May 18th, 2025 - Enter the Rest

Scripture Passages:  Hebrews 4:1-11 (and 12,13); Psalm 95

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Long Weekend
Enter the Rest

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Very Mini Series on Commandments
#4
 “Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy.”

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Again, the Heidelberg Catechism expands our understanding:

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A. First, that the gospel ministry and education for it be maintained,
and that, especially on the festive day of rest, I diligently attend the assembly of God’s people

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Second, that every day of my life
I rest from my evil ways, let the Lord work in me through his Spirit,
and so begin in this life
the eternal Sabbath.

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What does it mean to enter rest?
1 Therefore since the promise of entering his rest still stands,
6 Therefore since it still remains for some to enter that rest,

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Brief history:
1. Moses at Meribah
2. Joshua at Jericho
3. David in Psalm 95
4. Jesus' invitation

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God's rest is from the beginning
  And yet his works have been finished since the creation of the world. 4 For somewhere he has spoken about the seventh day in these words: “On the seventh day God rested from all his works."

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Our Rest:  promised land, kingdom of heaven, new heavens and earth
  9 There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God;

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What does it look like?
 10 for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from their works, just as God did from his.

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And what is God's work?
John 5:16 So, because Jesus was doing these things on the Sabbath, the Jewish leaders began to persecute him. 17 In his defense Jesus said to them, “My Father is always at his work to this very day, and I too am working.”

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"Hurry up and stop"
11 Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest,

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Rest to live
so that no one will perish by following their example of disobedience.

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Now How?
1. Stop. Long enough to let God show you yourself.
2. Stop striving to look like something you are not.

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3. Rest in grace by giving yourself and your stuff to God.

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4. Surrender to Spiritual Surgery
12 For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.

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Enter the Rest
a. Holiday and vacation pause
b. energy and activity pause
c. spiritual striving pause
d. personal and group perpetual pause