Embracing Sabbath: Finding Identity and Rest in God

 

Summary

In our journey of exploring the rhythms of Jesus, we delve into the profound concept of Sabbath, not merely as a day of rest but as a framework for renewal and identity. The Sabbath is a divine gift and command, woven into the fabric of creation, reminding us that our worth is not tied to our productivity but to our identity as beloved children of God. In a world that glorifies busyness and hurry, we are called to resist the cultural pressures of constant activity and embrace the rest that God offers. This resistance is not just about ceasing work but about trusting God to take care of us, acknowledging that our value lies in who we are, not in what we do.

The Sabbath invites us to step away from the relentless pursuit of achievement and find rest in God. It challenges us to trust in God's provision and to recognize that our identity is not defined by our roles or accomplishments. The story of Eric Liddell, who chose to honor God over competing in the Olympics on a Sunday, exemplifies this trust and the freedom that comes from resting in God's love. His decision to prioritize his faith over worldly success reminds us that our true identity is found in being children of God.

Practicing Sabbath involves intentionality in creating space for rest and worship, even amidst the demands of modern life. It is about finding moments to connect with God, to delight in His presence, and to engage in activities that bring joy and pleasure. Whether it's spending time with loved ones, enjoying nature, or simply being still, the Sabbath is an opportunity to experience God's pleasure and to be reminded that we are enough in Christ.

In our fast-paced world, the Sabbath serves as a counter-cultural act of defiance against the distractions and pressures that seek to define us. It calls us to be present, to embrace our true identity, and to find rest in the assurance of God's love. As we practice Sabbath, we are invited to step into a deeper relationship with God, to trust in His provision, and to live out our identity as His beloved children.

Key Takeaways:

1. Identity Beyond Productivity: Our worth is not defined by our productivity or societal roles but by our identity as God's beloved children. Sabbath reminds us to resist the lie that our value is tied to what we do and to embrace our true identity in Christ. [02:14]

2. The Enemy of Hurry: In a culture addicted to busyness, hurry is a significant threat to our spiritual life. We must ruthlessly eliminate hurry to cultivate a deeper relationship with God and to experience the rest He offers. [03:27]

3. Sabbath as Resistance: Sabbath is an act of resistance against the cultural pressures of constant activity. It invites us to trust God, to step away from striving, and to find rest in His presence, acknowledging that we are enough in Him. [09:38]

4. Trust and Rest: Refusing to rest may indicate a lack of trust in God's provision. Sabbath challenges us to trust God with our lives, to step away from the need to constantly produce, and to find peace in His care. [10:51]

5. Intentional Living: Practicing Sabbath requires intentionality in creating space for rest and worship. It involves making choices that allow us to connect with God, to be present in the moment, and to experience His pleasure in our lives. [16:52]

Youtube Chapters:

[00:00] - Welcome
[01:15] - Lies of Productivity
[02:14] - Identity as Beloved Children
[03:27] - The Enemy of Hurry
[09:38] - Sabbath as Resistance
[10:51] - Trust and Rest
[12:20] - A Businessman's Trust
[16:52] - Intentional Living
[19:50] - Source of Sabbath
[23:43] - The Distraction of Smartphones
[24:47] - Generational Reflections
[26:01] - Eric Liddell's Story
[29:06] - Finding God's Pleasure
[30:34] - Embracing True Identity

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: The Rhythms of Jesus and the Sabbath

Bible Reading:
1. Genesis 2:2-3 - "By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work. Then God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done."
2. Exodus 20:8-10 - "Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a sabbath to the Lord your God."
3. Matthew 11:28-30 - "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls."

