The Rest of Faith

16 June 2013

1. Introduction

· Psalm 23:1-2 “The Lord is my shepherd. I shall not want.  He makes me lie down”

· David expresses his personal relationship with God – Shepherd, personal friend.

· David outlines in Psalm 23 the friend of this relationship – the outcome of faith.

· “He makes me lie down” = picture of sheep resting with legs folded in sheepfold (Ezekiel 34:14)

· What is he resting from?

•Stress •Anxiety •Fear   •Pressure   •Danger   •Striving   •Self effort

•This is the rest of faith! – a friend and outcome of relationship.

2. Kingdom Life is about Rest not Works

Romans 14:17 The Kingdom of Heaven is not about eating and drinking (law keeping) but righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Ghost.

· Peace is an evidence that the inner life is at rest from striving, struggling.

· Peace is a gift that God imparts to us when we learn to trust (John 14:27).

· Anything that disturbs our inner peace is a signal something is wrong.

· Colossians 3:15 “ Let the peace of God rule in your hearts….”

· Rule = NT1018 = to attribute, act as an umpire, rule, prevail.

· Hebrews 4:10 “He who has entered his rest has himself ceased from his works as God did from His.”

(a) Cease from Works = Cease from Struggling

· OT laws – full of works to be done to earn blessing, often forever.

· Reliance on own efforts and strength results in striving and struggling.

· This leads to cycles of defeat, frustration, trying ‘to be good enough’.

· People lean towards self effort, ‘keys to success’ instead of faith.

· Books/resources abound in keys to success – works to do!

(b) Repentance from Dead Works is Foundation in Christ

Hebrews 6:12 Repentance from dead works and faith towards God.

Dead Works Faith

            -Striving                                               -Rest

            -Self Effort                                           -Grace of God

            -Reasoning                                         -Revelation

            -Anxiety/Pressure                             -Peace

            -Self Centered                                  -God Dependent (Faith)

· Rest comes when overcome inner pressure by faith in God and His Word.

· Enter rest when you believe in your heart what God says and act upon it.

· Enter rest = focus effort on believing not doing.

· Holy Spirit rests on men of peace who have come to rest of faith.

(c) The Rest of Faith Produces Fruitful Works

Titus 2:14 “…..zealous for good works”.

Titus 3:8 “…..be careful to maintain good works”.

Titus 3:14 “Let our people also learn to maintain good works to meet urgent needs that

            they may not be unfruitful”.

Hebrews 4:11 “Let us therefore be diligent to enter that rest (of faith)”.

Diligent = NT4704 = to make effort, labour, study, haste

                               = Key issue is where effort lies:

                                                                         •From contending to get results.

                                                                         •To contending to believe Gods Word

3. Jesus Invitation to Rest

Matthew 11:28-30 The Kingdom of Heaven is not about eating and drinking (law keeping) but

(a) The Invitation to All

· “All who labour and are heavy laden".

Labor = NT2872 = to feel fatigue, wearied, work heavy, troubled.

Heavy Laden = NT5412 = to load up an animal, overburden, heavy cargo.

· Invitation is to all in turmoil in their souls to find rest.

Turmoil of duties, have to’s, laws, anxiety, stress, pressure, intentions.

(b) “Come to Me”

· This is the first of three decisions you need to make – rest is the outcome.

· Connection to a person not a principle – rest is in the person of Jesus.

· Peace/rest is a gift from Him – if it is a gift then it is not a work.

· Centre your focus on Jesus not on storms or pressure of life.

Eg Matthew 14:28-31 Peter walking on water.

While he maintained focus on Jesus not the storm he walked on water.

(c) “Take My Yoke on You”

· “Yoke” = teaching and lifestyle of a Rabbi.

· “Take Yoke” = to become a disciple/follower of Jesus and His lifestyle.

· Jesus was surrounded by turmoil, agendas, hostility, malice but walked in inner peace.

· Jesus rested by listening to directions of the Holy Spirit (John 5:19) and refused the pressures, expectations others placed upon Him.

· Loss of peace = signal to evaluate what is happening and yield to obedience.

(d) “Lean on Me”

· This means to receive instruction in the same way, same attitude – meekness and humility,  disciples did from Master. 

· A process of interaction, questions, enquiries  listen to response.

· A process of gaining insight, wisdom through direct interaction.

· Slow down – stop reading – ask Holy Spirit questions – listen and obey.

Results: “Find rest for souls”.