A Promised Place of Rest
Believers must trust in God's promise and choose obedience to avoid the consequences of unbelief and find a place of rest.
David Wilkerson emphasizes the importance of obedience and faith in his sermon 'A Promised Place of Rest,' drawing from Moses' farewell messages in Deuteronomy. He reflects on the history of the Israelites, who, despite being chosen by God, succumbed to unbelief and lost their vision, leading to their exclusion from the Promised Land. Wilkerson warns that this message is relevant for all generations, including today's believers, urging them to heed the dangers of disobedience and the consequences of their choices. He reassures that, like the Israelites, believers have a promise of rest and unshakeable faith awaiting them if they trust in the Lord. The sermon calls for a renewed commitment to faith and obedience to experience God's promised rest.
Text
The entire book of Deuteronomy consists of a series of farewell messages by Moses, addressed to those who survived forty years of wilderness wandering and were destined to possess the land of promise. He reminds the new generation of the importance of obedience.
"You know your fathers' history. They were a people called, chosen and anointed by God but they lost the vision. The Lord loved them so much that he bore them up in his arms and carried them, time after time. Yet over and over they murmured against him, grieving him."
Moses goes on, "Finally, God's patience came to an end. He saw that they were committed to unbelief and there was nothing he could do to change their minds. Their hearts were like granite, so God told them, 'Not one of you is going to enter my Promised Land. Instead, you are going to turn around now and go back into the wilderness.'"
What powerful words. Yet, Moses was not speaking just to a new generation of Israelites but to every generation of believers that followed, including us today. Like other Old Testament accounts, this one was written "for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages have come" (1 Corinthians 10:11).
Moses was showing us the danger of unbelief. He warned that unless we take heed, we will suffer the same consequences as fell upon those before us: "Lest anyone fall according to the same example of disobedience" (Hebrews 4:11).
Many believers today have let Satan convince them that they are not good enough, that God is still mad at them for past sins but, as with Israel, your choices will determine the course of your remaining years.
You have a promise awaiting you, just as there was for Israel: "There remains therefore a rest for the people of God" (Hebrews 4:9). The Lord saved you to bring you into a place of rest, a place of unshakeable faith and confidence in the Lord. Trust him for it!
Sermon Outline
- The Importance of Obedience
- The Danger of Unbelief
- A Promised Place of Rest
- Trust in God's Promise
- Choose to trust God despite past sins or doubts
- God's promise awaits those who trust in Him
Key Quotes
“You know your fathers' history. They were a people called, chosen and anointed by God but they lost the vision. The Lord loved them so much that he bore them up in his arms and carried them, time after time. Yet over and over they murmured against him, grieving him.” — David Wilkerson
“Lest anyone fall according to the same example of disobedience” — David Wilkerson
“There remains therefore a rest for the people of God” — David Wilkerson
Application Points
- Choose to trust God despite past sins or doubts and find a place of rest.
- Recognize the danger of unbelief and the consequences of disobedience.
- Trust in God's promise and have faith in His ability to bring you into a place of rest.