Embracing Sabbath: A Heartfelt Orientation Toward God

 

Summary

In this final part of our series on the Sabbath, we explore the profound connection between Sabbath and worship. The essence of Sabbath is not just about ceasing from work, resting, or delighting, but also about orienting our entire lives toward God and surrendering to Him. This orientation is beautifully encapsulated in the Shema from Deuteronomy 6:4-6, which calls us to love God with all our heart, soul, and strength. This love is not passive; it demands a response that permeates every aspect of our lives.

Worship, at its core, is about the heart. It is a heart that honors God, acknowledges His holiness, and desires to be in His presence. We are reminded that worship is not about us; it is our gift to God, recognizing His worthiness. The English word "worship" comes from "worth-ship," emphasizing that God alone is worthy of our adoration. Despite our circumstances or feelings, God remains worthy of our worship because He is unchanging in His nature and love.

Sabbath worship realigns, reminds, and re-centers us. It realigns our lives, much like aligning buttons on a shirt, ensuring that our actions and words are consistent with our faith. It reminds us of God's love, sacrifice, and ongoing presence in our lives. It re-centers us, shifting our focus from ourselves to God, helping us to surrender our scattered senses to His presence.

Being present with God during Sabbath worship is crucial. It requires us to set aside distractions and be fully engaged with Him, allowing Him to reveal His purposes for our lives. Our posture in worship, whether physical or of the heart, reflects our reverence and surrender to God. Prioritizing Sabbath worship as a holy habit ensures that our lives are arranged around God, not the other way around.

Finally, Sabbath worship is both a temporal and eternal practice. It is a foretaste of the eternal rest and worship we will experience in God's presence. As we conclude this series, let us embrace a whole life of orientation toward and surrender to God, loving Him with all our heart, soul, and strength.

Key Takeaways:

1. Whole Life Orientation: Sabbath is about orienting our entire lives toward God and surrendering to Him. This involves loving God with all our heart, soul, and strength, as emphasized in the Shema. It is a call to integrate our faith into every aspect of our lives, not just during Sabbath but throughout the week. [40:22]

2. Heart of Worship: True worship is about the heart. It is a heart that honors God, acknowledges His holiness, and desires to be in His presence. Worship is not about us; it is our gift to God, recognizing His worthiness. Despite our circumstances, God remains worthy of our worship. [43:28]

3. Realignment and Remembrance: Sabbath worship realigns our lives, ensuring that our actions and words are consistent with our faith. It reminds us of God's love, sacrifice, and ongoing presence in our lives. This realignment and remembrance help us live a life that reflects our faith in God. [48:15]

4. Presence and Posture: Being present with God during Sabbath worship is crucial. It requires setting aside distractions and being fully engaged with Him. Our posture in worship, whether physical or of the heart, reflects our reverence and surrender to God. This presence and posture allow God to reveal His purposes for our lives. [49:33]

5. Temporal and Eternal Worship: Sabbath worship is both a temporal and eternal practice. It is a foretaste of the eternal rest and worship we will experience in God's presence. Embracing Sabbath worship helps us live a life oriented toward God, preparing us for the eternal worship we will one day enjoy. [50:00]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:30] - Introduction to Sabbath Series
- [01:15] - The Shema: A Call to Love God
- [02:45] - Listening and Doing: The Hebrew Perspective
- [04:00] - The Heart of Worship
- [05:30] - Worship as a Gift to God
- [07:00] - Realignment Through Sabbath
- [08:30] - The Importance of Being Present
- [10:00] - Posture in Worship
- [11:30] - Prioritizing Sabbath Worship
- [13:00] - Temporal and Eternal Worship
- [14:30] - Conclusion and Invitation to Worship

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: Sabbath and Worship

Bible Reading:
- Deuteronomy 6:4-6
- Revelation 4:11

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Observation Questions:

1. What does the Shema in Deuteronomy 6:4-6 emphasize about our relationship with God? How does it relate to the concept of Sabbath worship? [40:22]

