A Sabbath Rest for the People of God. Jesus the Great High Priest. Hebrews 4:1-16

Transcription

1 1 A Sabbath Rest for the People of God Jesus the Great High Priest Hebrews 4:1-16

2 2 Text: Hebrews 4:1-16, A Sabbath Rest for the People of God Jesus the Great High Priest 1. Let us therefore fear, lest a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it. 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. 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. 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. 5. And in this place again, If they shall enter into my rest. 6. Seeing therefore it remaineth that some must enter therein, and they to whom it was first preached entered not in because of unbelief: 7. Again, he limiteth a certain day, saying in David, Today, after so long a time; as it is said, Today if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts. 8. For if Jesus had given them rest, then would he not afterward have spoken of another day. 9. There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God. 10. For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his. 11. Let us labor therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief. 12. For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing

3 3 asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. 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. 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. 15. For we have not a 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. 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. Commentary: A Sabbath Rest for the People of God Hebrews 4:1, Let us therefore fear, lest a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it. I. Let us therefore fear,... A. Humans fear that which is a danger or that which is perceived to be a danger. B. The Hebrews were in danger of falling away from the faith and losing everything they had gained through faith in Christ. (See Milligan) C. They had every reason to fear! D. Fear is a strong motivator.

4 Matthew 10:28, And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. 2. Luke 12:4, 5, And I say unto you my friends, Be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. E. Christians fear because the stakes are so high (heaven or hell) and our adversary is powerful and crafty. (Coffman) II. lest haply a promise being left us of entering into rest,... A. Only Joshua and Caleb, of the adult men who left Egypt, entered into Palestine, the land of promise. B. There is a definite danger that some who have begun the Christian walk will not enter the heavenly rest. 1. Haply here contains the idea of inadvertence. 2. Many who fail to enter the promised rest do so unintentionally. (Coffman) C. The NIV reads, Therefore, since the promise of entering his rest still stands, let us be careful that none of you be found to have fallen short of it. 1. God still offers his eternal rest to believers. (Girdwood and Verkruyse) D. Coffman stated that rest represents all the rewards of faith.

5 Matthew 11:28, 29, Come unto me all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. 2. Revelation 14:13, And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labors; and their works do follow them. III. any of you should seem to come short of it. A. Milligan wrote, The Apostle would, in a word, have his Hebrew brethren in Christ take heed, lest while there is remaining to them a promise of entering into God s rest, any of them should, like their fathers in the wilderness, fall short of it through their own obstinate unbelief. B. Girdwood and Verkruyse well said, If our faith runs out like the prodigal son s money, we may find ourselves very impoverished. Hebrews 4:2, 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. I. For unto us was the gospel, good tidings, preached as well as unto them: A. Milligan explained, The Apostle means to say that the joyful promise of entering into rest, made first to the Israelites, has respect to us as well as to them. Primarily, it has reference to the possession of Canaan; and secondly,

6 6 to that better rest of which the rest in Canaan was but a type. B. Good news (gospel) was preached through all the ages. The gospel that Christ brought is the greatest news of all. II. but the word preached did not profit them,... A. The Israelites did not profit by the preached word because they did not faithfully obey it. III. not being mixed with faith in them that heard it. A. The preached word will produce different results depending on the hearts of the hearers. 1. Wayside hearts, stony ground hearts, hearts filled with thorns and good soil hearts certainly vary in their crop production. (Milligan) 2. The Israelites started out well, but they did not remain loyal for the long haul. a. Exodus 19:7, 8, And Moses came and called for the elders of the people, and laid before their faces all these words which the Lord commanded him. And all the people answered together, and said, All that the Lord hath spoken we will do. And Moses returned the words of the people unto the Lord. b. Exodus 24:3, And Moses came and told the people all the words of the Lord, and all the judgments: and all the people answered with

