We are not holy because of what we do or don’t do. We are holy because Christ obeyed God and offered Himself once for all (Hebrews 10:10).

Those who think Christ has to reapply His blood every time they sin have not properly discerned how completely Jesus dealt with their sins.

Jesus entered in ONCE into the holy place and has obtained ETERNAL REDEMPTION for us. We don’t have partial redemption, lasting until the next time we sin (Hebrews 9:12).

Hebrews 10:14 says that those of us who have been made holy by Jesus’ offering WERE ALSO PERFECTED FOREVER.

The way to understand this wonderful truth is to recognise that when we are born again, WE RECEIVE NEW SPIRITS that are created in righteousness and true holiness (Ephesians 4:24).

THE NEW, BORN-AGAIN SPIRIT IS AS HOLY AND PURE AS JESUS IS (1 Corinthians 6:17 and 1 John 4:17) because it is His Spirit (Galatians 4:6).

The moment we believe, our spirits are sealed (vacuum packed), and sin cannot penetrate that seal (Ephesians 1:13).

When Christians sin, their bodies and souls participate and are affected by that sin, but their spirits are sealed and retain their holiness.

That’s the reason Hebrews 10:14 says WE ARE PERFECTED FOREVER. That perfection is in our born-again spirits (Hebrews 12:23).

Since God connects/deals with us through our spirits (John 4:24), He doesn’t count our sins against us when our bodies and souls commit sin (Romans 4:8).

Infact, the blood of Jesus removed/dealt with all sins, including sins of unbelievers (1 John 2:2). That is the reason why God tells us to preach the Gospel of reconciliation, not condemnation, to the whole world (2Corinthians 5:19).

Hebrews 10:15‭-‬18 says:

“15 And the Holy Spirit also testifies that this is so. For he says,
16 “THIS IS THE NEW COVENANT I WILL MAKE WITH MY PEOPLE on that day, says the Lord : I will put my laws in their hearts, and I will write them on their minds.”
17 Then he says, “I WILL NEVER AGAIN REMEMBER THEIR SINS AND LAWLESS DEEDS.
18 And when SINS HAVE BEEN FORGIVEN (ALL OUR SINS HAVE BEEN FORGIVEN), there is no need to offer any more sacrifices.” (Brackets are mine)

Let’s:

REST IN THE FINISHED WORK OF JESUS CHRIST – Hebrews 4:1-3!

God cannot lie. We can trust every word He has ever said. If He were to break even the slightest word that He has ever promised, then the universe would self-destruct (Hebrews 1:3).
But, to assure Abraham that what He promised him was going to happen, God also gave Abraham His oath. By these two unchangeable things, promise and oath, God helped Abraham’s faith to be steadfast (Hebrews 6:18).
We have to grab hold of this hope God has given us with all our strength (Mark 12:30). Our hope and confidence in God’s Word are the anchor of our souls (Hebrews 6:19).
Hebrews 6:19 also says that when we put our trust in God’s perfect Word, our faith reaches right into the Holy of Holies where God dwells. Trusting God’s Word is as close to trusting God as we can get.
Now, we know that Jesus has entered the Holy of Holies on our behalf as our High Priest in the order of Melchizedeck (Hebrews 6:20). This means that Jesus Christ is the High Priest who presents our prayers before God. While on earth Jesus said God always heard Him (John 11:43). Therefore we are guaranteed that God hears us when we pray in the Name of Jesus Christ (John 16:23).
Melchizedek’s priesthood was different from and superior to the Levitical priesthood in sequence and substance. Since Jesus is the Priest after the order of Melchizedek, then Jesus’ Priesthood supersedes the Levitical priesthood (Hebrews 7:1-10).
Hebrews 7:11 asks a very important question:
“So if the priesthood of Levi, ON WHICH THE LAW WAS BASED, could have achieved the perfection God intended, WHY DID GOD NEED TO ESTABLISH A DIFFERENT PRIESTHOOD, with a priest in the order of Melchizedek instead of the order of Levi and Aaron?”
Hebrews 7:12 makes an important statement regarding the Law:
“And if the priesthood is changed, THE LAW MUST ALSO BE CHANGED TO PERMIT IT.” The law was changed to permit the new priesthood. The new priesthood has the new law (1 John 3:23).
Levitical priesthood was temporal, while Jesus’ priesthood will last forever (Hebrews 7:18).
Hebrews 7:19 says, “For THE LAW NEVER MADE ANYTHING PERFECT. But now we have confidence in a BETTER HOPE, through which we draw near to God.”
This verse clearly shows that we no longer trust in justification by keeping the law. THERE IS A NEW WAY OF DRAWING NEAR TO GOD.
The Old Testament Law showed people what perfection was and prescribed punishments for those who broke it. But it couldn’t correct the situation. In a sense, the Law compounded the sin problem. It made sin come alive (Romans 7:9) and strengthened sin (1 Corinthians 15:56).
In contrast to the Old Testament Law, the New Covenant of grace does make people perfect by the new birth (2 Corinthians 5:17).
THE NEW COVENANT DEALS WITH THE INNER MAN. THE OLD TESTAMENT LAW DEALT WITH THE OUTER MAN. The New Testament ministers life, while the Old Testament ministers death (2 Corinthians 3:6).
Our new born-again spirits (2 Corinthians 5:17) are perfect (Hebrews 10:14 and 12:23). IT IS ONLY THROUGH THESE NEW BORN-AGAIN, PERFECTED SPIRITS THAT WE CAN APPROACH GOD (John 4:24).
Hebrews 7:20‭-‬22 says the following about the Priesthood of Jesus Christ:
“And it was not without an oath! Others became priests without any oath, but He became a priest with an oath when God said to Him: “The Lord has sworn and will not change His mind: ‘You are a priest forever.’ ” Because of this oath, Jesus has become the GUARANTOR OF A BETTER COVENANT.”
Let’s:
REST IN THE FINISHED WORK OF JESUS CHRIST – Hebrews 4:1-3!

