Embracing Sabbath: Finding Rest in God's Grace
Summary
In the discourse on the importance of maintaining margins in life, the focus is on the biblical principle of Sabbath and its relevance to modern living. The concept of margins is introduced as the necessary space in one's life that allows for rest, reflection, and rejuvenation. The speaker emphasizes that life without margins can lead to a wreck, as individuals push themselves to the brink without allowing for necessary pauses.
The biblical text from Genesis chapter 2 is used to illustrate the principle of rest, as it describes God's work in creating the world and His decision to rest on the seventh day. This act of rest is not only a model for human behavior but also a commandment, as seen in the Old Testament laws regarding the Sabbath. The speaker points out that the ancient narratives often depicted gods who avoided work, but the biblical God is portrayed as one who delights in His work and knows when to rest.
The speaker argues that the modern culture of overachievement and accumulation can be likened to a hedonic treadmill, where individuals are constantly seeking more without ever feeling satisfied. This endless pursuit can lead to a life devoid of true rest and contentment. The speaker suggests that observing the Sabbath is a way to break free from this cycle, to stop and reflect on the sufficiency and giftedness of life's blessings.
The story of Eric Liddell, an Olympic runner and devout Christian, is shared to illustrate the power of living by one's convictions. Liddell chose not to run his best event at the Olympics because it was scheduled on the Sabbath, demonstrating his commitment to rest and worship over worldly success. His life exemplified the freedom that comes from not needing to justify one's existence through achievements but finding pleasure in doing what one is gifted to do.
The speaker also touches on the idea that striving for more and trying to prove oneself is rooted in human brokenness. It is suggested that true rest comes from trusting in the finished work of Christ, who declared "It is finished" on the cross, signifying that the work of redemption was complete. This allows individuals to rest in the knowledge that their worth is not based on their accomplishments but on God's grace.
The practical application of these principles involves creating space in one's schedule for rest and learning to say no to certain activities. The speaker encourages the audience to prioritize rest and to trust that God will provide the wisdom to make the right choices. The importance of celebrating and worshiping on the Sabbath is also highlighted, as it is a day to give thanks and acknowledge God's goodness.
In conclusion, the speaker invites the audience to embrace the deep rest that comes from trusting in Jesus' sacrifice and to live from a place of approval rather than for approval. The decision to accept God's grace and forgiveness is presented as the ultimate form of rest for the soul.
Key Takeaways:
- The principle of Sabbath rest, as introduced in Genesis, is not merely a religious ritual but a divine commandment that offers wisdom for life. Observing the Sabbath allows individuals to break free from the relentless pursuit of achievement and accumulation, which often leads to a sense of never having enough. By setting aside time for rest and reflection, one can appreciate the sufficiency of God's blessings and resist the cultural pressure to constantly strive for more. [26:55]
- The story of Eric Liddell serves as a powerful example of living according to one's convictions, even when it comes at a personal cost. His decision to honor the Sabbath over competing in the Olympics demonstrates the value of prioritizing spiritual commitments over societal expectations. Liddell's life challenges us to consider what we are willing to sacrifice in order to remain faithful to our beliefs and to find contentment in using our God-given talents for His pleasure. [29:36]
- The concept of margins in life is crucial for maintaining balance and avoiding burnout. By intentionally creating space for rest, individuals can protect themselves from the dangers of living on the edge of their capacities. This requires the discipline to say no to certain demands and the wisdom to invest time in what truly matters. The speaker's personal struggle with maintaining margins resonates with the common experience of feeling overwhelmed and underscores the need for deliberate choices that align with God's design for rest. [05:32]
- The finished work of Christ on the cross is the foundation for a deep, soul-resting peace. Understanding that Jesus has already accomplished what is necessary for our redemption allows us to cease our own efforts to earn approval and validation. This insight invites us to enter into a Sabbath rest that is not just physical but also spiritual, where we can confidently rest in God's acceptance and love, free from the need to prove our worth. [39:05]
- The practice of Sabbath is not only about ceasing from work but also about celebrating and worshiping God. It is a day to recognize the holy moments in life and to give thanks for the blessings we have received. By embracing this rhythm of rest and celebration, we can cultivate a sense of gratitude and joy that sustains us through the busyness of life. The speaker's personal moments of contentment with family serve as a reminder that not all moments are created equal, and we must learn to cherish those that truly matter. [13:48]
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Genesis 2:1-3 (NIV)
> "Thus the heavens and the earth were completed in all their vast array. 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. Psalm 90:12 (NIV)
> "Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom."
3. Hebrews 4:9-10 (NIV)
> "There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; for anyone who enters God's rest also rests from their works, just as God did from his."
