Hebrews 4:9

DISCOURSE: 2283
THE REST THAT REMAINS FOR GOD’S PEOPLE

Hebrews 4:9. There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God.

THE servants of God possess many distinguished privileges. Their state in this world is far happier than that of the ungodly; but there is an infinitely richer portion reserved for them hereafter. To this David had respect in that awful denunciation [Note: Psalms 95:11.], whence it appears, that though prefigured by other rests, it remains yet to be enjoyed [Note: The Apostle’s argument seems to be this: God instituted a day of rest in commemoration of his having ceased from his works of creation. And many centuries afterwards he promised a rest to his people in the land of Canaan. But that rest was only typical of a more glorious sabbath, of which David spake a long time after the other had been enjoyed. From hence the Apostle concludes that there must yet be a rest, or Σαββατισμὸς (for he changes the word which he had before used, in order more strongly to intimate the analogy between the different rests there spoken of) remaining for the people of God.].

I. Who are the people of God?

This title cannot belong to all indiscriminately—
[The greater part of the world are idolatrous heathens. The generality of those who are called Christians are ignorant of God. Impiety and profaneness abound in every place: this indisputably proves the Apostle’s assertion [Note: Romans 9:6.]. The sinful works of men plainly shew whose people they are [Note: 1 John 3:8; John 8:44.]; nor do all who “profess godliness” really belong to God [Note: Romans 2:28; Titus 1:16.]. There are many who deceive both themselves and others [Note: Revelation 3:1.James 1:26.]

Those who alone have a right to it are described by God himself [Note: Philippians 3:3.].

They “worship God in the Spirit”—
[It is the characteristic of God’s enemies that they neglect prayer [Note: Psalms 53:4.]: nor will formal services prove us to be God’s people [Note: Matthew 15:8.]. No worship is acceptable to him but that which is spiritual [Note: John 4:23.]. His faithful servants are importunate at the throne of grace [Note: Ephesians 6:18.]

They “rejoice in Christ Jesus”—
[They do not merely acknowledge him to be the Messiah: they make daily application to him as the only ground of their hopes. Their hearts are lifted up with devout affection towards him. They delight in him as their all-sufficient Redeemer [Note: 1 Peter 1:8.]

They “have no confidence in the flesh”—
[They are deeply convinced that “in them dwelleth no good thing.” They see the folly of trusting to their own strength or wisdom [Note: Proverbs 3:5.]. They acquiesce fully in Solomon’s direction [Note: Proverbs 28:26.]—. They look for every thing in Christ alone [Note: 1 Corinthians 1:30.]

To these belong many glorious privileges.

II.

What is the rest which remaineth for them?

They have already in some respect entered into rest [Note: Hebrews 4:3.]—

[They are freed from the terrors of a guilty conscience [Note: Hebrews 10:22.]. They feel a delight in ordinances and Sabbaths. Their minds are fully satisfied with the Gospel salvation. They experience the truth of our Lord’s promise [Note: Matthew 11:28.]—.]

But the rest which awaits them is far superior to that they now possess—
They will enjoy a freedom from all labours and sorrows—
[They are constrained to labour as long as they are in the world. Their whole life resembles a race or warfare. They can obtain nothing without strenuous exertions [Note: Matthew 11:12.]: and of necessity they are encompassed with many sorrows [Note: Acts 14:22.]. But in heaven they will cease from their labours [Note: Revelation 14:13.]: nor will their happiness have any intermission or alloy [Note: Revelation 21:4.]

They will be exempt from all influence of sin or temptation—
[Sin now defiles their very best services. Satan is also unwearied in his endeavours to corrupt them [Note: 2 Corinthians 11:3.]. These are sources of much pain to them at present. But the souls of all in heaven are made perfect [Note: Hebrews 12:23.]: nor can any unclean thing enter to defile them [Note: Revelation 21:27.]. Their triumph will be complete and ever-lasting [Note: Isaiah 60:20.]

They will dwell in the immediate presence of their God—
[Their capacity of enjoying God will be wonderfully enlarged: they will behold him not darkly, as now, but face to face [Note: 1 Corinthians 13:12.]. The Saviour’s glory will be the object of their devoutest admiration [Note: John 17:24.]. Their delight in him will surpass their present conceptions [Note: Psalms 16:11.]. They shall know that their happiness will be eternal [Note: Revelation 22:3.]. Then will every desire of their heart be fully satisfied [Note: Psalms 17:15.]

Infer—
1.

How desirable is it to be numbered among God’s people!

[The rest described is the portion of them alone. God himself declares that the wicked have no part in it [Note: Isaiah 57:21.]: their portion will be very different [Note: Psalms 11:6.], and its duration also will be endless [Note: Revelation 14:11.]. Who then would not wish to be numbered with the saints? Who does not desire to participate their inheritance? But we must first be conformed to their character. We must renounce self-confidence, and believe in Christ. It was unbelief which excluded the Israelites from Canaan [Note: Hebrews 3:18.]. Let us fear lest the same evil principle rob us of the heavenly rest [Note: Hebrews 4:1; Hebrews 4:11.]

2. With what delight may God’s people look forward to death!

[The hour of death is often an object of terror to the godly, but it should be welcomed as a season of joy. Does not the husbandman rejoice in his wages, the mariner in his haven, the soldier in the spoils of victory? Much more should the Christian rejoice in the approach of his rest. Let us then long after it, like the holy Apostle [Note: 2 Corinthians 5:2.]; and let us labour to attain it in full confidence of success [Note: 2 Corinthians 5:6; 2 Corinthians 5:8.]