THE GOD-CENTERED LIFE AND REST
MCCH Biblical Rest Retreat
Friday (April 5, 2024)
SESSION OUTLINE
A study of the book of Hebrews on the subject of rest.
What is the God-centered Life?
Why do we need the God-centered life to experience rest in God?
How do we live the God-centered life to enjoy God’s rest?
WHAT IS THE GOD-CENTERED LIFE?�
11 Therefore let us be diligent to enter that rest, so that no one will fall, through following the same example of disobedience.
12For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
13 And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are open and laid bare to the eyes of Him with whom we have to do. (Hebrews 4:11–13, NASB).
WHAT IS THE GOD-CENTERED LIFE?�
2. A God-centered Life is reliant on Christ as High Priest for ones salvation.
14 Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession.
15 For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin.
16 Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. (Hebrews 4:14–16, NASB).
WHAT IS THE GOD-CENTERED LIFE?�
2. A God-centered Life is reliant on Christ as High Priest for one’s salvation.
7 In the days of His flesh, aHe offered up both prayers and supplications with loud crying and tears to the One able to save Him from death, and He was heard because of His piety.
8 Although He was a Son, He learned obedience from the things which He suffered.
9 And having been made perfect, He became to all those who obey Him the source of eternal salvation, (Hebrews 5:7–9, NASB)
WHAT IS THE GOD-CENTERED LIFE?�
3. A God-centered Life is living a holy life that enjoys intimacy with God.
21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God,
22 let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.
23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful;
(Hebrews 10:21-23, NASB)
WHAT IS THE GOD-CENTERED LIFE?�
4. A God-centered Life is a fruit of being of a community that love one another.
24 and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds,
25 not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near. (Hebrews 10:19–25, NASB)
WHY DO WE NEED THE GOD-CENTERED LIFE TO EXPERIENCE REST IN GOD?
1. We cannot enjoy rest found in obeying God.
Therefore let us be diligent to enter that rest, so that no one will fall, through following the same example of disobedience.
(Hebrews 4:11)
WHY DO WE NEED THE GOD-CENTERED LIFE TO EXPERIENCE REST IN GOD?
2. Our thoughts and intention of our hearts can be under the control of the evil one.
12 For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
4 for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses.
5 We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ,
Hebrews 4:12, 2 Corinthians 10:4,5
WHY DO WE NEED THE GOD-CENTERED LIFE TO EXPERIENCE REST IN GOD?
3. We will miss out on Christ’s priestly ministry of sympathy, mercy and grace, intercessions
15 For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin.
16 Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. (Hebrews 4:15,16 NASB ).
7 In the days of His flesh, aHe offered up both prayers and supplications with loud crying and tears to the One able to save Him from death, and He was heard because of His piety.
(Hebrews 5:7 NASB)
HOW DO WE LIVE THE GOD-CENTERED LIFE TO ENJOY GOD’S REST?
SELF-EXAMINATION� 1. What are some spiritual disciplines that you are practicing consistently that allow you to draw near to God and to other faithful disciples of Christ?
HOW DO WE LIVE THE GOD-CENTERED LIFE TO ENJOY GOD’S REST?
SELF-EXAMINATION� 2. At BRR ("The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry") we have learned the following spiritual disciplines:
Rate yourself on a scale of 0-10 (0-extremely poor to 10-excellent) according to consistency and benefits experienced.
� Silence and Solitude
� Sabbath
� Simplicity
� Slowing�
HOW DO WE LIVE THE GOD-CENTERED LIFE TO ENJOY GOD’S REST?
ACTION STEPS TO TAKE� After rating yourself list down ways you can :�1.Improve your practice of one discipline.
Goal/s
Plan
�
HOW DO WE LIVE THE GOD-CENTERED LIFE TO ENJOY GOD’S REST?
ACTION STEPS TO TAKE
�2. Remove Hindrances to practice or improve your practice of certain disciplines.
Drivenness- is so determined to achieve something or be successful that all behavior is
directed toward this aim.
Callousness or Apathetic-lack of concern for others
Legalism- feels good when others fail.
Minimalism- feels good being viewed by others as being law compliant.
Others
HOW DO WE LIVE THE GOD-CENTERED LIFE TO ENJOY GOD’S REST?
ACTION STEPS TO TAKE
�3. How can God and other committed Christians help you to carry out items 1 and 2?