Near to the Heart of GodNear to the Heart of GodA Study of the Book of HebrewsA Study of the Book of Hebrews

Lesson 9Lesson 9Hebrews 4:1 – 10Hebrews 4:1 – 10

Defining RestDefining Rest

I.I. IntIntroduction roduction A.A. A fellow “worker” in collegeA fellow “worker” in collegeB.B. Hebrews 3:7-19: A warning from the Old Hebrews 3:7-19: A warning from the Old

Testament (Psalm 95)Testament (Psalm 95)C.C. The question that remains: What is this rest we The question that remains: What is this rest we

are in danger of failing to enter?are in danger of failing to enter?D.D. The answer is found in 4:1-11.The answer is found in 4:1-11.E.E. An overview of this lessonAn overview of this lesson1.1. Overview of chapters 1-4Overview of chapters 1-42.2. Review of 3:1-18Review of 3:1-183.3. Coming to terms with our textComing to terms with our text4.4. ApplicationApplication

II.II. Overview of Hebrews 1-4Overview of Hebrews 1-4A.A. Chapters 1 and 2: Higher than the angelsChapters 1 and 2: Higher than the angels

1.1. Chapter 1Chapter 1a.a.God has revealed Himself fully and finally in His Son – seven God has revealed Himself fully and finally in His Son – seven

statements about the Son (1:1-4)statements about the Son (1:1-4)b.b.Higher than the angels: seven Scripture citations about the Higher than the angels: seven Scripture citations about the

Son (1:5-14)Son (1:5-14)

2.2. Chapter 2Chapter 2a.a.We had better listen more carefully (2:1-4)We had better listen more carefully (2:1-4)b.b.““Lower than the angels” – the incarnation (2:5-19)Lower than the angels” – the incarnation (2:5-19)

B.B. Chapters 3 and 4: Greater than MosesChapters 3 and 4: Greater than Moses1.1. Chapter 3Chapter 3

a.a.Jesus is greater than Moses (3:1-6)Jesus is greater than Moses (3:1-6)1)1) Both were faithfulBoth were faithful2)2) The house vs. the builderThe house vs. the builder3)3) The servant vs. the SonThe servant vs. the Son4)4) “ “In” his house vs. “over His house”In” his house vs. “over His house”

b.b.Warning based on Israel’s history (3:7-19)Warning based on Israel’s history (3:7-19)

2.2. Chapter 4Chapter 4a.a.Defining rest (4:1-10)Defining rest (4:1-10)b.b.Laboring to enter rest (4:11-16)Laboring to enter rest (4:11-16)

III.III. Tracing the argument from Tracing the argument from Psalm 95 (3:7-4:10)Psalm 95 (3:7-4:10)A.A. Observations from 3:7-19Observations from 3:7-19

1.1. This continues “greater than Moses” themeThis continues “greater than Moses” themea.a.Moses didn’t lead them to restMoses didn’t lead them to restb.b.Moses didn’t enter rest himselfMoses didn’t enter rest himself

2.2. This text addresses the danger of falling back into This text addresses the danger of falling back into Judaism.Judaism.

a.a.Hebrews 3:8, 15Hebrews 3:8, 15b.b.Matthew 23:29-36 (esp. vv. 34-35)Matthew 23:29-36 (esp. vv. 34-35)c.c.Acts 7:51-53)Acts 7:51-53)

88 “ “Do not harden your hearts Do not harden your hearts as in the rebellionas in the rebellion, , in the day of testing in the wilderness in the day of testing in the wilderness (Hebrews (Hebrews 3:8, NET Bible).3:8, NET Bible).

88 Do not harden your hearts as when Do not harden your hearts as when theythey provoked Me, As in the day of trial in the provoked Me, As in the day of trial in the wilderness (Hebrews 3:8, NASB95).wilderness (Hebrews 3:8, NASB95).

88 Do not harden your hearts as Do not harden your hearts as you you did in the did in the rebellion, during the time of testing in the desert rebellion, during the time of testing in the desert (Hebrews 3:8, NIV).(Hebrews 3:8, NIV).

3434 “For this reason I am sending you prophets and wise “For this reason I am sending you prophets and wise men and experts in the law, some of whom you will kill men and experts in the law, some of whom you will kill and crucify, and some you will flog in your synagogues and crucify, and some you will flog in your synagogues and pursue from town to town, 35 so that on you will and pursue from town to town, 35 so that on you will come all the righteous blood shed on earth, from the come all the righteous blood shed on earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah son of blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah son of Barachiah, Barachiah, whom you murdered between the temple whom you murdered between the temple and the altarand the altar” (Matthew 23:34-35, NET Bible).” (Matthew 23:34-35, NET Bible).