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Observation Questions:

1. According to Genesis 2:2-3, why did God rest on the seventh day, and what significance does this have for the concept of Sabbath? [09:38]

2. In Exodus 20:8-10, what are the instructions given regarding the Sabbath, and how is it described as both a gift and a command? [09:38]

3. How does Matthew 11:28-30 describe the rest that Jesus offers, and what does this imply about the nature of Sabbath rest? [10:51]

4. What example from the sermon illustrates the idea of Sabbath as an act of resistance against cultural pressures? [12:20]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the concept of Sabbath challenge the cultural belief that our worth is tied to productivity? Consider the implications of Genesis 2:2-3 and the sermon discussion. [02:14]

2. What does it mean to "ruthlessly eliminate hurry" from our lives, and how might this practice deepen our relationship with God? [03:27]

3. How does the story of Eric Liddell, as mentioned in the sermon, exemplify the trust and freedom found in honoring the Sabbath? [26:01]

4. In what ways does practicing Sabbath help us to embrace our identity as beloved children of God, as opposed to being defined by our roles or achievements? [30:34]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on your current lifestyle. Are there areas where you feel your worth is tied to your productivity? How can you begin to shift this mindset to align with your identity in Christ? [02:14]

2. Identify one practical step you can take this week to "ruthlessly eliminate hurry" from your life. How might this change impact your spiritual well-being? [03:27]

3. Consider the cultural pressures you face to be constantly busy. How can you use the practice of Sabbath as an act of resistance to these pressures? [09:38]

4. Think about a time when you struggled to trust God with your rest. What steps can you take to cultivate a deeper trust in God's provision? [10:51]

5. How can you intentionally create space for rest and worship in your weekly routine? What activities bring you joy and help you connect with God? [16:52]

6. Reflect on the distractions in your life, such as technology or social media. What boundaries can you set to ensure these do not interfere with your Sabbath rest? [23:43]

7. How can you incorporate the practice of Sabbath into your family life or community, creating a shared experience of rest and worship? [30:34]

Devotional

Day 1: Identity Rooted in Divine Love
Our worth is not defined by our productivity or societal roles but by our identity as God's beloved children. The Sabbath serves as a reminder to resist the lie that our value is tied to what we do and to embrace our true identity in Christ. In a world that often measures worth by achievements and output, the Sabbath invites us to rest in the assurance that we are enough simply because we are loved by God. This divine love is not earned but freely given, and it calls us to live from a place of acceptance and peace. [02:14]

"For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, 'Abba! Father!'" (Romans 8:15, ESV)

Reflection: In what ways have you allowed your identity to be shaped by your achievements or roles? How can you begin to embrace your identity as a beloved child of God today?


Day 2: The Perils of a Hurried Life
In a culture addicted to busyness, hurry is a significant threat to our spiritual life. The constant rush and pressure to do more can distance us from God and from experiencing the rest He offers. Eliminating hurry is not just about slowing down physically but also about cultivating a heart posture that prioritizes God's presence over productivity. By intentionally creating space for stillness and reflection, we open ourselves to a deeper relationship with God and the peace that comes from His presence. [03:27]

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

Reflection: Identify one area of your life where hurry has taken over. What practical steps can you take this week to slow down and be present with God?


Day 3: Sabbath as a Form of Resistance
Sabbath is an act of resistance against the cultural pressures of constant activity. It invites us to trust God, to step away from striving, and to find rest in His presence, acknowledging that we are enough in Him. By choosing to rest, we declare our dependence on God and our belief that He is in control. This act of faith challenges the world's narrative that our worth is tied to our productivity and reminds us that true rest is found in God's love and provision. [09:38]

"Thus says the Lord: 'Stand by the roads, and look, and ask for the ancient paths, where the good way is; and walk in it, and find rest for your souls. But they said, 'We will not walk in it.'" (Jeremiah 6:16, ESV)

Reflection: How can you use the Sabbath as a way to resist cultural pressures this week? What specific activities or practices will help you rest in God's presence?


Day 4: Trusting in God's Provision
Refusing to rest may indicate a lack of trust in God's provision. The Sabbath challenges us to trust God with our lives, to step away from the need to constantly produce, and to find peace in His care. By resting, we acknowledge that God is our provider and that He is capable of meeting our needs. This trust allows us to release our anxieties and to live with a sense of peace and assurance in God's faithful provision. [10:51]

"Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?" (Matthew 6:25, ESV)

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you struggle to trust God’s provision? How can you practice surrendering this area to Him today?


