This coming Sunday we will take the second of three weeks to consider that great Biblical theme of rest, God’s eternal Sabbath rest.
Of course, this is the subject we find so richly explained and applied in Hebrews chapters 3 and 4. Our text for this Sunday’s message will be taken from Hebrews 4:8-11–
8 For if Joshua had given them rest, God would not have spoken of another day later on. 9 So then, there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God, 10 for whoever has entered God’s rest has also rested from his works as God did from his. 11 Let us therefore strive to enter that rest, so that no one may fall by the same sort of disobedience.
We have identified this “ rest” as a ‘Gospel-rest’ in view of the fact that its origin is the seventh day of rest that God enjoyed at the time of creation (which He still enjoys now). It is the very rest of being in a right relationship with Him, and enjoying all of the blessings of His presence. It is the rest that Adam and Eve forfeited in their rebellion against the Lord.
This week, we will seek to identify more precisely what this “ Sabbath rest” is, a rest that “ remains” even for us today. We will also consider how and when we “ enter” this rest, as well as what it means to participate in God’s own “ Sabbath rest.”
As you meditate upon this great Biblical text and theme, let us pray that our Father will open our eyes and hearts to the unfathomable riches of His Holy Word!