Listen Again: They Shall Rest From Their Labor

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This is the Truth Network do you feel like you're on a religious treadmill.

Do you feel like Christianity is just a system of rules and regulations, I can do this but I can't do that. Do you feel like your efforts to reach God. Find God, and please God. If you do you feel like your faith is dead or alive today. Pastor Russ Andrews will walk us through Scripture to answer these questions join us on finding purpose, glorifying God by helping men find their purpose for living.

For more information and to connect with Russ Andrews and finding purpose could visit us online@findingpurpose.net connect with us on Facebook. Now let's listen to Russ Andrews as he teaches us how to be a Christian without being religious true stable assess. He says stop with secular wisdom in the pulpit and counseling entertainment in the church and file the drama team get rid of the shtick unplugged the colored lights put the pulpit back in the center of the church building, stand up like a man opened the Bible lifted up that it out and let it fly. That's a little bit right now is this really the only hope for any of us is the word of God. We don't worship the Bible we worship the one the Bible points us to. But the Bible is a treasure and is where we get wisdom is what we find hope is where we come to know Jesus. And tonight, no wiggle, wiggle.wiggle dive into Hebrews chapter 4, seller should think about was that I would welcome everyone having title. Tonight's message, they shall rest from their labor. The 40 years the Israelites wandered in the desert you know why because of unbelief. They do not trust God even after witnessing the most incredible miracle you've ever seen in your life, remember God deliver them out of Egypt by signs and miracles that Moses performed before Pharaoh and all of Egypt got part of the Red Sea and all that several million Israelites could escape the approaching Egyptian Army didn't. I got to the other side and turned back and watched as the waters were turned and drowned the enemy. However, after seeing all that only three days journey into the desert, the Israelites began to grumble because they had no water to God miraculously provided water. Soon thereafter, they grumbled. Once again presented for the God directly provided both manna and quail describing continued, even while God provided for them day after day after day later, David made a golden image in the form of a calf, even though the ink was not yet dry on the 10 Commandments and then when they finally came to the interests of the promised land.

They refuse to believe that God could and would defeat their M enemies, in spite of the encouraging report from Joshua and Caleb so fondly God had enough numbers chapter 14 verses 20 through 22, it says the Lord said to Moses, as surely as I live in a surely as the glory of the Lord fills the whole earth. Not one of the men who saw my glory and the miraculous signs are performed in Egypt and in the desert but who disobeyed me and tested me 10 times, not one of them will ever see the land I promised on oath to their forefathers. No one who is treated me with contempt will ever see it, but because my servant Caleb has a different spirit and follows me wholeheartedly. I will bring him into the land he went to, and his descendents will inherit. You won't have a different spirit like Caleb, do you know what I wore a country need right now.

He needs Caleb's and Joshua's to a man who had the spirit of God.

Of the 600,000 men who were delivered from Egypt, only two men made it into the promised land, who are that Joshua and Caleb all the other manhood witnessed the miracles of God perish as they wandered restlessly in the desert for 40 years, such as the fight man of everyone who refuses to believe God. Hebrews chapter 3 verse 19 which we read last week says so we say that they were not able to enter because of their unbelief. Unbelief is the unpardonable sin. Think about it. He can't forgive you if you don't believe in him, so that's the only city cannot forgive. That brings us to Hebrews chapter 4 wiggle get some very good news.

Follow along with me, beginning with verse one therefore, since the promise of entering his rest still stands. Let us be careful man that none of you be found to have fallen short of it, but we also have had the good news proclaimed to us that were not for the last 17 years. Just as they did, but the message they heard was of no value to them.

Dear why is those who heard did not combine it with what faith that we who have believed enter that rest, just as God is said so I declared, on oath of my anger. They shall never enter my rest, and yet his work has been finished since the creation of the world was somewhere he is spoken about the seventh day. In these words and on the seventh day God rested him all his work and again in the passage above, he says they shall never enter my rest, you will enter God's rest. So yes therefore, since it still remains that some will enter that rest, and those who formally had the good news preach of them do not go in because of disobedience. Therefore, God again set a certain day: it what today tonight if you want to say that this he did when a long time later he spoke to David as was said before today, man.

If you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts, stopping for a moment from these verses. I want to show you for truth. So for aspects concerning God's rest number one. Be careful not to miss it versus want to number two, we enter into God's rest by faith.

Number three God's rest is still available and number four God's Sabbath rest is here and catch this. It is coming. So to reverse one again is wiggle dive deep into this.

