Embracing Rest: A Divine Model for Life
Summary
### Summary
Today, we gathered to celebrate and support our local educators and students as they prepare for the new school year. We acknowledged the generosity of our congregation in donating socks, shoes, and funds to LaPorte Elementary, and we encouraged further contributions to support local schools. We also announced a prayer walk for our schools and discussed the importance of community involvement in education.
We then transitioned to our ongoing series on the book of Genesis, focusing on the significance of rest as modeled by God in the creation story. Genesis 2:1-3 describes how God completed His work and rested on the seventh day, making it holy. This act of rest is not because God needed it, but as a model for us. We explored the concept of "inclusio," a literary device that frames the creation narrative, emphasizing that rest is an integral part of the creation process.
We delved into the rhythm of creation, noting that each day of creation followed a pattern: God spoke, it happened, it was good, and the day was marked. This rhythm extends to our lives, where rest is essential for maintaining balance and well-being. True rest, as described in the Bible, is not merely the absence of work but involves doing what brings joy and refreshment. Jesus offers the ultimate rest, freeing us from the impossible demands of earning our way into heaven.
We discussed the cultural challenges that make it difficult to rest and the importance of reclaiming the Sabbath as a day of holiness and rest. Resting consistently builds rhythm in life, allowing us to recover physically, emotionally, and spiritually. We are encouraged to take control of our schedules, prioritize rest, and model this practice for our children.
### Key Takeaways
1. The Importance of Rest in Creation: God's rest on the seventh day signifies the completion of creation. This rest is not because God needed it, but to model the importance of rest for us. Rest is an integral part of the creation process, emphasizing that our work is not complete without it. [37:17]
2. Rhythms of Life: The creation narrative in Genesis follows a rhythmic pattern that extends to our lives. Each day of creation had a specific order, and this rhythm is essential for maintaining balance in our daily lives. We need to establish rhythms in our days, weeks, and years to ensure we are living a balanced and healthy life. [45:15]
3. True Rest is Found in Jesus: Jesus offers the ultimate rest, freeing us from the impossible demands of earning our way into heaven. True rest involves ceasing from our labors and trusting in the finished work of Christ. This rest is not just physical but also spiritual, providing deep and lasting peace. [48:16]
4. Cultural Challenges to Rest: Our culture often values productivity over rest, making it difficult to take time off without feeling guilty. However, rest is essential for our well-being. We need to reclaim the Sabbath as a day of rest and holiness, doing what brings us joy and refreshment. [46:16]
5. Taking Control of Our Schedules: We are the masters of our schedules, and we need to take control of them to ensure we are getting the rest we need. This involves setting boundaries and prioritizing rest, even in the midst of busy lives. By doing so, we can model this practice for our children and experience the blessings of a balanced life. [01:01:22]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[25:26] - Celebrating Our Teachers
[26:15] - Generosity and Donations
[26:54] - Fundraising for Schools
[28:08] - Prayer Walk Announcement
[30:13] - Bylaws Committee Update
[32:00] - Prayer for Educators and Students
[34:24] - Introduction to Genesis Series
[36:19] - The Significance of Rest
[37:17] - Deep Dive into Genesis 2:1-3
[40:00] - The Rhythm of Creation
[45:15] - Establishing Rhythms in Life
[48:16] - True Rest in Jesus
[46:16] - Cultural Challenges to Rest
[01:01:22] - Taking Control of Our Schedules
[59:38] - Making Rest Holy
[01:01:22] - Final Prayer and Blessing
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Genesis 2:1-3: "Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them. And on the seventh day God finished his work that he had done, and he rested on the seventh day from all his work that he had done. So God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it God rested from all his work that he had done in creation."
2. Matthew 11:28: "Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest."
3. Hebrews 4:3, 10: "For we who have believed enter that rest... for whoever has entered God's rest has also rested from his works as God did from his."
#### Observation Questions
1. What did God do on the seventh day according to Genesis 2:1-3?
2. How does Jesus describe the rest He offers in Matthew 11:28?
3. According to Hebrews 4:3, 10, what does it mean to enter God's rest?
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why is the concept of rest significant in the creation story, and how does it relate to the completion of creation? ([37:17])
2. How does the rhythm of creation in Genesis reflect the need for balance and rest in our daily lives? ([45:15])
3. What does it mean that true rest is found in Jesus, and how does this differ from physical rest? ([48:16])
4. How do cultural challenges impact our ability to rest, and what steps can we take to reclaim the Sabbath as a day of holiness and rest? ([46:16])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your current weekly schedule. Are you intentionally setting aside a day for rest? If not, what changes can you make to prioritize rest? ([01:01:22])
2. Think about the activities that bring you joy and refreshment. How can you incorporate these into your Sabbath to make it a day of true rest? ([50:59])
3. In what ways can you model the practice of rest for your children or those around you? ([01:01:22])
4. Identify one cultural challenge that makes it difficult for you to rest. What practical steps can you take to overcome this challenge? ([46:16])
5. How can you ensure that your rest is not just physical but also spiritual, providing deep and lasting peace? ([48:16])
6. Discuss a time when you felt guilty for taking a break. How can you shift your mindset to see rest as a necessary and holy part of life? ([46:16])
7. What specific actions can you take this week to reclaim the Sabbath as a day of holiness and rest, focusing on your relationship with God? ([59:38])
Devotional
Day 1: The Importance of Rest in Creation
God's rest on the seventh day signifies the completion of creation. This rest is not because God needed it, but to model the importance of rest for us. Rest is an integral part of the creation process, emphasizing that our work is not complete without it. [37:17]
Genesis 2:1-3 (ESV): "Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them. And on the seventh day God finished his work that he had done, and he rested on the seventh day from all his work that he had done. So God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it God rested from all his work that he had done in creation."
