In today’s world, rest often feels elusive. We’re more connected, more entertained, and more productive than ever, yet many of us still find ourselves restless. We take vacations, binge-watch shows, or pamper ourselves with self-care, hoping to recharge, but often these things only leave us feeling as drained as before. Hebrews 4 offers us an alternative path—a rest that isn’t just about taking a break but about finding peace for our souls. This kind of rest can’t be achieved by simply disconnecting from daily demands. Instead, it’s about connecting deeply to God, finding the inner calm that He provides.
Hebrews describes God’s rest as a unique invitation to live in a rhythm where our peace isn’t dictated by circumstances. It’s not a fleeting experience tied to achievement or a temporary reprieve from stress; it’s an ongoing presence of calm. This rest, centered on God’s unchanging love and provision, requires our choice to enter in. It’s not automatic, and it isn’t something we stumble into. Instead, God’s rest requires intention and commitment, a dedication to turning toward His peace over the chaos of the world. Entering into God’s rest requires three things: faith, obedience, and effort. Faith means trusting that God’s promises are real and steadfast, regardless of the challenges we face. This faith allows us to rest, knowing He is in control. Obedience, meanwhile, is an active choice to follow God’s ways and heed His guidance. When we live in obedience, we release our need to control every outcome and instead embrace the security that comes from walking with God. But even with faith and obedience, entering God’s rest also takes effort. Hebrews calls us to “make every effort to enter that rest,” a phrase that reminds us that finding rest in God is a disciplined choice. Just as we prepare for a vacation, we need to prepare our hearts and minds for God’s rest by setting aside time and space to be with Him. In this way, we intentionally let go of the things we hold too tightly and surrender them to God. Hebrews also speaks to the role of God’s Word in bringing us into His rest. Scripture acts as a mirror, revealing the areas in our lives that disrupt our peace, whether it’s fear, control, or pride. As we allow God’s Word to speak into our hearts, it can heal and release us from what holds us back from true rest. This process is a spiritual surgery, as Scripture reveals our innermost thoughts and desires and leads us toward the freedom of surrender. True rest, then, is about more than just unplugging; it’s about living with a heart surrendered to God. As we rest in Him, we’re invited to experience a peace that goes beyond our circumstances—a deep-seated calm that comes from trusting His goodness. This rest, according to Hebrews, is always available to us. It’s a gift that God offers, not just for a future day but for today, for the challenges and demands we face right now. If you’ve been striving for rest through escape or self-care, consider the peace that God is offering. By embracing faith, obedience, and intentionality, we can find the rest that God promises in Hebrews. As we connect more deeply with Him, we experience the rest that only He can provide—a rest that doesn’t depend on perfect conditions but on our perfect God. So, take a moment today to hear His voice and respond. God’s invitation to rest stands open, ready for anyone who will enter. As Psalm 95 reminds us, God cares deeply for us and desires to give us His rest. Will you accept this invitation today? - Adapted from the sermons preached across our 3 campuses on 10/27/24.
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The Christian journey is often compared to a race or a challenge that requires endurance, preparation, and unwavering faith. Just as athletes train rigorously to complete something as demanding as an Ironman triathlon, we too must spiritually prepare for the trials and hardships that inevitably come in life. Hebrews 3:12-19 warns believers to stay vigilant in their faith, encouraging us to avoid the slow drift that can pull us away from Jesus. It's not enough to start strong—we need to finish strong in our walk with Christ.
Our daily lives are filled with distractions and obstacles that can slowly erode our faith if we aren’t careful. Much like the Israelites who doubted God’s promises after seeing His mighty works in Egypt, we too can lose sight of God’s power and provision when we focus on life’s challenges. The result is often a gradual drift, where Jesus becomes smaller and smaller in our lives, and our faith weakens. This passage from Hebrews calls us to pay attention to the warning signs—our hearts can harden if we allow doubt and disbelief to take root. One of the dangers we face today, just like those early believers, is the temptation to let sin deceive us. Sin often looks harmless at first and even seems to please our eyes, but over time, it chips away at our relationship with Jesus. It’s easy to start thinking we’ve gotten away with it, but in reality, sin is hardening our hearts, making us slower to listen and less responsive to the truth of God’s Word. This is why Scripture emphasizes the importance of community—we must encourage and warn one another daily to avoid falling into this trap. The Christian life is not meant to be lived alone. We need each other’s support, friendship, and accountability to stay strong in our faith. When one of us begins to drift, we are called to come alongside them, offering help, not judgment. Just as Jesus comes to us through His Spirit, we are called to extend that same love and encouragement to others. The church is a team, a family, working together to grow in Christlikeness. This is a shared journey, and together, we can persevere. If you feel like you’re stuck in a spiritual wilderness or even living in spiritual bondage, know that Jesus is the Deliverer. Just as He led the Israelites out of Egypt, He wants to lead you into freedom and life. There is a better way than living in the deceitfulness of sin and the distractions of the world. Turn to Jesus by faith, and He will guide you to the fullness of life that He has prepared for you. For those who are faithfully walking with Jesus, we say, “Well done!” Keep persevering and telling the stories of what Christ is doing in your life. Your journey is a testimony to others, and your example can inspire those who may be struggling. Remember, it’s not about bragging—it’s about sharing the goodness of God’s work in your life. As a church, we need more people like Joshua and Caleb, who saw giants through eyes of faith and trusted God’s promises even when the obstacles seemed insurmountable. We need more in our family who are walking daily with Jesus, living obedient and Spirit-filled lives, and telling the stories of what it’s like to live strong for Christ. Together, let’s run strong and finish well! Our challenge to you today is to examine your faith. Are you living in the fullness of what God has for you, or are you drifting away? Don’t miss out on the blessings that come from a close relationship with Jesus. Let your faith be anchored in Him, trusting that even when your eyes deceive you, God’s promises remain true. In Hebrews 3:1-11, we are given a powerful reminder to keep our hearts soft and receptive to the voice of God. The letter to the Hebrews was written to early Christians who had begun their journey with Jesus but were facing the temptation to turn back to their old ways. The author of Hebrews challenges them to remain faithful, warning them not to let their hearts become hardened by the troubles they were facing. Just as Moses led the people of Israel, Jesus is the one who leads us, and His role is far greater. We must, therefore, continually “consider Jesus,” as Hebrews 3:1 tells us, because He is the one who helps us navigate life’s challenges.