7 7 one voice, and said, All the words which the Lord hath said will we do. B. Girdwood and Verkruyse well said, There is no place here to pick and choose which part of the Bible we want and which we will discard. For the gospel to have value, it must have faith mixed all through it. Hebrews 4:3, 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. I. For we who have believed do enter into rest: as, he said, As I have sworn in my wrath,... A. Some will be admitted into the heavenly rest because of their faith while others will be excluded from the heavenly rest because of their unbelief. B. God swore the rebellious Israelites would never enter the promised land. 1. Psalm 95:11, Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad; let the sea roar, and the fullness thereof. 2. Number 14:20-24, And the Lord said, I have pardoned according to thy word: But as truly as I live, all the earth shall be filled with the glory of the Lord. Because all those men which have seen my glory, and my miracles, which I did in Egypt and in the wilderness, and have tempted me now these ten times, and have not hearkened to my voice; Surely they shall not see the land which I sware unto their

8 8 fathers, neither shall any of them that provoked me see it: But my servant Caleb, because he had another spirit with him, and hath followed me fully, him will I bring into the land whereinto he went; and his seed shall possess it. II. if they shall enter into my rest: A. This means, They shall not enter into God s rest. B. Hebrews 3:14, For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end; C. Coffman observed that while descendants of those who wandered in the wilderness did enter the promised land rest, they never with any consistency entered the ideal religious state God envisioned for them. 1. Exodus 19:3-6, And Moses went up unto God, and the Lord called unto him out of the mountain, saying, Thus shalt thou say to the house of Jacob, and tell the children of Israel; Ye have seen what I did unto the Egyptians, and how I bare you on eagles wings, and brought you unto myself. Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people; for all the earth is mine: And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel. III. although the works were finished from the foundation of the world.

9 9 A. God had reference here to a future rest which had been ordained from the creation of the world. B. The Sabbath rest was representative of the heavenly rest. C. Scriptures related to the foundation of the world. 1. Hebrews 9:26, For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. 2. Matthew 13:35, That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter things which have been kept secret from the foundation of the world. 3. Matthew 25:34, Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: 4. John 17:24, Father, I will that they also, whom thou has given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world. 5. Ephesians 1:4, According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: 6. 1 Corinthians 2:7, But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory:

10 10 Hebrews 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. I. For he spake in a certain place of the seventh day on this wise verse,... A. Genesis 2:2, And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made. B. The Sabbath rest cannot be identical with that from which a whole generation of the Israelites were forever excluded. (Milligan) C. Coffman confidently affirmed that the seventh day of this verse can be nothing other than the seventh day of creation on which God rested and not the Hebrew Sabbath. D. Coffman stated that God rested on the seventh day from all his works (of creation). God is still resting. 1. Hebrews 4:6, 11, Seeing therefore it remaineth that some must enter therein, and they to whom it was first preached entered not in because of unbelief: Let us labor therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief. II. And God did rest the seventh day from all his works. A. God rested from his creative works. B. God, as the Bible clearly states, continually works on behalf of his creation and people.

11 11 Hebrews 4:5, And in this place again, If they shall enter into my rest. I. And in this place again,... A.... this place is a reference to Psalm 95:11, as most commentators have believed. 1. Psalm 95:11, Unto whom I sware in my wrath that they should not enter into my rest. 2. The exact words of the quote in Hebrews are found in the Septuagint. B. Other commentators believe the reference is to Numbers 14: Numbers 14:28-30, Say unto them, As truly as I live, saith the Lord, as ye have spoken in mine ears, so will I do to you: Your carcases shall fall in this wilderness; and all that were numbered of you, according to your whole number, from twenty years old and upward, which have murmured against me, Doubtless ye shall not come into the land, concerning which I sware to make you dwell therein, save Caleb the son of Jephunneh, and Joshua the son of Nun. C. The reference in Hebrews 4:7 is clearly to Psalm 95:7, Psalm 95:7, 8, For he is our God; and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand. Today if ye will hear his voice, Harden not your

12 12 heart, as in the provocation, and as in the day of temptation in the wilderness: II. If they shall enter into my rest. A. The rests in view in these verses include the Sabbath rest, the promised land rest and the heavenly rest. B. The NIV translates this verse, They shall never enter my rest. 1. The unfaithful Israelites would never enter his rest. (Girdwood and Verkruyse) 2. A rest remains because it was not entered by the Hebrews. (Coffman) Hebrews 4:6, Seeing therefore it remaineth that some must enter therein, and they to whom it was first preached entered not in because of unbelief: I. Seeing therefore it remaineth that some must enter therein,... A. the promised land rest was offered to the Israelites, but, because of unfaithfulness, they did not receive it. B. This promised land rest was replaced by the heavenly rest which is available to all the faithful of all nationalites and of all ages from Adam to the second coming of Christ. C. Girdwood and Verkruyse observed that From the time of Joshua to the time of David, the doorway remained open to those who did not disobey God.

