HEBREWS HEB4
Introduction: The previous section (3:7-19) has majored on the negative, stating that it is impossible to enter God’s `rest’ of Salvation without faith or belief. This was illustrated by Israel’s hard-heartedness, unbelief and rebellion which kept them out of the `rest’ of Canaan. Now in Ch. 4 the emphasis becomes mainly positive, although the warning continues. And the emphasis; just as Joshua gave believing Israel rest, so Jesus on the grander scale gives `rest’ to God’s people.
We’ll divide the study into two parts: the `rest’, and the `Word’.
1.
The `rest’ (1-11)
`Rest’: the word triggers off all kind of mental pictures. Suggest a few. How do they match up with or differ from this concept of `rest’/salvation we receive in Christ? These verses provide some ideas; others will come from different parts of scripture.
Look at the various emphases here connected with `rest’:
a.
The promise still stands (1,2).
Until when? What does 3:13
suggest? Note the warning.
b.
Who are they who enter? (3)
c.
God did all the work which had to precede this rest (3c, 4)
How does God’s completed work of creation
remind you of this `rest’ of salvation?
Think about the implications of Gen. 1:31 – 2:3 as a type of our
salvation-rest. What does the last part
of Heb 4:3 suggest to you? Is there any
work that we can do to attain or earn it?
How do you understand vs. 10,11 in relation to this? Where do heart-searching, repentance,
confession fit in?
d.
The invitation comes to all who will hear in subsequent generations (6)
Who
are included in the word `some’? (NIV)
What is noted in vs 6 as the excluding factor? Think about the implications of the parable of the great banquet
(Luke 14:16-32) in this connection.
e.
What does the use of `today’ convey to you?
Various
periods are spoken of here: the `today’ when Moses brought them out of Egypt to
Canaan – what happened then? (v.6); the `today’ of Joshua’s time (8) - what was the characteristic of the
Joshua/Judges period?; the `today’ of David’s time (7) (Ps. 95:1-6)? But those `todays’ merely anticipated the
great `Today’ of God’s `grace’ (commencing with Christ’s coming (8,9). In this context do you think v.10 underlines
that our salvation is not through our own works (Eph. 2:8,9; Gal 2:15-17)? Note `sabbath-rest’ (9). What picture of salvation does this give
you; a `sabbath-rest’ of sterile inactivity, or of glad worship and
praise? How can we make Sunday (the
Christian Sabbath) a visual aid to understanding what our salvation is all
about?
What’s the warning of vs. 11?
2.
The Word (12,13).
a.
Notice how the Word of God has been spoken/declared down the centuries.
It’s
the voice/message of God (3:7,15; 4:7,8) which people have gone on hearing (3:16;
4:2,6). Note that it includes us
(4:2). This is basic to the message of
Hebrews (1:1,2). Remember who Jesus is
(Jn 1:1,2). So the Word is God and the
Son speaking and, often for us, the written word made real by the Holy Spirit.
b.
What
about the characteristics of the Word?
What
does it do? Discuss what the
characteristics convey to you: living and active; sharper than a double-edged
sword; penetrating; judging; revealing.
Think about these in the light of Ps. 139:1-4; 19:7-11; 119:129-136.
c. In
what way are vs. 12, 13 (particularly 13) the most powerful appeal to enter
God’s
`rest’ of salvation?
Postscript: Read `Rock of Ages’ (H of F no. 298) together as a focus for worship.