Finding Rest and Restoration in God's Faithfulness
Summary
### Summary
Good morning, everyone. Today, we began our worship service with a beautiful act of believers' baptism, symbolizing the burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. This act of obedience and faithfulness is a powerful reminder of the newness of life we have in Christ. As we navigate through these challenging times, filled with brokenness and divisiveness, we are called to be the light of the world and the salt of the earth. Our role as followers of Jesus is to demonstrate peace, wholeness, and the love of Christ in every aspect of our lives.
In a world that often feels overwhelming and exhausting, Psalm 23 offers us a profound message of rest and restoration. The Lord, our Shepherd, provides us with green pastures and still waters, symbolizing peace and calm. Our restfulness comes from His faithfulness, not from our efforts or achievements. This rest is not just physical but also spiritual, as God leads us to places of true, lasting peace.
We often confuse amusement with recreation, filling our lives with activities that drain us rather than replenish us. True rest and renewal come from spending time in God's presence, trusting in His provision, and depending on Him fully. Our identity should be rooted in Christ, not in our accomplishments or possessions. When we trust and depend on God, we find the still waters and green pastures that restore our souls.
God is in the business of restoration. He restores lost sheep with His saving grace, straying sheep with His forgiving grace, and weary sheep with His sustaining grace. No matter where we find ourselves, God is always ready to bring us back to Himself, offering us peace, forgiveness, and renewal. As we conclude our service, let us respond to God's call, seeking His rest and restoration in our lives.
### Key Takeaways
1. Baptism as a Symbol of New Life: Baptism is a powerful act of obedience and faith, symbolizing the burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. It reminds us that through faith in Him, we share in His death and resurrection, walking in newness of life. This act is a public declaration of our commitment to follow Jesus and live according to His teachings. [03:29]
2. Being the Light in a Dark World: In a world filled with brokenness and divisiveness, we are called to be the light of the world and the salt of the earth. Our actions and words should reflect the love and peace of Christ, bringing hope and healing to those around us. This requires us to lead by example, demonstrating the wholeness and peace that come from being complete in Christ. [17:38]
3. Restfulness from God's Faithfulness: True rest and peace come from God's faithfulness, not from our efforts or achievements. Psalm 23 teaches us that the Lord, our Shepherd, provides us with green pastures and still waters, symbolizing peace and calm. By trusting in God's provision and depending on Him fully, we can find the rest and renewal our souls long for. [38:46]
4. The Difference Between Amusement and Recreation: Amusement drains us, while recreation replenishes us. Many of us fill our lives with activities that leave us exhausted rather than refreshed. True recreation involves spending time in God's presence, allowing Him to renew and restore us. This distinction is crucial for finding lasting peace and rest in our busy lives. [46:47]
5. God's Restorative Grace: God restores us in various ways—lost sheep with His saving grace, straying sheep with His forgiving grace, and weary sheep with His sustaining grace. No matter our situation, God is always ready to bring us back to Himself, offering peace, forgiveness, and renewal. Our restfulness and restoration come from His faithfulness, as He leads us to green pastures and still waters. [56:20]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[03:29] - Baptism and New Life in Christ
[16:24] - Addressing Divisiveness and Brokenness
[17:38] - Being the Light and Salt of the Earth
[18:42] - The Call to Shine in Dark Times
[20:16] - Prayer for the Nation and Leaders
[32:45] - Reflecting on God's Holiness
[34:10] - New Worship Schedule Announcement
[35:26] - Exploring Psalm 23
[36:55] - Running on Empty
[38:46] - Restfulness from God's Faithfulness
[40:28] - The Power of Rest
[41:57] - Waters of Rest and Stillness
[43:30] - God's Leading to Rest
[45:04] - Longing for True Rest
[46:47] - Amusement vs. Recreation
[48:24] - Trusting and Depending on God
[49:57] - Finding Identity in Christ
[51:32] - The Beverly Hillbillies Analogy
[53:09] - Mission Requires Margin
[54:52] - Restoration Through God's Grace
[56:20] - God's Saving, Forgiving, and Sustaining Grace
[59:26] - David's Experience of Forgiving Grace
[01:01:01] - God's Sustaining Grace for the Weary
[01:02:35] - Responding to God's Call for Rest and Restoration
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Psalm 23:1-3: "The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake."
2. Romans 6:3-4: "Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life."
3. Matthew 5:13-16: "You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people's feet. You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven."