Day 5: Intentional Living Through Sabbath
Practicing Sabbath requires intentionality in creating space for rest and worship. It involves making choices that allow us to connect with God, to be present in the moment, and to experience His pleasure in our lives. Whether through spending time with loved ones, enjoying nature, or simply being still, the Sabbath is an opportunity to delight in God's presence and to be reminded of His goodness. By living intentionally, we align our lives with God's rhythm and open ourselves to His transformative work. [16:52]

"Let us therefore strive to enter that rest, so that no one may fall by the same sort of disobedience." (Hebrews 4:11, ESV)

Reflection: What intentional choices can you make this week to create space for rest and worship? How will these choices help you connect with God and experience His joy?

Quotes



"And Sabbath and the framework in that concept wants to remind us that we are more than just parents or a worker or a title in our job. Or if we're unemployed or whatever status we have, we are more than that. We're more than that. We're not just that. Because underneath all... All of those different identities, the key identity that God wants us to keep reflecting on is that we are his beloved children. That's the primary identity." [00:02:14] (42 seconds)


"I wonder, and I've been thinking about this, not just in this week, but just as we've been looking at this concept for a while in my own life and other lives, is this idea of resting. I wonder whether if we are refusing to rest, are we essentially saying, I don't trust God to take care I don't really trust God to take care of me? Again, Hosanna Wong in her book, she wants us to reject the lie that our value is tied to what we do rather than who we are. Again, one of the lies of our culture is that your value is in what you do. And Sabbath is trying to get us to think differently, to give us space, to build a framework that actually says, no, my value is in who I am." [00:10:51] (76 seconds)


"Many of us in this room will know of a local Christian who, as a business, and in his business, he is open six days a week. And I heard his story recently and the way that he came to a crook's decision. So this guy is a car dealer. He sells cars. He's got a really good dealership. But 15, 20 years ago, he had a dealership and he was being forced. By the manufacturer of the car that he was the dealer of to be open seven days a week. And so he made a decision that he would not open on a Sunday. He would keep that day closed. They'd open six days, but on the seventh day they were closed. And the guy, the dealership, they withdrew it from him and said, well, if you won't be open seven days a week, you won't be able to sell our cars, which is a big decision. Now, God bless him. He stuck to what he felt God was saying to him to have this rhythm. And, um, and he then, um, as many of you know, his name's Mark." [00:12:06] (77 seconds)


"and he's a very successful businessman and some of us in the room have the honor of buying a car from him and it really struck me this idea of actually I can trust God not to be open seven days a week as a businessman I don't have to be keeping myself open and it was about trust it wasn't is about trust almost as much as it was about rest and I think I want you to think about that in terms of how you structure your life the rhythm of your life how much of the trust conversation do you need to reflect on as much as the rest so you know is our refusal to rest actually a refusal" [00:13:20] (52 seconds)


"into a box to make the phone call that's in my lifetime your lifetime somebody in the room and and all of this pushes against doesn't it this idea of sabbath and rest and distraction um and so you know you won't be surprised to know that that we've got to become intentional we talked about intentional living and being intentional and and when i spoke a few about a month ago isn't it now the first time and we joked about good intentions like my good intention for 2025 was to go to the gym on a regular basis it was a great intention the truth is by god's grace i must be honest i've become more intentional and i've actually been the gym so it's not just a good intention i've actually been intentional and we've got to do that we've got to find ways of making sure we're being intentional how do we build in um and schedule a day for rest how do we schedule a day for rest and worship now i appreciate that some of us in the room and some of us in the life of our church that our work life means that's with shifts and patterns and the you know if we're working in the health industry or education or other places like you may have to work on a sunday um but but many of us don't to be fair um how do we how do we build how do we implement sabbath in our modern lives how do we celebrate sabbath in a way that isn't just about stopping but actually delighting in god" [00:16:52] (105 seconds)


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Transcript
What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?
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