(Heb 4:6 GNB) Those who first heard the Good News did not receive that rest, because they did not believe.
(Heb 4:7 GNB) This is shown by the fact that God sets another day, which is called "Today." Many years later he spoke of it through David in the scripture already quoted: "If you hear God's voice today, do not be stubborn."
(Heb 4:8 GNB) If Joshua had given the people the rest that God had promised, God would not have spoken later about another day.
(Heb 4:9 GNB) As it is, however, there still remains for God's people a rest like God's resting on the seventh day.
(Heb 4:10 GNB) For those who receive that rest which God promised will rest from their own work, just as God rested from his.
(Heb 4:11 GNB) Let us, then, do our best to receive that rest, so that no one of us will fail as they did because of their lack of faith.
There are moments that can change your life if you seize them and don’t let them slip away. The moment that you see the one who is to become your lifelong companion. The moment of decision for Bill Gates led to the formation of a billion dollar corporation. The moment of decision for blind BarTimeaus, to yell out ended in him receiving his sight. The moment of an anonymous women with an issue, to take matters into her own hands ended with her being cured of an incurable decease.
These are all great moments in peoples lives but there is a moment that is more important than any other moment. It is a moment like no other moment. It is the most important moment that will ever be presented to you in your life. It is a moment that can change your very destiny if you do not let it slip.
That moment that can change your destiny is the moment that you make the choice of entering into the promised Rest of God.
The writer of the Book of Hebrews argues about the Superiority of Jesus Christ. In chapter one, he speaks of the Superiority of Christ over the prophets saying that in these last days that God spoke to us by his Son whom he appointed heir of all things and through also he made the world.
And he speaks of Christ superiority to the angels saying to which of the angels did God ever say You are my Son, today I have begotten you?
In Chapter two, he argues that Christ is superior in his saving proclamation. For this reason we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard from Christ so that we don’t drift away from it.
In chapter three, the writer of Hebrews speaks of the superiority of Christ to Moses whom the Hebrews held in the highest of esteem. He shows that Moses was a faithful servant in God’s house but Christ Jesus is a faithful son over God’s house, whose house we are, if we hold fast our confidence and boast of our hope firm until the end.
(Heb 4:7 GNB) This is shown by the fact that God sets another day, which is called "Today." Many years later he spoke of it through David in the scripture already quoted: "If you hear God's voice today, do not be stubborn."
(Heb 4:8 GNB) If Joshua had given the people the rest that God had promised, God would not have spoken later about another day.
(Heb 4:9 GNB) As it is, however, there still remains for God's people a rest like God's resting on the seventh day.
(Heb 4:10 GNB) For those who receive that rest which God promised will rest from their own work, just as God rested from his.
(Heb 4:11 GNB) Let us, then, do our best to receive that rest, so that no one of us will fail as they did because of their lack of faith.
There are moments that can change your life if you seize them and don’t let them slip away. The moment that you see the one who is to become your lifelong companion. The moment of decision for Bill Gates led to the formation of a billion dollar corporation. The moment of decision for blind BarTimeaus, to yell out ended in him receiving his sight. The moment of an anonymous women with an issue, to take matters into her own hands ended with her being cured of an incurable decease.
These are all great moments in peoples lives but there is a moment that is more important than any other moment. It is a moment like no other moment. It is the most important moment that will ever be presented to you in your life. It is a moment that can change your very destiny if you do not let it slip.
That moment that can change your destiny is the moment that you make the choice of entering into the promised Rest of God.
The writer of the Book of Hebrews argues about the Superiority of Jesus Christ. In chapter one, he speaks of the Superiority of Christ over the prophets saying that in these last days that God spoke to us by his Son whom he appointed heir of all things and through also he made the world.
And he speaks of Christ superiority to the angels saying to which of the angels did God ever say You are my Son, today I have begotten you?
In Chapter two, he argues that Christ is superior in his saving proclamation. For this reason we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard from Christ so that we don’t drift away from it.
In chapter three, the writer of Hebrews speaks of the superiority of Christ to Moses whom the Hebrews held in the highest of esteem. He shows that Moses was a faithful servant in God’s house but Christ Jesus is a faithful son over God’s house, whose house we are, if we hold fast our confidence and boast of our hope firm until the end.
Hebrews chapter 4 tells us that Heaven and Earth has conspired together with time to bring you a moment that is called Today! I have been wearing a yellow band around my wrist for the last three months. When I first got the band you could read it clearly. It said, "Seize the Moment." But now, if you look at the band you will have to look real hard to see it because most of it has faded away.
This reminds me that our moments on this earth are fleeting. We have to seize those things which are of ultimate importance to us. There is nothing more important than your relationship with Jesus Christ.
Jesus said that I am the way the truth and the life, no one comes to the Father except by me. The thing that is the most precious, the thing that is of the value and importance to all of us is that we enter the Rest that is offered in Jesus Christ.
Jesus said that he came to finish the work that God gave him to do. On the Cross he said it is finished. The work of the redemption of man by his sacrifice. Hebrews 4:10 says we receive rest from our work if we trust in His work.
If the Lord has done a work in your heart today, if you heard him call you to repentance and to a new life in Christ Jesus, I invite you to come. Seize the moment!
-------------------------------This reminds me that our moments on this earth are fleeting. We have to seize those things which are of ultimate importance to us. There is nothing more important than your relationship with Jesus Christ.
Jesus said that I am the way the truth and the life, no one comes to the Father except by me. The thing that is the most precious, the thing that is of the value and importance to all of us is that we enter the Rest that is offered in Jesus Christ.
Jesus said that he came to finish the work that God gave him to do. On the Cross he said it is finished. The work of the redemption of man by his sacrifice. Hebrews 4:10 says we receive rest from our work if we trust in His work.
If the Lord has done a work in your heart today, if you heard him call you to repentance and to a new life in Christ Jesus, I invite you to come. Seize the moment!
Rev. Michael Lee is an associate minister, Joshua Tabernacle Missionary Baptist Church, Louisville, Kentucky
Hi there!
ReplyDeleteDoes he have a blog forum that he hosts??