Lesson Five: We Are Striving Way Too Much — REST

📅 Date: December 28, 2025

📖 Text: Hebrews 4:9–11; 14–16

KEY SCRIPTURE

Hebrews 4:9–11

“There remains therefore a rest for the people of God… Let us therefore be diligent to enter that rest…”

Hebrews 4:14–16

“Let us come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”

MAIN IDEA:

We were never called to strive. In Christ, our starting place is REST — not performance, pressure, or proving. We don’t work for rest… we work from it.

I. JESUS SETTLED WHAT WE STRIVE TO PRODUCE

• Christ’s finished work makes the throne a place of grace, not fear.

• Through Him, we have legal access to rest, mercy, and empowerment.

🗝️ Striving = attempting through effort what Christ already secured.

We strive when we try to:

• Earn peace

• Prove righteousness

• Secure identity

• Perform for approval

II. STRIVING REVEALS FRAGILE IDENTITY

Ways striving shows up:

• Competing with others instead of completing each other

• Seeking visibility for validation

• People-pleasing to avoid rejection

• Withdrawing when we feel overlooked

• Comparing ourselves to measure worth

• Serving in ministry from insecurity instead of sonship

Striving = misplaced identity

When our worth isn’t rooted in Christ, we begin performing to be accepted.

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III. THIS IS A MISSIONAL PROBLEM, NOT JUST A PERSONAL ONE

Striving damages:

• Our unity

• Our witness

• Our mission as the Body of Christ

Our enemy exploits ignorance just as much as he exploits our flesh.

IV. OUR IDENTITY IS HIDDEN IN CHRIST

Colossians 3:3 – “Your life is hidden with Christ in God.”

→ Hidden = protected, preserved, covered by covenant.

Colossians 2:6–10 – We walk rooted, built up, and complete in Him.

V. SABBATH REST: A KINGDOM PRINCIPLE

Rest Was God’s Idea Before Man Ever Worked

Genesis 2:2-3 – Adam’s first day was God’s rest day.

→ We are created to work from rest, not strive for it.

Sabbath Means:

1. Dwelling in God’s Presence

2. Trusting in His Provision

3. Abiding in Covenant Relationship

VI. REST IS A PERSON — NOT JUST A PRACTICE

Matthew 11:28-29 – “Come to Me… I will give you rest.”

Colossians 2:16–17 – Sabbath is a shadow. Christ is the substance.

VII. WHAT IS THIS REST?

Hebrews 4:10 – “Ceased from his works…”

Hebrews 4:11 – “Be diligent to enter that rest…”

Biblical Rest Means:

1. Ceasing from striving

2. Trusting God’s covenant promises

3. Abiding in Christ daily

4. Approaching the throne without fear

CONNECTION TO LAST WEEK:

• “Seek those things above…” = Relentless pursuit of Kingdom realities

• “Set your mind…” = Adopt a Kingdom disposition

• Walk, live, think, and pray from union, not unrest

FINAL REMINDER:

We are not laboring to earn a position —

We are living from our position in Christ.

REST is not inactivity — it is Spirit-led activity from a place of trust, identity, and covenant.

MEMORY VERSE:

Hebrews 4:16 – “Let us come boldly to the throne of grace…”