The Rest Expounded ~ Hebrews 4:1-4

Landmark Baptist Santa Rosa

Pastor John Opferman

October 16, 2024

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Main Topics Discussed

Introduction

• Introduction to the study of Hebrews: A goldmine of spiritual truths, full of gems to discover.

• Invitation to open Bibles to Hebrews chapter 4.

• Emphasis on the profound depth of the Book of Hebrews and the importance of slowly unpacking it.

Scripture Reading (Hebrews 4:1-4)

• Read responsively: Hebrews 4:1-4.

• Key verses on entering into God's rest and the warnings of unbelief.

Exhortation from the Text: Let Us Fear (Verse 1)

• Explanation of the phrase "Let us therefore fear":

• Not the fear of worldly things, but the reverent fear of missing out on God’s promise of rest.

• Connection to the previous chapter: The Israelites were unable to enter God’s rest due to unbelief.

• Reminder that this warning applies to us today as it did to the Hebrew Christians.

Unbelief Among Believers (Verse 2)

• The danger of being "unbelieving believers":

• The Israelites believed in God but did not trust Him fully, hence missing out on His rest.

• Many Christians today believe in God but fail to trust His promises and enter into spiritual rest.

• The example of people who hear the gospel but lack faith in its promises.

The Promise of Rest and Its Conditions (Verse 2)

• The gospel was preached to both Israel and us:

• Israel had the promise of God, but their lack of faith kept them from entering His rest.

• Just like them, we can also miss out on God’s rest if we do not mix the hearing of the Word with faith.

What is God's Rest? (Verse 3)

• Explanation of the concept of rest:

• Rest is a cessation of labor and anxiety, and a state of peace and trust in God’s finished work.

• Reference to Joshua and Caleb: Those who believed in God’s promises entered the Promised Land (rest).

• Believers today enter into spiritual rest through faith in Christ’s finished work.

God’s Finished Work from the Foundation of the World (Verse 3-4)

• Emphasis on God's completed work:

• The works of God were finished from the foundation of the world—just as Israel entered a land they did not build, we enter salvation that we did not earn.

• God’s plan of salvation has always been in place, and He invites us to rest in that plan.

• The reference to creation: Just as God rested on the seventh day, He invites us into His rest after His work of salvation is completed.

Illustration from Creation (Verse 4)

• Comparison between God’s rest in creation and our rest in Christ:

• Just as God created the world and rested, so too has He finished the work of salvation, and we can rest in His completed work.

• The Sabbath rest symbolizes the spiritual rest we enter through faith in Christ.

Practical Application

• The rest promised to believers:

• We enter into God’s rest through faith, trusting in His promises.

• Believers are called to live by faith and not by works to enter this rest.

• Those who focus on works miss out on the peace and rest that comes from fully trusting in Christ’s finished work.

Closing Prayer

• Prayer for hearts to be open to trusting in God’s promises and entering into His rest.

• Encouragement to continue trusting in Christ for salvation and for rest in life.

Biblical References 

• Hebrews 4:1-4

• "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."

• Philippians 2:12

• "Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling."

• 2 Timothy 2:13

• "If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself."

• Romans 10:13

• "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."

• Matthew 11:28

• "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest."

• 2 Corinthians 5:17

• "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new."

• Ephesians 2:6

• "And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus."

Reflection Questions 

1. In what areas of your life might you be acting as an "unbelieving believer"—trusting in God for salvation but struggling to trust His promises for daily rest and peace?

2. Hebrews 4 warns against falling into unbelief and missing out on God's rest. What specific fears or doubts are preventing you from fully entering into the rest that God has promised?

3. Reflecting on God's finished work in creation and salvation, how can you better "rest" in His completed work rather than striving to earn what He has already provided?

4. The sermon emphasized the danger of reverting to a "religion of works." Are there any areas in your faith where you might be relying on your own efforts instead of trusting in God’s grace and finished work?

5. How can you, like Joshua and Caleb, maintain a posture of faith and boldness in trusting God’s promises, even when faced with obstacles or uncertainties in life?

Daily Activities 

1. Rest in God's Completed Work

• Activity: Set aside one day this week to fully rest from work and worries, focusing on trusting in God’s finished work.

• Application: Spend time in prayer, reflection, and scripture reading, thanking God for His completed work in your life and surrendering any anxieties or pressures to perform.

2. Faith Over Works Journal

• Activity: Keep a journal for the next 7 days, documenting areas where you might be relying on your own efforts (works) rather than fully trusting in God’s promises.

• Application: At the end of each entry, write a prayer surrendering those areas to God and asking Him to help you live by faith.

3. Hebrews 4 Study Group

• Activity: Organize a small group study or discussion with friends or family, focusing on Hebrews chapter 4.

• Application: Share personal reflections on how you struggle or succeed in resting in God’s promises, and discuss practical ways to live by faith, encouraging each other in your journeys.

4. Faith Reminder Card

• Activity: Create a simple card or digital reminder with a key verse from Hebrews 4 (such as Hebrews 4:3: “For we which have believed do enter into rest”).

• Application: Place the card somewhere you’ll see daily to remind yourself to trust in God's rest every day.

5. Prayer Walk for Rest and Trust

• Activity: Take a 30-minute prayer walk, focusing on trusting God in areas where you feel anxious or overwhelmed.

• Application: Pray over specific situations in your life where you need to enter into God's rest, asking for His guidance and peace, and commit to giving those burdens fully to Him.