Day 7: God "Rested" from His Finished Work (Gen. 2:1-3)

Day 7: God "Rested" from His Finished Work (Gen. 2:1-3)      

1. The Pattern of Rest
2. The Path of Rest
3. The Promise of Rest

Summary: Everything in creation that we have consider thus far has been building up to Day 7, the day when God said that he "rested" from his finished work.  God set a pattern in Gen. 2:1-3 that would be returned to again and again as the story of the Bible unfolds.  The pattern of God finishing his work, resting from his work, making the seventh day a special day all on a day that seems to have no end sets us on a path for rest that we find out leads to a Person, Jesus Christ, who can provide real and lasting rest.  So a rest still remains for the people of God.  This rest is promised to the people of God.  It is a rest that we are to look forward to and strive to enter by persevering in faith. 

Main Point:  We must persevere in faith by looking back on what Jesus has done (his finished work on the cross) and looking forward to what he promises to do (provide full and final rest).

Discussion Questions:

• Read Gen. 2:1-3 and identify these four features of the patter of rest: God finished his work, God "rested" from his work, God made the seventh day a special day, and God's rest is an unending rest.  
• What refrain is absent on Day 7 that signaled the completion of Days 1-6? What is the significance of this omission?
• Where does the path of rest lead us? (See Matt. 11:28-30)
• Is there a future rest promised for Christians? Explain. (See Hebrews 3:7-4:13, esp. 4:8-9)
• How should Christians who are no longer under the Law seek to honor the pre-fall pattern modeled by God in Gen. 2:1-3?  What is the significance of the New Testament pattern of Christians meeting on the Lord's Day (i.e. Sunday, or the first day of the week)? 

Application Questions:

• Am I making good use of the gift of rest that God has modeled for me and has given to me for my refreshment?
• From what I learned in this sermon, how can I best persevere in faith

Prayer Points:

• Praise God for the finished work of Christ and how it has secured ultimate rest for us
• Praise God for the promise of future rest from our labors that we get to look forward to
• Ask God to help us make good use of the weekly rhythm of rest that God has modeled for us and given to us for our refreshment 
• Ask God to help us persevere in faith by looking back on the finished work of Christ and looking forward to to future rest

The Promised Priest (Psalm 110:4)

Outline: The Promised Prophet

1. The Shadow: Melchizedek
2. The Reality: Jesus Christ

Summary:  As Christians we recognize that Jesus came to us not only as the Son of God but as the promised Son of God.  Last week we considered Jesus as the promised Prophet.  This week we meditate on Jesus as the promised Priest.  And, as we meditate, we learn that Jesus is of an order that is completely different than that of the Old Testament levitical priesthood.  For Jesus is a high priest "after the order of Melchizedek."  Melchizedek, as a "priest of God Most High," was a type, a picture, a shadow of the ultimate and greatest high priest, Jesus Christ.

Main Point:  The high priesthood foreshadowed in Melchizedek is brought to reality in Jesus.

Discussion Questions:

• Review: the whole Old Testament is ultimately about ____ ? (cf. Luke 24:25-27,44)
• In Gen. 14:17-20, what can we learn about the rather mysterious person named Melchizedek?
• What does Psalm 110, especially v.4, teach us about the coming Messiah?
• Read Hebrews 5:1-10; 6:13-20; 7:1-28.  How does the writer of Hebrews seek to establish the legitimacy of Jesus' high priesthood?
• As new covenant believers, what blessings and benefits do we get to enjoy and celebrate since we have Jesus as our great high priest? (It will be helpful to read and meditate on the following passages as you answer this question: Hebrews 2:14-18; 4:14-16; 7:25-27; 9:11-14).  

Application Questions:

• Have I been confidently drawing near to the throne of grace to find mercy and help (cf. Heb. 4:16)? Why or why not?
• What blessing of having Jesus as my high priest is particularly impactful right now? Explain.

Prayer Points:

• Praise Jesus for His perfect, once-and-for-all sacrifice that made it possible for us to enter confidently into God's holy presence
• Praise Jesus for being a faithful and sympathetic high priest who speaks to God on our behalf
• Confess ways you have been slow to draw near to the throne of grace to find mercy and help when your sympathetic high priest sits there so able and willing to help you
• Ask God to grow your understanding of what it means for Jesus to be our great high priest and for a stronger confidence to more readily draw near to Him for mercy and grace. 