#### Observation Questions
1. What does Psalm 23:1-3 say about the role of the Lord as our Shepherd?
2. According to Romans 6:3-4, what does baptism symbolize for believers? [03:29]
3. In Matthew 5:13-16, what are the two metaphors Jesus uses to describe His followers, and what do they signify? [18:42]
4. How does the sermon describe the difference between amusement and recreation? [46:47]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the imagery of green pastures and still waters in Psalm 23:1-3 help us understand the kind of rest God provides? [38:46]
2. What does it mean to be the "salt of the earth" and the "light of the world" in the context of today's society? [17:38]
3. How can the act of baptism serve as a public declaration of faith and commitment to Jesus? [03:29]
4. Why is it important to distinguish between amusement and recreation in our pursuit of true rest and renewal? [46:47]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your own life: Are there areas where you are running on empty? How can you seek God's rest and restoration this week? [36:55]
2. In what ways can you be a light in your community, especially in times of divisiveness and brokenness? Think of specific actions you can take. [17:38]
3. How can you incorporate more "green pastures" and "still waters" into your daily routine to experience God's peace and calm? [38:46]
4. Identify activities in your life that are merely amusing rather than truly recreational. How can you replace them with activities that replenish you? [46:47]
5. Consider your identity: Is it rooted in Christ or in your accomplishments and possessions? What steps can you take to deepen your dependence on God? [49:57]
6. Have you experienced God's saving, forgiving, or sustaining grace in your life? Share a specific instance and how it impacted you. [56:20]
7. How can you respond to God's call for rest and restoration in practical ways this week? Think of one specific change you can make. [01:02:35]
This guide is designed to help your small group delve deeper into the themes of rest, renewal, and being a light in the world, as discussed in the sermon. Use these questions to foster meaningful discussion and personal reflection.
Devotional
Day 1: Baptism as a Symbol of New Life
Baptism is a powerful act of obedience and faith, symbolizing the burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. It reminds us that through faith in Him, we share in His death and resurrection, walking in newness of life. This act is a public declaration of our commitment to follow Jesus and live according to His teachings. Baptism is not just a ritual; it is a profound statement of our identity in Christ and our willingness to live out His teachings in our daily lives. It signifies our transition from the old self to a new creation in Christ, empowered by the Holy Spirit to live a life that reflects His love and grace. [03:29]
Romans 6:4 (ESV): "We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life."
Reflection: How does your baptism influence your daily walk with Christ? What steps can you take today to live out the newness of life that baptism symbolizes?
Day 2: Being the Light in a Dark World
In a world filled with brokenness and divisiveness, we are called to be the light of the world and the salt of the earth. Our actions and words should reflect the love and peace of Christ, bringing hope and healing to those around us. This requires us to lead by example, demonstrating the wholeness and peace that come from being complete in Christ. As followers of Jesus, we have a responsibility to shine His light in dark places, offering a beacon of hope and a source of comfort to those who are struggling. Our lives should be a testament to the transformative power of God's love, inspiring others to seek the same peace and wholeness that we have found in Him. [17:38]
Matthew 5:14-16 (ESV): "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven."
Reflection: In what ways can you be a light in your community today? How can your actions and words reflect the love and peace of Christ to those around you?
Day 3: Restfulness from God's Faithfulness
True rest and peace come from God's faithfulness, not from our efforts or achievements. Psalm 23 teaches us that the Lord, our Shepherd, provides us with green pastures and still waters, symbolizing peace and calm. By trusting in God's provision and depending on Him fully, we can find the rest and renewal our souls long for. This rest is not just physical but also spiritual, as God leads us to places of true, lasting peace. When we surrender our burdens to Him and trust in His faithfulness, we experience a deep sense of rest that transcends our circumstances. [38:46]
Psalm 23:1-3 (ESV): "The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake."
Reflection: What burdens are you carrying that you need to surrender to God? How can you trust in His faithfulness to provide the rest and peace your soul longs for?
Day 4: The Difference Between Amusement and Recreation
Amusement drains us, while recreation replenishes us. Many of us fill our lives with activities that leave us exhausted rather than refreshed. True recreation involves spending time in God's presence, allowing Him to renew and restore us. This distinction is crucial for finding lasting peace and rest in our busy lives. By prioritizing activities that draw us closer to God and nourish our spirits, we can experience true recreation that leaves us feeling rejuvenated and ready to face the challenges of life. [46:47]
Isaiah 40:31 (ESV): "But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint."
Reflection: What activities in your life are draining you rather than replenishing you? How can you incorporate more time in God's presence to experience true recreation and renewal?
