LETTING GOD GET ON WITH HIS ORIGINAL PLAN

(Dealing with Our Consciences)
MF Blume
September 18, 2011


Hebrews 3:6-12 MKJV  But Christ was faithful as a Son over his own house; whose house we are, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm to the end.  (7)  Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says, "Today if you will hear His voice,  (8)  do not harden your hearts, as in the provocation, in the day of temptation in the wilderness,  (9)  when your fathers tempted Me, proved Me, and saw My works forty years.  (10)  Therefore I was grieved with that generation and said, They always err in their heart, and they have not known My ways.  (11)  So I swore in My wrath, They shall not enter into My rest."  (12)  Take heed, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God.





Last week we started this message and veered off into the details of how mankind was placed in the Garden to rule the world.

Genesis 2:18-20 MKJV  And Jehovah God said, It is not good that the man should be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.  (19)  And out of the ground Jehovah God formed every animal of the field and every fowl of the air, and brought them to Adam to see what he would call them. And whatever Adam called each living creature, that was its name.  (20)  And Adam gave names to all the cattle, and to the birds of the air, and to every animal of the field. But there was not found a suitable helper for Adam.

Why would we read there was not found a  suitable help for Adam amongst the animals if the purpose was not to see if amongst the animals Adam might find a help?

Genesis 2:22-23 MKJV  And Jehovah God made the rib (which He had taken from the man) into a woman. And He brought her to the man.  (23)  And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh. She shall be called Woman because she was taken out of man.  Genesis 2:24 MKJV  Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave to his wife and they shall be one flesh.

Notice the reason a man leaves parents to UNITE with his wife…

Paul picked up on this.

Ephesians 5:25-32 MKJV  Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for it,  (26)  that He might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the Word,  (27)  that He might present it to Himself as the glorious church, without spot or wrinkle or any such things, but that it should be holy and without blemish.  (28)  So men ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself.  (29)  For no man ever yet hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, even as the Lord loves the church.  (30)  For we are members of His body, of His flesh, and of His bones.  (31)  "For this cause a man shall leave his father and mother and shall be joined to his wife, and the two of them shall be one flesh."  (32)  This is a great mystery, but I speak concerning Christ and the church.

Notice verse 32.

Romans 5:14 MKJV  But death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over those who had not sinned in the likeness of the transgression of Adam, who is the type of Him who was to come;

Jesus was not the COPY of Adam, but Paul said ADAM WAS A COPY OF JESUS.

In order for us to ENTER THIS Garden status again, let us understand that this same state is what is also called THE REST.

If we really get to know and believe the WORD OF GOD, we will learn the things that totally defeat the devil’s lies against us.

Look at how the book of HEBREWS deals with this issue.

Hebrews 3 tells us that we are the House of Jesus Christ but this is only true for us under a certain condition.

God is trying to return us to the Garden status of Adam, and the END he is trying to bring us to is that place where we can do his will and HE CAN GET ON WITH HIS PLAN WITH US.

Keep your bible open to Hebrews 3 and compare it with Psalm 95 now.

Psalms 95:1-11 MKJV  Oh come, let us sing to Jehovah; let us make a joyful noise to the Rock of our salvation.  (2)  Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise to Him with psalms.  (3)  For Jehovah is a great God, and a great King above all gods.  (4)  In His hand are the deep places of the earth; the strength of the hills is also His.  (5)  The sea is His, and He made it, and His hands formed the dry land.  (6)  Oh come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before Jehovah our maker.  (7)  For He is our God, and we are the people of His pasture, and the sheep of His hand. Today if you will hear His voice,  (8)  harden not your heart, as in the day of strife, as in the day of testing in the wilderness;  (9)  when your fathers tempted Me, tested Me, and saw My work.  (10)  For forty years I was grieved with this generation, and said, It is a people who go astray in their hearts, and they have not known My ways;  (11)  to whom I swore in My wrath that they should not enter into My rest.

The writer of Hebrews uses this Psalm as if it is talking to us today in the Church IN Hebrews 3:7.

Hebrews 3:6 says we have a CONFIDENCE TO HOLD FIRM TO UNTIL THE END.

Hebrews 4:1-2 MKJV  Therefore, a promise being left to enter into His rest, let us fear lest any of you should seem to come short of it.  (2)  For also we have had the gospel preached, as well as them. But the Word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in those who heard it.

And then something other than the ENTRANCE INTO CANAAN is mentioned.

Hebrews 4:3 MKJV  For we who have believed do enter into the rest, as He said, "I have sworn in My wrath that they should not enter into My rest;" although the works were finished from the foundation of the world.

He mentions works finished from the foundation of the world.