The Promised Prophet (Deut. 18:15-19)

Outline: The Promised Prophet

1. Promise 
2. Fulfillment 

Summary:  As Christians we recognize that Jesus came to us not only as the Son of God but as the promised Son of God.  We believe that Jesus' arrival came after hundreds of years of anticipation.  Therefore, Jesus' arrival is a breathtaking testimony of God's faithfulness in fulfilling the promises He made.  Among those promises was the promise to send a prophet like Moses.  God fulfilled this promise when He sent One final prophet, One who is greater than Moses, One whose words all people are called to heed, One who would lead His people into the Promised Land.  Jesus Christ is the Prophet we've been waiting for.

Main Point:  Jesus is the promised Prophet spoken of long ago.

Discussion Questions:

• What do we learn about how we should read the Old Testament from Luke 24:25-27,44?
• Define what a prophet is from Deut. 18:18-19.
• What do we learn about the promised Prophet from Deut. 18:15-19 & Deut. 34:9-12? 
• Read John 1:20.  What were people even in Jesus' day expecting?
• What do Acts 3:22-26 & Acts 7:27, 51-52 teach us about the identity of the promised Prophet?
• What does Heb. 1:1-2 teach us about how Jesus relates to the prophets who came before Him?
• How does Matt. 17:1-13, Jesus' transfiguration, show Jesus' superiority over all other prophets?
• "Jesus is greater than Moses."  While statements like this were fighting words to many Jews in Jesus' day, they are good news to all Christians today.  Why?

Application Questions:

• How aware am I that Jesus is the fulfillment of hundreds of years of God's promises?  How should the fact that Jesus came make me think about and feel toward God?
• How should I respond to Jesus knowing that He is the promised Prophet?

Prayer Points:

• Praise Jesus for all the ways He is greater than Moses 
• Praise Jesus for being the one who can change our hearts and lead us into the Promised Land
• Confess ways you have not been heeding the words of Jesus, God's promised Prophet
• Ask God to help you listen more carefully and wholeheartedly to His Son, the promised Prophet

The Letter to the Church in Philadelphia (Rev. 3:7-13)

Outline: The Letter to the Church in Philadelphia (Revelation 3:7-13)

1. Affirmation (v.8)
2. Earth-bound promises (vv.9-10)
3. Exhortation (v.11)
4. Heaven-bound Promise (vv.12-13)

Summary:  We now focus our study on Jesus' letter to the church in Philadelphia.  Philadelphia, like Smyrna, was a healthy church.  Therefore, Jesus did not speak words of rebuke, correction, and warning but words of affirmation followed by promises that were designed to encouraged and inspire them to stay their faithful course.  Jesus promised to help them triumph and endure the sufferings of this life and to lavish blessing on them in the next life if they conquer, that is, if they continue in patient endurance to the end.         

Main Point:  All churches and Christians are called to conquer, that is, to patiently endure suffering and trials though faith-filled obedience to Jesus.

Discussion Questions:

• Is v.7b an accurate, one-sentence summary of John's vision of Jesus in 1:12-20? Explain. 
• What is the church of Philadelphia affirmed for in v.8?
• What is the relationship between keeping Jesus' word and not denying Jesus' name?
• How is it possible that Philadelphia had "little power" yet was considered a healthy church?
• What earth-bound promises did Jesus give (vv.9-10)? What effect are they meant to have?
• Jesus exhorted Philadelphia (v.11)? Why do even healthy churches/Christians need such exhortations?
• What heaven-bound promises did Jesus give (vv.12-13)? What effect are they meant to have?
• What promise is particularly meaningful to you right now and how might you use it as motivation to patiently endure in the midst of your present circumstances?
• What form does conquering take in the first five churches? How about for Philadelphia?

Application Questions:

• What am I clinging to in order to make it through? What does this reveal about my heart?
• How am I obeying God's word in the midsts of my circumstances? 
• What is it going to take for me to patiently endure to the end?
• How is my weakness an opportunity for God to show His power? (cf. 2 Cor. 12:9-10)
• What brother or sister is currently in special need of endurance? What can I do to encourage them? 

Prayer Points:

• Praise Jesus for using His loving authority to open and keep open the door of salvation to us
• Praise Jesus for His power and acknowledge His ability help us endure in the midst of trials
• Ask God to help us not be disheartened by our weakness but to trust all the more in His power 

The Letter to the Church in Sardis (Rev. 3:1-6)

Outline: The Letter to the Church in Sardis (Revelation 3:1-6)

1. Rebuke (vv.1-2)
2. Correction (vv.2a, 3a)
3. Warning (v.3b)
4. Promise (vv.4-5)

Summary:  We now focus our study on Jesus' letter to the church in Sardis.  From man's perspective, the church in Sardis was a success, but, for God's perspective, they were spiritually sluggish and therefore in great need of a wake up call.  In fact, Jesus said that they were spiritually "dead" and that their works fell shamefully short of what God expects His redeemed people.  And, while there were some happy exceptions who had not "soiled their garments" with sluggish devotion (v.4), Jesus clearly desires every Christian and every church to conquer their spiritual sloth, to be fully alive and genuinely awake in the eyes of God.

