The Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath

STUDY: #892-CHURCH IN THE HOUSES FROM: APRIL 5 @ 11, 2016

Topic: "The Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath" Hebrews 4:1-13 We rest upon our Lord. He is our comfort. Essentially, He had instituted the law on the Sabbath, and therefore was the expert to interpret its true meaning. Matthew 12:7-8, 12-13 "And if you had known what this means, ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice’, you would not have condemned the guiltless. For the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath." "Of how much more value is a man than a sheep! So it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath. Then He said to the man, ‘Stretch out your hand.’ And the man stretched it out, and it was restored, healthy like the other." It seems that Matthew, guided by the Holy Spirit, lists here all the names and trades of the Lord Jesus. He is “the Son of Man (Vs. 8, 40); Lord of the Sabbath (Vs. 8), my Servant (Vs. 18); my beloved (Vs .18) son of David (Vs. 23), greater than the temple (Vs. 6), greater than Jonah (Vs. 41), greater than Solomon (Vs. 42). This is why refusing to accept Him, and not acknowledging His divine rights is such a grave sin. His kingdom is mercy and justice, and this is what He wants from us. If you vainly profess your faith in Christ, there is always a chance you’ll abandon Him (Hebrews 4:2 "... but the message they heard did not benefit them, because they were not united by faith with those who listened."). The devil cheats and deceits people into embracing a religious system (such as those that require you to keep the Sabbath) when this is incapable of saving you. Let us examine what the rest or "Sabbath" means (in Hebrew): to relax, stop working. Genesis 2:2 reads "... and He rested on the seventh day from all His work that He had done." This means: stopped what He was doing; that is to say: ceased to do His work. It’s not that He would continue working after a break. He "finished”. We should understand that in the New Testament (New Covenant) the Sabbath is: THAT PLACE GIVEN TO US BY THE GRACE OF JESUS. This is our comfort. We clearly see here that the name of Christ is rest for our loaded, and very heavy soul. The people of Israel lost all their comfort. They did not believe God. All they did was doubt. We must have faith when we go to the Word, faith to believe what God has prepared for us. We reach such comfort through faith; this is how we rest. If you are not connected by faith to what the Word states, united with the church in what is believed, you cannot have the rest for your soul. Because of disbelief the people, those who left Egypt (Hebrews 3:16), were excluded from the rest that God had prepared for them in the promise land. Their hearts were always wandering (roaming, drifting aimlessly, straying). Hebrews 3:10, 11 "Therefore I was provoked with that generation, and said, ‘They always go astray in their heart; they have not known my ways’. As I swore in my wrath, ‘They shall not enter my rest’." Those Israelites lost their comfort, their repose in the promise land. However, those who have believed have entered into rest. FAITH IS THE KEY THAT UNLOCKS THAT DOOR. Those who believe live at ease with their conscience, because they know that they will never be brought to trial for their sins. (John 5:24 "Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes Him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.") On the other hand, Psalms 95 reads: "... I swore in my wrath, ‘They shall not enter my rest.’" (Psalms 95:7-11) Faith admits (lets in), while disbelief excludes (does not let in). Those who believe the Word have the certainty of God's comfort. Those who do not believe cannot own this truth. David heard the voice that told the people that they may enter His rest if they did not harden their heart.

The witnesses, Caleb and Joshua, became well known as men of faith. Some of the Israelites followed them, and with the power of God conquered. But most chose to follow the voice of the cowards, and did not arrive to the promise land. They did not enter into this promise because of their disobedience. We find that centuries after Joshua introduced the people into the promise land, God is still calling us to enter into His rest. God continues to tell us not to harden the heart, and enter into His comfort. (Psalm 95: 7 "For He is our God, and we are the people of His pasture, and the sheep of His hand. Today, if you hear His voice...") God’s "today" has not passed, and the promise still exists. But that "today" will not last forever. Life comes to an end, and one can miss out on the promise. Therefore, you are told: Here and now, by faith! Come into God’s true repose! Be careful; that your disobedience, and lack of faith doesn’t lead to God closing the entrance into the rest and peace that He offers you! Also, watch out that you don’t falsely believe you’ve arrived too late to enjoy God’s rest! GOD’S “TODAY” IS STILL AVAILABLE. Our God is as great as He has always been. If you find it interesting enough to listen to, BELIEVE, AND PUT YOUR FAITH IN ACTION. These are promises for your life! You will have in accordance to how you’ve listened. If you are indifferent, aloof; if you are a critic, skeptic, cynic; YOU WILL NOT RECEIVE! In the first verse of Hebrews, the author exhorts readers to be careful they do not lose the promise ("Therefore, while the promise of entering His rest still stands, let us fear lest any of you should seem to have failed to reach it." Hebrews 4:1). It is better to fear. Fear is what makes one give it all; striving to keep what really matters. Our Beloved called us, and gave us this comfort; the rest that can only be found and achieved IN HIM! Amen.