Hebrews Chapter 4

Hebrews 4     What does the author of Hebrews want them to fear? vs. 1 What have we had preached to us that those in the Old Testament had preached to them as well? vs. 2 Why didn't hearing the gospel profit them at the time? vs. 2 Note: We know from Hebrews 11 that some did have faith, but the majority did not believe. What have believers in Jesus entered into? vs. 3 What were the unbelievers in the Old Testament not able to enter into? vs. 4 Were the OT people able to have faith? Yes, they were. When were all of God's works finished? vs. 3 What did Jesus say when He died on the cross for our sins? See John 19:30 Yet, how long have believers had their names written in the Lamb's Book of Life? See Revelation 13:8. Write it out. Note: The Old Testament saints were able to believe the Gospel that was preached to them because of this. If they looked to the symbols that pointed to the cross, such as the serpent lifted up in the wilderness. Read about this account in Numbers 21:9 (OT) as well as what Jesus said in John 3:14-15. (NT) ...... They became believers in the same way by looking forward to the work of the cross just as we become believers looking back at the work of the cross. Among the Jews, the brazen serpent was considered a type of the resurrection-through it the dying lived; and so, by the voice of God, they that were dead shall be raised to life. As the serpent was raised up, so shall Christ be lifted up: as they who were stung by the fiery serpents were restored by looking up to the brazen serpent, so those who are infected with and dying through sin are healed and saved, by looking up to and believing in Christ crucified. 1 Peter 2:24 says .. "He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; for by His wounds you were healed." Amen. When did God rest from all His works? vs. 4 It remains for some to still "enter" God's "rest". Why did the majority of the ones in the wilderness "not enter it" ? vs. 5-6 God again fixes a certain day for us to enter His rest. What day is it? vs. 7 Who did He speak through about this rest a long time ago? vs. 7 What causes a person not to enter God's "rest", then and now? vs. 7 Joshua led the children of Israel into the Promised Land, but was that the "rest" God had spoken of through David and the symbols that pointed to Christ? How do we know? vs. 8 What still remains for the people of God today? vs. 9 When we enter God's "rest", what do we "rest" from? vs. 10 Look back at Titus 3:4-7. How do we enter God's "rest" according to these verses? What are we to be diligent to enter in to and not fall from? vs. 11 When we hear God's Word, what is it able to do for us just as it has done from the beginning of time? vs. 12 Since the Word of God judges the intents of the heart, we know that there is not a thought or an action that we can hide from God. (vs.13). Therefore, what should we 'hold fast' to? vs.14 We learned in the previous chapters that Jesus is the apostle and High Priest of our confession. He became a man to take our sins upon Himself, to become like us, so that He would be a merciful High Priest for us who could help us when we are tempted. What does He completely understand and sympathize with us about? vs. 15 It is human nature to have our doubts and our weaknesses, but we have a way to be reassured and strengthened daily. What does the author of Hebrews encourage us to do? vs. 15-16 What kind of throne does our Lord sit on? vs. 16 What two things do we receive from our Lord when we draw near to Him in our need? vs. 16 Final thoughts: Since God's "rest" is continually available to us, we need to continue to draw near to Him, realizing that through Christ, we come to a throne of grace and when we come in our weakness of the flesh, we are understood and will receive mercy from Him. Don't you need that "rest" today? Today you have heard His Word. Believe it and be diligent to continue to enter His "rest". What did Jesus invite you to do in Matthew 11:28? Write it out and "enter" His rest today. Summarize your thoughts and post a prayer if you would like. Prayer Father God, I pray ...

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