Hebrews 4:1-11 "Rest"

Read Hebrews 4:1-11.

"Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will fall by following their example of disobedience." NIV

We have 3 "rest" references here. Entering the rest of the Sabbath, entering the rest of the Promised Land, and entering the rest of heaven. How are they all related.

God has provided a reward for our labors whether they are at the end of the week, the end of a journey, or the end of our life. Our job is to do be obedient to get there. All of life involves work - labor for food and shelter, work on relationships, work at evangelism. Everything requires us to consciously put feet and hands to thoughts and ideas. If we don't, we become intellectual, useless slugs and of no purpose for God's plan. But if we remain diligent, we get a reward of a day of rest. Likewise, as symbolized by the Israelites' journey through the desert, we can have a reward at the end of our life's journey as well. The trip is not an easy one. There are dry times and obstacles all along the way. But the Lord provides for our every need if we only trust Him. We may not have columns of smoke during the day or fire at night, but His Spirit lights the path if we simply use our spiritual eyes.

Thank You, Precious Lord, that we have a purpose and a work to do. Give me diligence to run the race with perseverance even when times are difficult. Holy Spirit, guide my path that when I reach the end, I will hear, "Well done, good and faithful servant." And then I can enter my rest.

Further Thoughts:

1. Look up Scripture about running the race.
2. Work is expected, but are we to do everything? In other words, is every opportunity to serve something we are to do? Support your answer with Scripture.
3. Read about the Sabbatical rest.
4. Do you need to rest or work? Remember, balance is a good thing.

Colossians 4:17 "Push to the End"

Colossians 4:17

"Tell Archippus: "See to it that you complete the work you have received in the Lord." NIV

The Lord gives us all kinds of jobs. We are given gifts and talents to use for his work in a secular job or a career ministry position. We have jobs as spouses and parents, friends, and neighbors. God calls us to work in our church as volunteers and in our communities as citizens. He has given us the capacity to do many things, we just have to be willing to do them.

The Word says to do everything as if you are doing it for the Lord. So no matter what your profession, calling, or job, you should do everything to glorify Him. And since He wants us to complete our work, we should finish well.

As we are coming to the end of a school year, I keep telling our kids, "Finish well." Not because I want them to not blow their GPA with the final tests. But because they have worked hard and should continue pushing to the end. God doesn't call us to be slackers, but warriors.

With the finishing up of the book, I have to tell myself the same thing. God gave us a call to do this; now I need to finish the work I've been told to do.

Everything we do should always be to His glory. And for His glory, we should always give our best to the very end.

Further Thoughts:

1. Is there something that God has called you to do that you are avoiding? Maybe it's time to finish well.
2. Find other Scriptures to support doing that which God has called you to do.
   

Matthew 7:13-14 "The Only Way to Life"

"Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it." NIV

The Jewish canon describes the width of certain paths according to their purpose. "a private way was four cubits broad, a way from city to city eight cubits, a public way sixteen cubits, and the way to the cities of refuge thirty two cubits.'' (T. Bab.) A cubit was about 21.888 inches based on the length of a man's forearm. So as you see, the greater the population that would be using a road, the wider the road. The width increased according to the numbers passing through.

Jesus is saying here that the path to heaven is very narrow. Christ is the gate - or rather, the grace that Christ provides. The path is hedged in by many difficulties and obstacles. It can be a struggle to navigate and will usually leave bruises and pain. Most people will not choose this path; the consequences of walking it are too great. They want the wider path with its freedoms, comforts, space, and social familiarity. It's the path most known, comfortable, apparently safe.

But even though the journey may seem easier, the destination is the exact opposite - destruction. The privilege of walking with Christ brings a price. The grace is free; the journey is difficult. But the rewards are unmatchable and unimaginable. There will be joys along the way, but we are going to be scraped and bruise on this path; it's strict and tight. We will be mocked for taking this road and sometimes persecuted. Popularity does not follow our way. But if we keep ours eyes on the end, the reward, the goal, the Father...we can move forward -- step-by-step, day-by-day. Have courage and remain dedicated to being one of the few.

Further Thoughts:

1. How do we handle the trials we will face? Read James 2-8, 12; 1 Peter 1:3-9.
2. Diligence is a major characteristic of the devout follower of Christ. What does the Scripture say about being diligent? Read 1 Timothy 4:7-16 and Hebrews 6:9-12.
3. I've spoken often about taking up our cross daily to follow Him. Why is that important? What is the correlation between that and walking through the narrow gate?
4. Have you allowed yourself to stray from the narrow path? Ask forgiveness and walk the narrow way again. His mercy is great, His grace is sure. He will strengthen you to endure.