Embracing the Gift and Purpose of the Sabbath
Summary
In today's message, we explored the profound significance of the Sabbath as a divine commandment and a gift from God. The Sabbath is not merely a day of rest but a sacred time set apart for spiritual renewal and connection with God. It is a commandment that predates the law, established by God Himself during creation. The Sabbath is a reminder of our need to cease from our labors and to trust in God's provision and sovereignty. It is a time to disconnect from the busyness of life and to reconnect with our Creator, allowing Him to refresh and restore us.
We live in a society that often glorifies busyness and workaholism, but God calls us to a different rhythm. The Sabbath is a gift that allows us to step back, rest, and be filled with His presence. It is a time to engage in activities that refresh our souls and to spend extended time in prayer, worship, and the Word. By observing the Sabbath, we acknowledge our dependence on God and our trust in His ability to sustain us.
The Sabbath is not about legalism or religious rituals; it is about relationship and trust. It is an opportunity to experience the fullness of life that God intends for us. As we honor the Sabbath, we align ourselves with God's design and open ourselves to His blessings. Let us embrace the gift of the Sabbath and make it a priority in our lives, knowing that it is a vital link that keeps us anchored to God.
Key Takeaways:
1. The Sabbath as a Divine Commandment: The Sabbath is a commandment from God, established before the law and the fall of man. It is a day set apart for rest and spiritual renewal, reminding us of our need to trust in God's provision and sovereignty. Observing the Sabbath is an act of obedience and faith, acknowledging that God is in control. [58:27]
2. The Gift of Rest: The Sabbath is a gift from God, designed to refresh and restore us. It is a time to cease from our labors and to engage in activities that fill our souls. By honoring the Sabbath, we align ourselves with God's rhythm and open ourselves to His blessings. [01:06:22]
3. Trusting God with Our Time: Observing the Sabbath requires us to trust God with our time and to believe that He will provide for our needs. It is an act of faith that acknowledges our dependence on Him and our willingness to rest in His presence. [01:24:29]
4. Sabbath and Relationship: The Sabbath is about relationship and trust, not legalism or religious rituals. It is an opportunity to deepen our connection with God and to experience the fullness of life that He intends for us. [01:25:21]
5. The Consequences of Ignoring the Sabbath: Ignoring the Sabbath can lead to burnout and spiritual dryness. By observing the Sabbath, we allow God to refresh and restore us, enabling us to live out our purpose with renewed strength and vitality. [01:19:39]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [28:56] - Communion and Worship
- [31:31] - God's Redemptive Names
- [41:14] - The Presence of God
- [47:39] - Introduction and Vision
- [50:16] - Spiritual Nourishment
- [51:54] - Anchored in God
- [52:47] - The Importance of Being Anchored
- [54:05] - Understanding the Sabbath
- [55:52] - Personal Testimony on Sabbath
- [56:37] - The Ten Commandments and Sabbath
- [58:27] - The Most Violated Commandment
- [01:01:11] - The Penalty for Breaking Sabbath
- [01:02:16] - Sabbath Before the Law
- [01:03:44] - Society's Workaholic Tendencies
- [01:05:25] - The Gift of Sabbath Rest
- [01:11:55] - Practical Sabbath Observance
- [01:13:28] - Emergencies and Sabbath
- [01:16:06] - Finding Refreshment in Sabbath
- [01:18:18] - Sabbath for the Land
- [01:21:09] - Jesus and the Sabbath
- [01:22:32] - The Lord of the Sabbath
- [01:23:19] - Work and Rest Balance
- [01:24:29] - Sabbath as a Witness
- [01:25:21] - Relationship and Trust
- [01:26:18] - Rest and Vacation
- [01:29:15] - The Longest Commandment
- [01:30:10] - Trusting God with the Church
- [01:31:47] - Closing and Worship
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: The Significance of the Sabbath
Bible Reading:
- Exodus 20:8-11
- Genesis 2:1-3
- Mark 2:23-28
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Observation Questions:
1. According to Exodus 20:8-11, what specific instructions does God give regarding the Sabbath? How does this passage emphasize the importance of rest? [56:37]
2. In Genesis 2:1-3, what did God do on the seventh day, and how does this set a precedent for the Sabbath? [01:02:16]
3. How does Mark 2:23-28 illustrate Jesus' perspective on the Sabbath, and what does He declare about its purpose? [01:21:09]
4. What are some examples from the sermon of how society's workaholic tendencies conflict with the observance of the Sabbath? [01:03:44]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. Why might the Sabbath be considered the most violated commandment, as suggested in the sermon? How does this reflect our current societal values? [58:27]
2. How does the concept of the Sabbath as a gift from God challenge the notion of it being merely a legalistic requirement? [01:06:22]
