Heritage Reformed Baptist Mission
HEBREWS
Chapter 4
Hebrews 4:1-16
(Heb 4:1) “fear” = be in awe; reverent; humble
* “seem...short” = by proposing to go back to the Law, as the Israelites proposed to go back to Egypt.
(Heb 4:2) “gospel” = good news
*For us = rest in Jesus
*For them = rest in Canaan
(Heb 4:3) “believed” = faith, trust = rest of all 3 types is a certainty for those who believe
*rest has been available since God finished His creation work.
(Heb 4:4) Genesis 2:2
(Heb 4:5) Psalm 95:11
(Heb 4:6) “some must enter” = elect according to the foreknowledge of God
* “unbelief” = the reason they could not enter Canaan rest = an example of what it is that keeps people from all 3 types of restnstead of in Canaan.
(Heb 4:7) “again” = a key word
* “limiteth” = “horizon” = God has decreed a limited time for entering into His rest - Today
*Today = one day for the Israelites at Kadesh Barnea - cf. Num 14:40f
*Today = age of grace for the church - cf. 2 Cor. 6:2
(Heb 4:8) “Jesus” = Joshua
(Heb 4:9) Canaan rest under the Law was not the ultimate.
*Rest in Jesus is.
(Heb 4:10) NOTE: “his OWN works”
*Salvation rest is by grace through faith, not “his OWN works.”
*Submission rest is by grace through faith, not “his OWN works,” though there is GOD'S work to do.
*Eternal rest is the end result of faith, and ALL works are finished, though non-laborious service to God continues in eternity. Cf. Rev. 14:13b; Rev. 22:3b
(Heb 4:11) “labor” = be diligent by paying close attention to the Word of God.
* “that rest” = in Jesus alone without the works of the Law - cf. Rom 9:31-32; Gal 2:16; 3:2-3
(Heb 4:12) “sword” = knife; short dagger
* “quick” = alive
* “powerful” = active; effective (does what it is sent to do - cf. Isa 55:11 )
*It exposed the Israelites lack of faith at Kadeshbarnea.
*It would expose those Hebrews who wanted to go back to the Law and Moses.
*It exposes our lack of faith and unbelief and disobedience.
*It may be accepted unto rest or rejected unto loss of reward.
*It also encourages and strengthens already obedient hearers.
(Heb 4:13) Conclusion: Salvation Rest = Faith in Jesus + nothing
*Submission Rest = Faith in Jesus + nothing
BETTER THAN ANGELS AND MOSES; A BETTER REST; NOW, BETTER THAN AARON
(Heb 4:14) *Aaron was a “High Priest”; Jesus is “the GREAT High Priest”.
*Aaron was only a man; Jesus is both God and man.
*Jesus = Savior; identifies His humanity and His ministry on earth.
*Son of God = Deity
*Aaron ministered in the Temple; Jesus ministers in heaven at the very throne of God.
*Therefore, do not turn loose of full trust in Him to return to the Aaronic way of the Law, THE WAY OF SERVICE IN THE FLESH RATHER THAN IN THE SPIRIT, WHICH NOT ONLY CANNOT PLEASE GOD, IT CANNOT OFFER ANY COMFORT OR ENCOURAGEMENT.
(Heb 4:15) - "in all points" = every type of temptation (lust of the eyes, lust of the flesh, the pride of life), each of which was embodied in the temptations which came upon Him in the Wilderness
*THEIR TEMPTATION = Rome persecuted Christians, but protected Judaism.
*The fact Jesus is in heaven does not mean He cannot sympathize with our problems. Nor does it mean He cannot help. cf. 2:18
*SO...
(Heb 4:16) - “Boldly” = without fear; with everything; cf. 1 Peter 5:7
- “Mercy” = not giving what we deserve.
- “Grace” = giving what we do not deserve .
*In Jesus, the throne of God's grace is open to all who come to God by Him. Cf. Heb 10:19-25
*Under the Law, it was not. Only the High Priest could enter the Holy of Holies, and that just once a year.