2. According to the sermon, what is the significance of the English word "worship" and its origin? How does this understanding affect our approach to worship? [43:28]

3. How does the sermon describe the role of Sabbath worship in realigning our lives? What analogy is used to illustrate this concept? [48:15]

4. What does the sermon suggest about the importance of being present with God during Sabbath worship? How does this presence impact our understanding of God's purposes for us? [49:33]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the Shema's call to love God with all our heart, soul, and strength challenge the way we live our daily lives? What might this look like in practical terms? [40:22]

2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that worship is a gift to God rather than something for us? How does this perspective shift our focus during worship? [43:28]

3. The sermon mentions that Sabbath worship is both a temporal and eternal practice. How does this dual nature of worship influence our understanding of its significance? [50:00]

4. How does the concept of realignment through Sabbath worship relate to the idea of living a life consistent with our faith? What practical steps can be taken to achieve this alignment? [48:15]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on your current Sabbath practices. How can you better orient your entire life toward God, not just during Sabbath but throughout the week? [40:22]

2. Consider your heart's posture during worship. What specific changes can you make to ensure that your worship is truly a gift to God, recognizing His worthiness? [43:28]

3. Identify any distractions that prevent you from being fully present with God during Sabbath worship. What steps can you take to minimize these distractions and focus on God's presence? [49:33]

4. Think about a recent situation where your actions or words were not aligned with your faith. How can Sabbath worship help you realign your life to better reflect your beliefs? [48:15]

5. How can you incorporate the practice of remembering God's love, sacrifice, and presence into your daily routine, not just during Sabbath worship? [48:15]

6. Reflect on the idea of Sabbath worship as a foretaste of eternal rest. How does this perspective change the way you approach worship and rest in your life? [50:00]

7. What practical steps can you take to make Sabbath worship a priority and a holy habit in your life, ensuring that your life is arranged around God? [49:33]

Devotional

Day 1: Whole Life Orientation
The Sabbath is a time to reorient our entire lives toward God, surrendering to Him and integrating our faith into every aspect of our lives. This involves loving God with all our heart, soul, and strength, as emphasized in the Shema. It is not just a day of rest but a call to live a life that reflects our faith throughout the week. By aligning our lives with God's will, we ensure that our actions and words are consistent with our beliefs, allowing us to live a life of purpose and devotion. [40:22]

Deuteronomy 10:12-13 (ESV): "And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God require of you, but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to keep the commandments and statutes of the Lord, which I am commanding you today for your good?"

Reflection: What is one specific area of your life where you can better align your actions with your faith this week?


Day 2: Heart of Worship
True worship is about the heart, honoring God, acknowledging His holiness, and desiring to be in His presence. Worship is not about us; it is our gift to God, recognizing His worthiness despite our circumstances. The English word "worship" comes from "worth-ship," emphasizing that God alone is worthy of our adoration. By focusing on God's unchanging nature and love, we can offer genuine worship that transcends our feelings and situations. [43:28]

Psalm 29:2 (ESV): "Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name; worship the Lord in the splendor of holiness."

Reflection: In what ways can you shift your focus from your circumstances to God's worthiness during your times of worship this week?


Day 3: Realignment and Remembrance
Sabbath worship serves as a time for realignment and remembrance, ensuring that our actions and words are consistent with our faith. It reminds us of God's love, sacrifice, and ongoing presence in our lives. By regularly realigning ourselves with God's will, we can live a life that reflects our faith and remains centered on His love and guidance. This practice helps us to remember the core of our beliefs and the importance of living them out daily. [48:15]

Isaiah 26:3 (ESV): "You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you."

Reflection: How can you create a regular practice of realignment and remembrance in your daily routine to keep your focus on God?


Day 4: Presence and Posture
Being present with God during Sabbath worship is crucial, requiring us to set aside distractions and be fully engaged with Him. Our posture in worship, whether physical or of the heart, reflects our reverence and surrender to God. By prioritizing presence and posture, we allow God to reveal His purposes for our lives and deepen our relationship with Him. This intentional engagement helps us to experience the fullness of God's presence and guidance. [49:33]

Psalm 46:10 (ESV): "Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!"

