Week 6, Hebrews 4:1–13
Hook
Main Point: Jesus provides the better rest.
Illustration
Naps are good for you. Work is good for you. Is napping at work good for you? A Harvard
University article argues that napping during the day makes people more effective problem
solvers. The additional sleep helps the individual to separate important and insignificant
information. Companies such as Google now provide their employees with nap pods, chairs that
reduce light and sound. 1
Successful individuals known for napping include: Thomas Edison, Leonardo da Vinci, Winston
Churchill, John F. Kennedy, Napoleon Bonaparte, Eleanor Roosevelt, Ronald Reagan and John D.
Rockefeller. 2
Discussion Questions
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1
2
What is your philosophy on napping?
In your opinion, should employers allow napping at work?
What is the longest period of time you have functioned without significant rest?
http://www.health.harvard.edu/newsletter_article/napping-may-not-be-such-a-no-no
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/01/14/famous-nappers-historical_n_423279.html
Hebrews 4:1–13
Book
Main Point: Jesus provides the better rest.
Text Summary: The writer of Hebrews reminds his readers that God’s rest, available today, is
analogous to the land promised to the Israelites many generations prior. The majority of the
wilderness generation did not enter that Promised Land because of their unbelief and, still
today, God’s promised rest is only entered into by believing in Him.
Hebrews 4:1–10 (Read)
Sub Point: Believers must rest from their works and grow in Christ.
The writer speaks of a rest, a ceasing from work. The writer of Hebrews reminds readers that
the Israelites heard God’s invitation—to escape slavery, reestablish their place as His chosen
people, and walk with Him through the wilderness into the Promised Land—but they failed to
believe the Good News. They heard the words, but did not believe. Their minds received
something that their hearts did not. As a result, God declared them a hard-hearted people and
a whole generation failed to enter the Promised Land.
We are warned that we, too, can hear God’s invitation—to escape slavery to sin, become a
child of God, and walk with Him through this life into eternity—yet fail to fully believe the Good
News. Hebrews 4:1 tells believers to fear missing His rest, but what is this rest of God?
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We recognize that there is a future heavenly rest awaiting every child of God; yet the
book of Hebrews also repeatedly emphasizes today (1:5, 3:7, 3:13, 3:15, 4:7, 5:5, 13:8).
Today, rest is related to the redemptive work of Christ; when believers cease from their
works, they enter rest (4:10). 3
Spiritual rest includes ongoing maturity and perseverance, made possible by faith and
obedience. 4
The land of Canaan is analogous to God’s rest. God desired for His children to mature and
persevere in His promises, all while believing and obeying His voice. The same is true for us! We
are to travel with Jesus in this life, following Him in faith and obedience. Hebrews 3:12 exhorts
us to do just that:
Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall
away from the living God.
3
Allen, David L. (2010), In The New American Commentary: Hebrews (p. 296). Nashville, TN: B & H Publishing
Group.
4
Allen, 297
Unbelief breeds unrest. In one sense, the command is to fear anxiety:
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with
thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. —Philippians 4:6
Franklin D. Roosevelt said it well, “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.” 5 The original
readers of the book of Hebrews were exhorted to do exactly what we must do: exit the natural
land of working and worrying and enter the Promised Land of resting and trusting. The work of
Christ is finished from the foundation of the world.
Even as (God the Father) chose us in (our Lord Jesus Christ) before the foundation of the
world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love —Ephesians 1:4
Your salvation is complete. It is finished in Christ. Do not fear. Do not be anxious. Trust. Receive.
Rest.
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Look at Hebrews 4:1. What does it tell us we ought to fear? Consider your anxieties and
fears. Do you fear what the Lord says you are to fear? Explain.
See Hebrews 4:6. In light of Hebrews 3:19, what is the “disobedience” that keeps us from
entering the rest of God?
We understand that there remains a “future rest” in heaven for God’s children, but
Hebrews 4:10 invites us to rest from our works now. What does that look like?
Hebrews 4:11–13 (Read)
Sub Point: Rest is available today.
