Embracing Sabbath: Finding Rest in God's Abundance
Summary
In our current series, "Bad Advice," we are exploring the misleading counsel that often shapes our lives. Today, we focus on the notion that we should "work for the weekend," a mindset that can lead to a life of exhaustion and dissatisfaction. This approach to life is not only unhealthy but also contrary to the life of abundance and rest that Jesus offers us. Through a humorous personal story about travel mishaps and unexpected upgrades, I illustrated how we often settle for less than what God has in store for us. Jesus offers us a significant upgrade in life, one that includes rest and fulfillment, yet we often choose to remain in our comfort zones, missing out on His promises.
The concept of Sabbath is central to understanding God's plan for rest. Sabbath, which means to cease or stop, is a divine invitation to trust God with our time and resources. It is a commandment, not a suggestion, and is meant to be a gift that brings joy and refreshment to our souls. In the book of Matthew, Jesus invites us to come to Him for rest, promising that His way is light and freeing. This is a stark contrast to the cultural norm of overworking and burning out. The Sabbath is a reminder that we are not in control, and it is God who sustains us.
In Exodus, God provided manna for the Israelites, instructing them to gather double on the sixth day so they could rest on the seventh. This was a test of trust and obedience, illustrating that God's provision is sufficient. The Sabbath is a witness to the world that God is our source and provider. It is a day to be unreachable, to catch our breath, and to fill our lives with joy and delight. By honoring the Sabbath, we align ourselves with God's rhythm and experience His blessings in our lives.
Key Takeaways:
- The mindset of "working for the weekend" is a form of bad advice that leads to exhaustion and dissatisfaction. Jesus offers us a life of rest and fulfillment, inviting us to trust Him and embrace His promises. [06:32]
- Sabbath is a divine commandment, not a suggestion. It is a gift from God that allows us to cease from work and experience true rest. By observing the Sabbath, we acknowledge that God is in control and that His provision is sufficient. [10:45]
- The Sabbath serves as a witness to the world that God is our source and provider. It is a day to be unreachable, to catch our breath, and to fill our lives with joy and delight. By honoring the Sabbath, we align ourselves with God's rhythm and experience His blessings. [22:13]
- Observing the Sabbath is not about legalism but about experiencing the joy and delight that God intends for us. It is a day to rest, recharge, and refocus on what truly matters, allowing us to work from a place of rest rather than for rest. [29:04]
- By trusting God's way and honoring the Sabbath, we experience a life of abundance and fulfillment. God's promise is that we will accomplish more in six days with His blessing than in seven days of striving on our own. [31:40]
Youtube Chapters:
[0:00] - Welcome
[00:29] - Introduction to Bad Advice
[01:05] - Bad Advice Examples
[01:55] - Travel Story and Life Lessons
[03:08] - Unexpected Upgrade
[04:46] - The Temptation to Settle
[06:32] - The Danger of Overworking
[08:33] - Jesus' Invitation to Rest
[10:02] - Understanding Sabbath
[12:24] - God's Provision and Trust
[15:03] - The Commandment of Sabbath
[19:19] - Consequences and Blessings
[22:13] - Sabbath as a Witness
[25:30] - The Importance of Rest
[29:04] - Legalism vs. Heart of Sabbath
[31:40] - Living God's Way
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: "Bad Advice" Series
Bible Reading:
1. Matthew 11:28-30 (The Message)
2. Exodus 16:23-30
3. Exodus 20:8-11
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Observation Questions:
1. What does Jesus promise to those who are tired and worn out in Matthew 11:28-30? How does this relate to the concept of rest? [08:33]
2. In the story of the Israelites in Exodus 16, what specific instructions did God give regarding the collection of manna, and what was the purpose of these instructions? [13:30]
3. How is the Sabbath described in Exodus 20:8-11, and what reasons are given for observing it? [18:28]
4. What humorous personal story did the pastor share to illustrate the concept of settling for less than what God offers? [04:16]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the cultural mindset of "working for the weekend" contrast with the rest that Jesus offers in Matthew 11:28-30? What might this suggest about our priorities? [06:32]
2. In what ways does the story of manna in Exodus 16 serve as a test of trust and obedience for the Israelites? How might this apply to modern-day believers? [13:30]
3. Why might God have included the Sabbath as one of the Ten Commandments, and what does this indicate about its importance in the life of a believer? [17:15]
4. How does the pastor's story about unexpected upgrades relate to the spiritual upgrades Jesus offers? What might this mean for someone who is hesitant to embrace God's promises? [04:16]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your current work-life balance. Do you find yourself "working for the weekend"? What changes can you make to align more closely with the rest that Jesus offers? [06:32]