Day 5: God's Restorative Grace
God restores us in various ways—lost sheep with His saving grace, straying sheep with His forgiving grace, and weary sheep with His sustaining grace. No matter our situation, God is always ready to bring us back to Himself, offering peace, forgiveness, and renewal. Our restfulness and restoration come from His faithfulness, as He leads us to green pastures and still waters. God's grace is sufficient for every need, and His desire is to restore us to a place of wholeness and peace. By embracing His grace and allowing Him to work in our lives, we can experience the fullness of His restorative power. [56:20]
1 Peter 5:10 (ESV): "And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you."
Reflection: In what areas of your life do you need God's restorative grace? How can you open your heart to receive His peace, forgiveness, and renewal today?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "In a world filled of wickedness divisiveness, let's demonstrate that we are persons of peace, where Jesus said, blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called the sons of God. And so as you lead your family, parents with your kids at home, and you go back to your workplaces where there might be a bunch of different opinions about the state of affairs, you go to the college campus in this area, and you encounter people that think differently than you and vote differently than you. I would encourage you to honor the Lord Jesus Christ." [17:38] (47 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "When you go to work tonight or tomorrow morning, let your light shine. When you go back to the university campus, let your light shine. When you go amongst your neighborhood or you gather as a family, let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify our Father who is in heaven." [18:42] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Our restfulness comes from His faithfulness. Our ability to find peace and rest and quiet, our ability to have a gas tank on full instead of on empty, our restfulness comes from His faithfulness. Not from your trying harder, not from you trying smarter, not from you being the best in the class one up in the morning, but our restfulness comes from His faithfulness." [38:46] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "So God's always trying to lead us to rest. And He says, as a shepherd, you will not want, He'll lead you to green pastures, and He'll bring you to those waters of rest. David Gibson wrote a book in the last year or so about Psalm 23. And in that book, he says, this Psalm expresses in so few words, not just the capacity we have for rest, but also the vast longing, the vast longing of the human heart for true, profound, and long-lasting rest in a wearisome world." [45:04] (39 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "Do you really take Him at His word? Can God really put you into the eye of the hurricane? Can the world around you be falling apart? And do you really believe His word that in those moments, in those dark valleys, in those difficult experiences, that He can give you rest? Do we really trust God? Are we really willing to take Him at His word? It's a trust issue. It's also a dependency issue. We often don't find rest in Him because we don't fully depend upon Him." [48:24] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "God restores lost sheep with saving grace. Every one of us is born as a lost sheep, didn't Jesus tell us in the gospel of Luke chapter 15, that if a shepherd has a hundred sheep and one of them is lost, what does he do? He leaves the 99 and he goes and searches for the one lost sheep so he can be found. That's an example of God's searching for us, lost sheep for saving grace." [56:20] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Maybe you're here this morning you're just wore out you're just dry and you've been driving on empty not sure if you're gonna make it to the end maybe you still teach sunday school every sunday and maybe you're still reading your bible every week every day and maybe you're still loving your wife and taking care of your family you're a good parent good father a mother you're still making leading your business well but you're in a desert dry sea and you're just weary and it feels like it's mechanical and you don't know if you're gonna make it through and the burdens are so heavy and the mountain is so high and the night is so dark you're just weary you love the lord jesus and you come to worship every sunday but you're tired and wearied and dry well in those moments god says that his grace is sufficient for you and his strength is made perfect in your weakness and his weary sheep find his sustaining grace." [01:01:01] (67 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "So, if you're here this morning, at 11, you can help us, because we need some of y'all who come at 11 to start coming at 9.30. So, keep that in mind. Examine that. See if that 9.30 to 10.30 worship time might suit your family and your rhythm better. And just three Sundays from now, we'll start that. And so, it's going to be awkward. Yes, it's going to be awkward. It's going to feel like, ooh, this isn't what we thought it would be. But with God's grace and a sense of humility, we're just going to keep pressing forward and let the Lord lead us as He has. The past 142 years of this church." [34:10] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "And one of the reasons we always seem to be unable to find such rest, especially as believers, is we don't know the difference between amusement and recreation. This is something I teach to our staff. I teach to younger pastors. Do you know the difference between amusement and recreation? The problem is people think they're the same, but they're not. And so what's the difference between amusement and recreation? It's not a matter of cost, because both of them will cost you something financially. It's not a matter of does it make you tired, because both amusement and recreation can make you tired. The difference between amusement and recreation is that amusement will drain you. Recreation refills you, replenishes you." [45:04] (55 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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