A Better Rest

A Better Rest……………………Hebrews Lesson 8

Therefore, since the promise of entering his rest still stands, let us be careful that none of you be found to have fallen short of it.” Hebrews 4:1

The Bible tells us in Hebrews 4:1 that the promise of entering into God’s rest still stands today. His rest is always available to us if we are willing to do what is required to reach it. Yet there is a warning implying “today” might be the last opportunity to enter God’s rest, because your heart may become harden and no longer hear the call.

Heb 3:13 but exhort one another daily, while it is called “Today,” lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.

The revelation through Christ (Heb 1:2) promises a “better rest” than the one promised by the prophets (Heb 1:1). Hebrews chapter 3 refers to the “Provocation” that was discussed in the prophet’s revelation that took place in the wilderness during Israel’s exit from Egypt. This Provocation caused God to prohibit those over 20 years of age at the time of the “Provocation” to enter the promised land (a picture of God’s rest). This is one of a number of ages that imply accountability.

Definition of provocation is an action or speech that makes someone annoyed or angry, especially deliberately. Israel deliberately (by choice) provoked God by disobeying Him. This was not the first time they had rebelled; however it was to be their last time! Their hearts were hardened!

Provocation in Hebrews 3 refers to Israel’s failure to follow God fully in the wilderness and especially their refusal to enter the promised land at Kadesh Barnea referenced in the books of Deuteronomy and Numbers below.

Deu 9:23 “Likewise, when the LORD sent you from Kadesh Barnea, saying, ‘Go up and possess the land which I have given you,’ then you rebelled against the commandment of the LORD your God, and you did not believe Him nor obey His voice.

Num 14:23 “they certainly shall not see the land of which I swore to their fathers, nor shall any of those who rejected Me see it.

This warning is referring to the Israelites who did not enter “God’s Rest” also known as the “Promised Land” because the Israelites failed to believe in God’s promises that they could conquer the “Promise Land”. Their unbelief and lack of trust in God prevented these Israelites from ever entering the “Promised Land” and this rebellion was summed up by the word “Provocation”.

Due to their rebellion caused by unbelieving, disobedient hearts the nation of Israel refused to enter the “Promised Land”, “God’s Rest” at Kadesh Barnea, after which God permanently prohibited their entry. God uses this event as an (example/typology) warning to us the church not to do the same!

In Hebrews chapter 3, God is warning the church, the “partakers of Christ” (Heb 3:1), the new Israel, not to do the same! God was speaking to His Old Testament people, Israel in Num 14:23 and is speaking to His New Testament people the church in Heb 3:8.

Heb 3:8 Harden not your hearts, as in the provocation, in the day of temptation in the wilderness:
Heb 3:15 While it is said, Today if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation.

Hard hearts – resist the desires (commands) of God

Who was/is responsible for the hard hearts of unbelief, God or man? Man!

I want to remind us that Hebrews is speaking to the church, the New Testament Israel and warning us that we can also be prohibited to enter God’s rest if we develop a hard heart.

Rest was prohibited by unbelief and disobedience – For us, to enter “God’s Rest” we must have our ticket punched by God (much like a conductor on a train). If you do not have a ticket, you are prohibited to enter the train and if you misplace your ticket while on the train you at risk of being put off the train.
Heb 3:18 And to whom sware he that they should not enter into his rest, but to them that believed not?
Heb 3:19 So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief

Chapters 3 and 4 of Hebrews are connected as a series of thoughts and actions with three major movements, or events. These two chapters are possibly the key to understanding the book of Hebrews and the Bible as a whole.

1) IF: First was the conditional IF statement introducing the warning in Hebrews 3:6 which we have titled “A Better House”.

Heb 3:6 But Christ as a son over his own house; whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end.

Hebrews 3:6 was the key verse of our first of five lessons on chapters 3 and 4 of Hebrews. The first lesson was called “A Better House”, God’s House”

“Whose House are we” is a critical assessment. Are we of God’s house? It is the same as Paul’s statement for the Christians to examine themselves to see if they are of the faith. A Child of God must be born again of the Holy Spirit.

John 3:3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

This is the basic requirement for us to enter God’s Rest, but not the total requirement. This is the “Passover” event for the “Partakers of Christ”. This started the journey toward the promise land, however the wilderness experience came before they arrived. However, those who left Egypt were covered by the blood of the Passover!

