Hebrews 4
I. A Superior Person: Christ (1-6)
A. \\#Heb 1:1-3\\ Christ is superior to the prophets.
B. \\#Heb 1:4-14\\ Christ is superior to the angels.
C. \\#Heb 2:1-18\\ Explanation and Emphasis
D. \\#Heb 3:1-6\\ Christ is superior to Moses.
E. \\#Heb 3:7-4:16\\ Explanation and Emphasis-If we understand that Jesus
is superior, it will show up in our behavior. The writer encourages us
to do seven things.
1. \\#Heb 3:7-11\\ "Harden not your hearts
2. \\#Heb 3:12\\ "Take heed"
3. \\#Heb 3:13-19\\ "But exhort one another"
4. \\#Heb 4:1-10\\ "Let us therefore fear"
5. \\#Heb 4:11-13\\ "Let us labor"
6. \\#Heb 4:14\\ "Let us hold fast our profession"
7. \\#Heb 4:15-16\\ "Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of
grace"
I. \\#Heb 3:7-4:16\\ Explanation and Emphasis
A. \\#Heb 4:1-10\\ "Let us therefore fear"
1. \\#1-2\\ A Warning.
a. The "fear" spoken of here is the word for a real and genuine
fear.
(1) Strong’s defines it as "to be seized with alarm, startled by
strange sights or occurrences, struck with amazement."
(2) "lest… you should… come short of it"-The writer was
concerned that those to whom he is writing will not make
it into the "rest" that God has offered them.
(3) The readers are again being encouraged to carefully consider
what they do; for if they abandon Christ, they doom
themselves to hell, and that is a fate to be greatly feared.
b. "promise"-God has made a promise to all those who would believe
that they could "enter into his rest."
(1) This promise was first made to the Jews coming out of Egypt,
as the last chapter reminded us.
(2) \\#2\\ "For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as
unto them"-But this promise was not theirs only. Anyone
who will may enter into this rest. These readers, as well
as ourselves, have heard the "gospel," the good news, and must
now decide to enter or not.
(3) Hence, the "rest" being spoken of is not just the physical
land of Israel which was offered to the Egyptian Jews, but
it becomes a metaphor for salvation, heaven, and the state
of blessedness promised to those of all ages who would
believe.
2. \\#2-3\\ A Requirement
a. \\#2\\ "but the word preached did not profit them"-Hearing the
good news did not help that ancient generation. Something was
missing in them so that caused the message not to take hold.
b. "not being mixed with faith"
(1) And what was the missing ingredient? FAITH
(2) This is the message of the last chapter as well.
\\#Heb 3:13-19\\
c. \\#3\\ "For we which have believed do enter into rest"-Faith,
not works, is the clear theme of this book. Those verses which
seem to say otherwise are simply not understood in their context.
d. "As I have sworn in my wrath"
(1) The writer tied faith back to Psalm 95:11.
(2) Even though faith was not mentioned in Psalm 95 or the orginal
passages which described the ancient Jews’ sin, we understand
that the lack of faith was what kept those Jews out of the
land. The Bible makes the best commentary on the Bible.
(3) Although not mentioned directly in those passages, God did
mention it in other Old Testament passages..
Deuteronomy 32:20 And he said, I will hide my face from them, I will see what
their end shall be: for they are a very froward generation, children in whom is
no faith.
Numbers 20:12 And the LORD spake unto Moses and Aaron, Because ye believed me not,
to sanctify me in the eyes of the children of Israel, therefore ye shall not bring
this congregation into the land which I have given them.
Deuteronomy 1:32 Yet in this thing ye did not believe the LORD your God,
e. "the works were finished from the foundation of the world"
(1) And why does God not grant salvation based on works?
(2) Because it was determined before the world was made that the
works of salvation would rest totally upon the Savior. He
has done all of the work. We receive salvation when we
cease from our labors and believe that.
3. \\#4-10\\ A Rest
a. \\#4\\ "he spake in a certain place"-The writer quoted from
\\#Genesis 2:2\\.
b. \\#5\\ "And in this place again"
(1) And again, the writer quoted part of \\#Psalm 95:11\\, making
a connection between the "rest" spoken of in both passages.
(2) Mankind has not been invited to have just any kind of rest but
to enter into God’s rest.
(a) Why did God place Genesis 2:2 and Psalm 95:11 into this
passage? It is because they both speak of the same
rest!
(b) God is inviting mankind to join with Him in God’s rest.
(3) God’s rest is not a normal rest.
(a) God’s rest is an eternal rest.
(b) God’s rest is the reward of labor.
i. When does one rest?
ii. After he has completed a task.
iii. Everyone enjoys finishing a tough task and being able
to delight in it.
(c) God is inviting us to show Him in His reward of rest.
i. God wants us to enjoy the fruit of HIS labors.
ii. God created all things then invited mankind to share
in His rest.
iii. It has always been God’s desire that mankind share all
the rewards of what He worked to create.
c. \\#6\\ "it remaineth that some must enter therein"-The writer
then drew a conclusion; that is, that God has determined that
some will enter into God’s rest with Him.
d. "they to whom it was first preached entered not"
(1) But those to whom God first offered it, did not enter into it.