In the first few verses of Hebrews 6 we are told to go on to other things that will bring us to maturity in the Lord. The instruction is that we quit preaching how to be saved to those who are already saved.

This means that a person cannot be born again, again, or multiple times. Can we then conclude that A CHRISTIAN CANNOT LOSE HIS OR HER SALVATION?

Hebrews 6 vs 4‭-‬6 say:

“BUT what about people who TURN AWAY after they have already seen the light and have received the gift from heaven and have shared in the Holy Spirit? What about those who TURN AWAY after they have received the good message of God and the powers of the future world? THERE IS NO WAY TO BRING THEM BACK. What they are doing is the same as nailing the Son of God to a cross and insulting him in public!”

What does “turning away” mean? Does it mean committing a sin? We all miss the mark and commit sin. The fact that we commit sins, does it mean that “we are nailing the Son of God to a cross and insulting him in public” (verse 6) by the sins we commit? And, does that mean when we sin we cannot be restored back to God (verse 6)?

I believe that these verses say that CHRISTIANS CAN RENOUNCE/REJECT THEIR FAITH AND BECOME REPROBATE. This happens when a believer chooses to reject Christ, IT DOESN’T HAPPEN BECAUSE OF SIN.

Jesus died for all sins, EXCEPT FOR THE SIN OF UNBELIEF. The blood of Jesus has completely cleansed us from all sins (1 John 3 v 23 and Hebrews 10 vs 10,12,14). The only sin that the Holy Spirit convicts the world of is the sin of unbelief (John 16 vs 8-9).

When a person CHOOSES TO NOT believe in Christ, that person will not be saved. That is the same as when a MATURED believer DECIDES to renounce his or her faith in Christ, that person will lose his or her salvation as per Hebrews 6 vs 4-6.

It is important to note that Hebrews 6 vs 4-6 give a QUALIFICATION FOR ONE TO REJECT THEIR FAITH. There are five things that people should DO BEFORE THEY ARE CAPABLE OF TURNING AWAY:

(1) They have already seen the light. This is speaking of having the Holy Spirit reveal Jesus to them (John 6 vs 44&65).

(2) They have received the gift from heaven (Ephesians 2 v 8). There has to have been supernatural conversion, not just religious exercise.

(3) They have shared in the Holy Spirit. This is speaking about receiving the gift of the Holy Spirit. People who haven’t received the Holy Spirit cannot “turn away” (Hebrews 6 v 6).

(4) They have received the good message of God. This probably is speaking about how there has to have been revelation knowledge of God’s Word. This is more than just knowing some facts about God’s Word; it is describing those who have had God supernaturally reveal truth to them from His Word.

(5) “The powers of the future world“ is speaking about the gifts of the Holy Spirit and supernatural power (1 Corinthians 12 vs 5-11). This is speaking of those who have operated in the gifts of the Holy Spirit and seen the power of God manifest through them.

