Title Hebrews 4: 1- 16
Contents Main text: Hebrews 4: 1-16
*** One who enters (verses 1-9)
The gospel is good news for the saints because God has promised to forgive our sins and give us a place to dwell in heaven. Is this the same as the promise that freed the Israelites from slavery in Egypt to enter Canaan? But no one but Joshua and Caleb saw the fulfillment of that promise. They heard the gospel, but they did not receive it by faith, nor did they obey it. Just because you hear the Gospel does not mean you are saved. No matter how much you worship at church and attend various meetings, it is not evidence that you have been born again as a saint. Am I really a believer? Do you depend on your parents' beliefs or do you only believe in church attendance? In order to enter the new world that God has given you, you must abandon your self-centered life and fully believe in, rely on, and obey the Lord. What is my faith status right now?
*** Those who are diligent (verses 10-11)
Salvation is entirely due to God's mercy and grace, which we take too lightly. Just because God made the heavens and the earth and rested, it does not mean that even the saints on this earth can rest in their spiritual life and live vigilantly. Rather, I must do my best to enter heaven. When I entrust everything to the Holy Spirit and depend on it, it does not mean that I should sit still and play. There must be a thorough struggle against sin, and we must be vigilant against Satan who is trying to deceive us. Are you neglecting your dedication at this moment? Do you put the highest priority in your life to meditate on God's Word and pray? We must bear in mind the fact that Satan triumphs when we are vigilant.
*** The Word of God, which is alive and has power (verses 12-13)
On the Day of Judgment, everything will be revealed before God. He will not only judge what we see, but He will judge all thoughts and attitudes in our hearts. But God does not want anyone to be put to shame on this day of judgment. Turn the wrong way before it's too late. This is to open the door of the deepest heart and allow the Word to work. Then the Lord makes visible the things that need to be fixed in every part of my life from then on. We do not read the Word to gain knowledge or to be guided. Above all, I read the Bible in order to transform me with the word of doctrine, reproof, correction, and training in righteousness. What is God saying to me today? How would you apply that statement?
*** The great high priest (verses 14-16)
The writer of Hebrews is looking ahead to the role of Jesus as the perfect High Priest for the next chapter 6. The ministry of Jesus as High Priest can be divided into two parts. The first is that the sacrifice of Jesus Christ was accepted and presented before God. The second is that Jesus, who became a human being like us, was also tempted, so He has compassion on my weakness in being tempted. Do I not think that the Lord will not understand my difficult situation? He knows my plight. He wants me to come to the Lord with confidence and share it with joy.
And they are willing to help me. Take courage to know that Jesus endured and triumphed. So, when siemmer comes to me, I must be able to defeat it with the power of the Holy Spirit.