Written by David Self Sunday, 17 September :00 - Last Updated Wednesday, 13 September :35

Transcription

1 Explore the Bible Lesson Preview Sept. 24, 2006 "Be Obedient" Background: Hebrews 3:16-4:13 Lesson: Hebrews 3:16-4:7, 9-13 Motivation: Believer's Study Bible, p. 1742: 4:1-13 "Upon consideration of Israel's history (ch.3), the author argues that God's promise to His people was not fulfilled by their entrance into Canaan. Therefore, still promised is a rest which has not yet been enjoyed (vv. 1-10), and Christians must strive for that rest, motivated by their own responsibility in the matter (vv )." Examination: I. Example of Disobedience (3:16-19) A. Rebellion "For who, having heard, rebelled? Indeed, was it not all who came out of Egypt, led by Moses?" (16) The essence of disobedience is a spirit of rebellion. John Stott said "The essence of sin is man substituting himself for God, while the essence of salvation is God substituting Himself for man." B. Sin "Now with whom was He angry forty years? Was it not with those who sinned" (17) God's wrath is directed toward sin (Rom. 1:18, 2:5, 3:5, 9:22; Eph. 5:6). Sin is acting on a rebellious impulse. It may take the form of a thought (Prov. 24:9), word (Matt. 12:37), action (1 John 3:4) or inaction (James 4:17). C. Death "whose corpses fell in the wilderness?" (17b) Ultimately, the recompense for all sin is spiritual death (Rom. 6:23). Even for Christians, sin may kill spiritual fellowship with our Father. (Rev. 20:14) D. Loss of Reward "And to whom did He swear that they would not enter His rest, but to those who did not obey?" (18) Bruce Wilkinson imagines "warehouses of blessings" stored up for us in heaven. One day, we may have to tour those structures and view all the things God had in store for us which we never enjoyed because of disobedience and lack of faith. 1 / 6

2 E. Unbelief "So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief." (19) The greatest sin is failure to trust the Father. When the Pharisees asked what works they could do to win approval, Jesus replied "This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He sent" (John 6:29). The unpardonable sin is a refusal to trust in Jesus. (John 5:24; 6:47) II. Concern for Obedience (4:1-7) A. Rest "Therefore, since a promise remains of entering His rest, let us fear lest any of you seem to have come short of it." (4:1) Believer's Study Bible, p. 1472: 4:1 "The spiritual counterpart of the earthly Canaan is the goal of God's people today. Some think that the rest' here is equivalent to heaven, while others see it more as spiritual progress and growth in maturity, occurring as believers are obedient to God's word on their spiritual journey toward heaven. Perhaps both ideas are present in the overall context." B. Review "For indeed the gospel was preached to us as well as to them; but the word which they heard did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in those who heard it." (2) We're asked to profit from the mistakes of the disobedient Israelites. They heard God's invitation but did not profit from it due to a lack of faith. (1 Cor. 10:11) C. Redeemed "For we who have believed do enter that rest, as He has said: So I swore in My wrath, they shall not enter My rest' although the works were finished from the foundation of the world." (3) In contrast to the disobedient wilderness wanderers who perished due to lack of faith, belief results in entrance. While God's wrath against sin prohibits the disobedient from entering, His sovereign plan "from the foundation of the world" provides for the redeemed. (1 Pet. 1:19-20; Eph. 1:3-14) D. Representative "For He has spoken in a certain place of the seventh day in this way: and God rested on the seventh day from all His works;' and again in this place: They shall not enter My rest." (4-5) The image of rest shifts from the Promise Land to the seventh day of creation. God is the representative of One who enters into rest. He rests, not because of fatigue, but because His initial creative work was finished. (John 19:30; Lev. 23:36-39; Ex. 20:9-11). God continues to create every day as He produces 2 / 6

