Embracing the Sabbath: Connecting with God Through Rest

 

Summary

In this sermon, I discussed the importance of rest and the concept of Sabbath in our lives. I emphasized that Jesus invites us to find rest in Him, and that His yoke is easy and His burden is light. I also shared my personal insights about the importance of having a two-way conversation during sermons, and how it helps me as a preacher to know that the congregation is engaged and understanding the message. I then delved into the concept of Sabbath, explaining that it is a gift from God and a time to slow down, worship, and enjoy His presence. I encouraged the congregation to take small steps towards observing a Sabbath, even if they can't dedicate a full 24 hours to it yet. Lastly, I reminded everyone that while practices like silence, solitude, simplicity, and slowing down can deepen our relationship with God, they do not save us. Salvation comes only through the blood of Jesus Christ.

Key Takeaways:
- Jesus invites us to find rest in Him, and His yoke is easy and His burden is light. [ 48:34]
- A two-way conversation during sermons can enhance the preaching experience and help the congregation engage with the message. [ 49:06]
- The Sabbath is a gift from God, a time to slow down, worship, and enjoy His presence. [ 56:28]
- Small steps towards observing a Sabbath are encouraged, even if one can't dedicate a full 24 hours to it yet. [ 57:07]
- Practices like silence, solitude, simplicity, and slowing down can deepen our relationship with God, but they do not save us. Salvation comes only through the blood of Jesus Christ. [ 58:14]

Study Guide

Bible Reading:
1. Mark 2:23-28 #!!45:48!!#
2. Matthew 11:28-30 #!!47:50!!#

Observation Questions:
1. What is the significance of the disciples picking grain on the Sabbath in Mark 2:23-28?
2. How does Jesus respond to the Pharisees' accusation in Mark 2:23-28?
3. What does Jesus mean when he says "the Sabbath was made for people, not people for the Sabbath"?

Interpretation Questions:
1. How does Jesus' response to the Pharisees in Mark 2:23-28 challenge their understanding of the Sabbath?
2. What does Jesus' reference to David in Mark 2:23-28 reveal about his identity and authority?
3. How does Matthew 11:28-30 relate to the concept of Sabbath and rest?

Application Questions:
1. How does the concept of Sabbath as presented in Mark 2:23-28 challenge your current understanding and practice of rest?
2. In what ways can you practice the principle of "the Sabbath was made for people, not people for the Sabbath" in your daily life?
3. How can you apply Jesus' invitation to rest in Matthew 11:28-30 in your life this week?
4. Can you identify any areas in your life where you are prioritizing "ritual activity" over mercy and grace, as discussed in Mark 2:23-28?
5. How can you demonstrate that you are living under the lordship of Jesus, the "Lord of the Sabbath", in your interactions with others this week?

Devotional

Day 1: Embrace the Gift of Sabbath

The Sabbath is a divine gift that we must learn to embrace. It is a time to slow down, to rest, and to simply be in the beautiful presence of Jesus. It is a reminder that God is in control, that He provides and produces, and that our souls belong to Him. This practice is fundamental to our faith and something we've neglected, but God wants to restore it in our hearts ([57:07]).

Exodus 20:8-10 - "Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. 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."

Reflection: How can you start embracing the Sabbath in your life? What steps can you take to slow down and rest in God's presence?

Day 2: Start Where You Are

God calls us to start where we are, not where we should be. This is not about feeling inadequate, but about taking that first small step towards a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ. It's about making time to rest and delight in Him, even if it's not a full 24 hours to start with ([56:28]).

Matthew 11:28 - "Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest."

Reflection: What small steps can you take this week to slow down and spend more time in God's presence?

Day 3: The Sabbath is for People

The Sabbath was made for people, not people for the Sabbath. It is a time for us to rest, to be refreshed, and to remember that we are not slaves to our work or our schedules. It is a time to remember that God is our Deliverer ([45:48]).

Mark 2:27 - "And he said to them, 'The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.'"

Reflection: How can you make the Sabbath a time of rest and refreshment in your life? How can you use it to remember God's deliverance?

Day 4: The Sabbath is a Time of Worship

The Sabbath is a time to gather with friends, to praise God, to worship together, and to read scripture individually and corporately. It's a time to enjoy being in the presence of God through the people in your life and through His means of grace ([56:16]).

Psalm 95:6 - "Oh come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the LORD, our Maker!"

Reflection: How can you incorporate worship into your Sabbath? Who can you invite to join you in this time of worship?

Day 5: The Sabbath is a Reminder of God's Control

The Sabbath is a reminder that God is in control. The world has our hands, but our soul belongs to God. The Sabbath reflects this truth and lives it out in our world. We stop, we delight, we rest, we worship, and we remember that God is the one in charge ([01:08:20]).

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

Reflection: How does observing the Sabbath remind you of God's control? How can you use this time to surrender your worries and anxieties to Him?

Quotes

1. "Come to me all you who are weary in burdened and I will give you rest take my yoke on you and learn from me because I am gentle and humble in heart and you will find rest for your souls for my yoke is easy to bear and my load is not hard to carry." - Matthew 11:28-30. 48:03

2. "If we are delighted in the baby steps of our children, how much more is God delighted in your baby steps and moving toward him in faith." 53:35

3. "We are moving at such a pace that is actually pulling us out of the most important relationship in our life which is our relationship with our Father in heaven." 45:13

4. "This is not about you feeling inadequate, this is about you taking that first small step towards a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ." 56:16

5. "The only thing that's going to fix us is the blood of Jesus Christ. The only thing that's going to fix us is to take into our own Hearts the victory won through the empty tomb. All these other practices connect us into the presence of God and through the presence of God we are transformed and changed and renewed every single day but they will not save us." 56:16

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Transcript
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