Therefore, since the promise of entering his rest still stands. Let us be careful that none of you be found to fallen short of it and don't fall short of it. You don't have to know what you notice in verse one is both a command and a warning.

Furthermore is much stronger in the Greek than what we have in English taken NIV the ESV has a better citizen your American Standard, but that the NIV says be careful. But the Greek says. Therefore, let us fear you will see the difference.

The word therefore your point is back to Hebrews chapter 3 verse 19 which I just read. So we see that they were not able to enter this talk about the promised land because of their unbelief. The Israelites were not allowed in the promised land due to the unbelief. But listen, no one likes to hear this in this age of political correctness. But here's the truth. Any person who continues and unbelief and refuses God's grace will never enter heaven three times in Hebrews chapter 3 forgot says they shall never enter my rest, the right of Hebrews is warning us to fear the wrath of God, as in Ezra chapter 8 verse 22 says the gracious hand of our God's own everyone who looks to him, but his great anger is against all who forsake him. Hebrews 1031 says is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God was is dreadful only if you don't know if you know of is a wonderful thing is the best thing. Hebrews 1028 Jesus said do not be afraid of those who cure the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of these, the words from Jesus's mouth ready says be afraid of the one who can destroy both soul and body in hell. The problem with our world today. There is no fear of God. If you read through Romans chapter 3 verses 10 through 18 usual litany of sensors. No one Rogers is no initially start all of turn away that together become worthless.

Their mouths are full of bitterness and envy and rage and anger cursing, lying there quick to shed innocent blood. The way of truth. They have not known, and he gets to the end.

Verse 18 is is there is no fear of God before their eyes. The reason the world is so rebellious and so wicked is simple because it does not fear God. So what should you fear you ship your standing before the Lord one day and hear him say depart from the I never knew you as listen when the Lord returns the day of grace will be over. Then there will be no second chances, and God will say to every single un-believer, you shall never enter my rest in the race is going to say that is not because he wants to, but is given then there will they don't want to be with God that made it very clear. Knowing the Bible and known what it means to be a Christian is not enough. The ancient Israelites heard God's promise of rest. They understood what he was talking about, but it didn't look good because they refuse to believe she hearing it has to be combined with what faith verse two says for we also have had the good news proclaimed to us just as they did, but the message they heard was of no value to them as those who heard did not combine it with faith. Faith is always accompanied by obedience. Obedience is the evidence that actually shows that a man believes what God says in this book to go slip and you will fall to forgive you but you the general direction of your life is one of obedience is lies not in the promised land.

Unbelief followed by disobedience like wise men who claim to know God will not enter heaven due to unbelief and disobedience, and this is why we are given the strong warning in verse four. Therefore, since the promise of entering his rest still stands near let us be careful that none of us is found to fallen short of it heavy fall short of it is never transitions from the 18 inches from your mind to your heart is a senior heartland that God is looking to see if you really believe him. That's what Jesus saw in the thief on the cross. He just looked in his heart and soul. Belief that they can say much fidget, we remember me. So how can we enter God's rest with history goodies. The door to heaven is still open.

The promise of entering his rest still stands.

So, what must you do when you hear the word of God.

What you do believe it. Place your trust in Jesus.

Verse three says now we who have believed enter that rest, just as God has said and you think you will you will experience it just the way it works. Understanding always follows belief after God finished his work of creation. He rested from his labor dinner. Why is his work was finished after Jesus died on the cross was raised on the third day and then later when he ascended into heaven he set down the right hand of God. You know why because he was resting from his labor because his work was finished in Fritz Ryan Howard's book how to be a Christian without being religious. He defines being religious is trying to reach God. Find God please God through your own futile efforts. Ness were there other futile you see in the end, all of our religious driving will come to nothing. This is why Jesus when he got across it.

What it is finish nothing obscene to be done. All anyone has to do to enter God's rest is to believe in the work that Jesus did on the cross on your behalf is so simple that even a five-year-old can understand it. Here's a sample of this Romans 1013 says, everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. This is how you got rest and listen want you in his rest all of your religious driving comes to an end.

You don't have to do anything else. What you got rest. You will experience joy and peace and satisfaction the likes of which the world has no concept. This is why in Philippians 46 it says that God gives us his peace that passes all understanding. You can't even understand it. See this is why God created us to know him into enjoying his rest forever. Listen. Be careful not to miss got rest in God's rest still available on you. Look at verses six and seven. Therefore, since it still remains that some will enter that rest, and those who formally have the good news preached to them did not go in because of their disobedience.

Therefore, God again set a certain day: it today. This he did when a long time later were jumping from Moses.

