Hebrews 4 - Capitol Commission

 

Finish the Work 

 

 

 

2 April 2013 

RON J. BIGALKE, PASTOR/MISSIONARY, CAPITOL COMMISSION, 912.659.4212 

Bible Study Title 

 

Ron J. Bigalke , PhD  / PO Box 244, Rincon, GA 31326‐0244 / www.capitolcom.org / [email protected] 

to His people. However, they did not live in faith and obedience to the Lord, thus the people never experienced rest in the land of Canaan.

 

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Tuesday, 2 April 2013 Hebrews 4 – “Finish the Work” Which do you think is easier: beginning a project or finishing the work? As a child, I remember a family member wanting to have some additions and renovations done to their home. The dad hired a friend to do the work and all began well. I was amazed at how quickly the home was transformed, and enjoyed playing in the two new and unfinished rooms (especially what was to be the closet spaces). After some time, I recall asking, “When is the project going to be finished?” The contractor was not an ethical man, as he chose to accept payment for the job but did not complete the final work. Consequently, the long-term benefits of the project were postponed for several long months. Most of the work was completed but many little projects still remained. The dad finally had to finish what work he could, and hire someone else to complete the remaining tasks. Although there are often difficulties for beginning a project, the greatest challenge is being certain that the work is completed. The readers of Hebrews began well the “race” of the Christian life. Hebrews 10:32-33 indicates that they “endured a great conflict of sufferings,” which included “being made a public spectacle through reproaches and tribulations.” They labored diligently and demonstrated faith “in having ministered and in still ministering to the saints” (Heb 6:10). Nevertheless, they were “dull of hearing” and thus were faltering and stumbling in their Christian life (5:11-14). They were like the contractor who had a job that needed to be completed. If the Hebrews did not finish the work, there was much to lose.

A SUPERIOR REST  (Heb 4:1-10) Hebrews 4 recalls the generation that entered the Promised Land under the leadership of Joshua. The people heard a message of hope from both Moses and Joshua, yet they were inundated with unbelief. The generation under Joshua entered the Promised Land, yet they “did not drive out the inhabitants of the land” as God has commanded them in response to the wickedness of the occupants (Judg 1:16-36). God promised rest in the Promised Land  

Anticipating that continued disobedience would squelch any and all spiritual life from the people of God, the book of Hebrews warns all Christians not to follow the example of the generation in the wilderness that was led by Moses and then by Joshua; rather, the people of God are to obtain the rest that God promised to His people. Hebrews 4 was given by God to grant hope to the believer. Even the most mature of Christians can falter and stumble in faith. In times of wandering in disobedience, the believer can be overwhelmed by such waywardness and weakness. Scripture informs the believer that Jesus is a perfect high priest who understands temptation and who always overcame. Therefore, the Lord “is able to come to the aid of those who are tempted” (Heb 2:18). You and I are able to overcome life’s difficulties and temptations, if we “hold fast” our confession and confidence in God. The triumph of the Lord Jesus allows Him to grant grace and mercy “in time of need” to finish the work of obeying God completely. Hebrews 4 continues the emphasis upon Psalm 95. The repeated use of the term “rest” signifies the theme of the passage. The theme is evident by the parallel exhortations in verses 1 and 11, which exhort believers to be careful not to “come short” of entering God’s rest and to “be diligent to enter that rest.” Whenever the term “rest” occurs in Hebrews 3:1—4:11, it refers to an experience of eternal salvation in which we enter by God’s grace through faith in Jesus Christ. The emphasis upon this salvation is evident in Hebrews 4:2, wherein the necessity of faith in the “good news preached” is prominent. Faith necessitates dependence upon God’s work in contrast to one’s own (Heb 4:10). There is no benefit in merely hearting the gospel; we must believe it and act upon it. Those who have begun the Christian walk— by an experience of grace through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ— demonstrate the reality of that trust in the Lord. Those who will not share in that rest are those who demonstrate through spiritual faltering that their profession of faith in God was counterfeit. Ephesians 2:8-9 – For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.

The assertion to “fear” is the Greek word (pJobhqwmen ) from which is rendered our English work “phobia.” The exhortation is more than an emphasis upon being precautionary; rather, it is a warning to consider the tragic consequences of coming “short” of God’s rest (4:1; cf. 10:26-31). The type of fear is not anxiety or worry (cf. Matt 6:25-34; Phil 4:6); rather, it is an attitude of awe and reverence. The “fear” is a somber appreciation for the holiness, majesty, and power of God as it results in obedience (Matt 10:28).