Reflection: What distractions can you set aside this week to be more present with God during your times of worship?


Day 5: Temporal and Eternal Worship
Sabbath worship is both a temporal and eternal practice, offering a foretaste of the eternal rest and worship we will experience in God's presence. By embracing Sabbath worship, we prepare ourselves for the eternal worship we will one day enjoy, living a life oriented toward God. This practice helps us to focus on the eternal significance of our relationship with God and the promise of eternal rest in His presence. [50:00]

Hebrews 4:9-10 (ESV): "So then, there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God, for whoever has entered God's rest has also rested from his works as God did from his."

Reflection: How can you incorporate the eternal perspective of worship into your daily life, preparing your heart for the eternal rest promised by God?

Quotes


But I think one of the purposes for our series has been for us to see Sabbath as, to quote the podcast, a whole life of orientation toward and surrender to God. A whole life of orientation toward and surrender to God. So, forgive me if I duplicate anything that has been said these past weeks. [00:37:03]

And so it was about listening, but it was also about doing. And in Hebrew, doing and listening were almost the same thing. And this prayer is about listening and loving God. And loving God demands a response. Love the Lord your God. The people are to love the Lord their God with their whole being, their whole life. [00:39:34]

To worship the Lord with our whole life means to have a heart that honors God. A heart that acknowledges the holiness of God. And a heart that ultimately wants to hang out with God. We honor Him by keeping this Sabbath day holy. And the holiness of God. We are in awe of a God and His many, many wonders. [00:42:03]

But those words associated with worship are also familiar to the footballer supporter sat in the stand as they worship their favorite team. Or it could reflect the popular music fan at a concert of their favorite artist. And all of these things could be a reflection of our worship. But equally, none of them. [00:43:48]

He alone is worthy and he always is worthy of our worship. The English word worship comes from an old word meaning worth ship. It's kind of very similar. We worship God because he is worth it. We believe in honoring him for who he is and what he has done. He alone is worthy. And he is always worthy. [00:45:11]

I hear myself and others say, Oh, I didn't want to worship today. I mean, it was chucking it down outside and I just didn't want to worship. I didn't worship today. Well, because I didn't feel like God was worthy of it this week. You know, he didn't answer my prayer just like I asked. [00:45:37]

Sabbath reorientates us. Our whole life reorientation toward and surrender to God. We do a 360 degree turnaround when we come to faith in Christ. And that moment in time needs to be a 360 degree lifetime of change in us and through our lives. And I want to suggest a few ways for us to think about. [00:47:27]

Sabbath worship kind of realigns us and our lives. Have you ever done your buttons up the wrong way? I had to check. I had done mine up the right way because I was on show today. But they're mostly done up. But have you ever done that? And it's not, you know, forgetfulness or old age. [00:48:20]

Sabbath worship is an intentional reminder of the God we worship. We set aside this time to be reminded of the God who loved us. The God who died for us. The God who rose again from us. The God who ascended to the Father and now intercedes for us. When we come together, we celebrate communion, the Lord's Supper. [00:49:34]

Worship is one of the best ways reminding ourselves that not everything is all about me in fact it's more than me and well actually it's nothing to do with me and worship is one of the best ways to help us do that sabbath worship re -centers my scattered life of the past six days and centers me for the next six days ahead. [00:50:07]

In my sabbath worship I need to be present with god fully present wholly present no multitasking a solitary focus making god my one thing making god my only thing god wants our presence we have an ever present omnipresent god and we need to be present with him as we worship we're invited to come near to god. [00:51:47]

Worship is a about our posture not so much about the practices uh when I say the practice I mean it doesn't just mean singing for some it's a physical posture the old testament word worship is used uh about 70 odd times and it means to to bow down and respect and reverence there's a physical movement a posturing of our body. [00:53:47]

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Transcript
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