Encouragement and Divine Rest

As a Christian, and possibly a Christian in recovery, you may have come across the word “exhortation” in your reading during quiet time or Bible Study class. A help for the Christian and non-Christian is—the word “exhortation” simply means “warning.” The experienced leader in Christian ministry can further understand it to mean “encouragement.” Heb. 4:1-11 is filled with exhortation that points to the reward of “rest.” This text is a carry over message from where we left off at the end of chapter 3—we understand this by the way the author uses two OT quotes that are also used in Heb. 3. 

Hebrews 4:3 (CSB)  

3For we who have believed enter the rest, in keeping with what he has said, So I swore in my anger, “They will not enter my rest,” even though his works have been finished since the foundation of the world.  

This is Psalm 95:11, the author of Hebrews quotes it at Heb. 3:11. And, 

Hebrews 4:7 (CSB)  

7he again specifies a certain day—today. He specified this speaking through David after such a long time: Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts.  

Again here, this is Psalm 95:7, the Hebrews author uses it at Heb. 3:7. 

The message from last month that “moralism”—or “living your life like Jesus”—and attempting to “retrain,” or “retrench” your thought patterns for healthy living is not only futile—it is an approach that will not allow “entry to (God’s) rest” (Heb. 4:3; 3:11; Ps. 95). The author of Hebrews is teaching us that our works do not save us, it is the work of God in his Gospel that does and brings rest. An exhortation is offered here not once, but two times (Heb. 3, 4), to rely on faith in the work of God, not your own moral efforts, for sobriety and a healthy rebuilding of your relationships. 

The twelve steps we know and follow are not the “work” that obtains life change. They are designed to position the individual for life change made by God, through his Son and perfected in the Spirit. 

Our Monday night teaching this week included a true, honest, and heart-felt approach to the Hope lesson. Our teaching team is dynamite! Come join us in February to see what is in store for lesson and testimony.