The author urges the readers to enter into God’s rest. Embedded in verse 11 is a startling
paradox, “strive to enter that rest ….” What are we striving to do? To relax! And it is work. As
ironic as it sounds, it takes effort to stop being in charge of our life. Jesus is in charge: He is the
founder and captain of our salvation (2:10) and Jesus is the Word:
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God …
And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as
of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth. —John 1:1, 14, emphasis
added
5
Franklin D. Roosevelt, Inaugural Address, March 4, 1933, as published in Samuel Rosenman, ed., The
Public Papers of Franklin D. Roosevelt, Volume Two: The Year of Crisis, 1933 (New York: Random House,
1938), 11–16.
Since we are following Captain Jesus into the Promised Land of God’s rest, the writer of
Hebrews reminds us of our Lord’s credibility as a leader in verses 12 and 13.
The Word Is Active. We can rest because the Word of God works. Our “work” is to believe and
our “striving” is to relax, because Jesus is the Active One.
The Word Is Piercing. We can rest under the Word of God like a patient rests under the scalpel
of a skilled surgeon. The Word of God is accurate and precise, and He separates the most
intertwined parts of us, doing work in our spirit, soul and body that we cannot possibly do.
The Word is Discerning. We can stop working to justify our thoughts, feelings and behaviors
because Jesus—who knows our intentions and motives—is our Justification.
The Word Is Exposing. We can relax while naked before Him because He is our Righteousness.
He knows our struggles, our weaknesses, and our needs and He covers them all.
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Hebrews 4:11 says, “strive to enter that rest,” and Psalm 46:10 says, “be still .…” In what
ways do you strive to rest? How do you become still?
Read Hebrews 4:12–13. What action words (verbs or adjectives) are used to describe the
Word of God?
Close your eyes and picture yourself under the influence of the Word of God described in
4:12–13. How do you respond to Him?
Week 6, Hebrews 4:1–13
Took
Main Point: Do not harden your heart.
Class Discussion
Believing that you are provided for, having faith in the strength and care of another helps one
to take risks. George H.W. Bush made a pact to himself: he would parachute out of a plane to
celebrate his 75th, 80th, 85th and 90th birthdays. In 2014, the 90-year-old former Commander-inChief successfully performed a tandem jump from 6,000 feet. Suffering from a form of
Parkinson’s disease, the President no longer has use of his legs. However, President Bush knew
that he was resting on the skill and provision of Sgt. 1st Class Mike Elliot, a retired member of
the Army’s parachute team, the same Sgt. Elliot who had assisted Bush on his 85th birthday
jump. So, a man who could not walk … soared.
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Do you have any “bucket list” adventures planned? What are they?
If you were advising President Bush on the safety of the jump, what would you say?
In what ways would the presence of Sgt. Elliot give President Bush courage and peace to
make the jump? In what ways has the provision of God, His rest, given you the courage
and peace to take risks? What were those risks?
Lesson Conclusion
The Exodus generation had the leadership of Moses and Joshua, but now the people of God
have a leader who is far superior—Jesus. To fail to respond to Him in faith has disastrous
consequences. 6 So respond! Strive to enter the rest of God available to you by believing Jesus
has done as He promised.
6
Allen, 299
Challenge
Rest today. Have you ceased of your labors or are you attempting to be captain of your own
life, thus living in active or passive rebellion? God desires for you to live in a Sabbath
celebration kind of rest; you can enjoy His presence and provision today as a believer. An active
faith and a willing heart that desires to be molded will enjoy God’s rest.
Place your faith in Jesus. Eternal rest sounds good. Rest today sounds great, too. But these are
only available for those who have placed their trust in Jesus.
Be relaxed and bold. If you are in the rest of Jesus, you walk with a confidence that cannot be
shaken. He will provide. He will lead. Your job then is to surrender yourself more and more to
His will in your life. Allow the Holy Spirit control over every area. As you experience a life
directed and powered by Jesus, stressors will seem less powerful. You will follow Him into new
and “risky” experiences because He is growing you. The boldness of a believer who thrives in
rest is unmatchable.