13 13 II. and they to whom it was first preached entered not in because of unbelief: A. This speaks to the Israelites who died in the wilderness and perhaps to those who will miss heaven itself all because of unbelief. B. Coffman wrote, God desires and has purposed from all eternity that some shall enter into his rest; and, seeing that Israel did not,... the way is still open for whosoever will to accept the invitation Hebrews 4:7, Again, he limiteth a certain day, saying in David, Today, after so long a time; as it is said, Today if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts. I. Again, he defineth, limiteth a certain day, saying in David,... II. Today, after so long a time, it has been said before, Psalm 95:7-11, For he is our God; and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand. Today if ye will hear his voice, Harden not your heart, as in the provocation, and as in the day of temptation in the wilderness: When your fathers tempted me, proved me and saw my work. Forty years long was I grieved with this generation, and said, It is a people that do err in their heart, and they have not known my ways: Unto whom I sware in my wrath that they should not enter into my rest. III. Today if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts. A. David recalled the fact that Israelites died in the wilderness and failed to enter Canaan s promised rest.

14 14 B. David makes the point that his contemporaries and people who live after him could miss the rest (heaven) God has promised by hardening their hearts, so Don t harden your hearts! Hebrews 4:8, For if Jesus had given them rest, then would he not afterward have spoken of another day. I. For if Jesus (Joshua) had given them rest, then would he not afterward have spoken of another day. A. Milligan wrote that there can be no doubt that Joshua the son of Nun is in view in this verse. 1. Joshua 1:15, Until the Lord have given your brethren rest, as he hath given you, and they also have possessed the land which the Lord your God giveth them: then ye shall return unto the land of your possession, and enjoy it, which Moses the Lord's servant gave you on this side Jordan toward the sunrising. 2. Joshua 22:4, And now the Lord your God hath given rest unto your brethren, as he promised them: therefore now return ye, and get you unto your tents, and unto the land of your possession, which Moses the servant of the Lord gave you on the other side Jordan. B. Joshua led the Israelites, those hardened by the wilderness wanderings, into the promised land, but Canaan was not the ultimate rest.

15 Another far better rest remains for the faithful people of God. C. Girdwood and Verkruyse wrote... Israel s entrance into Canaan was not the same as entrance into God s eternal rest Peter 1:18, 19, For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit: By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison; Hebrews 4:9, There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God. I. There remaineth therefore a Sabbath-rest, rest for, to the people of God. A. The conclusion reached by the Hebrews writer is that a rest remains for the people of God! B. Milligan wrote, Over and above the sabbatical rest and the rest of Canaan, there still remains a rest... for every child of God. 1. Matthew 11:28, 29, Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. 2. The heavenly rest is the rest promised here.

16 16 C. This rest (AV), Sabbath-rest (NIV) refers to heaven, not to the seventh day Sabbath. 1. This rest is available to all the faithful, not just Israelites. (Barmby via Coffman) Hebrews 4:10, For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his. I. For he that enters, is entered into his, God s rest,... A. Some commentators hold that he in this verse refers to Christ. B. While Christ has indeed returned to heaven and is seated at the Father s right hand, Milligan was persuaded that he in this verse refers to all departed saints. 1. Coffman concurs in this explanation. II. he also hath ceased from his own works,... A. Christ s work is not finished. He continues to mediate, intercede for his people. B. Departed saints have completed their work. 1. Revelation 14:13, And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them. 2. Revelation 7:16, 17, They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on

17 17 them, nor any heat. For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes. C. Coffman speaks to the point that all who have struggled, toiled and suffered long for the promised rest will be blessed. 1. Psalm 55:6, They gather themselves together, they hide themselves, they mark my steps, when they wait for my soul. 2. Job 3:17, There the wicked cease from troubling; and there the weary be at rest. III. as God did from his. A. Genesis 2:2, And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made. B. God worked; then God rested. Christians first work, then rest. (Girdwood and Kerkruyse) Labor to Enter Into God s Rest Hebrews 4:11, Let us labor therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief. I. Let us give diligence, labor, make every effort, therefore to enter into that rest,...

