Finding the Father and Experiencing the Kingdom on Sabbath

Devotional

Day 1: Draw Near to God on Sabbath

Sabbath is a unique opportunity to intentionally seek God’s presence, setting aside the chaos and distractions of daily life to focus on finding the Father. When you draw near to God, even in your imperfection and stress, He promises to draw near to you. This is not about bringing your best self or fixing everything first; it’s about simply being present and attentive to where God is already at work in your life and in the world around you. On Sabbath, you have permission to let go of guilt and striving, and instead, ask God to reveal Himself to you in the ordinary moments—whether that’s through your family, nature, or quiet reflection. You may be surprised at how God shows up when you simply look for Him. [13:48]

James 4:8 (ESV)
Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.

Reflection: Where in your life today do you sense God inviting you to notice His presence, and how can you intentionally pause to seek Him—even if just for a few minutes?

Day 2: Experience the Kingdom of God Now

The kingdom of God is not just a distant hope for the future, but a present reality that is within your reach, ready to be experienced in the here and now. Sabbath creates space for you to notice and participate in the moments where God’s kingdom breaks through—moments of peace, joy, unity, and love that can’t be manufactured but are received as gifts. By removing distractions and busyness, you become more aware of these glimpses of heaven on earth, whether it’s a sense of deep rest, a joyful connection with loved ones, or a moment of awe in God’s creation. These experiences are reminders that God’s rule and presence are already among us, and you are invited to be an active participant in His kingdom today. [21:58]

Luke 17:20-21 (ESV)
Being asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, he answered them, “The kingdom of God is not coming in ways that can be observed, nor will they say, ‘Look, here it is!’ or ‘There!’ for behold, the kingdom of God is in the midst of you.”

Reflection: What is one way you can intentionally create space today to notice and receive a glimpse of God’s kingdom in your ordinary life?

Day 3: Sabbath as a Means to Communion with God

Sabbath is not the end goal, but a God-given strategy to help you move toward the ultimate purpose: deep, ongoing communion with God. By setting aside time to stop, rest, delight, and worship, you detach from the world’s demands and allow your soul to reconnect with your Creator. This practice is not about legalism or earning God’s favor, but about making room for the relationship you were created for. Even if you can only manage a few hours, the intentional act of prioritizing communion with God over productivity or busyness can transform your heart and perspective, giving you a taste of the unity with God that will one day be complete. [09:23]

Exodus 20:8-11 (ESV)
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. 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.

Reflection: What is one practical step you can take this week to set aside time—even if brief—to focus solely on being with God, rather than doing for God?

Day 4: Letting Jesus’ Character Shine Through You

As you practice Sabbath and make space for God, you allow the Spirit to renew your thoughts and attitudes, so that the character of Jesus can shine through you. This is not about striving to be perfect, but about removing the clutter and stress that often hide the image of God within you. When you slow down, listen, and are present with others, you may find that love, patience, and kindness begin to flow more naturally. Sabbath is a “cheat code” for letting the fruit of the Spirit emerge, helping you look more like Jesus not just in your actions, but in your very being. [28:40]

Ephesians 4:21-24 (ESV)
Assuming that you have heard about him and were taught in him, as the truth is in Jesus, to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.

Reflection: Who in your life needs to see the character of Jesus through you today, and how can you intentionally make space to be present and loving toward them?

Day 5: Prioritizing Spiritual Life Over Busyness

Choosing Sabbath often means giving up something else—whether it’s work, sports, or other activities—in order to prioritize your spiritual life and communion with God. This can feel countercultural and even uncomfortable, but it’s a declaration that your relationship with God matters more than your productivity or achievements. By making hard choices to set aside time for Sabbath, you model to your family and community that God is your true priority, and you open yourself to the rest, delight, and transformation He offers. Even if it’s just a few hours, your willingness to say “no” to lesser things in order to say “yes” to God can have a profound impact on your soul and those around you. [36:43]

Matthew 6:33 (ESV)
But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

Reflection: What is one activity or commitment you can set aside this week—even if it’s difficult—in order to make space for Sabbath and prioritize your relationship with God?

Sermon Summary

As apprentices of Jesus, the invitation is to shape our lives not just around his teachings, but also around his rhythms—one of the most countercultural being Sabbath. For many of us, Sabbath is a foreign concept, often reduced to just taking a nap or catching up on rest. But the heart of Sabbath is so much deeper: it’s a day set aside to intentionally stop, rest, delight, and worship, creating space for communion with God in the midst of our busy, over-scheduled lives.

I know firsthand how challenging this can be. My family is in the thick of it—three kids, sports, school, work, and all the chaos that comes with it. We’re not doing 24-hour Sabbaths yet; we’re working with what we can, and that’s okay. The point isn’t perfection or legalism, but a posture of seeking God in the time we do set aside. Sabbath is not the end goal; communion with God is. Sabbath is simply a strategy, a “cheat code,” to help us experience that communion in a world that constantly pulls us away.

The practice of Sabbath is about more than just ceasing from work. It’s about finding the Father—intentionally looking for God’s presence in our lives, even in the ordinary moments. It’s about experiencing the kingdom—recognizing that the kingdom of God is not just a future hope, but a present reality that we can taste and see, even in our living rooms and on family walks. And it’s about looking more like Jesus—allowing the Spirit to shape us, so that the character of Christ begins to overflow from us, especially in our closest relationships.