Hebrews 4:4 MKJV  For He spoke in a certain place of the seventh day in this way: "And God rested the seventh day from all His works."

So, he said there is a rest David spoke about FOR US “TODAY”, EVEN THOUGH there was a day of rest God entered into on the seventh day, and even though there was the REST of the land of Canaan.

Then he goes back to Psalm 95:11

Hebrews 4:5 MKJV  And in this place again, "They shall not enter into My rest."

This means Hebrews referred to Canaan and the seventh day BOTH as a former rest, but they are not the rest Hebrews is interested in, and not the rests we need to be concerned with.


Hebrews 4:6-8 MKJV  Since then it remains that some must enter into it, and since they to whom it was first preached did not enter in because of unbelief,  (7)  He again marks out a certain day, saying in David, "Today," (after so long a time). Even as it is said, "Today, if you will hear His voice, harden not your hearts."  (8)  For if Joshua had given them rest, then He would not afterward have spoken of another day.

Some might say that if they did not enter rest of Canaan due to doubt, and died in the wilderness, then when Joshua finally took them in 40 years later, they finally entered this rest.

GOD WANTS US TO GET ON WITH SOMETHING!

He has a purpose for us ONCE WE GET IN THE GARDEN like we are meant to enter.

This REST we are speaking about is a return to GARDEN STATUS.

MSG says it very clearly.

Hebrews 4:6-8 MSG  So this promise has not yet been fulfilled. Those earlier ones never did get to the place of rest because they were disobedient.  (7)  God keeps renewing the promise and setting the date as today, just as he did in David's psalm, centuries later than the original invitation: Today, please listen, don't turn a deaf ear . . .  (8)  And so this is still a live promise. It wasn't canceled at the time of Joshua; otherwise, God wouldn't keep renewing the appointment for "today."

The writer was saying this is the reason the emphasis is being put upon the word TODAY.

Hebrews 4:9 MSG  The promise of "arrival" and "rest" is still there for God's people.

And we read of the SWORD in association with this entrance just as GENESIS, that mentioned the seventh day, had a GARDEN with the sword at the entrance.

Hebrews 4:10-12 MKJV  For he who has entered into his rest, he also has ceased from his own works, as God did from His.  (11)  Therefore let us labor to enter into that rest, lest anyone fall after the same example of unbelief.  (12)  For the Word of God is living and powerful and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing apart of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

Why was HEBREWS called the BOOK OF HEBREWS?

His aim is to show the superiority of Christianity over Judaism, in that it was introduced by one far higher than the angels or Moses, through whom the Jews received the law, and in that its priesthood and sacrifices are far less perfecting as to salvation than those of Christ; that He is the substance of which the former are but the shadow, and that the type necessarily gives place to the antitype; and that now we no longer are kept at a comparative distance as under the law, but have freedom of access through the opened veil, that is, Christ’s flesh; hence he warns them of the danger of apostasy, to which Jewish converts were tempted, when they saw Christians persecuted, while Judaism was tolerated by the Roman authorities.

Hebrews was written to Jews who were having problems with going back into Judaism and salvation BY WORKS.

John 6:27-29 MKJV  Do not labor for the food that perishes, but for that food which endures to everlasting life, which the Son of Man will give you. For God the Father sealed Him.  (28)  Then they said to Him, What shall we do that we might work the works of God?  (29)  Jesus answered and said to them, This is the work of God, that you believe on Him whom He has sent.

Last week we showed how the SWORD of the WORD needs to go to work to CUT OUT THE UNBELIEF in our lives.
When 4:9 mentions a LABOUR to enter rest, it said that AFTER TELLING US TO MIX THE WORD WITH FAITH.

ANY GRAIN OF THOUGHT that says we have to do certain good deeds in this world to be saved is enough to KEEP US OUT.

Now, Romans 6:3 says this is only true for as many of us who have been baptized into Jesus.

Romans 6:3 MKJV  Do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into His death?

The picture in Hebrews is that the book taught all these legalistically-tempted Jews in the Church that they need to cease from their own works of ceremonies and good efforts, and ENTER THE REST.

Here are the scriptures that teach this:

Romans 3:20 MKJV  because by the works of the Law none of all flesh will be justified in His sight; for through the Law is the knowledge of sin.

Galatians 2:16 MKJV  knowing that a man is not justified by works of the Law, but through faith in Jesus Christ; even we believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith in Christ, and not by works of the Law. For all flesh will not be justified by works of law.