2. Consider a time when you felt exhausted or burned out. How might observing a Sabbath have changed that experience? What steps can you take to incorporate a Sabbath into your weekly routine? [10:45]
3. The pastor mentioned that Sabbath is a witness to the world that God is our source and provider. How can you demonstrate this truth in your own life, especially in a culture that values constant productivity? [22:13]
4. What are some practical ways you can "divert daily, withdraw weekly, and abandon annually" to ensure you are living from a place of rest rather than for rest? [29:59]
5. Think about a specific area in your life where you might be settling for less than what God has in store for you. How can you step out of your comfort zone to embrace the "upgrade" Jesus offers? [04:16]
6. How can you make the Sabbath a day of joy and delight for yourself and your family? What activities or practices can you incorporate to make it a meaningful time of rest and connection with God? [16:32]
7. Reflect on the idea that God's way is better than our way. In what area of your life do you need to trust God's plan more fully, and what is one action you can take this week to demonstrate that trust? [31:40]
Devotional
Day 1: The Trap of "Working for the Weekend"
The mindset of "working for the weekend" is a common cultural narrative that suggests life is merely a cycle of labor punctuated by brief moments of rest. This approach can lead to a life of exhaustion and dissatisfaction, as it places undue emphasis on work as the primary source of identity and fulfillment. Instead, Jesus offers a life of rest and fulfillment, inviting us to trust Him and embrace His promises. By shifting our focus from merely enduring the workweek to seeking a life of balance and purpose, we can experience the abundant life that Jesus promises. This involves recognizing that our worth is not tied to our productivity but to our identity as beloved children of God. [06:32]
"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." (Matthew 11:28-30, ESV)
Reflection: What are some ways you can shift your mindset from "working for the weekend" to finding daily fulfillment in Christ?
Day 2: Embracing the Gift of Sabbath
Sabbath is not merely a suggestion but a divine commandment intended to bring joy and refreshment to our souls. It is a gift from God that allows us to cease from work and experience true rest. By observing the Sabbath, we acknowledge that God is in control and that His provision is sufficient. This practice challenges the cultural norm of overworking and burning out, reminding us that our value is not determined by our productivity. Embracing the Sabbath is an act of trust, a declaration that we believe God will provide for our needs even as we rest. [10:45]
"Six days you shall labor, and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work, you, or your son, or your daughter, your male servant, or your female servant, or your livestock, or the sojourner who is within your gates." (Exodus 20:9-10, ESV)
Reflection: How can you intentionally set aside time this week to observe the Sabbath and experience the rest God desires for you?
Day 3: Sabbath as a Witness to the World
The Sabbath serves as a powerful witness to the world that God is our source and provider. It is a day to be unreachable, to catch our breath, and to fill our lives with joy and delight. By honoring the Sabbath, we align ourselves with God's rhythm and experience His blessings. This practice not only benefits us personally but also serves as a testimony to others of God's faithfulness and sufficiency. Observing the Sabbath is a countercultural act that declares our trust in God's provision and our commitment to living according to His ways. [22:13]
"And he said to them, 'The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. So the Son of Man is lord even of the Sabbath.'" (Mark 2:27-28, ESV)
Reflection: In what ways can your observance of the Sabbath serve as a testimony to those around you about God's provision and faithfulness?
Day 4: The Heart of Sabbath Over Legalism
Observing the Sabbath is not about legalism but about experiencing the joy and delight that God intends for us. It is a day to rest, recharge, and refocus on what truly matters, allowing us to work from a place of rest rather than for rest. This perspective shifts the focus from rigid adherence to rules to embracing the heart of the Sabbath, which is about relationship and renewal. By prioritizing rest and reflection, we can better align our lives with God's purposes and experience the fullness of His blessings. [29:04]
"Therefore let no one pass judgment on you in questions of food and drink, or with regard to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath. These are a shadow of the things to come, but the substance belongs to Christ." (Colossians 2:16-17, ESV)
Reflection: How can you move beyond a legalistic approach to the Sabbath and embrace its true purpose of rest and renewal in your life?
