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Jesus’ design for the Christian life
Believe and be baptized
Live as part of the world, yet be clearly different to it
We are sent to represent Jesus to the world—be 100% dedicated to this
We cannot do this without being transformed by God’s truth (given to us in the Bible)
The world learns of God’s love by seeing our love and unity
This is only possible by the life of Jesus in us (through the Spirit)
Our destiny: with Jesus, at his side, forever
Overview
The Problem of Rest
Hebrews 3&4
The Solution
How to put this into practice
1. The Problem
In Hebrews chapters 3 & 4 we are called to enter God’s rest:
Let us therefore make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one may fall by following the same pattern of disobedience.
How can it be “rest” and making every “effort” at the same time?
Matthew 7
Enter through the narrow gate… the gate is narrow and the way is difficult that leads to life and there are few who find it.
But Matthew 11…
Come to me, all who labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me
for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
Labour is often spoken of highly:
I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase... 8Now he who plants and he who waters are one, and each one will receive his own reward according to his own labour. [1 Cor 3:6–8]
Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labour is not in vain in the Lord. [1 Cor 15:58]
Him we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus. 29To this end I also labour, striving according to his working which works in me mightily. [Col 1:28–29]
Hebrews 3 & 4
3. The Solution cont’d
It is all about our attitude
There are two ways we can fail to enter this rest:
Not resting from our “own works” – “the one who enters God’s rest has also rested from his works” Heb 4:10
No effort to submit to Jesus – “Thus we must make every effort to enter that rest” 4:11
Even the work we do is actually Jesus living in us:
Gal 2:20 “It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”
Eph 6:10 “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of his might.”
Answer is 2 parts: passive and active
Passively: we stop taking responsibility for securing our own future by stress-filled effort
Content with the “Promised Land” Christ offers us
Believe that he will empower us
Actively: Jesus says “Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me... For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
there is a yoke
Actively: we follow the command to “take up our cross” in the strength that Christ supplies
“except the seed fall into the ground and die”
Actively: follow this path of submissive obedience, because of love, not to earn anything
laying down our lives as Jesus did
trusting that God will raise us up as he did Jesus
Overview
The Problem of Rest
Hebrews 3&4
The Solution
How to put this into practice
4. How to put this into practice
Are you searching for an Eden, a safe resting place, a “Promised Land”?
Are you anxious?
Or are you failing to enter Christ’s rest because you can’t be bothered?
Challenges to respond
Are you trusting Jesus with your life?
Are you labouring under weights that Jesus has not given you?
Are you actively following the path of submissive obedience, taking the risk of trusting Jesus?