Galatians 3:10-13 MKJV  For as many as are out of works of the Law, these are under a curse; for it is written, "Cursed is everyone who does not continue in all things which are written in the Book of the Law, to do them."  (11)  But that no one is justified by the Law in the sight of God is clear, for, "The just shall live by faith."  (12)  But the Law is not of faith; but, "The man who does these things shall live in them."  (13)  Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law, being made a curse for us (for it is written, "Cursed is everyone having been hanged on a tree");

Galatians 5:4 MKJV  you who are justified by Law are deprived of all effect from Christ; you fell from grace.

The Hebrew believers had to know that they will never be good enough through law and doing good works to please God.

Skip ahead to Hebrews 9, and catch the drift of how OLD COVENANT CEREMONIES only ever touched the FLESH – the OUTWARD – and could never PURGE THE CONSCIENCE.

Hebrews 9:8-14 MKJV  the Holy Spirit signifying by this that the way into the Holiest of all was not yet made manifest while the first tabernacle was still standing.  (9)  For it was a figure for the time then present, in which were offered both gifts and sacrifices that could not make him who did the service perfect as regards the conscience,  (10)  which stood only in meats and drinks, and different kinds of washings and fleshly ordinances, imposed on them until the time of reformation.  (NEVER FORGET THIS.  SOME WILL TELL YOU TO KEEP KEEPING ORDINANCES, BUT THEY ARE FLESHLY AND THEY WERE ONLY IMPOSED UNTIL THE TIME OF REFORMATION) (11)  But when Christ had become a high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building  (12)  nor by the blood of goats and calves, but by His own blood He entered once for all into the Holies, having obtained eternal redemption for us.  (13)  For if the blood of bulls and of goats and the ashes of a heifer sprinkling the unclean sanctifies to the purifying of the flesh,  (14)  how much more shall the blood of Christ (who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God) purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?

Hebrews 9:8-10 MSG  This was the Holy Spirit's way of showing with a visible parable that as long as the large tent stands, people can't just walk in on God.  (9)  Under this system, the gifts and sacrifices can't really get to the heart of the matter, can't assuage the conscience of the people,  (10)  but are limited to matters of ritual and behavior. It's essentially a temporary arrangement until a complete overhaul could be made.

The truth of the blood of Jesus will knock out your ideas and concerns for good works to please God.



Hebrews 9:22 MKJV  And almost all things are by the law purged with blood, and without shedding of blood is no remission.

ALMOST ALL… BUT NOT THE CONSCIENCE.

We are talking about ENTRANCE INTO REST.

You cannot rest if you feel guilty before God.

The confidence we need to hold firm to until the end comes when OUR CONSCIENCES ARE PURGED.

Hebrews 6:18-20 MKJV  so that by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us,  (19)  which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which enters into that within the veil,  (20)  where the Forerunner has entered for us, even Jesus, having become a high priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.

Hebrews tells us that we need to enter into the most holy presence of God.

Hebrews 10:16-22 MKJV  "This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, says the Lord; I will put My Laws into their hearts, and in their minds I will write them,"  (17)  also He adds, "their sins and their iniquities I will remember no more."  (18)  Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin.  (19)  Therefore, brothers, having boldness to enter into the Holy of Holies by the blood of Jesus,  (20)  by a new and living way which He has consecrated for us through the veil, that is to say, His flesh;  (21)  and having a High Priest over the house of God,  (22)  let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies having been washed with pure water.

It is in dealing with cutting off all the sins of our lives and REMITTING THEM.

Jeremiah 31:31-34 MKJV  Behold, the days come, says Jehovah, that I will cut a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah,  (32)  not according to the covenant that I cut with their fathers in the day I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which covenant of Mine they broke, although I was a husband to them, says Jehovah;  (33)  but this shall be the covenant that I will cut with the house of Israel: After those days, says Jehovah, I will put My Law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people.  (34)  And they shall no more teach each man his neighbor and each man his brother, saying, Know Jehovah; for they shall all know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of them, says Jehovah. For I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sins no more.



Notice Hebrews 10:21 adds the idea that we have a high priest as another reason for us to enter boldly.

Hebrews 4:12-16 MKJV  For the Word of God is living and powerful and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing apart of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.  (13)  Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in His sight, but all things are naked and opened to the eyes of Him with whom we have to do.  (14)  Since then we have a great High Priest who has passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.  (15)  For we do not have a high priest who cannot be touched with the feelings of our infirmities, but was in all points tempted just as we are, yet without sin.  (16)  Therefore let us come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

It says the same thing as chapter 10.

When you are not getting the revelation of the cross, you feel inadequate, and may not even know what is your problem but you’re convinced you cannot be good enough.

If there is ANYTHING you think you need to do in order to solve the nagging problem that God is not quite pleased with you, other than the plan of salvation itself that gets us into this life, THEN YOU ARE LEGALISTIC and YOUR CONSCIENCE IS DEFILED.