9 There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; 10 for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from their works, just as God did from his. 11 Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will perish by following their example of disobedience.
HEBREWS 4:9-11
Let me ask you something...
Have you ever been tired... but not physically?
Your body is fine... but your mind won't shut off?
You go to bed... but you don't rest...
You pray... but you still feel heavy....
You smile in public... but you're struggling in private....
It's like carrying a backpack full or rocks
at first, it doesn't feel that heavy...
but as the day goes on...
step after step...
weight after weight...
it begins to wear you down...
and the crazy thing is...
some of us...
don't even realize...
we've been carrying things...
that God never asked us to carry...
And today, God is telling us...
He's telling you...
that it's time...
to put it down.
You've been:
carrying stress...
carrying fear...
carrying pressure...
But Jesus said - cast your cares on Him!
If He did not give it to you... You don't have to carry it!
9 There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; 10 for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from their works, just as God did from his. 11 Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will perish by following their example of disobedience.
HEBREWS 4:9-11
There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God
Think about this, during Creation,
after God created human,
he gave them a rest the following day,
you have to enter that "rest",
it is called "God's Rest."
This is not a suggestion... This is a promise...
Most people think rest means doing nothing....
but biblical rest... is deeper than that
Hebrew 4:10
He that is entered into His rest... has ceased from his own works...
it doesn't mean the "works" stop, we just entrust it to God.
Rest means:
We stop trying to fix everything ourselves
It means, we trust God... more than our effort
Have you ever fallen asleep in a car?
The car is still moving...
The driver is still working...
But you... are at rest!
God is still moving...
God is still working...
Even when you don't see it!
Maybe you prayed about it... why are you still worrying about it?
You gave it to God... but you took it back 5 minutes later...
That's not rest... that's control disguised as faith
If you still stressing over it... you haven't fully surrendered it to God!
Jesus didn't say "It is almost finished!"
He didn't say "Help me finish it!"
He said "It is finished"
Stop working on what God already finished!
YOU'RE STRESSING OVER A FINISHED WORK!
For we also have had the good news proclaimed to us, just as they did; but the message they heard was of no value to them, because they did not share the faith of those who obeyed.
HEBREW 4:2
The word did not profit them... not being mixed with faith...
It's not that God didn't speak... It's that they didn't believe what He said
We say "God will provide" but we live like it all depends on us
You can hear the promise... and still miss the rest
You said you trust God... but you check your situation every 5 minutes!
That's not faith... That's fear with a Scripture!
Some of us don't rest... because we don't want to let go...
It's like trying to steer a car... that's already in God's hands
You're stressed.... because you're trying to sit in God's seat...
God never asked you to control it...
He asked you to trust Him with it...
He asked you to surrender it...
If we're being honest, some of us... We don't want God in control. We want to assist Him.
GOD DON'T NEED HELP! LET GOD BE GOD!
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
MATTHEW 11:28
Some people don't rest... because they feel unworthy.
They think...
I messed up too much..
God won't carry me now...
you think you've messed up too much....
But where sin abounded...
GRACE DID MUCH MORE ABOUNDS!!!
Jesus didn't say "fix yourself first"
He said... "COME"
You don't earn rest... You received it!
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
MATTHEW 11:28-30
Rest does not start with a system... It starts with a Savior!
Stop running from God... and start running to Him.
He didn't say come perfect...
He didn't say come clean...
He said... COME!
If you're Broken... COME
If you're Tired.... COME
If you're Weary... COME
"Two oxen carry one load -- but the stronger one carries most of the weight"
Jesus is the stronger one!
You're not supposed to carry it all alone!
You're trying to carry something you were never designed to carry!
If God didn't build you for it.... You're going to break under it!!!
Don't carry it anymore!
Situation does not change but your response changes
From Panicking to Peace
From Fear to Faith
Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will perish by following their example of disobedience.
HEBREW 4:11
Rest is a fight? That sounds strange... right?
You have to work or make effort... to rest?
You have to fight your thoughts...
You have to fight your anxiety...
You have to fight fear...
fight for your peace...
fight for your mind...
fight to trust God....
It's like trying to sleep before something big to happen...
Your body is tired... but your mind won't stop racing...
Rest is a decision... You don't drift into peace... You choose to trust God!
THE BATTLE IS IN YOUR MIND
BUT THE VICTORY IS IN YOUR SURRENDER!!!
And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
PHILIPPIANS 4:7
Peace that doesn't make sense...
You don't look like what you've been through....
Because God kept you when you couldn't keep yourself!
but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
ISAIAH 40:31
You stop burning out... and start being built up!
You're not burnt out... You're just carrying too much!
When you drop the weight... You'll pick up strength!!!
Muddy water becomes clear... when it's still!
When you slow down... You start hearing God again...
for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from their works, just as God did from his.
HEBREW 4:10
Rest is not just a blessing...
Rest is not just a promise...
Rest is an act of worship
Worship is not only what you do with your mouth...
It is what you do with your trust!
Anyone can lift hands and sing...
But real worship is revealed...
When you stop striving...
and start trusting!
When you worship...
You lift up your hands...
Because it's a sign of surrender.
You can lift your hands in church and still hold everything tightly in your heart.
True worship is not raised hands... it is released control.
If you do not panic about the future... that's WORSHIP
If you refuse to overthink... that's WORSHIP
If you trust God without answers... that's WORSHIP
Rest means "God, I trust You enough... to stop trying to be You!
Remember:
Martha is busy... serving... working...
Mary is sitting... listening... resting...
Mary chose the better part
Jesus didn't rebuke service... He rebuked distracted striving
You can be doing things for God and still not be resting in God
Rest is worship because it declares something about God
When you rest, you are saying
God, You are in control...
God, You are faithful...
God, You don't need my anxiety to accomplish Your will.
A child falls asleep in their father's arms...
They are not worried about bills...
not worried about direction...
because they trust who's carrying them!
Rest is the language of a soul that knows its Father!
Rest is not a weakness...
Rest is worship...
Rest is not the absence of problems...
It's the presence of God in the middle of them...
I am not carrying what God already conquered!
I'm not fighting a battle God already won!
I'm walking... living... and staying... in the REST of GOD
Some of us have been trying to worship God with efforts...
But today... God is saying... Worship me... with your trust!