18 18 A. In view of the fact that Israel failed to enter the promised land because of unbelief and hard hearts, we had better do our utmost to ensure our entrance into our heavenly rest! B. Scriptures: 1. 1 Corinthians 10:1-12, Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea; And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea; And did all eat the same spiritual meat; And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ. But with many of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness. Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted. Neither be ye idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play. Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand. Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed of serpents. Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer Peter 1:5-11, And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But he that

19 19 lacketh the things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins. Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall: For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. 3. Hebrews 12:12-17, Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees; And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed. Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord: Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled; Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meal sold his birthright. For ye know how that afterward, when he would have inherited the blessing he was rejected: for he found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears Corinthians 13:5, Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates? C. Coffman held that faithful disciples actually enter that rest during this present life, but only in the sense of receiving earnest (as in earnest money for a pending purchase) elements of it. II. lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.

20 20 A. The Hebrews are here warned not to follow the example of the unbelieving, hard hearted Israelites who never saw the promised rest! 1. Hebrews 3:18, And to whom sware he that they should not enter into his rest, but to them that believed not? 2. Luke 13:34, O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, which killest the prophets, and stonest them that are sent unto thee; how often would I have gathered thy children together, as a hen doth gather her brood under her wings, and ye would not! 3. Acts 2:40, And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation. 4. 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. 5. Revelation 20:12, And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. Hebrews 4:12, 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

21 21 marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. I. For the word of God is quick (living) and powerful, active, not inert,... A. The word of God is full of power and energy, Milligan wrote. B. Scriptures: 1. Psalm 19:7, The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple. 2. Isaiah 55:11, So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it Peter 1:23, Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever. II. and sharper than any two-edged sword,... A. There is no other sword as sharp or sharper than this spiritual sword! B. Don t mess with it or it will cut you! C. Some swords have one sharp edge, some two sharp edges. 1. God s word cuts forward and backward.

22 The word of God is comparable to a double-edged sword. 3. Two-edged is synonymous of sharp. 4. Proverbs 5:4, But her end is bitter as wormwood, sharp as a two-edged sword. 5. Revelations 1:16, And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp two-edged sword: and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength. D. Swords were the most often mentioned weapon in the Bible (Girdwood and Verkruyse) III. 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. A. Be careful not to mishandle the word whether the word here refers to Christ, the living word, or the Scriptures, the inspired word. B. The mishandled sword will cut and run you through! C. Scriptures: 1. John 1:14, And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. 2. Hebrews 4:2, For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not

23 23 profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it. 3. Acts 13:26, Men and brethren, children of the stock of Abraham, and whosoever among you feareth God, to you is the word of this salvation sent. 4. Revelation 1:16, And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp two-edged sword: and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength. 5. Revelation 2:12, And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write; These things saith he which hath the sharp sword with two edges; 6. Revelation 19:15, 23. And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. 7. Psalm 36:9, For with thee is the fountain of life: in thy light shall we see light. 8. Isaiah 55:10, 11, For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.

24 24 E. Milligan observed that ancient philosophers taught that man consists of a physical body, an animal soul and an immortal spirit Thessalonians 5:23, And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 2. Whether the Hebrews writer shared these views or had other views regarding soul and spirit is in question. F. The expressions soul and spirit, joints and marrow as well as thoughts and intents may be proverbial to indicate the inner most parts of anything. 1. The sword cuts to the dividing asunder of the tiniest of parts, even the least thoughts of each of us. 2. Girdwood and Verkruyse wrote, The point here is to show that nothing is beyond the penetrating power of the word of God. G. Milligan wrote that by this sword of the spirit are perfectly made manifest all the perfections and imperfections of men s spiritual nature. H. Scriptures: 1. Philippians 2:12, 13,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. For it is God