These five qualifications are basically describing mature Christians. THIS MEANS THAT IMMATURE CHRISTIANS CANNOT REJECT THEIR SALVATION.

This is different to denying Christ in front of people to save one’s skin. That is what Peter did, and he was later restored back to the ministry because his relationship with God was not TERMINATED because of what he did (Matthew 26 vs 34-35, 69-75).

This is also different to when a person feels disappointed at God for seemingly not answering a prayer, and they decide to end their relationship with God. That would be like a behaviour of an under age boy that would try to run away from home because of some unhappiness. When the law enforcement agents come across him they will take him back home since he is not matured enough to make such a decision.

Therefore, CHRISTIANS CANNOT LOSE THEIR SALVATION BECAUSE OF WHAT THEY DO (e.g. sin), BUT THEY CAN DECIDE TO REJECT IT, just like unbelievers who choose to reject the gift of salvation.

Let’s:

REST IN THE FINISHED WORK OF JESUS CHRIST – Hebrews 4:1-3!

PS: Visit us at http://fountainofhisword.co.za for more articles like this one and audio sermons for listening and/or free download.

Peter’s advice to believers is that we must be ready to speak up and tell anyone who asks why we believe and live the way we do (1 Peter 3 v 15).

This advice requires that we be able to rightly divide the Word of truth (2 Timothy 2 v 15). We shouldn’t remain baby Christians.

Hebrews 5 v 12 says, “There has been enough time for you to be teachers — yet you still need someone to teach you the FIRST LESSONS of God’s message. Instead of eating SOLID FOOD, you still have to DRINK MILK.”

This is simply saying these people were so carnal that they were hindered from seeing and hearing the truth. They had remained babies and not become mature Christians. They should have been more mature.

IMMATURITY KEEPS US FROM UNDERSTANDING RIGHTEOUSNESS; i.e., our right standing with God (Hebrews 5 v 13). Therefore, UNDERSTANDING RIGHTEOUSNESS IS AN INDICATION OF MATURITY (Hebrews 5 v 12).

“The word of righteousness” in Hebrews 5 v 13 is speaking about JUSTIFICATION BY FAITH, as opposed to TRYING TO EARN OUR RIGHT STANDING WITH GOD. According to this verse those who haven’t understood justification by grace are still babies in Christ.

Hebrews 5 v 14 says, “Solid food, on the other hand, is for adults, who through practice are able to distinguish between good and evil.”

In context, this “solid food” must be referring to “the word of righteousness.” RIGHT STANDING WITH GOD BY FAITH IS SOLID FOOD, OR A SIGN OF MATURITY.

Hebrews 5 v 14 says we can train our senses to distinguish between good and evil. Our senses are neither good or evil, they respond to what we constantly expose them to. If we practice good, they will always choose good.

Hebrews 6 v 1 continues to say, “Let us go forward, then, to MATURE TEACHING and leave behind us the FIRST LESSONS of the Christian message.

“We should not lay again the FOUNDATION of turning away from useless works (dead works) and believing in God.” (BRACKETS ARE MINE)

According to Hebrews 6 vs 1-2, repentance from dead works (works of the law), faith toward God, the doctrine of baptisms, of laying on of hands, of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment, ARE ALL ELEMENTARY TEACHINGS OF CHRIST.

The writer of the book of Hebrews was saying these are ELEMENTARY things, and we need to go past these things to maturity. In context, the more mature things he was speaking of are detailed in the last few verses of Hebrews 5.

There, THE DEEPER THING HE WAS URGING US ON TO WAS RIGHTEOUSNESS BY FAITH (Hebrews 5 vs 13-14).

Conclusion:

Matured Christians understand righteousness by faith as revealed in Hebrews 10 vs 10‭, 12‭,14-17, which say:

“10 Because Jesus Christ did what God wanted Him to do, WE ARE ALL PURIFIED FROM SIN by the offering that He made of His own body ONCE AND FOR ALL.

“12 Christ, however, offered ONE SACRIFICE FOR SINS, an offering that is EFFECTIVE FOR EVER, and then he sat down at the right-hand side of God.

“14 With ONE SACRIFICE, then, HE HAS MADE PERFECT FOR EVER those who are PURIFIED FROM SIN.

