Series: Jesus Is Better- The Better Apostle [#3]
HOW MUCH FARTHER?
Hebrews 4:1-13
Introduction:
I remember as a child, when my family would go on a long road trip, and how exciting the first 10 or 20 mile was, but that as the trip went on how tired I would become. After about 100 miles, I would ask the famous question, “How much farther”? This question is also applicable in our Christian journey. The 1st years of our Christian life are full of excitement and our love for Christ is unlike anything we have ever experienced, but after a while the trials and temptations of life seem to drag us down and we find ourselves asking, “How much farther”?
Our text gives us some simple reminders of how to keep on going for Christ, and why.
Hebrews 4:1-8 (NIV)
“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. 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.'" 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." And again in the passage above he says, "They shall never enter my rest." It still remains that some will enter that rest, and those who formerly had the gospel preached to them did not go in, because of their disobedience. Therefore God again set a certain day, calling it Today, when a long time later he spoke through David, as was said before: "Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts." For if Joshua had given them rest, God would not have spoken later about another day.”
As you continue your journey…
1. Be careful.
As it says in 1 Peter, we should consider our salvation with fear and trembling. Don’t take your salvation lightly. There are many who have heard the message of Jesus Christ and yet they don’t apply to their lives. Do you want to have peace with God? You must come to Christ by faith and be saved. It is by believing that we enter into rest.
The 1st is “peace with God”. The 2nd is the “peace of God”. When we yield and learn of Him and obey Him by faith, we enjoy submission rest. It is by obeying God by faith and surrendering to His will that the rest enters into us.
God finished His work and rested, so that His rest has been available since Creation. The Jews failed to enter into their rest. Many years later, God said that rest was still available.
Hebrews 4:9-13 (NIV)
“There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; for anyone who enters God's rest also rests from his own work, just as God did from his. Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will fall by following their example of disobedience. For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. 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.”
As you continue your journey…
2. Stay in the Word.
God’s Word is our spiritual nourishment. You can’t continue serving God apart from the Word. There are times that it is difficult to stay in the Word when it tears you apart.
The Word of God…
Is living and active.
It meets you right where you are. It is relevant. It is useful. It requires action.
The Word of God…
Is sharper than a double edged sword.
The Word cuts us sometimes. Sometimes the Word of God hurts.
The Word of God…
Judges the thoughts and attitudes of your heart.
There are things going on in your life that God is not ok with. God shows us and burdens us with those things in our lives that need to go. Nothing is hidden from God. He knows all that we have done.
Conclusion:
Some of us are tired. We are ready to be done with this journey. Others of us have just started the journey and we are already worn out as well. Do you want the peace of God in your life? Stay in constant communication with God and stay in His Word.