25 25 which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. 2. Matthew 9:4, And Jesus knowing their thoughts said, Wherefore think ye evil in your hearts? 3. Matthew 12:25, And Jesus knew their thoughts, and said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand: 4. Luke 9:46-48, Then there arose a reasoning among them, which of them should be greatest. And Jesus, perceiving the thought of their heart, took a child, and set him by him. And said unto them, Whosoever shall receive this child in my name receiveth me: and whosoever shall receive me receiveth him that sent me: for he that is least among you all, the same shall be great. 5. John 2:23-25, Now when he was in Jerusalem at the Passover, on the feast day, many believed in his name, when they saw the miracles which he did. But Jesus did not commit himself unto them, because he knew all men. And needed not that any should testify of man: for he knew what was in man. Hebrews 4:13, 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. I. Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: Nothing in all creation is hidden from God s sight. (NIV) A. God sees everyone and everything exactly as it is.

26 Nothing is covered, hidden nor obscured that his eye cannot clearly see. 2. Milligan wrote that this expression probably had reference primarily to the exposure of criminals; and that Paul used it in its then current sense to denote simply that all creatures stand before God with their necks, as it were, bent backward, and their faces fully exposed to the all seeing eyes of him with whom we have to do. B. Scriptures: 1. Daniel 2:22, He receiveth the deep and secret things: he knoweth what is in the darkness, and the light dwelleth with him Corinthians 4:5, Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God. II. but all things are naked, uncovered and laid bare, opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do. Note: Macknight via Coffman called attention to the fact that Old Testament priests examined all sacrifices to detect any blemishes. This may be the basis of this statement that everything falls under the watchful eyes of God. Leviticus 1:5, 6, And he shall kill the bullock before the Lord: and the priests, Aaron s sons, shall bring the blood, and sprinkle the blood round about upon the altar that is by the door of the tabernacle of the congregation. And he shall flay the burnt offering, and cut it into his pieces.

27 27 Jesus the Great High Priest Hebrews 4:14, 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. I. Seeing then that we have a great high priest,... A. Christ is the Christian s great high priest who made atonement for our sins! II. that is passed through, into the heavens,... Note: Notice five (5) ways in which Christ s high priesthood is truly great. (Credit is due Girdwood and Verkryse) A. First, Christ is great because he has passed through the heavens. 1. Ephesians 4:10, He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things. 2. Hebrews 7:26, For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens. III. Jesus the Son of God,... A. Second, Christ is great because his name is Jesus (He shall save his people from their sins,).

28 Our high priest is divine (Christ: anointed) and human (Jesus: he shall save his people from their sins). 2. Matthew 1:21, And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. B. Third, Christ is great because he is the Son of God. 1. Hebrews 2:5-10, For unto the angels hath he not put in subjection the world to come, whereof we speak. But one in a certain place testified, saying, What is man, that thou art mindful of him? Or the son of man, that thou visitest him? Thou madest him a little lower than the angels; thou crownedst him with glory and honor, and didst set him over the works of thy hands: Thou hast put all things in subjection under his feet. For in that he put all in subjection under him, he left nothing that is not put under him. But now we see not yet all things put under him. But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honor: that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man. For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings. IV. let us hold fast our profession, confession. A. Matthew 16:16, And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.

29 29 B. Hebrews 6:4-6, For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame. C. Acts 4:12, Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. D. Hebrews 7:26, For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens. E. Hebrews 3:6, 14, But Christ as a son over his own house; whose house are we, if we hold fast this confidence and the rejoicing for the hope firm unto the end. For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end; Hebrews 4:15, For we have not a 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. I. For we have not a high priest which can not be touched with the feeling of our infirmities;... A. One of the reasons Christ, our high priest, is great is that he loves us and has a heart filled with compassion. B. Fourth, Christ is great because he is perfect, sinless.