“15 And THE HOLY SPIRIT ALSO GIVES US HIS WITNESS. First He says:

“16 “THIS IS THE COVENANT THAT I WILL MAKE with them in the days to come, says the Lord: I will put my laws in their hearts and write them on their minds.”

“17 And then He says, “I WILL NOT REMEMBER THEIR SINS AND EVIL DEEDS ANY LONGER.”

Let’s:

REST IN THE FINISHED WORK OF JESUS CHRIST – Hebrews 4:1-3!

Jesus Christ has compassion for those who are ignorant and going astray.

The ministry of a high priest has always been an important aspect of the relationship between God and mankind.

The high priest represents mankind before God, not the other way around (Hebrews 5 v 1). So, the high priest has to have compassion for the people He represents (Hebrews 5 v 2).

It has always been common practice that the high priest came from among the people he represented to ensure that the people are represented before God by a person who knows their struggles.

The high priest’s standing before God always determined people’s standing before God. This means that a good high priest makes the favour of God to abound toward the people as he effectively presents their case before God.

No man could take up the honor of being a high priest on his own, they all were appointed by God Himself (Hebrews 5 v 4). This also means that we cannot choose our high priest, we have to go with God’s choice. GOD’S CHOICE OF THE HIGH PRIEST IS JESUS CHRIST.

JESUS CHRIST MET ALL THE CONDITIONS THAT WERE SET BY GOD FOR A HIGH PRIEST TO QUALIFY FOR THE ROLE (Hebrews 5 vs 5-10). He, actually, is the best High Priest that ever was, and ever will be.

THE OLD TESTAMENT PRIESTS WERE PICTURES OF THE NEW TESTAMENT MINISTRY OF JESUS. They interceded for the people toward God. That’s what Jesus did and does for us (Hebrews 7 v 25).

Jesus was not only chosen by God to be a faithful and merciful High Priest, but He was also chosen to be a Priest after Melchizedek’s order (Hebrews 5 v 6).

The change from Aaron’s priesthood to Melchizedek’s priesthood was an indication that GOD WAS CHANGING HIS WAY OF DEALING WITH PEOPLE (Hebrews 8 v 13). WE ARE NOT ALLOWED TO PRACTICE AARON’S PRIESTHOOD RULES UNDER MELCHIZEDEK’S PRIESTHOOD (Hebrews 7 v 12).

Jesus is the Author of ETERNAL salvation (Hebrews 5 v 9). PEOPLE ARE NOT SAVED AND THEN LOST AND THEN SAVED AND LOST AGAIN, as many religious teachings promote (compare with Hebrews 10 vs 10,12,14). (This subject will be covered in some details when we get to Hebrews 6 vs 4-6).

RECEIVING THIS ETERNAL SALVATION ISN’T BASED ON US OBEYING ALL THE LAWS AND COMMANDS OF GOD. Jesus did that for us (Romans 5 vs 18-19). We simply have to obey the one command of God to confess Jesus as our Lord and believe He is risen from the dead (Romans 10 v 9).

Hebrews 3 v 1 tells us to consider Jesus, the Apostle and High Priest of our profession. Then Hebrews 3 and 4 speak of Jesus’ Apostleship and compares it to Moses’ apostleship.

In Hebrews 5 the author began to compare Jesus’ High Priesthood to that of Aaron’s. But he knew the recipients of this letter weren’t able to handle what he was about to say (Hebrews 5 v 11).

So he inserted the truths that are presented in Hebrews 6 to try and bring them to a place of maturity. Then he continued his point about the superiority of Jesus’ High Priesthood over Aaron’s in Hebrews 7 v 1.

Conclusion:

John 1 v 17 says, “For the LAW was given through Moses; GRACE and truth came through Jesus Christ.” The message of Jesus Christ (grace) is superior to the message of Moses (law). Therefore, Jesus’ priesthood is superior to Aaron’s priesthood.

Galatians 3 v 19 (NLT) says, “Why, then, was the law given? It was given alongside the promise to show people their sins. But the law was designed to LAST ONLY UNTIL the coming of the child who was promised. God gave his law through angels to Moses, who WAS THE MEDIATOR between God and the people.”

Moses is no longer the mediator between God and mankind. First Timothy 2 v 5 says, “For, THERE IS ONE GOD AND ONE MEDIATOR who can reconcile God and humanity—THE MAN CHRIST JESUS.” So, Aaron’s priesthood has been replaced. We should stop chasing shadows and embrace the real deal, Christ Jesus (Colossians 2 vs 16-17).