(2) "because of unbelief"-He repeated the reason why they failed
to claim that offer to further emphasize it.
(3) \\#7-8\\ emphasized the truth that the Old Testament saints
did not fulfill God’s desire that some would enter into God’s
rest.
(a) \\#7\\ The writer emphasized the time to enter was
limited.
i. He quoted \\#Psalm 95:7\\, the last part.
ii. In quoting the verse, the writer emphasized the words
"TO DAY."
iii. By doing so, he was pointing out that the ancient Jews
had one opportunity to enter into God’s rest. They
rejected it. Thus, that generation did not fulfill
God’s desire.
(b) \\#8\\ "if Jesus"
i. "Jesus" is the New Testament Greek word for Savior.
ii. "Joshua" is the Old Testament Hebrew word for Savior.
iii. While either translation is correct, it is obvious
from the context that the writer was referring to
Joshua, for he was the Jewish leader at that time.
iv. However, that doesn’t necessarily mean the translators
erred. They likely took the name to have a double
meaning, knowing that Joshua was a type of Jesus
Christ.
(c) "if Jesus had given them rest, then would he not afterward
have spoken of another day"
i. The writer’s point was simple but irrefutable.
ii. That fact that the Psalmist was offering his
generation of Jews a day to enter into God’s rest,
meant that the first generation had not fulfilled
God’s desire.
e. \\#9\\ "There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God"
(1) So here is his conclusion, spelled out in a simple sentence.
(2) The "rest" God intended for His people was still available.
(3) His point is that the generation he was writing to now had an
opportunity to enter into that "rest." It was their day to
decide whether they would or not. So far, many generations
had been given the opportunity. It looks like none have
fully taken advantage of it.
f. \\#10\\ "he that is entered…. hath ceased from his own works"
(1) While some say that works are required to enter into God’s
salvation, this writer drew the opposite conclusion.
(2) His clear statement is that we must stop working to get into
God’s blessedness. Our willingness to believe or not is the
key to entering.
(3) Our works do not damn us and neither will they save us. We
must quit laboring and start believing if we are to enter
into God’s salvation.
i. "as God did from his"
(1) An illustration is given of how completely we are to stop
working to enter into God’s rest.
(2) We are to quit laboring as God quit after finishing creation.
(3) Even secular scientist agree to this truth.
(a) The Law of Conservation of Matter states that our
universe is a "closed system," that is, that matter is
not being created or destroyed.
(b) On the "seventh day," God stopped creating and has not
created anything new—at least in our known cosmos—
since.
(4) This further emphasizes the fact that it is not our works
which will admit us into God’s blessings but our faith.
B. \\#Heb 4:11-13\\ "Let us labor"
1. \\#11\\ "lest any man fall after… unbelief"
a. After all the writer says to persuade his readers to quit
laboring for salvation, this phrase might sound like a
contradiction.
b. However, one must note what he wants them to labor to do.
(1) He was not telling them to do good works to gain heaven.
(2) He was telling them to work hard to belief.
(a) Faith has been the missing salvation ingredient for
the Jews for thousands of years.
(b) The writer wants his generation of Jews to work hard
at changing that.
2. \\#12-13\\ For God knows the heart
a. \\#12\\ Our reaction to the Word of God reveals our heart.
(1) "the word of God is…"
(a) "quick"-The word means "living." The notion is that
the Word of God is applicable to situations other
than those it was addressed to. It is alive and
forms principals which apply to situations we face
today. This verse refutes the notion that the Bible
is a culture or time bound book. It is not. Its
truths are eternal and should be adhered to no matter
where or when a reader studies it.
(b) "powerful"-The Bible is strong, forceful. It has an
effect upon the reader. It is our reaction to that
power that reveals our heart.
(c) "sharper than any twoedged sword"-This phrase is more
symbolic than the other two.
(2) As a sharp sword, the Bible can divide the most indivisible
objects.
(a) Three symbolic examples are given.
(1) The Word can divide the soul and the spirit-From
the human perspective, these two are indivisible.
(2) The Word can divide joints and marrow-Our science
is much more advanced today; but especially in that
day, it would have been an impossible feat to
remove the marrow from within a bone.
(3) The Word can divide between the thoughts and the
intents of the heart. Even with our advancements,
we can not separate ones thoughts from their
motives.
(b) The writer never specifically tells us his point, but it
is implied.
(1) The way we respond to the Word of God shows US
whether we believe it—and the One who wrote it—or
not.
(2) If our faith is not genuine, we will be like the
person of \\#James 1:23-24\\. The Word will have
no lasting effect upon his life.
(c) By this, not only God, but we ourselves may see whether
we truly have saving faith or not.
(1) Obviously, those ancient Jews who refused to obey
God’s command demonstrated that they had no faith
in God’s words by their actions.