30 30 C. Fifth, Christ is great because he is able to sympathize with our weaknesses. 1. Matthew 8:17, That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, Himself took our infirmities, and bare our sicknesses Corinthians 12:9, And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. II. but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. A. Matthew 4:1-11, Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil. And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungred. And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread. But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple. And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written. He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone. Jesus said unto him, It is written again. Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God. Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and showeth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them: And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me. Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written,

31 31 Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve. Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him. B. Hebrews 7:26, For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners and made higher than the heavens; C. Hebrews 9:14, How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? Hebrews 4:16, Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. I. Let us therefore come boldly, with confidence unto the throne of grace, throne of God,... A. Because we Christians do indeed have a great high priest, we can approach God s throne boldly, confidently. 1. Ephesians 3:12, In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him John 5:14, 15, And this is the confidence that we have in him, that if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him. B. God is on his throne, he governs his creation, and all is well with his people.

32 Matthew 25:23, His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things enter thou into the joy of thy lord. 2. John 14:15, If ye love me, keep my commandments. 3. Hebrews 7:25, Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them. II. that we may obtain mercy, compassion, pity,... A. Milligan suggested this may be an allusion to the mercy seat and to the total ark of the covenant. B. The mercy here is from God the Father through Jesus his Son. 1. Hebrews 8:1, Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens; 2. 1 Timothy 1:2, Unto Timothy, my own son in the faith: Grace, mercy and peace, from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord Timothy 1:2, To Timothy, my dearly beloved son: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord. 4. Titus 1:4, To Titus, mine own son after the common faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Saviour.

33 John 1:3, Grace be with you, mercy, and peace, from God the Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love. III. and find grace to help in time of need. A. Scriptures: 1. Ephesians 6:18, Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the spirit, and watching thereunto with all perserverance and supplication for all saints; 2. Philippians 4:6, Be careful for nothing: but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God Thessalonians 5:17, Pray without ceasing. 4. Psalm 118:6, 7, The Lord is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me? The Lord taketh my part with them that help me: therefore shall I see my desire upon them that hate me.

34 34 References Holy Bible, Authorized (King James) Version, The Gideons International, Nashville, TN, 37214, 1979, National Publishing Company. Holy Bible, New International Version, 1984, Zondervan, Grand Rapids, Michigan, James Burton Coffman Commentaries, Hebrews, Abilene Christians University Press, Abilene, TX, New Testament Commentaries, Hebrews, Robert Milligan, Gospel Advocate Company, Nashville, TN, The College Press NIV Commentary, Hebrews, Jim Girdwood, Peter Verkruyse, College Press Company, Joplin, Missouri, 1997.

35 35 Questions Hebrews 4: Why were the Hebrews told to fear? What were they to fear? 2. List three rests mentioned in Hebrews Does Hebrews 4:1 teach that Christians can fall from grace? If so, how does this verse teach the possibility of apostacy? 4. In what way was the gospel preached to the ancient Israelites? What gospel was preached to them? 5. Why did the preached word not profit them?

36 What is meant by the word mixed in regard to the gospel and faith? 7. Into what rest do believers enter? Give scriptural proof for your answer. 8. When did God sware in his wrath? What did he sware? 9. What works were finished from the foundation of the world? 10. When God rested from all his works, did he completely retire? If not, what were all his works from which he rested?

37 What does, If they shall enter into my rest, mean? How does the NIV translate this statement? 12. List all the Old Testament verses quoted and/or referred to in Hebrews What is the rest into which some must enter? What is included in the word some? 14. We can miss God s rest by hardening our hearts. Define hardening and hearts as used in Hebrews 4: Who is Jesus in Hebrews 4:8? What was the another day of which he spoke?

38 What rest remains for the people of God? Who are the people of God? See Hebrews 4: Who has entered into his rest? From what works have they ceased? 18. Define labour as used in Hebrews 4:11. For what should we labour? Why should we labour? 19.What is the word of God? Be specific. 20. Give synonyms for: quick Powerful Soul Spirit

39 39 Joints Marrow Thoughts of the heart Intents of the heart Piercing 21. Why was it appropriate to compare the word of God with a two-edged sword? 22. List five ways in which Christ is a great high priest. 23. In view of the greatness of our high priest, what does it behoove us to do? 24. Let us therefore come unto the of, that we may obtain

40 40, and find to in time of. 25. How can we obtain help in our time of need?