Day 5: Trusting God's Provision Through Sabbath
By trusting God's way and honoring the Sabbath, we experience a life of abundance and fulfillment. God's promise is that we will accomplish more in six days with His blessing than in seven days of striving on our own. This principle challenges the notion that constant work is necessary for success and invites us to trust in God's provision. By setting aside time for rest and reflection, we open ourselves to the possibility of experiencing God's abundance in ways we may not have imagined. [31:40]
"And he humbled you and let you hunger and fed you with manna, which you did not know, nor did your fathers know, that he might make you know that man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord." (Deuteronomy 8:3, ESV)
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need to trust God's provision more fully, and how can observing the Sabbath help you cultivate that trust?
Quotes
1) "Jesus in scripture offers us a massive upgrade. And what's so funny is when you hear the message of Jesus, you're going to be tempted to settle for the downgrade. I just want to push really hard on somebody today. I don't want someone to leave today a little free, a little different, because you've taken Jesus at his word and you've accepted that his word, in his way, is the best way." [05:24] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2) "If you were to hear this about a family member or a friend that worked so hard that they literally work themselves to death, would you say it's worth it? No, no, no. Like, is it worth it, in your opinion, to work 65 or 70 years to ignore your family, ignore your friends, ignore the joy in this life, and then get to retirement and maybe just have a few fun? Is it really worth it? And I think the answer we all know intuitively is no. Like, there has to be a better way to do this." [06:32] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3) "Sabbath is God saying, every seven days, I want you to take a day where you're unavailable, where you're unreachable, where you do things that fill your heart and your soul with joy. This is what Sabbath is. God's always been about this. Genesis, chapter one and two. God creates the world with his voice. He speaks the world into existence. And every day from day one through six, God creates a different part of the world and the universe. But then on day seven, it says, then God rested. He took a breather. He rested, and this was the motto. God didn't need to rest. He's God. He's all powerful. He didn't need the rest. God knew that. He needed to model it for us." [10:45] (41 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4) "What is Sabbath about? It's not rules and laws laid on you by God. Sabbath is about experiencing joy and delight. Sabbath is a day where you're unreachable. Sabbath is a day where you catch your breath. Sabbath is a day that's filled with joy and delight. It's what refuels your soul. So what would it look like if we just took God at his word and we said, God, I believe your way is better than my way. And even though the math doesn't make sense in my mind, I trust you that you know better than me." [16:32] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5) "Sabbath is a commandment, not a suggestion. It's a commandment. Sabbath keeping the Sabbath is actually one of the ten Commandments. I want you to think about the ten Commandments for just a moment. The first three are all about our relationship with God. Have no other gods before me? No idols. Don't take the name of the Lord your God in vain. That's the first three. Number four is about the Sabbath. We'll come to that in a minute. Number five is honor your mother and father. And then the next five are all the big ones. Thou shalt not murder, thou shalt not covet. Thou shalt not commit adultery." [17:15] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6) "The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. We'll come back to that in a moment. Therefore, the son of man is also the lord of the Sabbath. Look at the direction of the gift of Sabbath. It is not us doing something for God. Sabbath is a gift from goddesse to you and to me. What is the gift? The gift is rest. The gift is you don't have to buy into the lie of bad advice that we work for the weekend or we just do stuff in order to get through, but we can work from a place of rest. And that idea is such a different thing in the world that it's going to stand out like stars in the sky." [29:04] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7) "The promise from God is you'll get more done in six days with the blessing of God than what you'll get in striving in seven. The promise of God is that you will get more accomplished, you will feel better, and you will do it all from a place in a heart that is rested than if you give it your full, best college effort for seven straight days. So what if all of us just made this decision? I am going to live my life not my way, but God's way. I'm gonna live my life in a way that honors God, not in a way that does what I think is best. I think if all of us will choose this path, if we'll reject the bad advice of we work for the weekend, but we will trust God's way is the best way. We're gonna experience life in a whole new dimension." [31:40] (40 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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