calvary updates 05/01

George Winfrey
May 1
3 min read

"There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from their works, just as God did from his" (Hebrews 4:9,10). — "**There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from their works, just as God did from his" (Hebrews 4:9,10).**

Rest or sleep can be one of those elusive commodities. Some nights are just not restful. You wake up exhausted. Maybe you can attribute it to that late night cup of coffee, or the argument you had with a co-worker or the anxiousness you carry about an unfinished and troublesome project.

Hebrews 4 is not actually speaking about 8 hours of sleep. The author is declaring that once the fractured relationship with God is mended, rest or peace will follow as we take possession of the kind provisions of a merciful God.

Unbelief, however, in Hebrews 3:19 is identified as the culprit that will keep the disobedient today from the provisions of God, just as it kept the disobedient Jewish nation out of the promised land. The warnings and corrective instructions against this unbelief are numerous in Hebrews chapter 3. " See to it, brothers, that none of you has a a sinful and unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God" (v. 13). "Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as you did in the rebellion" (v. 15). "So we see that they were not able to enter, because of unbelief' (v. 19).

Instead of wandering for 40 years in the wilderness, God had planned to provide wonderful rest in a land he was giving them. God's plan was to give the Jews abundant blessings taken from the disobedient nations of Canaan. He called them to come and see all that I desire to give you: established agricultural fields, fruits, vineyards, wells, homes and cities which you did not plant or build. They were to enter a place of rest because the majority of the work was already done! But they missed it because of unbelief!

For those who have believed in Jesus Christ, eternal provisions are ours for the taking because of the efficacious work of Jesus. The danger for us is that the same rebellious spirit of unbelief seeks to stop people from entering into a life transforming personal relationship with God. That unbelief will keep them from experiencing the complete and satisfying rest of God.

What can we do? Keep pointing people to a belief in the kindness of God that we have found and the rest he would like to give them. "But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness" (3:13).

Don't let a hardened heart keep you from the rest of God!

Sunday May 3rd

At 10:30 AM we gather to worship the Lord. My message this week takes a turn from our Discipleship series to appreciate what the cross of Christ brought us as we celebrate the Lord's Supper. The message is titled, "His Sacrifice, His Obedience Brought Us Peace." Our Sunday School begins at 9:30 AM...in the first class we are studying I Samuel. In the other class, we are in the book of Daniel and the lesson unfolds more information on the anti-Christ figure. Come and join with us!

A Song you will hear this Sunday

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TZ2lIVD-cP0&list=RDTZ2lIVD-cP0&start_radio=1

Trust in God... Elevation Worship