Moses was a faithful servant of God, and he did many miraculous things by the power of God, including leading the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt. However, as great as Moses was, Jesus is far superior. The comparison is clear: while Moses was a servant in God’s house, Jesus is the builder of the house. Jesus is not just a leader; He is the one who created and sustains all things. When we understand this, it becomes even more important for us to follow His voice and not allow our hearts to grow cold or distant. The Israelites saw many miracles during their time in the wilderness. They experienced God’s provision in miraculous ways—water from a rock, manna from heaven, and guidance through a pillar of fire. Yet, despite these daily demonstrations of God’s power, their hearts grew hard. They grumbled and complained, and ultimately, many of them turned away from God. This serves as a sobering reminder that witnessing miracles does not guarantee a soft heart. What God desires from us is faith and obedience, even when we face trials. In our lives today, it can be easy to slip into a pattern of complaint or bitterness when things don’t go the way we expect. We might pray and feel like our prayers aren’t answered the way we want, or we may face ongoing struggles that make us question God's plan. However, Hebrews warns us to guard our hearts. When we face hardships, we have a choice—either to grumble and turn away, or to trust in Jesus, knowing that He is with us and has a future full of hope in store for us. The Bible teaches us that all sin begins in the heart. That’s why it’s crucial for us to take care of our hearts and minds, being mindful of what we allow to take root. Proverbs 4:23 tells us to guard our hearts above all else, because it determines the course of our lives. If we allow bitterness, fear, or anger to take hold, it will lead us away from God. Instead, we are called to stay connected to His Word and His ways, keeping our hearts soft and receptive to His leading. One practical step we can take is to become students of the Bible. Knowing God’s Word allows us to discern His will for our lives and helps us to remain steadfast in faith, even when the path is difficult. Waiting until we face a crisis to turn to Scripture can leave us feeling overwhelmed, but by building a foundation on God’s Word now, we prepare ourselves for whatever comes our way. Let’s also remember that chasing after signs and miracles won’t sustain our faith. The Israelites saw God work wonders every day, but it didn’t prevent their hearts from growing hard. What keeps us grounded is not seeing miracles, but cultivating a daily relationship with Jesus through prayer and obedience to His Word. That’s where true spiritual growth happens. In this season, let’s resist the temptation to complain or grow bitter, and instead fix our eyes on Jesus. He is faithful, and He has done, is doing, and will continue to do far more than we could ever ask or imagine. Let’s take time to consider Jesus every day and trust that His plans for us are good, even when we don’t fully understand them. - Adapted from the sermons preached across our 3 campuses on 10/13/24. We continue our journey through the book of Hebrews, focusing on the theme of “Humility Before Exaltation.” The passage, Hebrews 2:5-18, speaks about the path Jesus took through humility and suffering to reclaim what was lost for humanity through sin. It’s a powerful reminder that Jesus is not just better than angels, man, or even great prophets—He is the ultimate and perfect leader who made salvation possible for all of us through His sacrifice.
From the very beginning, God’s original plan was for mankind to rule over the earth, as outlined in Psalm 8. However, humanity’s fall into sin disrupted this purpose. We see in Jesus the restoration of this plan, as He humbled Himself, left the glory of heaven, and tasted death for all humanity. Jesus' humility, exemplified in His suffering, reminds us that God’s love is not a pampering love, but a perfecting love. He uses our suffering to shape us into who He’s called us to be. The lesson of humility is one that we all must embrace in our own lives. Jesus shows us that humility is not weakness, but strength under control. He surrendered His will to God’s plan, and we are called to do the same. We must recognize that we are not in control, our role in life is small compared to God’s grand plan, and life is ultimately about Jesus. By humbling ourselves and depending on Him, we prepare for the glory that is to come. Suffering and humility are not detours in the Christian life—they are the very path that leads to glory. Jesus suffered and was humiliated on the cross, but through that suffering, He defeated two of our greatest enemies: Satan and the fear of death. By dying on the cross, Jesus took on our greatest fears and emerged victorious, so that we no longer have to live in fear. His resurrection gives us hope and confidence in the future glory that awaits us. The example of Jesus shows us that the path to exaltation is not through power or pride, but through humility and dependence on God. Just as Jesus humbled Himself to the point of death, we are called to empty ourselves of pride, let go of our desire to control everything, and trust in God’s plan for our lives, even when it involves suffering. We need to run back to Jesus daily, acknowledging our need for Him. Our challenge is to remember that this life is not about squeezing everything we can out of our brief time on earth. Instead, our focus should be on eternity and preparing for the glory that is yet to come. Every season of suffering, every moment of humility, is preparing us for the day when we will rule with Jesus as our King. So let’s stay humble. Let’s remember that Jesus has already walked this path of suffering and victory, and He is with us as we walk through our own challenges. Let’s trust that in His perfect plan, our humility will one day be exchanged for exaltation when we see Him face to face. In Christ, we have nothing to fear—our victory is already won. - Adapted from sermons preached across our 3 campuses on 10/6/24. |
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These are powerful posts adapted from our pastors' weekly sermons. Previous posts
November 2024
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