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HEBREWS 4: 9

"GOD'S REST"

I. GOD HAS PROMISED US A REST FROM--
        A. Fear.
                1. How many people today are tormented by fear.
                2. Some fear they are not saved.
                        a. God does not love them.
                        b. Theirs is some special case.
                3. Fearing an experience is often more painful than the experience  itself.
                        a. Many die a thousand deaths fearing one.
                4. "The fear of man brings a snare."
                5. The children of Israel feared the giants.
                6. God said, "Fear not for l am with thee."
        B. Worry.
                1. Some I believe are addicted to worry (chronic worriers).
                        a. They worry because there is nothing to worry about. Things  are 
                           going too good.
                2. Worry is akin to fear and also torments.
                        a. It can cause loss of sleep.
                3. Many of our worries are unfounded if we just knew the whole story.
                        a. Worried about Canaan being killed.
                        b. Jacob cried, "All things are against me."
                        c. Men of Samaria under Syrian siege.
                        d. Disciples in storm tossed ship. 
                4. "Fret not thyself."
                5. "Take no anxious thought about tomorrow..."

II. THOUGH THE PROMISE IS GIVEN ALL ARE NOT RESTING. 
        A. Tragic story of history, unfulfilled promises.
                1. Forty years of wandering in wilderness when God promised them  the land.
        B. The problem is not on God's end.
                1. His word is good.
                        a. "God's hand is not short..."
                        b. "God is not slack concerning His promises."
                2. The eternal folly of man.
                        a. Something goes right, we want to take credit.
                        b. Something goes wrong, want to blame God.
        C. God's work is completed.
                1. Jesus cried from the cross, "It is finished."
                2. We must enter into that finished work.
                3. We must rest where God is resting- in the finished work at the  cross.

III. WHY SOME FAIL TO ATTAIN THIS REST.
        A. One cause many symptoms, cause unbelief.
                1. Not believing God is all He said He is.
                2. Not believing God will do all He said He would.
                3. The children of Israel came to Kadesh Barnea - the choice was  given.

IV. HOW TO ENTER INTO THE REST TODAY.
        A. Quit trusting in yourself and begin to trust God.
                1. "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart."
        B. Look to God rather than at your problem.
                1. Peter did well with his eyes on Jesus.
        C. Know that if God doesn't do it, it can't be done.
                1. "Except the -Lord build the house..."
                2. You can't do anything about it anyhow. 
                        a. Except perhaps botch it up more.
                        b. Your fear or worry can only tear you down more.
                3. So just kick back and let God do it.