Let’s:

REST IN THE FINISHED WORK OF JESUS CHRIST – Hebrews 4:1-3!

We shouldn’t approach God with fear since He is seating on the THRONE OF GRACE, not the throne of judgment.

The time is coming when Christ will judge all who didn’t believe in Him (Revelation 20 v 11), currently He is extending grace to all (1 John 2 v 2).

Hebrews 4 vs 14‭-‬16 say the following:

“Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession.

“For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.

“Let us therefore COME BOLDLY to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”

The key part of the New Covenant is that GOD DOESN’T KEEP COUNT OF OUR SINS (Hebrews 8 v 12, Hebrews 10 v 17, & Romans 4 v 8). It is for that reason we are invited to approach the throne of grace with boldness (Hebrews 4 v 16).

Israel could not do that because their covenant with God was based on their performance. Every time they did not keep their part of the covenant, God withdrew His favour (Hebrews 8 v 9).

Our boldness to approach God is not based on our performance, it is based on the fact that we have a great High Priest who represents us before God (Hebrews 4 v 14).

Jesus can sympathise with our weaknesses because He is not out of touch with our reality. He overcame every temptation and testing (Hebrews 4 v 15)

Jesus is ready to always give us mercy and grace when we fail and are not deserving of the goodness of the Lord. He does this because that is the BEST WAY TO CAUSE US TO REPENT (Romans 2 v 4).

This is a radical statement that the Jews of Paul’s day and the religious legalists of our day reject. They refuse to accept that the goodness of God is sufficient motivation for people to turn from sin. They insist that fear of punishment is a superior motivator.

It is true that fear is a more familiar motivator to most people. Even a lost person or carnal Christian can identify with fear and respond to it. But as 1 John 4 v 18 states, “Fear has torment.”

Those who respond to God through fear will also be tormented with thoughts of doubt and condemnation as to whether they have done enough.

Fear will move some toward God, but it is inferior to love. THERE IS NOTHING THAT FEAR CAN DO THAT LOVE CAN’T DO BETTER AND WITHOUT THE SIDE EFFECT OF TORMENT.

We can approach the throne of grace with boldness, we will obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

Let’s:

REST IN THE FINISHED WORK OF JESUS CHRIST – Hebrews 4:1-3!

PS: Visit us at http://fountainofhisword.co.za for more articles like this one and audio sermons for listening and/or free download.

We have to labour to rest. It will be the hardest thing we’ve ever done to quit relating to God on the basis of our own works and start trusting totally in what Jesus did for us.

The writer of the book of Hebrews told the Jewish believers (and us) to make every effort to enter the rest of God. He said, “Let us therefore be DILIGENT to enter that rest, lest anyone fall according to the same example of disobedience.” (Hebrews 4 v 11)

Hebrews 3 v 19 tells us that the disobedience that prevented Israel from entering the promised land was UNBELIEF. So, unbelief (not believing and accepting what God did for us) will keep us out of salvation and its benefits.

As we saw in part 6 of this series, Hebrews 4 v 10 says God’s rest is when one CEASES FROM HIS OR HER WORK to obtain or keep salvation because the work is already done.

God has made salvation FREE TO ANYONE who will believe that Jesus Christ was a perfect sacrifice for the sins of the world (1 John 2 v 2). He only requires that we believe what He has done, and confess Jesus Christ as Lord for us to access salvation and its benefits (Romans 10 vs 9-10).

The Jewish people who were intended to receive the book of Hebrews, at that time, were being told that Christ was not enough. They were being told that they needed Christ PLUS the works of the Law for them to be saved.

It is for this reason that the writer of this book went into details to show that JESUS FULFILLED ALL THE DEMANDS OF THE LAW, and HE BECAME HIGH PRIEST in the order of Melchizedek (Hebrews 5 vs 5-6). That meant that the RULES OF ENGAGEMENT WERE CHANGED (Hebrews 7 v 12).

When Jesus was appointed High Priest of the New Covenant, the SYSTEM OF THE LAW WAS NO LONGER NECESSARY BECAUSE THE SACRIFICE (JESUS CHRIST) HAD BEEN OFFERED AND GOD’S WRATH WAS APPEASED (Hebrews 8 vs 7-12). The Jewish nation no longer had to keep their way of worship (Hebrews 8 v 13 & Colossians 2 vs 16-17).

