This is the rest

How many of you did read Hebrews 4 yesterday?

That is good.

Now explain to me verses 9 to 11.

What does it mean?

Does it point to sabbath day?

No. Colossians 2:16 (read it)

Does it point to a (place) the promise land?

Was yes and is No… based on the definition of promised land. Colossians 2:17.

In the verses before that, Paul is just making the agruement. If Joshua would have given them rest, David coming later would not have said, ‘Today’. That is the whole agruement.

No, that is not it.

Does it mean when we die we enter HIS rest and cease from work ?

Yes, ofcourse you who believe will enter His rest. But the verse is not talking about it. Nope! because Paul is not asking you to labour to die, but to enter into rest.

So what is sabbath rest?
Turn with me to

Matthew 11:28-29 English Standard Version (ESV)

28 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 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.

“Take my yoke upon you,”
And He continues to say

30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

Now here is an exchange. Jesus takes your yoke so you take HIS.

So carried to
1. Fulfill the law (He said “It is finished,”) John 19:30
2. Bore your sin (1 John 2:2, 2 Corinthians 5:21)
3. By His stripes you were healed (1 peter 2:24)
4. Was made a curse for you so you could be blessed.

Did you read everything?

Everything is in past tense. If everything is done, wherein is your labour?

Hebrews 4:10

for whoever has entered God’s rest has also rested from his works as God did from his.

We have rest from our works.

If everything is done already, what is my work, what is my labour?

There is only one thing that is your labour.
Verse 11 in King James

11 Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief. 

Only one labour to enter His rest. To come to His table to eat, drink from Him.

John 15:4 English Standard Version (ESV)

4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me.

Abide in Him. That’s is your labour and that is your rest.

“What about the people that are dying, they are going lost? We have to go make disciples, preach the gospel… that is a Christian duty……”

It is the ‘What about’ syndrome of Martha.

Luke 10:41-42 English Standard Version (ESV)

41 But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, 42 but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.”

Now your mind will ask, “someone has to do Martha’s work. If all of us sit at the feet of Jesus, who will do Martha’s work. People are lost, do not you see what is happening in the world?”

I will ask you, are you aware of what’s happening in the world and concerned of them. And you think that is a noble thing that how much you care for the world?

Colossians 3:1-2 English Standard Version (ESV)

Put On the New Self

1 If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.

If you say, you believe and if you are raised with Christ, set your minds on above. Why are you concerned on the things of earth?

But you say, “What about the people? What about the harvest? Did not Jesus ask us to make disciples?”

You are talking about the fruit. Do you think Jesus can not handle it? Do you think HE needs your help?

It is you, who needs HIS help.

Abide in HIM, and you will bear fruit. Not because of your labour, but because of HIM.

Either I can go pray 1000 words for the sick and heal them

or

I can walk the street and by my shadow people are healed. Acts 5:16-17

Why? How?

It is that I abide in HIM, HE abides in me. It is HIS light within me and upon me that cause my shadow to heal people.

This is a much better way to live. The life by the Spirit. It is not by my work at all. If it not by my strength, where is my work. It is HIM working in me, through me. HE in me. I in HIM.

That is my rest. Is it not a special day? No. Every day, every moment, every breathe HE in me. I in HIM.

It is my rest. HE in me, I in HIM.

Amen