Several hundred years to David and David Wrightson was a Psalm 95. I believe today if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts, you nonetheless would not talk about the inner calling of God.

You hear his still small voice calling you to come to him.

That's the voice he's talking about today when you hear that voice calling you come to him today that the door to heaven is wide open. Jesus is look at the world say come to me all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from the four I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find what rest for your souls.

Did you know that you are not a body that has a soul.

USF sold has a body or say who you talking to you talk to yourself. You thought about that you talking to that inner person in their that's the real you single you.this physical body is the Bible compares it to a tent is going to go in the ground and disintegrate, but you you people living your so goes immunity somewhere, either to heaven or hell. Your soul is your interbeing where you had your motion and will and conscience is your soul that expresses joy and sadness, peace and worry like dogs and Psalm 43 verse five. The psalmist cries out why so downcast oh my soul put your trust in God. The rest that God wants to give you and me man is his rest is called God's rest is for weary souls see Jesus is the only one who can break the cycle right now he is standing in heaven store's income to me and I will give you rest for your souls. Let me ask you tonight. Have you truly come to Jesus by faith.

Heavy.

If so, then you should be experiencing this rest because it begins in the here and now look at verses eight through 11 for if Joshua had given them rest, God would not of spoken later about another day. There remains, then a Sabbath rest for the people of God, for anyone who enters God's rest also rest from his own work. Just as God did from his lesbians and make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will fall by following their example of disobedience. When Adam and Eve were first created. They enjoy uninterrupted rest in the garden of Eden, that's it.

That does not mean that they sit around doing nothing. Remember that they work the guard.

They took care of it.

However, there there work involved no physical toll that is there work was not tiring.

They never experienced exhaustion.

Moreover, they never experienced anxiety or stress award every moment have purpose and brought fulfillment, peace and joy.

However, in a moment, all that changed. Here's the good news. When Christ came into our world.

He opened the door for us to experience God's rest once again is called a Sabbath rest. We can enter that rest now, but I believe in God. Sabbath rest is here but is also coming is now.

It will be. We come to Jesus by faith is what happens. The Holy Spirit invades our soul and the Holy Spirit is known as the comforter and he gives comfort to the broken hearted. He begins to remove the stress he begins to fill your mind and your heart with peace particulars you spent time in his word. That's why did you gotta be in the word heaven God's rest in the here and now is not the final rest.

The real Sabbath rest I believe or not experienced until the moment of his death, and that rest will be like no other rest. He's ever experienced will be to rest that one can only experience in heaven.

In the full presence of God, perfect rest Revelation chapter 14 verse 13 speaks of this rest. John writes in I heard a voice from heaven say right. Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now yes is a spirit, they will rest from their labor, for their deeds will follow them last Tuesday, I received a phone call from Stephanie paragraph. I could hear mom what I answer the phone. She was softly crying the other unit on the insulin dissent was wrong because Chris her husband had you he went home for Christmas, but he had to go back to the hospital because he was going downhill is what she said she said rest.

The doctors have just inform the did they believe Chris has entered his dying stage. Chris started five years old and married to Stephanie they have a wonderful marriage. I've really enjoyed getting loaded and they have two children, a son wakes.

It was six and a little baby little girl and Carlisle, who was just for this is certainly Chris Kolko made last March and told me that he wanted to come talk to me and I did have a clue who he was when he met with Millie, he informed me that something was wrong with him. He didn't know exactly what it was yet but he knew something was wrong. If that is if you want to see what I look like, and he pulled up his shirt and he had these large bruises all over his abdomen and chest and back in a few days later he learned that he had a very aggressive form of leukemia and thus began the battle to save his life and were Chris and I met in my office back in March. It close the loop on what had begun 30 years earlier when I began to connect the dots and begin to rust, who this was Samuel Ms. Christopher para, but I kinda forgot about his father William and his stepmother Ronnie with the office managers at condominium Association, where I owned a low condominium Atlantic Beach and so open to the age of eight I would see Christopher out in the parking lot and L&H when I was down there in the summer and so I knew but I had not seen him since he was a holy remembered him and now he was sitting in my office. He told me that he had gone to the sonnet we had at North Hills club did know anybody there make he did know anybody before he went but he just felt drawn to the men studying within signed up and he was in this group and some time. He and his wife Stephanie placed their trust in Jesus house.

