Hebrews 4:1-13
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This is the third sermon in our Winter Warmers series on rest. This sermon is on ‘Rest + Eternity’.
Questions and going deeper resources
Small group questions
CONNECT: What is your regular pattern of rest? How can it reflect God’s desire for rest more?
WARM-UP Question
- Discuss the concept of eternity.
- What does humanity’s fascination with living forever say about the human condition? How is that revealed in different cultures?
READ Hebrews 4:1-3
- Discuss the “rest” that God offered the people of Israel when they were rescued out of Egypt.
- What do the words, “the promise of entering his rest still stands”, mean to you? (v.1)
- What is the “good news” which has been proclaimed to us? How does it compare with the good news that was proclaimed to Israel? (v.2)
- How do we enter this promised rest? (v.3)
READ Hebrews 4:3-8 and Psalm 95
- Why is Psalm 95 so joyful? What warning does Psalm 95 contain?
- Why is it important to “drop everything and listen”? Who are we listening to? (v.7, also 3.7, 3.15)
- What is the importance of listening and responding to God “today”? (v.7)
- How does the Sabbath which originated in Genesis and the Exodus story foreshadow the eternal rest we have in Christ? (v.4)
- How do we experience rest as wait for Christ’s return?
READ Hebrews 4:9-13 and Numbers 14:1-4
- Why was Israel’s disobedience in Numbers 14 so serious? What was the consequence of their disobedience?
- How is obedience and rest linked? Can we be tempted to earn God’s rest?
- How can we make “every effort” to ensure that no-one perishes through disobedience? (v.11)
- How does God’s word help us to remain faithful and obedient? How does Jesus help us to be obedient (vv.12-13, see also Hebrews 4:14-16)
APPLY: How are you “entering God’s rest” on a daily basis?
Prayer
Gracious Lord, we thank-you for your promise of rest which still stands today. Help us to drop everything and listen to you, give us faith to trust in your promise and, by your Holy Spirit, help us to remain obedient so that we might experience your rest in our lives, now and forever. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Going deeper resources
On Your Frontline This Week: When people look at how you rest, can they see that God is all sufficient and all satisfying?
Audio and Video
- AUDIO: “Jesus Rest is Better Than All the Rest” by Don Carson
- AUDIO: “Perseverance” by Peter Adam
- AUDIO: “Rest For Your Souls” by Alistair Begg
- AUDIO: “Living in Tension” by Simon Manchester
- AUDIO: “Reverse Reality TV” by Dominic Steele
Other Helpful Resources