1Co 5:7 Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us:

2Co 13:5 Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you are disqualified.

Christ in you is a picture of “possession”, not merely profession!

In Chapter three verse 6 we saw that there was a warning issued that contained an “IF condition” which also had an “IF Not” condition!

Are we holding fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope? “IF” we are of Christ’s (God’s) House. “IF Not”, we are not of God’s House! We have a choice, just as Israel had a choice to enter the promised land, God’s rest. or not!

2) Today: Lesson 2 of these lessons was Heb 3:7-11 which we title, “A Better Day”. These verses were lifted from Ps 95:7-11. These verses reference the “provocation” of Israel in the wilderness as an example for us the church. Paul calls this an example (typology) in 1 Cor 10:1-13. Verse 12 has the warning “Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall”. 1Co 10:12

We must decide “today” (each day) to continue holding fast to our confidence and rejoicing in the hope, because tomorrow may never come and the opportunity of yesterday has passed.

Luk 9:23 And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. [daily]

Just as Ps 95:7-11 was a warning to Israel, Heb 3:7-11 is a warning to the church. Psalm 95:1-6 gives us a glance at what “holding fast” looks like.

Psa 95:1-6 Oh come, let us sing to the LORD! Let us shout joyfully to the Rock of our salvation.[2] Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving; Let us shout joyfully to Him with psalms.[3] For the LORD is the great God And the great King above all gods.[4] In His hand are the deep places of the earth; The heights of the hills are His also. [5] The sea is His, for He made it; And His hands formed the dry land.[6] Oh come, let us worship and bow down; Let us kneel before the LORD our Maker.

Heb 3:12-13 Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God; [13] but exhort one another daily, while it is called “Today,” lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.

Let us examine ourselves! “Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall”. 1Co 10:12

Those verses include the warning of departing (or not) is a choice) from the living God which is a restatement of the IF statement in verse 6, a conditional statement!

3) God’s Rest: This third lesson on Hebrews chapters 3 & 4, is this lesson that focuses on the desire of God that all enter His Rest, yet it is conditional.

Israel was God’s elect but they failed to enter God’s Rest, I believe even though we like to speak of the church as the elect, we need to examine ourselves; “Whose House are we” is a critical assessment!

2Pe 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. (repentance is a condition)

Repentance – turn from and turn to, an action and a choice!

All of the people of Israel who left Egypt were under the “blood of the Passover”, under the “fire and cloud”, ate the manna, and drank the water from the rock which was Christ, but all above the age of twenty. except Caleb and Joshua. fell in the wilderness and never reached “God’s Rest”, the promised land. Why? unbelief!

God desired all of Israel to enter, but only two made it!

God desires the same for the church, the partakers of Christ, to enter “His Rest”, but will we “hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end”?

Hebrews 4:1 Therefore, while the promise of entering his rest still stands, let us fear lest any of you should seem to have failed to reach it. (ESV) Still stands: Available Today – We must accept and holdfast!

“Today” let us encourage each other! Heb 3:13 But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin

This lesson titled “A Better Rest” is the third lesson from chapters 3 and 4 of ” St Paul’s Epistle to the Hebrews”. These three lessons are combined to address the second warning, exhortation from the Epistle, “Do Not Depart”. Departing implies you were at a specific place to leave, drift away. We are to “hear and heed” (1st warning) and “hold fast”, do not drift or “fall away” (2nd warning).

Warning 1: (Hear and Heed) Earlier in Chapters 1-2 we have heard the first warning stated in Heb 2:1.

Heb 2:1 Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip.

Definition of heed: listen (obey), careful attention to (obey), pay attention to,
Definition of slip: drift away, glide aside, opposite of hold tight

It appears to say that something we once held near (onto) we turned loose or let slip and it drifted away.

God’s message in chapter one was:

1) The revelation of God through Christ (New Testament) was superior to (better than) God’s revelation by the prophets (Old Testament),

Heb 1:1 God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets,
Heb 1:2 Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;

Christ said the revelation through Him (New Testament) was a fulfillment (completion) of the revelation through the prophets (Old Testament).

Mat 5:17 “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill [complete] them.

2) The Son of God (Christ) is superior to (better than) Angels. The angels worship the Son.