#### Observation Questions
1. According to Genesis 2:1-3, what did God do on the seventh day after creating the world?
2. In Psalm 90:12, what does the psalmist ask God to teach us, and why?
3. What does Hebrews 4:9-10 say about the Sabbath-rest for the people of God?
4. How did the speaker describe the concept of margins in life, and why are they important? [04:57]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why is the act of God resting on the seventh day significant for us today? How does it serve as a model for our behavior? [01:51]
2. How does the story of Eric Liddell illustrate the principle of living by one's convictions, especially in relation to observing the Sabbath? [29:36]
3. What does the speaker mean by the "hedonic treadmill," and how does observing the Sabbath help break free from this cycle? [26:55]
4. How does the finished work of Christ on the cross provide a foundation for true rest, according to the sermon? [39:05]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your current schedule. Are there areas where you are living without margins? What steps can you take to create space for rest and reflection? [04:57]
2. Think about a time when you felt overwhelmed by the pursuit of achievement or accumulation. How can observing the Sabbath help you find contentment in God's blessings? [26:55]
3. Eric Liddell chose to honor the Sabbath over competing in the Olympics. What are some personal or societal expectations you might need to sacrifice to remain faithful to your beliefs? [29:36]
4. The speaker mentioned the importance of saying "no" to certain activities to maintain margins. What are some specific activities or commitments you need to reconsider to prioritize rest? [42:23]
5. How can you incorporate the practice of celebrating and worshiping God into your Sabbath routine? What are some ways you can give thanks and acknowledge God's goodness? [41:41]
6. The speaker emphasized the need for a deep rest that comes from trusting in Jesus' sacrifice. How can you remind yourself daily that your worth is based on God's grace and not your accomplishments? [39:05]
7. Identify one area of your life where you struggle to say "enough." How can you practice contentment and gratitude in that area this week? [19:34]
Devotional
Day 1: Embracing Sabbath Wisdom
The Sabbath rest is a divine commandment that teaches the wisdom of pausing from the relentless pursuit of more. It invites individuals to appreciate life's blessings and to find contentment in what is already given, rather than constantly striving for excess. This practice of rest is a gift that allows one to reflect on the sufficiency of God's provisions. [26:55]
Exodus 16:29-30 - "See, the Lord has given you the Sabbath; therefore on the sixth day he gives you bread for two days. Remain each of you in his place; let no one go out of his place on the seventh day. So the people rested on the seventh day."
Reflection: How can you incorporate a rhythm of rest into your weekly routine to honor the principle of Sabbath?
Day 2: Conviction Over Convenience
Eric Liddell's life exemplifies the importance of living by one's convictions, even when it means sacrificing personal gain. His choice to honor the Sabbath over Olympic glory challenges us to evaluate our priorities and to find joy in using our talents in a way that aligns with our spiritual commitments. [29:36]
Hebrews 12:1 - "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us."
Reflection: What are you willing to sacrifice to stay true to your convictions, and how can that choice bring you closer to living out your God-given purpose?
Day 3: The Art of Saying No
Creating margins in life is essential to avoid burnout and to live within our limits. This involves the discipline to decline certain demands and the wisdom to prioritize activities that align with our need for rest. By doing so, we honor God's design for our well-being and find balance in our daily lives. [05:32]
Proverbs 4:25-27 - "Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you. Give careful thought to the paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways. Do not turn to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil."
Reflection: What is one activity you can say no to this week in order to create more space for rest and reflection?
Day 4: Resting in Redemption
The finished work of Christ on the cross invites us to rest in the peace that comes from knowing our worth is not based on our achievements but on God's grace. This spiritual rest frees us from the need to earn approval and allows us to live from a place of acceptance. [39:05]
Colossians 2:13-14 - "When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross."
Reflection: How does understanding the finished work of Christ change the way you view your accomplishments and your identity?
Day 5: Celebrating Sabbath Joy
The Sabbath is not only for rest but also for celebration and worship. It is a time to acknowledge the holy moments in life, express gratitude, and rejoice in God's goodness. Embracing this rhythm of rest and celebration fosters a joyful heart and a grateful spirit. [13:48]
Isaiah 58:13-14 - "If you turn back your foot from the Sabbath, from doing your pleasure on my holy day, and call the Sabbath a delight and the holy day of the Lord honorable; if you honor it, not going your own ways, or seeking your own pleasure, or talking idly; then you shall take delight in the Lord, and I will make you ride on the heights of the earth; I will feed you with the heritage of Jacob your father, for the mouth of the Lord has spoken."
Reflection: What are some ways you can celebrate and worship on the Sabbath to cultivate a deeper sense of gratitude and joy?
Quotes
1) "Some people have made a wreck of their lives because they didn't leave any margin. I understand where you guys are at, so let me just say as a pastor, start with the Sabbath." [47:27] (Download)
2) "I am done trying to prove myself. I'm done trying to validate myself because it will be literally Never Enough when instead... it is a sinful habit rooted in our Brokenness as human beings." [32:50] (Download)
3) "There remains therefore a Sabbath rest for the people of God... a deep rest in our hearts that allows us to say now my life has been validated already with his approval." [39:05] (Download)
4) "God created the world and he called it very good... we can achieve Sabbath as a way that we break our addiction to accomplishment and to accumulation." [26:55] (Download)
5) "Eric Liddell... lived by his convictions and his commitments... he's not running to justify his existence, he says when I run I feel his pleasure." [29:36] (Download)
6) "The gospel takes care of our overwork and of our underwork... at no point am I doing anything to justify my existence or to earn my badge before God." [37:54] (Download)
7) "Not all moments are created equal... there are some moments that are much, much better than others... that's one of the sweet ones, that's one of the best ones." [13:48] (Download)
8) "Sabbath is the grace, the gift of stepping back and saying, and it's enough. We've been fasting... to lock in and learn to say enough." [20:17] (Download)
9) "If God knows when to say enough, do we know when to say enough? Have we learned the grace, the wisdom to just simply say, and that's enough." [19:34] (Download)
10) "Jesus says, 'I am the Sabbath.' If you're in Christ, the working, the striving, that need for more... gets cancelled and you can say there is a Sabbath rest now that remains for the people of God." [37:19] (Download)
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