Main Point: All churches and Christians are called to conquer their tendency to spiritual sloth by actively remembering and obeying God's word.  

Discussion Questions:

• Is it possible for a Christian and/or church to not have much by way of outward or obvious sins and yet still be in a seriously unhealthy spiritual state? Explain.
• Why does Jesus rebuke the church in Sardis? (vv.1-2)
• What is the differences between sins of omission and sins of commission? (For extra study on on sins of omission see James 4:17; Rom. 7:14-20; Lk. 10:30-37; Matt. 25:31-46).
• What steps does Jesus give to correct and conquer the tendency to spiritual sloth? (v.2a, v.3a)
• What can people expect from Jesus if they do not conquer their spiritual sloth? (v.3b)
• What promises are made to those who do conquer their spiritual sloth? (vv.4-5)

Application Questions:

• Am I spiritually awake or spiritually sleepy? Explain.
• What are things that I know God would have me doing that I am failing to do?  
• How important is it to God that I live an active and obedient life marked by good works as opposed to merely avoiding doing bad things? 
• What changes should I make or what strategies should I employ in order to conquer my tendency to be spiritually lazy?
• How can we believers help one another stay spiritually awake on our journey to heaven?

Prayer Points:

• Praise Jesus for securing our acceptance before God by His active obedience to the Father
• Praise Jesus for this merciful wake up call
• Ask God to help you say no to temptation AND live a life of Christ-like, active obedience

The Letter to the Church in Thyatira

Outline: The Letter to the Church in Thyatira (Revelation 2:18-29)

1. Affirmation (v.19)
2. Rebuke (vv.20-21)
3. Warning (v.22-23, 29)
4. Promise (vv.24-28)

Summary:  We now focus our study on Jesus' letter to the church in Thyatira.  While affirmed for their continued growth in love and faith and service and endurace, Thyatira was rebuked for tolerating a false teacher, "Jezebel," whose seductive teachings have lead some church members into great moral compromise.  Therefore, Jesus warned them (and all churches) that He searches minds and hearts and will exercise His authority to repay every person according to what they actually deserve (vv.18,23).  On a brighter note, Jesus acknowledges that, in spite of "Jezebel's" influence, there were some in the church in Thyatira that did not embrace her teaching nor practice her works (just as there were seven thousand in Elijah's day that resisted her influence by refusing to bow the knee to Baal).  It is those who hold fast to Jesus' teachings and embrace His works to the end who will receive the promise.    

Main Point: All churches and christians are called to conquer by resisting false teachings and deceitful influences that cause one to stray from faithfully following Jesus.

Discussion Questions:

• What effect should the words "I know" have on the church in Thyatira? (v.18)
• What is Thyatira affirmed for? (v.19) How does this compare with Ephesus? (2:4) 
• What is Thyatira rebuked for (vv.20-21)? 
• Why did Jesus call the false teacher(s) in Thyatira "Jezebel"? What dots were they to connect?
• Background study: Read 1 Kings 16-21; 2 Kings 9:21-37.  Who is Jezebel? What does she do?What effect does her influence have on Israel?  How do things turn out for her in the end?
• How does the character, actions, influence, and demise of the Jezebel of the Old Testament   serve as a warning to all churches? 
• What will Jesus do to those who embrace Jezebel's teaching and practice her works? (vv.22-23)
• What does Jesus promise those who embrace His teachings and practice His works? (vv.24-28) 

Application Questions:

• What past or present teachings or influences have pulled or currently pull me away from God? 
• What would it look like for me to resist those influences in order to stay faithful to Jesus?
• Take time to dream about the honor it will be to reign with Christ. 
• Is there a brother or sister in my life who is wandering from the truth? If so, what actions should I take to help bring them back?

Prayer Points:

• Praise Jesus for proving who He is so that I can know with confidence I follow the real God
• Praise Jesus for his long-suffering, His patience willingness to receive those who repent
• Ask God to help you, by the power of the Holy Spirit, to resist any teachings or influences that would draw your heart away from Him
• Ask God for wisdom as to how to lovingly help bring others back from their wanderings 

The Letter to the Church in Pergamum (Rev. 2:12-17)

Outline: The Letter to the Church in Pergamum (Revelation 2:12-17)

1. Affirmation (v.13)
2. Rebukes (vv.14-15)
3. Correction (v.16a)
4. Warning (vv.16b)
5. Promises (v.17)

Summary: We now focus our study on Jesus' letter to the church in Pergamum.  While affirmed for clinging to Jesus in the face of persecution, Pergamum was sharply rebuked for the fact that some among them were compromising both in terms of lifestyle and doctrine.  These compromises, like all compromises, start to become a stumbling block to others within the church and dim the overall witness of the church.  Therefore, Jesus calls the church to repent, to turn away from all such compromises lest He war against them with the sword of His mouth.  