We are all urged to enter into the rest God obtained for us through Christ. We enter in by simply believing that Jesus Christ finished the work for our salvation (Romans 10 vs 9-10).

Romans 8 v 32 says, “He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also FREELY GIVE US ALL THINGS?”

It takes effort to rest in the finished work of the Lord. Our human natures want to do something to be worthy of the Lord’s blessings. But the truth is that we can never deserve the goodness of the Lord.

We HAVE TO CEASE FROM TRUSTING IN OUR OWN WORKS AND REST IN WHAT JESUS CHRIST HAS FREELY PROVIDED BY GRACE. THAT TAKES EFFORT.

Let’s:

REST IN THE FINISHED WORK OF JESUS CHRIST – Hebrews 4 vs 1-3!

PS: Visit us at http://fountainofhisword.co.za for more articles like this one and audio sermons for listening and/or free download.

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Monday, July 30th, 2018 at 3:02pm

The Preeminence Of Christ – Part 6

Religion tells us to “work for heaven”, God tells us to enter into His rest if we want to be admitted in heaven. Who should we follow?

It’s not our best effort that makes us acceptable before God, it is God’s best; JESUS CHRIST. We are called to rest in the finished work of Christ.

After God created all things, He rested on the seventh day. He was not tired, He had completed the work. This is like when a lawyer says “I rest my case”. That doesn’t mean that he is tired, it means he has said all he wanted to say.

That is the rest we are called to; WHERE WE HAVE CEASED FROM ALL OUR WORKS.

Hebrews 4 v 6‭-‬7 say:

“So God’s rest is there for people to enter, but those who first heard this good news failed to enter because they disobeyed God. (These people observed the Sabbath rest but this verse says they failed to enter God’s rest. Obviously the promised rest of God was not the seventh day rest.)

“So God set another time for entering his rest, and that time is TODAY (NOT THE SEVENTH DAY OF THE WEEK, BUT, TODAY). God announced this through David much later in the words already quoted: “Today when you hear his voice, don’t harden your hearts.”” (Brackets are mine)

The preceding verses, and the following verses, show that the Sabbath Day rest was a PICTURE OF WHAT WAS TO COME, NOT THE REALITY (Colossians 2 v 16-17).

Hebrews 4 v 8-9 continue to say:

“Now if Joshua had succeeded in giving them this rest, God would not have spoken about ANOTHER DAY of REST STILL TO COME. So THERE IS A SPECIAL REST STILL WAITING FOR THE PEOPLE OF GOD.”

These verses say the rest God was talking about was not the rest they were going to get into when they enter the promised land, Canaan. What proves that is the fact that David WAS STILL TALKING ABOUT ENTERING into the rest of God even when they were already in the promise land.

Hebrews 4 v 10 then explains what is the rest of God:

“FOR HE WHO HAS ENTERED HIS REST HAS HIMSELF ALSO CEASED FROM HIS WORKS AS GOD DID FROM HIS.”

Like I said before, God did not rest on the seventh day because He was tired. He rested because the work was finished. TODAY (not on the seventh day of the week) we enter into His rest by resting in the finished work of Christ.

We are not acceptable before God because of our righteous works, WE ARE ACCEPTABLE BECAUSE OF CHRIST’S RIGHTEOUS WORK. Romans 3 v 20‭-‬22 say:

“For no one can ever be made right with God by doing what the law commands. THE LAW SIMPLY SHOWS US HOW SINFUL WE ARE. But now God has shown us a way to be made right with him WITHOUT KEEPING THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE LAW, AS WAS PROMISED IN THE WRITINGS of Moses and the prophets long ago. WE ARE MADE RIGHT WITH GOD BY PLACING OUR FAITH IN JESUS CHRIST. And this is true for everyone who believes, no matter who we are.”

We should stop despising the work of God in Christ. Our works will never ever make us right before God. Hebrews 10:29 says:

“What, then, of those who despise the Son of God? who treat as a cheap thing the blood of God’s covenant which PURIFIED them from sin? WHO INSULT THE SPIRIT OF GRACE? (Not who insult the Spirit of the Law). Just think how much worse is the punishment they will deserve!” (Brackets are mine)

Let’s:

REST IN THE FINISHED WORK OF JESUS CHRIST – Hebrews 4:1-3!

PS: Visit us at http://fountainofhisword.co.za for more articles like this one and audio sermons for listening and/or free download.

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Thursday, July 26th, 2018 at 7:32am

The Preeminence Of Christ – Part 5

God established the Sabbath day as a picture of things to come.

