“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. 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. 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. 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. And in this place again, If they shall enter into my rest. Seeing therefore it remaineth that some must enter therein, and they to whom it was first preached entered not in because of unbelief: Again, he limiteth a certain day, saying in David, To day, after so long a time; as it is said, Today if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts. For if Jesus had given them rest, then would he not afterward have spoken of another day. There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God. For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his.
Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief. For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two edged sword, 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. 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. 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. For we have not an 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. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.”
(Hebrews 4:1–16 KJV)
REST
Rely on God and His Word
- Hold fast to your profession of faith
- What IS your profession of faith as it pertains to rest?
- What does holding fast to your faith have to do with resting in Christ?
- Let the Word of God discern the thoughts and intents of your heart
- What are your true thoughts and motives in overworking and living out of balance?
- If God doesn’t desire you to be weary or heavy laden, rather He wants you to take His yoke on you (letting Him pull the weight of it), finding rest, declaring His yoke is easy and His burden is light (Matthew 11.28-30), why are you putting your desires before those desires of His for you?
- What Scriptures and direction has the Word of God spoken to you about balance and moderation in working and rest, work and home life?
Enter in
- Labor to not come short of His promise of rest
- .. labor to enter into rest?! How do you work to enter into His rest?
- Do you rest in Him as His promise to you?
- Come boldly to the throne of grace to obtain mercy and grace in your time of need
- How does God’s mercy and grace apply to resting in Him (ceasing from your own labors)?
- Have you come boldly to Him to receive His mercy and grace and rest?
Stop your own works
- As God did
- If God ceased from His works and rested why can’t you rest?
- What example did God give in His Word for our rest?
- What example did Jesus give us in His Word for our pace in life?
- By faith
- Why does it take faith to balance work and rest in your life?
- If faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things unseen, how does your faith balance you?
TODAY
- Hear His voice!
- Do you hear the voice of God to direct your steps? What has He spoken to you TODAY about it?
- Do you hear Him through His Word directing your schedule? What Word have you applied TODAY to your schedule?
- Don’t harden your heart!
- Have you chosen His way over your way in your schedule TODAY?
- What do you have to do TODAY to be obedience and labor to enter into the land of promise: the rest we have in Him? Hebrews 4.3-6 in the Message says: If we believe, we’ll experience that state of resting. But not if we don’t have faith. God said, Exasperated, I vowed, “They’ll never get where they’re going, never be able to sit down and rest.” God made that vow, even though he’d finished his part before the foundation of the world. Those earlier ones never did get to the place of rest because they were disobedient.
Aim: This passage of Scripture would cause me to labor to enter into the rest God has promised.