Heb 1:6 And again, when God brings his firstborn into the world, he says, “Let all God’s angels worship him.”[fn]

After the warning to hear and heed (obey) God’s revelations, Hebrews states the punishment to violate God’s revelation of salvation through Christ would receive more severe punishment than those who ignored the warnings of revelation through the prophets (Moses) in the wilderness. The failures of the Israelites to enter the promised land is a warning to the audience of Hebrews to hold fast to their confession of hope in Christ, to ignore so great a salvation.

Heb 2:2-3 For since the message spoken through angels was binding, and every violation and disobedience received its just punishment,
Heb 2:3 how shall we escape if we ignore so great a salvation? This salvation, which was first announced by the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard him.

In the last part of chapter 2, God gives us a contrast between the failures of the first Adam (failure/unfaithful, sin) in the garden and the 2nd Adam, Christ’s faithfulness and sinlessness.

Heb 2:14 Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might break the power of him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil—

Heb 2:17-18 For this reason he had to be made like them,[fn] fully human in every way, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people.
Heb 2:18 Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.

Our first lesson from Chapter 3 was titled “A Better House” which concluded the “house of Christ” was better than the “house of Moses”. Hebrews chapter 3 starts by identifying the intended audience of the Epistle.

Heb 3:1 Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus;

This verse identifies the audience to be the group of people who have professed that Jesus Christ is both their Apostle (messenger of God) and High Priest (mediator to God). This group is called the “holy brethren and partakers of the heavenly calling”. Hebrews 3:2-5 compares the message and ministry of Moses to that of Jesus Christ and determines Jesus is better than Moses because Moses was only a servant and Jesus was God’s son, heir (owner), and builder of the house.

Hebrews 3:6 summarizes these first six verses by saying the group of people defined by verse 3:1 is of the “house of God”, IF (conditional)!

“IF we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end.”

Heb 3:6 But Christ as a son over his own house; whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end.

This first lesson of chapters 3 and 4 with the conditional “IF statement” is a critical statement that is addressed by much scripture.

This series of three lessons see Hebrews 3:6 as the bridge verse moving from “lesson 1 – A Better House” to “lesson 2- A Better Day”. This lesson moves from the conditional “IF” statement to a command! Today, something must be done, not tomorrow, but “Today”! “Today” is the Better Day for tomorrow may never come. A decision today is urgent!

Hebrews 3:7 Wherefore (as the Holy Ghost saith, To day if ye will hear his voice, then the remaining of verse 7-11 is

Lesson 2 focuses on Hebrews 2:7-11 which is “word for word” for Psalm 95:7-11. The writer of Hebrews, throughout the Book of Hebrews, contrasts elements of the revelation of the prophets, in the Old Testament (Heb 1:1) with the revelation of Christ in the New Testament (Heb 1:2). In every case the revelation of Christ to the church is superior to the revelations of Moses and the prophets to Israel!

I will mention again these comparisons are more than contrasts, they are a picture of completion, a better picture. In all cases, Hebrews shows that the revelation through Christ is better than, superior to, even a replacement (fulfillment) of revelation by the prophets!

Jesus said in Mat 5:17 “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.” One synonym of “fulfill” is complete!

Several theologians say that all of these contrasts in Hebrews are a form of Biblical Typology, pictures of, or shadows. Church history shows that typology was used as a hermeneutic from the 1st century AD until the Reformation in the 15th century. The method used by the Universal Catholic Church was known as “the 4 sense method which included the use of typology.” This Spiritual interpretation, a part of the 4 sense method, is still considered important by the Catholic church and is frowned on by many protestant teachers.

If we interpret Hebrews as comparisons versus completion/fulfillment, we see a contrast/ separation of the Old Testament from the New Testament or two stories about God. One the Old Testament is about a harsh God of laws and in the New Testament God is a God of love and grace. However, I believe Hebrews shows us the Bible ONE story is about ONE God who is loving, but just.

1Co 2:1-2 And so it was with me, brothers and sisters. When I came to you, I did not come with eloquence or human wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God.[fn] [2] For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.

If you have not already done so, I suggest that you review (do a google search) the following topics before you proceed further with this lesson and also meditate on Christ’s comments in Luke 24:

Progressive Coventantlism
Biblical Theology
Redemptive Theology

Luk 24:25-27 He (Jesus) said to them, “How foolish you are, and how slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken! [26] Did not the Messiah have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?” [27] And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.