This isn’t about doing Sabbath “right” or measuring up to someone else’s standard. It’s about giving God a chance with whatever time you can set aside, and trusting that he delights in your desire to draw near. Sometimes that means giving up something else—maybe even skipping a game or an activity—to make space for God. And sometimes, it’s as simple as taking a nap in God’s presence, letting go of the world’s demands for a few hours.

The invitation is to start where you are. Find the Father, experience the kingdom, and look more like Jesus—even if it’s just for five hours this week. Let Sabbath be a day where you practice communion with God, and watch how it transforms not just your day, but your heart and your home.

Key Takeaways

1. Sabbath is a means, not the end Sabbath is not the ultimate goal; communion with God is. The practice of Sabbath is a strategy to help us experience God’s presence in a world that constantly distracts us. When we focus on the “why” behind Sabbath, we’re freed from legalism and invited into genuine relationship. [08:07]
2. Find the Father in ordinary moments Sabbath is an opportunity to intentionally look for God’s presence in the everyday—through prayer, nature, or simply paying attention to those around us. When we seek God with open eyes and hearts, we often discover he’s been present all along, even in the midst of our stress and struggles. [13:11]
3. Experience the kingdom here and now The kingdom of God is not just a distant future; it’s among us, within our grasp. Sabbath creates space to notice and participate in God’s kingdom breaking into our lives—through joy, peace, and moments of connection that remind us of our true home. [21:20]
4. Looking like Jesus starts with rest When we remove work, worry, want, and whining—even for a few hours—we create space for the Spirit to shape us into the likeness of Christ. Sabbath is a day to let the fruit of the Spirit overflow, not by striving, but by resting in God’s love and presence. [28:03]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:32] - Modeling Life After Jesus
[01:46] - Rethinking Sabbath: Beyond Rest
[03:38] - Life in the Chaos: My Family’s Story
[05:34] - The Challenge of Stopping
[06:12] - Jesus’ Rhythm of Sabbath
[08:07] - Sabbath as a Strategy for Communion
[09:23] - What Sabbath Really Is
[11:16] - Avoiding Legalism in Sabbath
[12:33] - Finding the Father on Sabbath
[17:34] - Seeing God in Our Children
[20:06] - Experiencing the Kingdom
[23:45] - Sabbath Moments: A Family Story
[26:47] - Looking More Like Jesus
[31:43] - “There You Are, Dad”: Sabbath and Presence
[34:53] - Sabbath: A Practical Invitation
[36:43] - Start Where You Are
[37:54] - Closing Prayer

Bible Study Guide

Small Group Bible Study Guide: Sabbath as a Strategy for Communion with God

Bible Reading

James 4:8 (ESV)
Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.

Luke 17:20-21 (ESV)
Being asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, he answered them, “The kingdom of God is not coming in ways that can be observed, nor will they say, ‘Look, here it is!’ or ‘There!’ for behold, the kingdom of God is in the midst of you.”

Ephesians 4:21-24 (ESV)
Assuming that you have heard about him and were taught in him, as the truth is in Jesus, to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.

Observation Questions

According to James 4:8, what is the promise given to those who draw near to God?
In Luke 17:20-21, how does Jesus describe the kingdom of God and where it can be found?
What are the four main actions the sermon says Sabbath is meant for? ([09:23])
What does Ephesians 4:22-24 say about the process of becoming more like Jesus?

Interpretation Questions

The sermon says Sabbath is not the end goal, but a means to communion with God. Why is it important to keep this distinction in mind? ([08:07])
How does intentionally looking for God in ordinary moments help us experience His presence, according to both James 4:8 and the sermon? ([13:11])
Jesus says the kingdom of God is “in the midst of you.” What does it mean to experience the kingdom here and now, not just in the future? ([21:20])
The sermon talks about “putting on the new self” and letting the Spirit shape us. What does this look like practically, especially on Sabbath? ([28:03])

Application Questions

The pastor shared that his family can’t do a full 24-hour Sabbath, but they start with what they can. What would it look like for you to “start where you are” with Sabbath? Is there a small block of time you could set aside this week? ([36:43])
Sabbath is described as a “cheat code” for finding communion with God. What is one thing you might need to give up or say “no” to in order to make space for God, even if just for a few hours? ([35:31])
The sermon encourages us to “find the Father” in ordinary moments. Think about your last week—where did you see God at work, even in small ways? How can you be more intentional about noticing Him this coming Sabbath? ([13:11])
The pastor shared a story about reconnecting with his kids by being present and not trying to fix everything. Is there a relationship in your life that could benefit from you being more present and less distracted? What would that look like? ([32:17])
Sabbath is a time to “remove work, worry, want, and whining.” Which of these is hardest for you to set aside? What practical step could you take to let go of it, even temporarily? ([28:03])
The sermon says the fruit of the Spirit can “overflow” when we rest in God’s presence. Pick one fruit of the Spirit (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control). How could you practice this during your next Sabbath? ([28:40])
The pastor mentioned sometimes skipping a game or activity to prioritize Sabbath. Is there a regular activity in your life that might need to take a back seat so you can make space for God? How do you feel about that? ([35:31])