3 wonderful masterpieces in us (Eph. 2:10). Concerning the indefinite scripture reference, Believer's Study Bible notes: 4:4 "The Greek particle pou, translated in a certain place,' may be indefinite because the quotation is found in three places (Gen. 2:2; Ex. 20:11; 31:17). The reference may also be more general than particular in which case the sense would be as we know' or to quote' (cf. 2:6)." E. Requirement "Since therefore it remains that some must enter it, and those to whom it was first preached did not enter because of disobedience." (6) God requires a decision. The Israelites who disobeyed decided poorly. Simply because rest is offered as a gift (Eph. 2:8-9), does not grant its possession by every person to whom it is offered. (2 Pet. 3:9) F. Request "Again He designates a certain day, saying in David, Today,' after such a long time, as it has been said: Today if you will hear His voice, do no harden your hearts.'" (7) The urgency of the request is highlighted by the second use of Ps. 95: 7-8 (cf. 3:7). Paul wrote to the Corinthians &q uot;...behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation." (2 Cor. 6:2) III. Exhortation About Obedience (4:8-13) A. Source "For if Joshua had given them rest, then He would not afterward have spoken of another day." (8) Joshua was a great leader, chosen by God and successful by any standard; yet, he could not provide God's people with rest. To whom are you looking to supply your needs? One indication of dependence is the level of disappointment when perceived needs are not met. For instance, if you're looking to the stock market for financial security, then devastation occurs when the market collapses. On the other hand, if your life (and relational significance) revolves around your kids, then a severe emptiness occurs when the last one leaves home. As Christians, we cannot be dependent on a person or thing for either security or significance; these two foundational needs of life must be found in Christ alone. (James 1:17; Phil. 4:19; Luke 12:14, 23; 1 Cor. 3:11; Gal. 2:20). B. Success "There remains therefore a rest for the people of God. For he who has entered His rest has himself also ceased from his works as God did from His." (9-10) (Josh.1:8) 3 / 6

4 1. Who: "the people of God" (9) - This is clearly intended for God's people. 2. What: "a rest" (9) - Several translations render this "Sabbath rest" (ASV, Goodspeed). This certainly has a final heavenly component, but also applies to the here and now. 3. Where: "ceased from his works" (10) At first glance, this would seem to imply inactivity. Yet, after creation, God didn't cease all activity; His "rest" was a celebration of completion, an acknowledgement that nothing more needed to be done for this task to be "good" (Gen. 1:10, 12, 18, 21, 25, 31). In the Christian's Sabbath rest, there are several areas of completion that allow us to cease from works: a. Ritual - We cease from ritual sacrifices, washings and festivals. (Col. 2:16; Heb. 10:17-18) b. Righteousness - We cease striving for righteousness based on our own works. (Eph. 2:8-9; 2 Cor. 5:21) c. Rest - Ironically, to rest in the peace of God means that we stop trying to achieve rest on our own. (Rom. 5:1-11) C. Strive "Let us therefore be diligent to enter that rest, lest anyone fall according to the same example of disobedience." (11) Just as many of the Israelites who intended to reach the Promised Land never made it (3:19); so many church members never truly achieve "rest" because of disobedience. Believer's Study Bible, p. 1742: 4:11 "The expression be diligent' means to be zealous, eager, make every effort.' It implies active exertion on the part of the believer." (Heb. 11:6) 4 / 6

5 D. Scripture "For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart." (12) Believer's Study Bible, p. 1742: 4:12 "The capabilities of the word of God are clearly featured here. The nature of God's word is that of life-giving communication. The word here translated powerful' ( energes, Gk.) is the source of the English word energy.' Furthermore, God's word is sharp and penetrating, acting as a critic of the thought-life and the motivations or purposes of the human heart. Note that the word of God has the unique ability not merely to discover the merit of men's actions but also to reveal hidden motivations. Thus, all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account" (v. 13). E. Secrets "And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must five account." (1 3) In light of God's future judgment, we must acknowledge that we can keep no secret from Him. He not only knows our actions and words, but He also discerns the "thoughts and intents of the heart" (12) (Ps. 139:16; 2 Chron. 16:9; John 4:34, 17:4; Rom. 10:4). Application 1. The essence of sin is rebellion. (1 John 3:4) 2. God desires a rest for His children. (John 14:27) 3. God's Word is powerful and applicable. (2 Tim. 3:16) Teaching Packet: Item 7 Poster: At Rest Biblical Illustrator: p. 39 "The Aim and Message of Hebrews" Notes/Dates: 9/12-10/24 - Beth Moore Tues. Bible study, Sept CSI Houston; Sept Ma rriage Conf./Rosbergs, Oct / 6

6 - Luis Palau City Fest, Oct First Hope Job Fair, Oct CSI Houston, Oct Teacher Training Track 104, Nov INSPIRE Conference, Nov Christmas Store donations, Nov CSI Houston, Nov Full Schedule (Thanksgiving), Dec. 2 - MTC Christmas Store, Dec Christmas Presentation; Dec CSI Houston, Dec Christmas Eve - (both a.m./ss opt; 5 & 11 pm), Dec New Year's Eve (Full Schedule). 6 / 6