The author of Hebrews then “step by step” shows how specific events in the Old Testament are completed or replaced by events in the New Testament. Hebrews chapters 3 and 4 use a “KEY” event in the Old Testament called the “Provocation” In Psalm 95:8 and Heb 3:8,15. Paul references this event as an example or type (typology) in 1 cor 10:1-13. Hebrews is warning us that we should not fall in the wilderness to the temptations (actions) of Israel. 1 Cor 10:11-13 says:

1Co 10:11 Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.[12] Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.[13] There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

God says those who fell (died) in the wilderness did not enter the “Promised Land”. Hebrews is using this example as a picture or foreshadowing of the challenge to (us) to hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end. (Heb 3:6)

Heb 3:14 For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast unto the end;

Heb 3:15 While it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation.

Today if we are still hearing His voice. let us hold fast and/or go boldly before the throne!

Coming boldly before the throne in Hebrews 4:16 could be viewed as the antitype of the Bronze Serpent in the wilderness. When the people of Israel sinned in the wilderness and were bitten by the snake they would live if they looked on the Bronze Serpent in faith. The same is true with the New Testament believers if we come “boldly” before the throne in our time of need for forgiveness! If we will look to Christ for forgiveness we shall live, and be forgiven.

Heb 4:16 Let us, therefore, come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

Let us learn, and use tools of encouragement, word, and prayer!

Hebrews 3:6, “Christ was faithful as a son over his house – whose house we are if we hold fast our confidence to the end.”
Hebrews 3:14 “We have become partakers of Christ if we hold fast the beginning of our assurance firm until the end.”
John 8:31 says, “If you abide in my Word then are you truly disciples of mine.”
Matthew 24:13. “The one who endures to the end, he shall be saved.”

Acts 13:43 Now when the meeting of the synagogue had broken up, many of the Jews and of the God-fearing 1bproselytes followed Paul and Barnabas, who, speaking to them, were urging them to continue in the grace of God.
ROMANS 11:23, “If, indeed, you continue in the faith, firmly established and steadfast, and not moved away from the hope of the gospel which you’ve heard.”

Heb 3:12-14 Take care, brethren, that there not be in any one of you an evil, unbelieving heart that falls away from the living God. [13] But encourage one another day after day, as long as it is still called “Today,” so that none of you will be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.[14] For we have become partakers of Christ if we hold fast the beginning of our assurance firm until the end,

Adam, David, Peter, you, and I have stumbled, but Jesus Christ was always successful because He relied on prayer and the word of God, “it is written”!

Hebrews 3:15–16 (NASB95) 15 while it is said, “Today if you hear His voice, Do not harden your hearts, as when they provoked Me.” [16] For who provoked Him when they had heard? Indeed, did not all those who came out of Egypt led by Moses?

Do not harden your heart – WE are responsible!

Hebrews 4:1 Therefore, let us fear if, while a promise remains of entering His rest, any one of you may seem to have come short of it.

The conditional statement of “IF” again is the heart of Heb 4:1.

David and Peter were restored after they stumbled, so can we be.

Ps 24: 3-4 Who may ascend the mountain of the Lord? Who may stand in his holy place? [4] The one who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not trust in an idol or swear by a false god.

Psalm 51 — Create in Me a Clean Heart, O Lord
Psalm 32 — Blessed Is the One Whose Sin Is Forgiven

Peter’s restoration – Peter wept! Luke 22:61-62 And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word that the Lord had spoken to him: “Before the rooster crows today, you will deny Me three times.” [62] And he went outside and wept bitterly.

Heb 11:6 But without faith, it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

In our last lesson, we focused on the concept of the importance of our decision “Today” affecting our relationship with God. Hebrews is using the nation of Israel as an example that IF we made the same decision as Israel did in the wilderness, we will suffer the same consequences. If we harden our hearts through unbelief and depart from the living God as Israel did in the provocation, we will suffer the same consequence.

Heb 3:12 Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God.
Heb 3:15 While it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation.

This decision of God said that those who came out of Egypt while in the wilderness had hardened their hearts and that we in future generations need to heed the warnings of the book of Hebrews.

Heb 3:8-10 Harden not your hearts, as in the provocation, in the day of temptation in the wilderness: [9] When your fathers tempted me, proved me and saw my works forty years.[10] Wherefore I was grieved with that generation, and said, They do always err in their heart, and they have not known my ways.

Heb 3:11 So I sware in my wrath, They shall not enter into my rest.