Stephanie told me Ashley. She told me this afternoon when I talked to us it when it's all really get counted 540 symbols. After Chris joined the men studying and we sorta recommit your life to Christ loaded. They realize they were getting three years ago back on fire for the Lord how much they were 100 lean on Jesus. Over the course of the last few months when Chris was over you as a hospital. I had the privilege of visiting him several times and every time he told me the same thing is pretty much verbatim. I'm not afraid to die. Russ is under the Lord and on the one headed. I just will be sad to leave my family, my wife Stephanie and I will be sad that I will be a watch my two children grow up. He went on to say hello if only one person comes to Christ because what I'm going through all be worth it when Stephanie called me last Tuesday. She told me that she wanted to come over there and visit with you she and Chris alone." I was glad to do it. In fact I wanted to. I have to be honest with you I don't really love going to hospitals, but I have enjoyed going to visit with Chris in every town that that I can visit him he was on the fourth floor UNC cancer center in the had a corner room and you could see the sun out there in the Carolina blue water tank with UNC on it so I went there last Tuesday. Mrs. last Tuesday to guide and Stephanie on their in the hall. The dogs and just come out of there with their explain to Chris that he was not want to make it and get rid of the hospice Stephanie is the first time I've ever met her in person. Even though we been texting and talking to each other after like a newer Shiva like she knew me. We talked for a few minutes out in the hall and then we step in a way winning on there were a couple nurses in their taking care of Chris and they will prop them up in the bed so they could sit up and talk to Stephanie and me and what I witnessed when I saw Chris was a man facing death's door with total peace and I'll tell you several times I was there for about an hour. Several times he had a smileand what and a whole lot of things a little bit news and some drugs ever. Now that is as good half-mast so I asked Chris I see Chris what you want to talk about.

He said I don't know where to begin. I don't know what to expect at a set in that moment to tell him to the Lord just put Stephen a mama because in the policy.

The Bible doesn't think doesn't really describe a Christian is dying, but of what falling asleep so I thought of Stephen in acts seven.

We learned that was that Stephen was stoned to death in his what it says in acts seven versus 59 and 60 while they were stoning him, Stephen pray Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. Then he fell to his knees and cried out, Lord. Do not hold this sin against him. When you said this, he fell asleep. I read that the Stephanie and Chris and I looked up at them and us, and one a blessed something like this when a believer dies is so temperate in the Bible refers to the sleep. The believer falls asleep in a meeting wakes up in paradise. The apostle Paul said to me to live is Christ and to die is gain.

So Chris then asked him what he should say to his children, and that's a tough one.

I said we don't say goodbye to them.

Just tell them you'll see them again and Chris will and that's what he told it was sad and difficult for all the family members and friends. It would by the hospital to think about a him one day a great reunion will take place in paradise this afternoon when I spoke to Stephanie sheet you just I wish you could've heard a voice in the phone selling the voice of an angel. She, Russ, I just can't believe how much peace I have. I'm so happy that Chris is in heaven and is no longer suffering that you share with me because I told her about Maggie.

This black woman that work for my family is like my blackmail. If you have it. Any chores I mama her son, she's my mother and I will she she went through surgery could more hospital about six years ago and she basically died on the operating table or something happened.

She said she was transported to heaven. She said she was floating up to the pearly gates only crystal clear river and she hates the wards unless you tell me the truth. Plus, I don't think that for me with Revelation and she said Jesus came to the door and said I might finish with you sent back so sure that with Chris and Stephanie, so she share with this afternoon. She said yes is right is Chris was dying. His breathing was becoming labored. She said Chris what are you seeing she said are you floating in on that river flows from the throne of God to Revelation 22 verse one says then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb down the middle of the great street of the city.

Did you guys know that one day we are all going together if you're in Christ that river crystal blue water like the Caribbean to flows by the throne of God and Jesus will wipe away your tears will be no more pain or death or mourning for the old order things are passed away.

He's going to make everything new you're ready for that suggest that we live with. One day we shall gather by the river and I hope I'll see you there. The spray hemi father, thank you for Chris's life and thank you do have a father that you've used it to draw or not one, but I believe many people and obligate will continue to use his life and his death is falling asleep to draw many more into the kingdom. I pray Lord that we will not fall short.

It will place our trust in you that we can expect your rest now and then we will enter that Sabbath rest. One day we die. Lord love you Nietzsche being a Christian is not about being religious but about having a dynamic alive relationship with Jesus Christ you been listening to finding purpose with pastor Russ Sanders glorifying God by helping men and their purpose for living. You can discover more about finding your purpose in life by checking out the resources finding purpose.net will connect to finding purpose on Facebook pastor Russ would also like to extend a special invitation for you to join him in over 300 other local men study God's word together every Tuesday night at 7 PM in downtown Raleigh. Find out more finding purpose.net. This is the Truth Network