3. In what ways does observing the Sabbath demonstrate trust in God's provision and sovereignty? [01:24:29]
4. How does the sermon suggest that ignoring the Sabbath can lead to burnout and spiritual dryness? What are the implications of this for our spiritual health? [01:19:39]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your current work-life balance. Are there specific areas where you struggle to disconnect and rest? How can you intentionally set aside time for a Sabbath this week? [01:11:55]
2. The sermon mentions that the Sabbath is about relationship and trust, not legalism. How can you cultivate a deeper relationship with God during your Sabbath? What activities might help you feel more connected to Him? [01:25:21]
3. Consider the societal pressure to always be productive. How can you resist this pressure and prioritize rest as a form of obedience and faith in God? [01:03:44]
4. The sermon highlights the importance of planning for the Sabbath. What practical steps can you take to ensure you have a day of rest each week? How can you communicate this boundary to others? [50:16]
5. Reflect on a time when you felt spiritually dry or burnt out. How might observing the Sabbath have helped you during that period? What changes can you make to prevent this in the future? [01:19:39]
6. How can you use your Sabbath to engage in activities that refresh your soul? Identify one activity that brings you joy and plan to incorporate it into your next Sabbath. [01:16:06]
7. The sermon suggests that the Sabbath is a witness to the world. How can your observance of the Sabbath serve as a testimony to others about your faith and trust in God? [01:24:29]
Devotional
Day 1: The Sabbath as a Divine Commandment
The Sabbath is a divine commandment that predates the law, established by God during creation. It is a day set apart for rest and spiritual renewal, reminding us of our need to trust in God's provision and sovereignty. Observing the Sabbath is an act of obedience and faith, acknowledging that God is in control. In a world that often glorifies busyness, the Sabbath calls us to a different rhythm, one that aligns with God's design for our lives. By setting aside this sacred time, we demonstrate our dependence on God and our trust in His ability to sustain us. [58:27]
"For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested on the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy." (Exodus 20:11, ESV)
Reflection: What specific steps can you take this week to set apart the Sabbath as a day of rest and spiritual renewal, trusting in God's provision and sovereignty?
Day 2: The Gift of Rest
The Sabbath is a gift from God, designed to refresh and restore us. It is a time to cease from our labors and to engage in activities that fill our souls. By honoring the Sabbath, we align ourselves with God's rhythm and open ourselves to His blessings. In a society that often values productivity over rest, the Sabbath offers a countercultural invitation to step back and be filled with God's presence. It is an opportunity to disconnect from the busyness of life and to reconnect with our Creator, allowing Him to refresh and restore us. [01:06:22]
"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." (Matthew 11:28-29, ESV)
Reflection: What activities can you incorporate into your Sabbath that will truly refresh and restore your soul, allowing you to experience God's presence more fully?
Day 3: Trusting God with Our Time
Observing the Sabbath requires us to trust God with our time and to believe that He will provide for our needs. It is an act of faith that acknowledges our dependence on Him and our willingness to rest in His presence. In a world that often equates busyness with success, the Sabbath challenges us to trust in God's provision and to prioritize our relationship with Him. By setting aside this sacred time, we demonstrate our faith in God's ability to sustain us and our commitment to living according to His design. [01:24:29]
"Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all." (Matthew 6:31-32, ESV)
Reflection: In what ways can you practice trusting God with your time this week, allowing Him to guide your priorities and provide for your needs?
Day 4: Sabbath and Relationship
The Sabbath is about relationship and trust, not legalism or religious rituals. It is an opportunity to deepen our connection with God and to experience the fullness of life that He intends for us. By observing the Sabbath, we open ourselves to God's blessings and align ourselves with His design. In a world that often prioritizes productivity over relationships, the Sabbath invites us to focus on our relationship with God and to trust in His provision. It is a time to engage in activities that refresh our souls and to spend extended time in prayer, worship, and the Word. [01:25:21]
"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: How can you use the Sabbath as an opportunity to deepen your relationship with God and to experience the fullness of life that He intends for you?