(2) The book of Hebrews is warning the generation of
Jews in that day that they are at the same
crossroads. Their reaction to what they have heard
will determine whether or not they have saving
faith.
(3) And so with every person who is exposed to the Word
of God. Their reaction will reveal the true
condition of their heart.
b. \\#13\\ But God sees our heart.
(1) "Neither is their any creature that is not manifest in his
sight.
(2) God needs no litmus test.
(a) He both sees and knows every creatures’ heart and
intention.
(b) If we do not truly believe Him, He will know it.
C. \\#Heb 4:14\\ "Let us hold fast our profession"
1. \\#14\\ "Seeing then that we have a great high priest"
a. "great high priest
(1) Again this office is associated with Jesus. \\#He 2:17, 3:1\\
(2) This passage leads us into the next Hebrew comparison, namely
that Jesus is superior to the Old Testament High Priest.
b. "Seeing" means "having" or "to have in possession."
(1) Strongs Concordance shows the word is used twice as in,
"Having therefore, we HAVE a great High Priest."
(2) This places a double emphasis either on the quality of the
High Priest we possess.
(3) Perhaps we could read the passage, "Having all of this
therefore, we have a GREAT HIGH PRIEST."
2. Having such a High Priest as Jesus, we should then "hold fast our
profession" of Him.
a. The writer is not telling his readers to keep their POSSESSION
of Jesus but to keep their PROFESSION of Him.
b. From this statement, I take it that the writer is not just
concerned for those Jews who are lost, but also for those who are
saved.
(1) Most of the writer’s concern so far has been for those Jews
who were at the door of God’s promised rest and were
considering turning away from it.
(2) However, he was also concerned for Jews who had been saved
and might deny the Savior they had claimed due to
persecutions.
c. The challenge to hold on to their profession is not an expression
to suggest that true believers might lose salvation.
(1) Rather, it is a challenge that they should walk worthy of what
they have received.
(2) Because Jesus is their great High Priest, they should not
abandon Him—even in the face of persecution.
D. \\#Heb 4:15-16\\ Let us come boldly unto the throne of grace"
1. The final behavior of one who understands the superiority of Jesus
is given. Namely, that one would come boldly to Him for help.
a. This behavior is based on two thoughts.
(1) \\#14\\ As the writer has already stated, Because of the
great High Priest that Jesus is.
(2) \\#15\\ But also because of the great compassion our High
Priest has.
b. Our High Priest "was in all points tempted like as we are…."
(1) That means that Satan threw everything at Jesus that he had
in his arsenal.
(a) The Scripture records only one occasion when Satan came
directly at Jesus to tempt Him \\#Matthew 4:1-11\\;
however, we would be naive to think that was the only
time that happened.
(b) I do not believe there is any temptation that a human
being can endure which Jesus did not face while on this
earth.
(2) There is one major exception to the temptations that Jesus
faced.
(a) "yet, without sin."
(b) Jesus did not succumb to sin in any of them.
(3) This means that Jesus can "be touched with the feeling of our
infirmities."
(a) Our High Priest knows every heartache, every
disappointment, and every hurt we might ever experience.
(b) He is a High Priest who can show great compassion if we
understand who He is and come to Him.
c. In coming to Him, one will surely "find grace to help in time of
need."
2. \\#14-15\\ In these verses, the writer begins his comparison of Jesus
to the Old Testament high priest, a thought that will take us into
the next chapter.
a. \\#14\\ Our High Priest has a better location.
(1) "that is passed into the heaves"
(2) Old Testament high priests served God from the earth. While
that put them near the sinner, the priest might not be any
where near the Father (as was often the case).
(3) Jesus, serves us from the heavens.
(a) As our heavenly High Priest, Jesus pleads our case up
close and personally. He is able to continually stand
before the Father on our behalf.
(b) Of course, we have the best of both worlds in that while
Jesus is in the heavens, by the ministry of the Holy
Spirit, He is also living with us.
(4) So Jesus is both before the Father in with us at the same
time. Something no other high Priest could ever do.
b. \\#15\\ Our High Priest has a better understanding.
(1) Jesus "was in all points tempted like as we are…."
(a) Jesus, as a human being, knew what it was to be tempted
to do wrong, just like us.
(b) While we might think such an understanding is something
that all earthly high priests would be able to do, it
actually was not.
i. It was the goal of the high priests to stay pure.
ii. Their intent was to never experience the dregs of
temptation and sin that their confessors knew.
iii. Their purity might tend to give them a proud and
judgmental spirit. Certainly, such a spirit would
have to be guarded against.
(c) So instead of being compassionate on the wayward, it might
be that a sinner would actually find himself coming to
confess to a priest who did not understand his plight.
(2) But Jesus, the High Priest Who both knew what it was to be
tempted but Who had the perfect heart, is able to demonstrate
compassion toward the guilty sinner.
(3) It is for this reason, the writer, with perfect assurance, can
promise that the wayward will "find grace to help in time of
need."
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