The Christian Rest

A Rest for God’s People

Hebrews 4:9

Our study of this passage brings us face to face with the difference between rest and rest! Perhaps you did not catch that so let me explain.

1. Jesus put before us a rest for those who are weary and heavy laden over sin (Matthew 11:28). This rest is granted to all those who put their trust in Him. Paul says that faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the word of God. And again, for by grace are ye saved through faith… and even, if thou confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
2. But now to those of you who have by faith trusted the savior, having repented from sin and turned to God, “There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God.”(Heb 4:9)

And so I would have you know that…

I.                   Faithful living is the only true path to this rest.  Heb.3:6&12

I am a strong proponent for the doctrine of the perseverance of the saints, based on regeneration!

And so, I don’t believe anyone would be surprised at my first point in this message.

Faithful living is the only true path to the Christian’s rest!!!

                        This is not the current practice among those of the Christian faith.

It is all too common to embrace a lifeless faith that provides a fire insurance package and a false promise that God will supply your every desire and want.

            Where is the abundant Christian life I ask?

                        Where is the example of faithful living to the honor of God?

                                    Where is sacrifice, service, humility, charity, and the like?

            I’ll tell you where, back in the fiction pages of our minds!

A.    Position ally we are initiated to it through the body of Christ. Vs.6

We are members in particular, connected by the sinews and bands to use the language of job.

B.     Volitionally we are warned not to take it lightly, lest we be found unfaithful. Vs.12

Volition, hah we say, what is that. I have my position, why then do I need volition. I believe James answered that question for you. “Faith without works is dead.”

I also would have you to understand, and do not miss this, that…

II.                Unbelief blocks all from entering this rest. Heb.3:19

The parable of the Sower in Matthew 13 clearly shows us that these are always those who seem to believe for a moment, but later fail in that belief because it was never belief unto life, or as we sometimes say -, saving faith.

      Examples: Phil.1:6; Romans 8:1

The error of the modern church is that “you’re OK as long as you believed at some point, regardless of what you believe now.” Truly, there is no rest in this position, nor place for it!

Some have seen this as a loss of salvation. Either way there is no scriptural support for such positions.

Hebrews 4:2 says, “but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it.”

      And – Gal.3:11says, “The just shall live by faith.”

And the last thing I would say on this subject is…

III.             Our rest is truly a future rest. Heb.4:9-11

A.    It is a place not a state, of rest.

1.      Rest in Matthew 11:28 is (ανα)παυσω or rest from.

2.      Rest hear in Hebrews is (κατα)παυσω or place of rest.

B.     Because it is a future rest, we work now in service to Him; anything less is not of faith.

1.      Serving and working is not optional.

2.      A truly converted life bears this out.

Conclusion:   

I don’t think there to be a Christian here today that does not desire to hear the words of the Savior, “well done thou good and faithful servant, enter into the joy of the Lord.” Would you agree with me? But I fear many will only hear, “depart from me ye workers of iniquity, for I never knew you.”

Hebrews 4:11 says, “Let us labor therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.”