Capitol Commission (Interim) Bible Study  1st Tuesdays (monthly) @ 12 Noon – 12:45pm, 123 CAP  lunch provided from Walton EMC sponsorship 

 

 

Georgia  Finish the Work    rest that the psalmist mentioned in Psalm 95:7-11 is still The available. Those who have faith/trust in Jesus Christ have entered that rest (Heb 4:3). The rest is entered initially at the moment of conversion (being “born again”) and there will be a fuller experience of rest in the future (cf. 4:10; Matt 11:28-30). The logic of Hebrews 4:3-5 is based upon the divine oath of Psalm 95:11. For instance, God warns to “fear” lest unbelief prevent one from entering His rest, which implies that the rest is still available (cf. Heb 3:16-19). The generation under Moses and Joshua did not experience that rest, which means that God is addressing another group who will experience that rest. All those who have faith/trust in Jesus are among those people who will experience the rest. The rest that believers in Christ enjoy is a foretaste of rest in heaven, which is not to say that heaven is a place of inactivity and perpetual vacations; rather, God will provide a new earth in which His people live and work, and glorify Him (cf. 1 John 3:2-3; Rev 5:12-13; 14:13; 21:1).

SCRIPTURE PENETRATES THE IMPENETRABLE. . . .   

Scripture is “living and active and sharper than any two edged sword” and is “able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart,” thus those who hear and heed the Word of God may be assured that they will enter His rest. God’s message is dynamic and productive, which is to say that it causes things to occur. The Word of God warns those who disobey and gives promises to the believer who obeys.

Hebrews 4:6-10 emphasizes three truths. First, the intent of God was always for someone to enter His rest, and none can frustrate His purposes. Second, the Jews of the Exodus did not enter that rest, thus it is still available today. Third, the rest that remains is far superior to the physical promise of entering the Promised Land; it not only includes the rest of entering God’s presence through faith in Christ Jesus but also the experience of joy and peace with God.

Scripture is “active,” which is a word to emphasize that it is not something to hear and then ignore. The Word of God works actively in the lives of those who truly believe, and thus changes them and sends us into action (by God’s grace and for His glory). Scripture penetrates the impenetrable; it divides what is indivisible. The Word of God is discerning; it judges our feelings and thoughts. Whatever we may regard as hidden and secret, God’s Word is able to discern it. Negatively, “there is no creature hidden from His sight,” yet positively, “all things are open and laid bare to the eyes of Him.”

A SUPERIOR EXPERIENCE  (Heb 4:11-16) Verse 11 provides an encouragement to seek God’s rest because the Word of God “is living and active and sharper than any two edged sword.” Those who hear and heed God’s Word can enter divine rest. Believers are instructed to “be diligent to enter that rest.” The reason for the instruction is that God’s rest necessitates that one lay claim to it, which is to say that the diligence involves obedience.

When you consider that God perceives everything in life, do you find yourself asking, “Who can represent you before the holy God?” The concluding verses of Hebrews 4 answer that question. Verse 14 tells us that believers have “a great high priest.” His provision is grace and mercy to those in need. God’s mercy provides pardon for our failures. God’s grace provides strength to help us serve Him. You and I can begin and finish well by overcoming with boldness as we lay claim through faith to receive God's grace and mercy.

The contrast is with the Jews of the Exodus who disobeyed. Similarly, it is possible that you and I could also disobey and “come short” of God’s promised rest. Obedience involves determination on the part of the believer. To experience rest, one must make effort; nevertheless, the blessing of that rest makes all the effort worthwhile. The Word of God alone must be believed and obeyed for it is the Bible that will judge the disobedient (cf. 1 Cor 10:1-13).

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  About Capitol Commission 

Capitol Commission state directors are pastors/missionaries who teach weekly verse-by-verse Bible studies for the entire Capitol community. State directors also meet personally with many government leaders to proclaim God’s grace in salvation, to encourage our leaders, pray with them, and provide biblical counsel. The mission of Capitol Commission is to reach Capitol communities for Christ—one person at a time, to disciple them, and to prepare them for a lifetime of ministry, wherever God chooses to place them. Capitol Commission is a charitable and religious nonprofit corporation under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Capitol Commission is supported by the generous gifts of businesses, churches, and individuals. Capitol Commission is not state-funded; rather, those with a heart for the Capitol community fund it. Please join us in this ministry!

John 15:5, 7 – “I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing. . . . “If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.

One should note the inclusive language of Hebrews 4:11. “Let us be diligent” includes all who read God’s Word. Moreover, the effort needed for achieving that rest is not merely renewed determination. The Lord Jesus informed those who belong to Him that to bear fruit they must abide in Him (John 15:5-7). The effort needed is not selfdetermination; rather, the power of Christ is essential. To confess one’s helplessness and to have a determined trust in Christ is the beginning of the effort that is needed to enter God’s rest. Bible study luncheon sponsored by:

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While the Word of God is comforting and nourishing to those who believe, it is also the standard for judgment of those who have not committed their lives to Jesus Christ. The message of Hebrews thus far is a warning to those who are only outwardly aligned to Christ. In other words, one may be intellectually persuaded by the Bible, yet inwardly may not be committed to God. The Word of God reproves such false intentions and superficial belief (cf. 1 Sam 16:7; 1 Pet 4:4-5).

N EXT CAPITOL COMMISSION (I NTERIM ) BIBLE STUDY: T UESDAY , 7 MAY @ 12 N OON in 123 CAP (every 1 st Tuesday of the month)