The Rest of God

Heb. 3:12-4:16

1. Rest begins at salvation. This passage is not speaking about the possibility of losing your salvation, but of losing your peace, joy, and rest. Can’t work and be at rest (trusting God).

2. Rest after salvation. Let us believe God, regardless of circumstances.

   1. Verse 14 - We must live for God like we trusted Him for salvation.

      1. Little children enter the kingdom, not “grown-ups!! We need a child like faith.

      2. A total dependence and trust in God.

   2. There is a grief for those saved unbelievers.

      1. 3:15-19 - God was grieved with the rebellion of Israel.

      2. Ps. 95 - This Psalm tells us to worship God, or we’ll be like unbelieving Israel.

   3. Compare Esau with Joseph.

      1. Esau - Genesis 25:34 Then Jacob gave Esau bread and pottage of lentiles; and he did eat and drink, and rose up, and went his way: thus Esau despised his birthright.

         1. His life was filled with hate and a desire for vengeance.

         2. Genesis 33:9 – Esau seems to be reconciled to his error and has accepted the blessing of God upon Jacob.

      2. Joseph – Genesis 37:5-11 – He has a dream, a promise from God, of future blessings that was not well received.

         1. Genesis 37:23-28 –His life was filled with trials from his brothers.

         2. Genesis 39:7 – His life was filled with trials in Potiphar’s house.

         3. Genesis 39:20 – Joseph was put in prison in Eygpt.

         4. Genesis 40:23 – The butler did not remember the kindness of Joseph.

   4. Joshua 14:6-15 – See the blessings of God upon Caleb.

      1. Caleb retained the strength of his youth because he believed the promises of God.

      2. When his generation died, I am sure Caleb waited patiently on the promises of God. ¹

   5. What kind of rest?

      1. Hebrews 4:1 - A rest of believing God’s promises.

      2. Matt. 11:28-30 - Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden.

   6. Rest will not be given to the “careless” saved person.

      1. Hebrews 4:10 – A ceasing from our own works - the greatest ability is availability.

      2. Hebrews 4:11 – What kind of labor?

      3. Means to be diligent, study, to make haste.

      4. II Peter 1:5-9 - By diligence, add to your faith.

      5. II Tim. 2:15 - Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

3. Why is verse 12-16 put right here?

   1. Because we are going to be judged by the Word of God.

   2. Because the Word of God shows us exactly what we are.

   3. If we’ll read the Bible, we’ll find exactly what we need.

   4. Let’s use the real professionals, not the fake ones of this world.

   5. Because Jesus knows and understands all our feelings.

      1. He will give us help if we ask. If we don’t ask, He won’t help.

      2. This is what He did to Israel in the wilderness. He showed them His way, abut wouldn’t force them to follow.