Hebrews 4:1-16

What is the theme of this chapter?

God's three rests — His creation rest, His Canaan rest, and His redemption rest (Christ!)

What is the key verse(s) of this chapter?  Verse 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. 

What can I apply to my life from this chapter (things to do/avoid)?

I liked Williams' description of verses 12-15; how we as Christians want the Word of God (sword) to cut the sin from our lives, but that that same Word is also sympathetic to our struggles because He was tempted in all ways that we are.  Such a comfort!

Additional observations/questions:

Back to chapter two's question: "Verses 3 and 4 are the hardest verses for me to understand; is the audience unsaved Hebrews or slothful, believing Hebrews?  For now I'm leaning toward unsaved Hebrews, but maybe I'll change my mind as I study more of this book."  Have I come any closer to a conclusion on this?  Maybe the audience is neither.  Maybe it was just Hebrews who had believed Jesus Christ is the Messiah but now needed to understand all that the cross had accomplished, partly because Judaism as a religion (sacrifices, etc) was about to come to an end in 70 AD, but mostly because it was the next step in increasing their understanding.  I think McLean was probably right when he said, "...the book of Romans explains the cross to the body of Christ, Hebrews explains the cross to Israel."

One new question:  Is it necessary that we approach the throne of grace in order to obtain mercy and grace as Ryrie suggested, or do we already have both, as McLean suggested?  A possible answer might be that we always have it, but we don't always make use of it.  So when we go before the throne of grace, perhaps He doesn't dispense it, but rather we access it and put it to use.