Main Point: Jesus calls all churches and all christians to conquer, to express loyalty to Him by rejecting all forms of compromise.

Discussion Questions:

• What effect should the words "I know" have on the church in Pergamum? (v.13)
• What is significant about "Satan's throne" being in the place were Pergamum is? (v.13) 
• What is Pergamum affirmed for? (v.13) How might this encourage and spur on other churches? 
• What is Pergamum rebuked for (vv.14-15)? 
• Read Num. 31:16 and 25:1-9 (cf. Num. 22-25).  How should this OT event regarding Balaam's advice and Israel's rebellion serve as a warning to churches? 
• Why did Jesus call the entire church to repent when only "some" were compromising? (v.16a)
• What will Jesus do to those within the church if they do not repent (v.16b)?
• What promises does Jesus set before those who reject all forms of compromise and follow Him faithfully? (v.17)

Application Questions:

• How loyal am I to Jesus?
• What compromises am I currently making or am I tempted to make? What would repentance look like for me?  In other words, what must I do to heed Jesus' warning?
• Am I aware of compromises in the lives of others in the church that need to be addressed? Make a plan for how to address them biblically.
• How can Jesus' promises of hidden manna and a white stone spur me on to greater faithfulness?

Prayer Points:

• Praise God for the promise of hidden manna to sustain us throughout this life and for the white stone inviting us to enjoy the life to come 
• Thank Jesus for loving us enough to warn us against dangerous compromises that can plague us spiritually
• Ask God to help you, by the power of the Holy Spirit, to conquer any compromises you currently face and to become a more loyal follower of Jesus
• Ask God for wisdom as to how to best address any compromises that you see in the lives of your brothers and sisters at FBC

The Letter to the Church in Smyrna (Rev. 2:8-11)

Outline: The Letter to the Church in Smyrna (Revelation 2:8-11)

1. Comfort (vv.8-9)
2. Instruction (v.10a)
3. Encouragement (vv.10b-11)

Summary: We now focus our study on Jesus' letter to the church in Smyrna.  Smyrna, unlike Ephesus, was a healthy church, which is why rebuke, correction, and warning are absent from this letter.  But to say that Smyrna was a healthy church does not mean that life was easy for them. Rather, the believers in Smyrna were well acquainted with pain, poverty, and persecution and Jesus, the One walks among His lampstands (1:12-20), was totally aware of their circumstances.  Therefore, in this letter, Jesus' comfort, instruction, and encouragement was designed to help them conquer, that is, to remain faithful in the midst of their circumstances, no matter the cost.   

Main Point: Jesus calls all churches and all christians to conquer, to remain faithful to Him in the midst of our circumstances, no matter the cost.  

Discussion Questions:

• What circumstances was the church in Smyrna experiencing? (vv.9-10)
• Should the fact that Jesus is present with the church in Smyrna and intimately aware of all their circumstances be a terrifying or comforting reality for them? Explain.  
• How does Jesus comfort the church in Smyrna? (v.9; Hint: "I know ____")
• What instruction must Smyrna heed in the midst of their trying circumstances? (v.10a)
• What does the phrase "ten days" symbolize? How should it impact the church in Smyrna?
•  What promises does Jesus seek to encourage the church with?  (vv.10-11) What conditions are attached to those promises?

Application Questions:

• What trials am I currently experiencing?  And how am I responding to such trials?
• How should Jesus' presence with me and intimate knowledge of all that I am going through serve to comfort me? 
• How am I doing in terms of heeding Jesus' instructions to not fear future trials and to remain faithful no matter how hard things get?  
• If faithfulness to Jesus meant dying for my faith, would I be willing to do so? How can I live now that would prepare my heart to make such a sacrifice?
• How should the promise of being awarded the crown of life and being protected from the second death serve to fuel my present faithfulness to Jesus? 
• What fellow believers can I comfort and encourage with these truths?

Prayer Points:

• Acknowledge that Jesus is present with you and intimately aware of all your circumstances
• Praise Jesus for being a Savior can sympathize with you in the midst of all your trials
• Ask God to help you to conquer, to be faithful in the midst of your trials, no matter the cost
• Ask the Holy Spirit to help you run to win the crown of life and dodge the second death
• Ask God to help your brothers and sisters at FBC to remain faithful through trial so that, as a church, our witness would be strong and bright for the glory of Christ