The Sabbath: Finding True Rest - Part II

Archived on Apeil 24th 1999

Part II

Finally; We present the second part of this topic. Because I have taken so long to do this second part, I am going to make this one twice as long.
Last time, we touched on the commandment that was given concerning the Sabbath(Rest) and then into a little about the NT teachings. Let's go to Hebrews Chapter 3 and start at the first verse.
1 Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus;
2 Who was faithful to him that appointed him, as also Moses was faithful in all his house.
3 For this man was counted worthy of more glory than Moses, inasmuch as he who hath builded the house hath more honour than the house.
Consider the Messiah, our High Priest. He deserves much more glory than Moses, because it is he who Moses came from. It is the "Word" that Moses used.
4 For every house is builded by some man; but he that built all things is God.
5 And Moses verily was faithful in all his house, as a servant, for a testimony of those things which were to be spoken after;
6 But Christ as a son over his own house; whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end.
Here, we are described as the house of Christ. We are the church, not the building, but the people. We can be called his children if we keep the promise of eternal life firm within our hearts.
7 Wherefore (as the Holy Ghost saith, To day if ye will hear his voice,
8 Harden not your hearts, as in the provocation, in the day of temptation in the wilderness:
9 When your fathers tempted me, proved me, and saw my works forty years.
10 Wherefore I was grieved with that generation, and said, They do alway err in their heart; and they have not known my ways.
11 So I sware in my wrath, They shall not enter into my rest)
In verse seven, the scripture takes a little side trail to better establish what is being talked about. Punctuation is very important, notice the parentheses, this begins a side-thought. "Wherefore", literally means, on account of. On account of our hope, for this reason if you will hear his voice. Do not become stiff-necked toward God. This Side-step is speaking of the time when those were led out of Egypt, and wandered in the wilderness for forty years, why? because they did not attempt to learn the will of God, and learn of his ways.This goes back to our last lecture, and the scripture, "Come unto me, all ye that are heavy laden and I will give thee rest...." Jesus said to "learn of me", this is what God is saying. The children did not attempt to have a relationship with God, so he swore in his wrath. They shall not enter into my rest. The rest he speaks of, is a rest we can have now, today.
With the side-thought finished, we go back into the main thought...
12 Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God.
13 But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.
For this reason, Be careful, not to let the lies that satan throws at you, knock you off course with the Father. If you listen to what satan is saying, he will only hinder you. Instead, build each other up, this is speaking of prayer, studying and even general fellowship with another, "while it is called, To day", in other words, do it daily. True reality is not a "Sunday Only thing", True Christianity is a 24/7 reality. Through this our salvation is there all the time. We are constantly reminded of the hope and most important, the Love of God.

14 For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end;
15 While it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation.
16 For some, when they had heard, did provoke: howbeit not all that came out of Egypt by Moses.
17 But with whom was he grieved forty years? was it not with them that had sinned, whose carcases fell in the wilderness?
18 And to whom sware he that they should not enter into his rest, but to them that believed not?
19 So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief.
We share in Christ, and our belief allows us to enter in to that rest that was promised. Now let's conitinue on to Chapter Four. We will see some more on this Sabbath.

Hebrews 4:1 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.
2 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.
We must strive to keep our faith firm. The gospel has been preached to us through the servants of God. The law and the Prophets. But some of those who heard it have not believed it. but...

3 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.
4 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.
5 And in this place again, If they shall enter into my rest.
We that have believed on the Messiah, have entered into that rest. For Jesus is that rest.
6 Seeing therefore it remaineth that some must enter therein, and they to whom it was first preached entered not in because of unbelief:
There are still some who must enter into it, speaking of those who have not yet come to believe. For to those who it was first preahced, they did not enter in because of their lack of faith.

7 Again, he limiteth a certain day, saying in David, To day, after so long a time; as it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts.
8 For if Jesus had given them rest, then would he not afterward have spoken of another day.
9 There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God.
They did not receive that rest then, yet there is still a rest for those who will believe. As long as someone is being born into this world, that is another person who has an opportunity to enter into that rest.
10 For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his.
Those who have entered into that true rest, have ceased from doing their own works, to do the works, or the will of God. As God rested, so do they rest, in Him.

11 Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.
12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged 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.
13 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.
14 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.
15 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.
16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
We should strive to do our best for the Father. If our sights are on him, to do his will, then we have entered that rest. It is then that you feel true peace. The Word of God is awesome, through it, comes understanding. This understanding is the "learning of him" that is spoken of. Jesus being our high priest and suffered for us has allowed us to have this rest.
In the next part I am going to teach on the things that Jesus spoke when the Pharisees would ask him about doing things on the Sabbath day. So, come back for part three. I will have it up as soon as I can.
Love and Peace.....
Carl Towns

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Part II