When the reality of that picture came, the picture became irrelevant (Romans 10 v 4, Galatians 3 v 19 & 2 Corinthians 3 vs 6-7). Then, the early Church began to gather on the first day of the week to commemorate that reality; Christ (Acts 20:7).

According to Exodus 23 v 12, one of the purposes of the Sabbath was to give people and their animals one day of physical rest each week.

Deuteronomy 5 v 15 also clearly states that the Sabbath was to serve as a REMINDER to the Jews that they had been slaves in Egypt and were delivered from bondage NOT BY THEIR OWN EFFORTS, but by the supernatural power of God.

However, in the New Testament, an even CLEARER PURPOSE of the Sabbath is stated. In Colossians 2 vs 16-17, Paul revealed that the SABBATH WAS ONLY A SHADOW OF THINGS TO COME AND IS NOW FULFILLED IN CHRIST .

Hebrews 4 v 1 says, “Therefore, since a promise remains of entering HIS REST, let us fear lest any of you seem to have come short of it.”

ENTERING INTO THE REST OF GOD ISN’T AUTOMATIC. We have to believe, just as it was with the Israelites who came out of Egypt. God intended not only to bring them out of Egypt but also to bring them into the land of promise, but it didn’t happen, because of their unbelief (Hebrews 3 v 19).

Hebrews 4 v 2 says, “For indeed the gospel was preached to us as well as to them; but the word which they heard did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in those who heard it.”

The Israelites who came out of Egypt didn’t have the Gospel preached to them in the sense that they were told about Jesus by name and that He died for our sins. But they had that preached to them in a PICTURE AND TYPE through the Passover lamb.

THEY WEREN’T DELIVERED BECAUSE OF ANY HOLINESS OF THEIR OWN. They were saved from the death angel and from Egyptian bondage BECAUSE OF THEIR PARTAKING OF THE SACRIFICE. It’s the same with us, only now we have the real sacrifice of which the Passover lamb was only a type and shadow (1 Corinthians 5 v 7).

Hebrews 4 v 3 says, “For we who have believed do enter that rest, as He has said: “So I swore in My wrath, ‘They shall not enter My rest,’ ” although the works were finished from the foundation of the world.”

This is a quote from Psalms 95 v 11, which says, “Unto whom I sware in my wrath that they should not enter into my rest.” Then the writer of Hebrews spoke of God resting on the seventh day from His labors of creation. This sheds more light on what this rest of the Lord is.

God’s rest is different to the rest Israel entered into on a Sabbath. GOD RESTED NOT BECAUSE OF EXHAUSTION BUT BECAUSE EVERYTHING WAS COMPLETE. (Isaiah 40 v 28). There was nothing else to do. It was done perfectly.

THE SABBATH WAS SYMBOLIC OF THE REAL REST God was going to give those who would believe in Christ. The New Testament Sabbath REST IS SIMPLY A RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD in which WE HAVE CEASED FROM DOING THINGS BY OUR OWN EFFORTS AND ARE LETTING GOD WORK THROUGH US (Galatians 2 v 20 and Hebrews 4 v 10).

JESUS HAS ALREADY PURCHASED SALVATION AND ALL ITS BENEFITS FOR US. It’s already done (Ephesians 1 v 3). We don’t have to pray and ask God to heal us or prosper us. It’s already a done deal (2 Peter 1 v 3-4).

We just need to REST IN WHAT HAS ALREADY BEEN PROVIDED. There is a place we can reach where WE AREN’T STRIVING TO GET GOD TO BLESS US BUT ARE RESTING BY FAITH IN WHAT HAS ALREADY BEEN DONE. That is the Sabbath rest that is being spoken of in these verses.

In Ephesians 1 v 17‭-‬19, Paul prayed for believers to know what is already ours:

“.. do not cease to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers: that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may GIVE to you the SPIRIT OF WISDOM AND REVELATION in the knowledge of Him, the eyes of YOUR UNDERSTANDING BEING ENLIGHTENED; that you may KNOW what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance IN THE SAINTS, and what is the exceeding greatness of His power TOWARD US who believe, according to the working of His mighty power.”

Let’s:

REST IN THE FINISHED WORK OF JESUS CHRIST – Hebrews 4:1-3!

PS: Visit us at http://fountainofhisword.co.za for more articles like this one and audio sermons for listening and/or free download.

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