Reflection: How can you intentionally incorporate a period of rest into your weekly routine to honor the completion of your work and reflect on God's creation?
Day 2: Rhythms of Life
The creation narrative in Genesis follows a rhythmic pattern that extends to our lives. Each day of creation had a specific order, and this rhythm is essential for maintaining balance in our daily lives. We need to establish rhythms in our days, weeks, and years to ensure we are living a balanced and healthy life. [45:15]
Ecclesiastes 3:1-2 (ESV): "For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted."
Reflection: What daily or weekly rhythms can you establish to bring more balance and order into your life, ensuring you are not overwhelmed by the demands of each day?
Day 3: True Rest is Found in Jesus
Jesus offers the ultimate rest, freeing us from the impossible demands of earning our way into heaven. True rest involves ceasing from our labors and trusting in the finished work of Christ. This rest is not just physical but also spiritual, providing deep and lasting peace. [48:16]
Matthew 11:28-30 (ESV): "Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."
Reflection: In what ways can you lean on Jesus today to find true rest and peace, especially in areas where you feel burdened or overwhelmed?
Day 4: Cultural Challenges to Rest
Our culture often values productivity over rest, making it difficult to take time off without feeling guilty. However, rest is essential for our well-being. We need to reclaim the Sabbath as a day of rest and holiness, doing what brings us joy and refreshment. [46:16]
Mark 2:27 (ESV): "And he said to them, 'The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.'"
Reflection: How can you reclaim a day of rest in your week, setting aside cultural pressures to be constantly productive, and instead focus on activities that bring you joy and refreshment?
Day 5: Taking Control of Our Schedules
We are the masters of our schedules, and we need to take control of them to ensure we are getting the rest we need. This involves setting boundaries and prioritizing rest, even in the midst of busy lives. By doing so, we can model this practice for our children and experience the blessings of a balanced life. [01:01:22]
Psalm 90:12 (ESV): "So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom."
Reflection: What specific steps can you take this week to set boundaries in your schedule, ensuring that you prioritize rest and model this practice for those around you, especially your children?
Quotes
1. "We are collecting money. We're trying to collect $10,000 from our congregation. $5,000 will be added from our budget. And we give that to Rizzuto Elementary and LaPorte Elementary to help fund tutors and some other things that the principal uses at her discretion that is very, very needed. We're almost halfway there. We're going to collect in August. And the way that we do that is we ask you, whether you're a member or not, if you're not a member of this church, we'll still take your money. And it's not for the church. It's for the name of God." [26:54] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "So we're going to do that. We're going to do that on Tuesday. So if you want to sign up for that, you can go without signing up if something becomes free. I know most people are at work at 10 o'clock on Tuesday morning. But if you're free and you want to sign up, you can sign up at the info desk. Just don't look Julie in the eye because she will grab you and sign you up to volunteer for the children or the preschool." [29:28] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "So teachers and students, good luck. You're gonna need it and you're gonna enjoy it. So we're doing this series through the first couple of chapters of the book of Genesis because as we rebuild our foundation, Genesis is the foundation of the universe. In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. That's the foundation of the universe and there's a lot of stuff there." [34:24] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "And one of the reasons it's unique is simply because God said, I choose you. He said, I choose, you know, this planet, the earth. I don't choose Venus. I don't choose Mars. I don't choose Saturn and Neptune and Jupiter. And God said, I'm not even sure Pluto is a planet. Sometimes it is, sometimes it isn't. And so he created the earth." [35:23] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "Rest is included in that whole section. And so in verses one through three of chapter two, we get the focus for today. The focus for today has three verses. Now, interestingly enough, in the original Hebrew, each of these three verses has guess how many words. Each of these three verses has seven words. And that's significant because there's seven days to creation. Not just the six days of purposeful activity, but that one day of rest, that one day of purposeful inactivity is included as if creation isn't finished until you rest." [40:00] (43 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "The hardest work of any work. I don't know how many jobs are represented here. Some of you are teachers. I'm a preacher. Some of you crunch numbers for a living. Some of you do really hard physical work. Some of you do really hard mental work. Some of you do really hard emotional work. But the hardest work of any work in your life is trying to earn your way into heaven. That's hard work because it's impossible. Religion without Jesus has impossible demands, right? It demands that you be perfect." [47:31] (39 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "Rest is doing what you want to do not what you have to do and so if you can remember that if you can instill this into your brain then you're going to be much better off because it's almost impossible not only in today's culture to do absolutely nothing but it's almost impossible for your soul and your drives your human drives your human nature even your godly nature to do absolutely nothing." [50:59] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8. "Culture has conspired to push us toward the future and I think that's what we need to do and I think that's what we need to do and I think that's what we need to do and we need to do it like the first six days we magnify the first six days of creation but the cycle isn't completed until you rest so all you principals out there and all you teachers and all you business people and all you people who work hard for a living you need to figure out how to rest and not feel guilty about it it's okay to take a nap it's okay to do nothing." [57:17] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
9. "When you rest the hope that you also want to read your bible and pray and listen to christian music if that's not what you want to do then you have some work to do because rest and its origin was created to pay attention to god so rest by itself is fine it's good you need it do it figure out a way to do it but if you can figure out if you can want to rest and keep that day holy then the effects of that rest are magnified exploit exponentially." [59:38] (45 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
10. "You are the master of your schedule take control of it you're not a slave to it god didn't rest because he had to he was being a model parents be the model for your kids god and jesus have done all the hard work the hardest work is trying to earn your way into heaven god and jesus made that totally unnecessary and as jesus said it's finished so take one day a week off think about god talk to god listen to god and you'll be blessed by god." [01:01:22] (39 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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