Hebrews 4-6

Hebrews 4

Therefore… 

The promise of entering God’s rest is still available.

• Israel heard God’s message but failed to benefit because of unbelief.
• Believers enter God’s rest through faith.
• The author points to God’s rest after creation (Genesis 2:2).

A Greater Rest Still Awaits

• Joshua brought Israel into Canaan, but that was not the ultimate rest.
• Psalm 95 still offers a future rest.
• Therefore a greater “Sabbath rest” remains for us
• God’s rest includes resting from our works as God did from His.

Be diligent to enter that rest.

• Don’t follow Israel’s example of unbelief.
• God’s Word is:
  • Living
  • Active
  • Sharper than a two-edged sword
    • Pierces through division of soul and spirit, joints and marrow
    • discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
• Nothing is hidden from God’s sight.

Our High Priest

Jesus:

• Has passed through the heavens
• Is the Son of God
• Sympathizes with us 

“Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace.”

• Believers can approach God confidently because of Christ.

Hebrews 4	OT Source
4:3	Psalm 95:11
4:4	Genesis 2:2
4:5	Psalm 95:11
4:7	Psalm 95:7-8

Hebrews 5

Qualifications of a High Priest

A high priest:

• Is chosen from among men
• Represents people before God
• Offers sacrifices for sins
• Deals gently with sinners because he shares their weaknesses
• Is appointed by God

Example:  Aaron did not appoint himself; God appointed him.

Christ the Superior High Priest

Jesus did not glorify Himself.

The author quotes:

Psalm 2:7 “You are my Son…”

Psalm 110:4 “You are a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.”

Jesus’ Earthly Suffering

• He offered prayers and supplications
• He cried out with loud cries and tears
• He learned obedience through suffering

Jesus became:

• The source of eternal salvation
• A priest forever after the order of Melchizedek

 Warning About Spiritual Immaturity

The readers have become dull of hearing. They should be teachers by now, instead they still need spiritual milk

Mature believers:

• Know God’s Word
• Discern good from evil
• Grow through constant practice

Hebrews 6

Press On to Maturity

The author encourages growth beyond elementary teachings:

• Repentance from dead works
• Faith toward God
• Washings/baptisms
• Laying on of hands
• Resurrection
• Eternal judgment

These are foundational truths, not the finish line.

The author describes people who have:

• Been enlightened
• Tasted the heavenly gift
• Shared in the Holy Spirit
• Tasted God’s Word

Yet then fall away- how can they find salvations? 

In other words since I was a bit confused, if someone fully understands who Jesus is and then deliberately rejects Him, there is nowhere else to go for salvation.

The author is confident that readers will persevere.

God remembers:

• Their work
• Their labor of love 

Imitate those who:

• Through faith
• And patience

inherit God’s promises.

The Certainty of God’s Promise

Abraham received God’s promise and waited patiently. God confirmed His promise with an oath. Because:

• God cannot lie
• God’s purpose cannot fail

“We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul.”

The anchor is God’s promise fulfilled in Christ

Jesus as our:

• Forerunner
• Eternal High Priest
  • after the order of Melchizedek

Application
We are called to trust God’s promises and avoid unbelief. Come to Jesus when you are suffering or struggling with your faith. He understands our weaknesses. In the midst of your walk constantly strive towards spiritual maturity which can be done through prayer and diving into the Word. Make sure Jesus is the anchor of our souls!