Day 5: The Consequences of Ignoring the Sabbath
Ignoring the Sabbath can lead to burnout and spiritual dryness. By observing the Sabbath, we allow God to refresh and restore us, enabling us to live out our purpose with renewed strength and vitality. In a society that often glorifies busyness, the Sabbath offers a countercultural invitation to rest and be filled with God's presence. It is a time to disconnect from the busyness of life and to reconnect with our Creator, allowing Him to refresh and restore us. By setting aside this sacred time, we demonstrate our dependence on God and our trust in His ability to sustain us. [01:19:39]
"Six days you shall work, but on the seventh day you shall rest. In plowing time and in harvest you shall rest." (Exodus 34:21, ESV)
Reflection: What are the signs of burnout or spiritual dryness in your life, and how can observing the Sabbath help you to find refreshment and restoration in God's presence?
Quotes
And in the same way, it's not enough to eat spiritually once a week. It's not enough to eat spiritually once a week. It's not enough for us to eat spiritually once every so often. It is a daily thing for us to eat spiritual food and spend time with God and worship and spend time with God in prayer and spend time with God in the reading of the word. [00:48:28] (25 seconds)
Sabbath is a link that keeps us tied to God. And Sabbath is something that a lot of us don't do. What does the word Sabbath mean? It means to cease, to stop, to rest, to end. Cease what? Stop what? End what? Rest from what? Work. Sabbath is to cease, to stop. And Sabbath is something that many of us fail miserably at doing. [00:54:05] (35 seconds)
I went through a stretch in my life of probably two and a half to three years. Where I did not take a Sabbath. Where I felt bad if I was going to take time off, and I would go and go and go. It's very interesting. One of the first times I preached on Sabbath was in 2021. It was a series that was titled Refresh. [00:54:40] (24 seconds)
Sabbath is a commandment. It's a commandment that God has given. Watch. Go with me to Exodus chapter 20. That's where we're going to start this morning. Exodus chapter 20. I know that all of you Bible scholars, you know that in Exodus chapter 20, we get the what? Ten commandments. Go ahead. You can say it loud. What do we get in Exodus 20? [00:56:37] (19 seconds)
We violate it all the time. And again, the definition of Sabbath is to cease, to stop, to rest, to end of work. God himself, it says there, he works six days at creation. He works six days at creation. He works six days at creation. He works six days at creation. And rested on the seventh. It's a commandment. [00:59:14] (19 seconds)
The penalty for breaking or violating Sabbath was the death penalty. In Exodus, just a few chapters later, some of you are going to see that. And you're going to see that. And you're going to somebody comes up to Moses and says, Moses! we found somebody violating the Sabbath. Moses said, what did they do? It says he was gathering sticks. [01:01:11] (17 seconds)
The Sabbath predates the law. Go to Genesis chapter two. Genesis, first book of the Bible, so all the way from the beginning, okay? Genesis chapter number two. If you know how to get to Genesis, just go to the front of your Bible and then flip a few pages, and you're going to get there to Genesis chapter two. [01:02:16] (20 seconds)
But God commanded that we Sabbath, and God modeled that we Sabbath. He finished. What did God do? Created on day one, created on day two, created on day three, created on day four, created on day five, created on day six, on day seven, said, let's refresh, let's refill, let's sanctify this. [01:05:25] (24 seconds)
If you remember, if you read your Bible, God tells them you need to, every seventh year, don't plant anything on a field so that the land can have its Sabbath. God tells Israel, on the sixth year, I will give you such a harvest that you will eat that seventh year and the first year of the new seven-year cycle, and on that year, you plant again. [01:18:18] (34 seconds)
He said to them, the Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. The Sabbath was made for man. It is a gift. It was tailored for the man, not man to fit into a Sabbath. And then Jesus says this famous thing. Therefore, the son of man is also Lord of the Sabbath. We know that he's the Lord of the harvest. [01:22:32] (34 seconds)
Because Sabbath, this is what it's about. It's about relationship and trust. Sabbath is about relationship. Relationship and trust. Relationship with who? With God. Trust in who? God. Man's made it religious. God wants it for relationship. That time together. Where we can sit. [01:25:21] (22 seconds)
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