Hebrews 4. “There's a way we do things around here…” “Messianic Jews” Gentiles join in! Jews become outcasts Not “good practicing Jews”

GOD’S APPROACH TO CONQUEST

Hebrews 4

The Problem of Cultural Conformity

“There's a way we do things around here…”

“Messianic Jews”

Gentiles join in!

Jews become outcastsNot “good practicing

Jews”


“There's a way we do things around here…” What to do when Jesus Christ clashes with the culture?

God approaches life quite differently than anyone else.



God approaches life quite differently than anyone else. God’s Plan deserves consideration!

Put in-motion long ago

“His work has been finished since the creation of the world.” (Hebrews 4:3)




Put in-motion long agoAn ingenious plan

“Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.” (Heb. 4:13)




Put in-motion long agoAn ingenious plan

Even if it disrupts our busy lives!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.

Heb. 4:1

God’s Plan: “Enter Into My Rest!” From Last Week…

For we also have had the gospel preached to us, just as they did; but the message they heard was of no value to them, because those who heard did not combine it with faith.

Now we who have believed enter that rest, just as God has said, “So I declared on oath in my anger, ‘They shall never enter my rest.’” Hebrews 4:2-3

God’s Plan: “Enter Into My Rest!” From Last Week: the Hardened Heart

A Bright Future!The View Behind

KADESH BARNEA

They went that-a-way

“Safer!”“Familiar!”

“So I declared on oath in my anger, ‘They shall never enter my rest.’”

God’s Plan: “Enter Into My Rest!” From Last Week: the Hardened Heart ‘God’s Rest’ – established long ago…

At the creation.

And yet his work has been finished since the creation of the world. For somewhere he has spoken about the seventh day in these words: "And on the seventh day God rested from all his work." Hebrews 4:4

God’s Plan: “Enter Into My Rest!” From Last Week: the Hardened Heart ‘God’s Rest’ – established long ago… Made available to everyone.

But in the other passage God said, “They will never enter my place of rest.”

So God’s rest is there for people to enter…Hebrews 4:6


But in the other passage God said, “They will never enter my place of rest.”

So God’s rest is there for people to enter…Hebrews 4:6

“MY REST”

“They will never enter”

2 billionyearsago

1500 bc


Rejected at Kedesh Barnea.

But in the other passage God said, “They will never enter my place of rest.”So God’s rest is there for people to enter but those who first heard this good news failed to enter because they disobeyed God. Hebrews 4:6


Rejected at Kedesh Barnea.But still available today!

So God set another time for entering his rest, and that time is today. God announced this through David much later in the words already quoted: “Today when you hear his voice, don’t harden your hearts.” Hebrews 4:7


Rejected at Kedesh Barnea.But still available today!Now if Joshua had succeeded in giving them this rest, God would not have spoken about another day of rest still to come. So there is a special rest still waiting for the people of God. Hebrews 4:8-9

God’s Plan: “Enter Into My Rest!” From Last Week: the Hardened Heart ‘God’s Rest’ – established long ago… Made available to everyone. “God’s Rest is not like our definition of ‘Rest’

Our Rest

Take a break / Get refreshed…

Passivity / Depression

Escapism / Stimulation

God’s Rest

A Celebration of Victory.

A Different Language.

For all who have entered into God’s rest have rested from their labors, just as God did after creating the world. Heb. 4:10

God’s Rest: What Does it Look Like?

A Step of Faith Joshua 3:15,16 “As soon as the priests who carried the ark reached the Jordan and their feet touched the water's edge, the water from upstream stopped flowing.”

“Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will fall by following their example of disobedience.” Heb. 4:11


A Step of Faith Decisiveness

Joshua 5:2 At that time the Lord told Joshua, “Make flint knives and circumcise this second generation of Israelites.” Joshua 5:2

Nothing in all creation is hidden from God. Everything is naked and exposed before his eyes, and he is the one to whom we are accountable. Hebrews 4:13


A Step of Faith Decisiveness Lack of Self-Confidence

You and your fighting men should march around the town once a day for six days. Seven priests will walk ahead of the Ark, each carrying a ram’s horn. On the seventh day you are to march around the town seven times, with the priests blowing the horns. Josh. 6:3-4


A Step of Faith Decisiveness Lack of Self-Confidence

You and your fighting men should march around the town once a day for six days. Seven priests will walk ahead of the Ark, each carrying a ram’s horn. On the seventh day you are to march around the town seven times, with the priests blowing the horns. Josh. 6:3-4

For all who have entered into God’s rest have rested from their labors, just as God did after creating the world. Hebrews 4:10


A Step of Faith Decisiveness Lack of Self-Confidence Learning God-Confidence

For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires. Heb. 4:12


A Step of Faith Decisiveness Lack of Self-Confidence Learning God-Confidence Seizing God-Confidence

So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most. Heb. 4:16

NOT Weenies,Whiners &Wafflers!


Our Rest




God’s Rest



A foundation for a future


Our Rest




God’s Rest



‘I already got a good plan!’


Our Rest




God’s Rest



I don’t want my

plans messed

up!


Our Rest




God’s Rest



‘I DON’T NEED

NO REST!’

Documents

Hebrews 4. “There's a way we do things around here…” “Messianic Jews” Gentiles join in! Jews become outcasts Not “good practicing Jews”