"Building a Church Through Outreach"
A Place of Rest
ELCOG 4/22/04
Text: Hebrews 3:18-4:7
This morning I want to preach about a place that God has already prepared for those who really love Him and to those who are obedient to his word and will. It is a place desired by many, a place that is needed for all, but a place only enjoyed by a few. I am talking about a place of rest. The writers of Hebrews ask a question in Hebrews 3:16 "who were those people who rebelled against God, even though they heard his voice"
It’s a sad statement that the people heard the voice of God, but refused to listen to what he God had to say. How many of you have heard the call of God, the voice of God has shouted to you and you refuse to hear and to obey. I really believe that God is calling you today. I believe that God has a plan and a purpose for your life, but you must be willing to obey his voice. The scripture is plan and simple, to obey is better than sacrifice. God has a special place for those who obey his voice; it’s a place of rest. Many people come to church and operate in their daily life in a state of chaos. There seems to be more confusion in life than clarity. Let me ask you a question this morning; is that chaos in your life because you are being disobedient to God’s plan? Has God been trying to get your attention to help the little old lady down the street, but you’ve been to busy with YOU?
Saul was a man that needed real rest. He was fighting against God instead of fighting for God.
Acts 9:3
3And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven:
Acts 9:4
4And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?
Acts 9:5
5And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.
Acts 9:6
6And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.
Acts 9:7
7And the men which journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice, but seeing no man.
Acts 9:8
8And Saul arose from the earth; and when his eyes were opened, he saw no man: but they led him by the hand, and brought him into Damascus.
Acts 9:9
9And he was three days without sight, and neither did eat nor drink.
Saul had been fighting against God. He was trying to stop what God wanted to do. Is that what you are doing? Are you guilty of hindering what God wants to do? Are you putting a stop to God reaching people through you because you will not obey him? We need to understand this morning that we can’t kick against what God wants. If we do, life becomes miserable. But today, I have better news than that of defeat….I have news of a place of rest. I have news where your joy can bed full and a place your hope abounds. You need to enter into his place of rest.
In this place who will find something that you have been missing. Is it peace—maybe. Is it joy—maybe. The one thing that you have in this place of rest is a place if contentment.
Phil. 4:11
11Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.
Phil. 4:12
12I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.
Phil. 4:13
13I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
It is in this place of rest that you learn that God is greater than you are and that if God is in the dark places you will be okay. If God goes with you in the valley then that’s okay. Sooner or later people must learn to be happy in whatever state they are in. I think that when people realize that the place of rest is there for all obedient believers then we know that we can handle whatever life brings because I’m living in God’s rest.
The world may be crazy and confusing, but I’m living in God’s rest. I’m in the world but not of the world. I’m living in God’s rest. I know things in the natural looks bad, but don’t look at my natural state look at the law of God’s rest. That’s really where I’m living. I know that I’m in that land of rest.
Rom. 8:28
28And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
In that land of rest flows favor. I live in the land of God’s favor. His light shines upon my path. His word directs my steps. I’m living according to God’s plan therefore I live in his rest. When I go to bed at night; it’s in rest. When I get up in the morning it’s in rest. I live in obedience to God’s will for my life therefore I walk according to a higher calling and I live according to a different plan. I live in God’s will not my own. I am blessed! I live in the place of rest. I live in the will of God.
1 John 2:16
16For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
1 John 2:17
17And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.
Let me draw this message a little closer to home; are you living your life in the lust of the flesh or the lust of the eyes? Has the pride of life taken over your world? If so, you know that is not God. The world that controls you is going to pass away along with the lust that lures you, but God in his place of rest will abide forever.
Are you troubled with the way your life is going? Maybe its time for you to surrender to God’s will. Maybe its time for you to harken to the voice of God. Why do you kick against God and his will for your life? Do you think it’s too hard to give up all of your pleasure? Listen, the pleasure of sin only last for a short season. Those who walk in the righteousness of God must not give up. God has a place of rest for you.
Gal. 6:9
9And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.
Gal. 6:10
10As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.
Be obedient to God and His will for your life. Always be ready for Jesus to come again. Don’t be found unprepared.
Matt. 24:45
45Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season?
Matt. 24:46
46Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing.
Matt. 24:47
47Verily I say unto you, That he shall make him ruler over all his goods.
Matt. 24:48
48But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming;
Matt. 24:49
49And shall begin to smite his fellowservants, and to eat and drink with the drunken;
Matt. 24:50
50The lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for him, and in an hour that he is not aware of,
Matt. 24:51
51And shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
Matt. 25:1
1Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.
Matt. 25:2
2And five of them were wise, and five were foolish.
Matt. 25:3
3They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them:
Matt. 25:4
4But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.
Matt. 25:5
5While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.
Matt. 25:6
6And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.
Matt. 25:7
7Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps.
Matt. 25:8
8And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out.
Matt. 25:9
9But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.
]Matt. 25:10
10And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut.
Matt. 25:11
11Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us.
Matt. 25:12
12But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.
Matt. 25:13
13Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.
Are you ready to live in the place of rest? I can’t promise that you will never have problems, but I can promise that during your problems you will be in the place of rest. Come today and enter into your rest.