5151 “You stubborn people, with uncircumcised hearts and “You stubborn people, with uncircumcised hearts and ears! You are always resisting the Holy Spirit, like your ears! You are always resisting the Holy Spirit, like your ancestors did! 52 Which of the prophets did your ancestors did! 52 Which of the prophets did your ancestors not persecute? They killed those who foretold ancestors not persecute? They killed those who foretold long ago the coming of the Righteous One, long ago the coming of the Righteous One, whose whose betrayers and murderers you have now becomebetrayers and murderers you have now become! 53 You ! 53 You received the law by decrees given by angels, but you did received the law by decrees given by angels, but you did not obey it” ( Acts 7:51-53, NET Bible).not obey it” ( Acts 7:51-53, NET Bible).

Observations from 3:7-19 (cont’d)Observations from 3:7-19 (cont’d)d.d. Conclusion: Any who wants to “go back to Moses and Judaism” Conclusion: Any who wants to “go back to Moses and Judaism”

will fail, like that generation, and will thus enter into the same will fail, like that generation, and will thus enter into the same consequences. Do you really want to repeat their error?consequences. Do you really want to repeat their error?

3.3. All failed to enter rest (v. 16)All failed to enter rest (v. 16)4.4. They failed for 40 yearsThey failed for 40 years5.5. They failed under Moses’ leadershipThey failed under Moses’ leadership6.6. They failed after hearing God speak and seeing many They failed after hearing God speak and seeing many

miracles to confirm His word.miracles to confirm His word.7.7. God was angry with them, so they didn’t enter their “rest.”God was angry with them, so they didn’t enter their “rest.”8.8. The root problem was unbelief, leading to a hardened The root problem was unbelief, leading to a hardened

heart and rebellion.heart and rebellion.9.9. The same danger exists today.The same danger exists today.

10.10. The offer of rest exists today as well. The offer of rest exists today as well.

B.B. The argument of Hebrews 4:1-10The argument of Hebrews 4:1-101.1. The keys to understanding our textThe keys to understanding our text

a.a.Understanding the Understanding the key termskey termsb.b.Understanding Understanding how the psalmist connected the dots how the psalmist connected the dots (from (from

the the Israelites in the wilderness to his day) Israelites in the wilderness to his day) c.c.Understanding Understanding how the author of Hebrews connected the how the author of Hebrews connected the

dotsdots from Psalm 95 to his day from Psalm 95 to his day

2.2. Key terms or concepts:Key terms or concepts:a.a.““Today”Today”b.b.““Good news” (message, what God speaks)Good news” (message, what God speaks)c.c.Belief/unbelief (faith)Belief/unbelief (faith)d.d.““Community” (4:2)Community” (4:2)e.e.““Rest”Rest”

IV.IV. Conclusion and ApplicationConclusion and ApplicationA.A. There are various “rests” in our text.There are various “rests” in our text.B.B. The problem: which rest?The problem: which rest?C.C. The solution: Rest in principle – ceasing from The solution: Rest in principle – ceasing from

works (4:10)works (4:10)D.D. The paradox: Striving to enter rest (4:11)The paradox: Striving to enter rest (4:11)E.E. Rest for todayRest for today

1.1. The rest of salvation (Matt. 11:28-30)The rest of salvation (Matt. 11:28-30)2.2. The rest of eternal bliss (Isaiah 65-66; Romans 8:18-The rest of eternal bliss (Isaiah 65-66; Romans 8:18-

25; Revelation 21-22)25; Revelation 21-22)3.3. The rest of sanctification (Romans 6-8)The rest of sanctification (Romans 6-8)

Copyright © 2008 by Robert L. Deffinbaugh. This is the edited PowerPointCopyright © 2008 by Robert L. Deffinbaugh. This is the edited PowerPointpresentation of Lesson 9 in the series, presentation of Lesson 9 in the series, Near to the Heart of God, A Study ofNear to the Heart of God, A Study ofthe Book of Hebrews the Book of Hebrews prepared by Robert L. Deffinbaugh for September 7, 2008.prepared by Robert L. Deffinbaugh for September 7, 2008.Anyone is at liberty to use this lesson for educational purposes only, with orAnyone is at liberty to use this lesson for educational purposes only, with orwithout credit.without credit.