Hebrews 3 continues to speak of rest. We have been considering the significance of the high priest, the house, and edification as sources of confidence to enjoy what is rightfully ours in the good land.
Outline
I. Christ as High Priest and Source of Confidence
- A. Christ’s faithfulness compared to Moses – Hebrews 3:1-6
- B. Our hope in Christ’s finished work – Hebrews 3:14
II. Entering the Holiest and Enjoying God Without Fear
- A. The way opened through Christ’s sacrifice – Hebrews 10:19-22
- B. Sabbath rest in the holiest – Hebrews 4:3-11
- C. Focused attention on Christ rather than ourselves – Hebrews 12:1-2
III. Discipline and Training One’s Senses
- A. Discipline meant for training, not punishment – Hebrews 12:5-11
- B. Training to understand who God is and what Christ has accomplished – Hebrews 5:11-14
IV. Warning Against Hardening One’s Heart
- A. Israelites’ failures in the wilderness – Hebrews 3:7-12
- B. Hardened hearts leading to unbelief and disobedience – Hebrews 3:12-19
V. Entering into Rest with God
- A. Focused attention on Christ’s finished work – Hebrews 4:10-11
- B. Strengthened by the Holy Spirit to remove fear and bondage – Hebrews 2:14-18
- C. Cleansing of the conscience – Hebrews 9:14
- D. Enjoying God’s presence in rest – Hebrews 4:9
Topics for further consideration
- Focusing on Christ instead of oneself
- The high priest and his significance
- The concept of entering into the holiest with God
- The Sabbath day and its importance
- The role of edification in building confidence
- Discipline as a means of training one’s senses to understand God
- The danger of hardening one’s heart and forgetting God’s power.
Test your understanding:
- How can believers enjoy what is rightfully theirs in the good land?
- What are some sources of confidence discussed in Hebrews 3?
- What is the significance of the high priest and the house in Hebrews 3?
- What is the purpose of discipline?
- Why does the writer warn against hardening one’s heart and forgetting God’s deliverance in Christ
- How does the Holy Spirit help believers enter into rest with God?