Let Us Therefore Fear - Hebrews Chapter 4:1

Outline of Chapter Four: The rest is to be obtained by faith
We should beware of unbelief lest we lose it, as the Hebrews did theirs, 1.

The reason why they were not brought into the rest promised to them was unbelief, 2
The rest promised to the Hebrews was a type of that promised to Christians, 3-10
Into this rest we should earnestly labor to enter, 11
The Word of God is the roadmap to the blessing, 12,13
Jesus is our sympathetic High Priest, allowing us to enter into the rest, 15
Through him we have confidence to come to God to enter into the rest, 16

THE COMPASSIONATE WARNING OF PAUL - 4:1
4:1 “Let us therefore fear” - fobhqwmen - Aor Subj Mid - frightened, reverential fear, fear due to the power, sovereignty and greatness of God.

Seeing that the Israelites lost the “rest” or blessing pictured in Canaan through obstinacy and unbelief, we should fear lest we come short of that promise of rest, for the same reason. A proper fear of God does not shake our confidence, but challenges us not to be apathetic or indifferent (lest we be unfaithful to God’s rest that has been offered).

Therefore: by the failure of others
We are taught the futility of fighting against God
The foolishness of going our own way
The chastisement that results from direct disobedience
The pride that prevents us from knowing His will
The arrogance that leads to destruction and failure
The ignorance of the Bible that leaves us stranded on a deserted island like a castaway
Intellect causing us to think we are capable of running our own lives, apart from God.

Satan uses all these things, and more, to deceive us into false reasoning. Look to the past. See the Jews failing and being destroyed. Listen to the testimonies of other believers who have failed to obey and enter into God’s blessing. The Apostle Paul warns us, ...be not thou then high- minded, but fear” (Romans 11:20.)

“lest a promise being left us of entering into his rest” - fear to miss all that God has to offer us as His children. This promise is the essence and end result or goal of the truth that Paul is teaching. Don’t miss out on receiving the promise. Don’t fall short of receiving the promise (the blessing of God). To miss out on all that the Lord has already determined can be ours, is fatal error in unbelief.

What is this promise? It is the presence and power of God in our lives, enabling us to experience His greatness; His direction and His perfect will for our lives, resulting in peace, spiritual prosperity, and freedom to live in joy and hope.

“any of you should seem to fall short of it” - usterhkenai - Pf Inf - to come late, come behind, fail to attain, come short of a privilege. An exciting attitude of obedience has much to do with receiving the “rest” or the promise of the blessing of God.

We ought to examine the direction of our lives. We should look carefully on the direction we travel on our journey. We would do no less when preparing or traveling on our vacation. Find the correct route. Stick to that route. Be unswerving in your diligence to keep the path.

Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled; Heb. 12:15

We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain. 2 Cor. 6:1

The word “you” refers to the person who makes the decision to lessen the great gift that the Lord is offering.

The words “should seem” refer to the fact the outcome in heaven is sure, but the blessing on the earth seems to point to failure on our part to experience blessing on earth.

The words “to fall short of it” refers to the actual potential of the blessing itself. The “it” refers to the place where the Lord is trying to bring us in our lives. It is the “it” that is the most exciting place to strive toward.

Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. I Cor. 9:24

I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Phil 3:14

Why live in spiritual mediocrity? Why waste the potential that the Lord has given. Why continue to fail to live in the path of blessing, when we all we have to do is follow the directions that God has offered.

THE COMPASSIONATE EXAMPLE - 4:2 - For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: - God in all generations desires men to be saved.

The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. 2 Pet. 3:9

Have I any pleasure at all that the wicked should die? saith the Lord GOD: and not that he should return from his ways, and live? Ezek. 18:23

Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. 2 Tim. 2:4

THE CORRESPONDING PROBLEM - 4:2 - but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it. - Humanism prepares man to decide his own fate, based upon his experience. God’s plan is for man to know divine wisdom and follow absolutes which leads to godliness. That is the plan of faith for man. The great joy and peace taught in Hebrews testifies to the gift of God’s “rest” when His children believe by faith.

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. For by it the elders obtained a good report. Heb. 11:1-2

By faith Enoch was translated, 11:5
By faith Noah.. prepared an ark to the saving of his house, 11:7
By faith Abraham, 11:8
By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau, 11:20
By faith Jacob...blessed both the sons of Joseph, 11:21
By faith Joseph... gave commandment concerning his bones, 11:22
By faith Moses, 11:23

THE COMPLETED PROMISE - 4:3 For we which have believed do enter into rest... although the works were finished from the foundation of the world. - The Lord’s is not only concise but operative. God sees His work as fully accomplished in glory. He reveals His will to His people, we obey, and the result is the “rest” described in the Scripture.

Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. 2 Pet. 3:11

According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. Eph. 1:4-6