_Let us therefore fear_ FEARFUL OF COMING SHORT I. WITH WHAT DOES THE FEAR ENJOINED IN THE TEXT MAINLY CONCERN ITSELF? Now, the apostle cannot mean that we are to fear lest we should come short of heaven for want of merit. There is not a man living who will not come short of heaven if he tries tha... [ Continue Reading ]
_We which have believed do enter into rest_ THE DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERS OF TRUE BELIEVERS 1. A sweet experience declared, “We do enter into rest.” It is an experience of a spiritual and heavenly benefit; whereof Caleb and Joshua’s experience was the type (Joshua 19:1.). And here consider (1) T... [ Continue Reading ]
_To-day_ THE PRESENT Let us take that short division of time--to-day--the now--and consider what is the duty, the preciousness of each passing hour and day. 1. Let us notice that each day has its own gifts. A writer speaks of the hours passing by him like solemn virgins in long and silent processi... [ Continue Reading ]
_If Jesus [Joshua] had given them rest_ DISPARITY BETWEEN JOSHUA AND JESUS 1. The first is in this difference, that Joshua conquered Canaan not only for the people of Israel, but also for himself, that he might have his part and portion with them for him and his posterity (Joshua 19:49). But our... [ Continue Reading ]
_There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God_ THE REST FOR GOD’S PEOPLE I. THE PERSONS FOR WHOM THIS REST IS DESIGNED. “The people of God.” 1. By their eternal election of the Father (Romans 11:5). 2. By complete and final redemption (John 1:29). 3. By perfect righteousness imputed (I... [ Continue Reading ]
_He that is entered into His rest_ ENTRANCE INTO GOD’S REST We lose much of the meaning of this passage by our superficial habit of transferring it to a future state. The ground of the mistake is in the misinterpretation of the word “remaineth”; which is taken to point to the “rest,” after the so... [ Continue Reading ]
_Let us labour therefore to enter_ BELIEVERS LABOURING FOR THEIR REWARD In these words there is, first, an exhortation; second, a motive pressing it. In the exhortation we may consider 1. The dependence of it upon what goes before, intimated in the particle “therefore;“ showing that it is an inf... [ Continue Reading ]
_The Word of God is quick and powerful_ THE WORD A SWORD It may be most accurate to interpret this passage as relating both to the Word of God incarnate, and the Word of God inspired. Christ and His Word must go together. What is true of the Christ is here predicated both of Him and of His Word.... [ Continue Reading ]
_A great High Priest_ OUR GREAT HIGH PRIEST I. PRACTICAL FEATURES OF OUR LORD’S PRIESTHOOD. 1. It is an argument for steadfastness in the Christian life. (1) The fact that Christ is our Priest (Hebrews 4:14). (2) That heaven is the sphere of the exercise of His priesthood. 2. It is an encourag... [ Continue Reading ]
_Touched with the feeling of our infirmities_ THE SYMPATHETIC SAVIOUR I. CHRIST’S POWER OF SYMPATHY ASSERTED. Differences of position and circumstances among men materially affect their power to sympathise with one another. It is a difficult matter, for instance, for those born in palaces and nurtu... [ Continue Reading ]