christ. Your nationality can’t save you. Church membership or affiliation can’t save you. Only Jesus saves. Believe it? Good! Now tell it to others. Pass on the family history of being adopted as God’s very own child.
Benediction:
Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.”
(1 Peter 1:13-16 ESV)
