Resting In The Lord
Part 3 Exultation of Rest - Hebrews 4:14-16

Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

God’s Son Our Means of Rest

Paul tells the struggling Hebrew Christians, in vs. 14 “Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.”  Jesus is our great high priest, our intercessor with God, the one who presents us before God’s throne of grace and intercedes there on our behalf. Therefore, we must not abandon our faith in Him but hold strongly to your profession of Him as Messiah, Lord and Savior.

He was tempted just like they were, yet He was without sin, he did not fail. He never gave into the temptation.
We and the Hebrews, by holding fast, can come boldly to the throne of grace to obtain the mercy, the grace, the power, the strength they need in the midst of trial, turmoil and torment.
Coming boldly means to come without fear or pretense. It literally means “as a man walking into a friend’s home.” That friend’s home is the throne room of God.  For those who believe, those who hold fast to Jesus Christ, it is not a throne of judgment or reprisal for past sin and failure, but a throne of love, of hope, of succor. There I will find grace to help in time of need.

Gathering Grace

What is the final thing I must do to exult in the rest of God? As Paul said, Look to your high priest Jesus Christ and then hold fast to him. Jesus was tempted, tested, and tried in every aspect of human life yet he never failed, never lost, never sinned.  Jesus knows our weakness, now we must know His strength, Jesus knows our defeats now we must know His victory, Jesus knows our sin now we must know His full salvation.

The key is a fast, firm relationship with Jesus Christ, My Lord and Savior though that I can come boldly to the throne of mercy.
You know another place in scripture where I find great comfort in the promise of rest? It’s in Matthew 11:28-30 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

What more can be said or asked?  Here is the personal invitation of Jesus himself, to rest by being joined together with Him and in that close relationship, to fully know who He is.  There He promises, we will find rest, soul satisfying rest.

Conclusion:
Here is the wonderful message of God’s Rest in Hebrews 4. First understand that God has promised rest to his people. Second, know that we can miss that rest through unbelief. Therefore, thirdly, I must turn to God’s Word and let it show my unbelief and cut it from my life. Finally, Hold fast to Jesus, Christ as my Lord and Savior, because though Him I can boldly enter the presence of God and there find grace to help in time of need.

It is so common for Christians to wear out, burn out and walk out, but before that happens to you, remember God has provided a rest.  It is yours if will believe, it is yours if you will take the yoke of Jesus Christ.  If you need rest from the burden of sin or recuperation in your service to God, the come this morning to the throne of Grace and find rest.

 "Near to the Heart of God"
There is a place of quiet rest, Near to the heart of God, A place where sin cannot molest, Near to the heart of God.
There is a place of comfort sweet, Near to the heart of God, A place where we our Savior meet, Near to the heart of God.
There is a place of full release, Near to the heart of God, A place where all is joy and peace, Near to the heart of God.
O Jesus blest redeemer, sent from the heart of God, Hold us who wait before thee near to the heart of God.