They did not enter “God’s Rest” they all died in the wilderness except Joshua and Caleb whose hearts had not been hardened.

Each generation since the one that died in the wilderness has faced the same warning.

Heb 3:7 Wherefore (as the Holy Ghost saith, To day if ye will hear his voice,

Hebrews 4:3b As he has said, “As I swore in my wrath they [i.e., unbelieving Israel] shall not enter that rest,” although his works were finished from the foundation of the world.

The same is true for an unbelieving church member.

Heb 3:11 …They shall not enter into my rest.
Heb 3:17 them that had sinned, whose carcasses fell in the wilderness?

Heb 3:13 But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.
Pro 27:17 As iron sharpens iron, So a man sharpens the countenance of his friend.
Heb 10:24-25 And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, [25] not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching

The curse of times past – “they shall not enter my rest” – upon the generation that died in the wilderness and did not enter Canaan (Hebrews 3:7-19).

The new hope for today – “a promise remains of entering God’s rest” – for those who follow Christ into heaven (Hebrews 4:1-10).

Let us take heed. Let us hold fast! Let us Labor to enter God’s rest!

Heb 4:11 Let us labor, therefore, to enter into that rest, lest any man falls after the same example of unbelief.

Heb 12:1-2 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, [2] Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Paul says we must discipline our bodies

1Co 9:26 I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: [27]But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.

Phl 2:12Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.

Obedience is a work (proof) of our faith. That was just the onsite of those who provoked God in the wilderness!

2Co 13:5Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?

Since many Israelites failed to enter their Canaan rest because of unbelief, the author says we should fear lest we come short of our promised rest: heaven (1-10).

Diligence is also required, and the third of six warnings is given: a warning against disobedience given God’s living and powerful Word (11-13).

Positive motivation is then given: our great High Priest, Jesus, who enables us to obtain mercy and grace as needed (14-16).
of heaven because of their rebellion.

Conclusion: Disobedience and Refusal to worship and praise God, instead they murmured and rebelled.

Psalm 95:1-7 O come, let us sing unto the LORD: let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation.[2]Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms. [3] For the LORD is a great God, and a great King above all gods.[4] In his hand are the deep places of the earth: the strength of the hills is his also. [5] The sea is his, and he made it: and his hands formed the dry land. [6] O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the LORD our maker.[7] For he is our God, and we are the people of his pasture and the sheep of his hand. (warning) To day if ye will hear his voice, (DO NOT do the remainder of this Psalm)

Phl 4:6-7 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.[7] And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Mat 11:28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

This rest can be moment by moment here on earth and is found while with Christ, walking, serving, and worshipping.

Gal 5:16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh
Rom 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

“In Christ” is our period of “Sabbath Rest”.

Rom 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

Here “in Christ” we find peace, experience, and practice PS 95:1-6 while enjoying Christ’s presence, power, provision, and protection while we are worshiping, praising, and serving Christ.

This walking in the Spirit requires work, discipline, and commitment to follow Jesus.

Mat 16:24 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

Heb 4:11 Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.

“Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. So then, you will know them by their fruits.” (Matthew 7:16-20 NASB)

“Not everyone who says to Me, ’Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter. Matt 7:21

John 10:27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:

The LORD is my Shepherd!
Psa 23:1 [[A Psalm of David.]] The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. [2] He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. [3] He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.[4] Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.[5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.[6] Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.

Peace: Where He leadeth I will go! His rest, His peace, for now, and evermore! The people in the wilderness refused to follow, be led!

TODAY when we hear HIS voice (call) let us be obedient and follow Him! Let us not do as Israel did in the wilderness, rebelled, and refused to follow. Heb 3:7-11 and Ps 95:7-11.

God gives His message readily to us in Scripture. We can choose to obey it, or we can ignore it and live our lives as if God’s words do not matter. We must choose to live our lives with a faithful commitment to Jesus as our Savior. Having chosen to follow Him, we must take up our cross of obedience each day and live in whatever calling He has given us. To do anything less involves both disbelief and disobedience.

If you were standing before Jehovah today, would He give you a word of blessing or would He view your life as unsatisfactory?

First death then the judgment! John 16:17

“Let us, therefore, be diligent to enter that rest, lest anyone fall according to the same example of disobedience.” Hebrews 4:11

Link To Last Lesson … Link To Next Lesson —— Link to First Lesson

Visits: 6