Finding Rest: Embracing God's Gift This Christmas
Summary
In reflecting on the year 2023, many of us might feel like we're limping across the finish line, exhausted from the challenges and demands of life. As we gather on this Christmas Eve, it's a time to pause and consider the importance of rest, a concept deeply rooted in both our physical and spiritual lives. Just as athletes manage their energy through rest, God also emphasizes the significance of rest in the Bible. From the very beginning, in Genesis, God set an example by resting on the seventh day after creation, establishing a pattern for us to follow.
The seventh day, or Sabbath, was intended as a time for humanity to dwell with God, delight in His creation, and experience His presence indefinitely. However, due to humanity's tendency to stray from God's ways, this perfect rest was disrupted. Yet, God's love for us is so profound that He provided a way to restore this rest through Jesus Christ, the Lord of the Sabbath. Jesus invites us to find rest for our souls in Him, offering a life of abundance and completeness.
Throughout history, God instituted various practices for His people, such as the Sabbath day, Sabbath year, and Jubilee, to remind them of the importance of rest and restoration. These practices were designed to help people stop their work, celebrate God's goodness, and experience freedom and renewal. Despite our human shortcomings, God's desire for us to experience His rest remains steadfast.
In Jesus, we find the fulfillment of God's promise of rest. He came to bring good news, release captives, and offer abundant life. His death and resurrection marked the dawn of a new era, a promise that one day we will fully enter into God's eternal rest. As we celebrate Christmas, let us take a moment to rest our minds and souls, delight in God's goodness, and remember that Jesus, our Good Shepherd, leads us to still waters and restores our souls.
Key Takeaways:
- Rest is a divine principle established by God from the beginning of creation. It is not merely a physical necessity but a spiritual practice that allows us to dwell in God's presence and delight in His goodness. [32:29]
- The concept of the Sabbath and other rest practices in the Bible serve as reminders of God's desire for us to experience wholeness, restoration, and freedom. These practices invite us to pause, reflect, and worship. [37:06]
- Despite humanity's tendency to stray from God's instructions, His love remains unwavering. Through Jesus, the Lord of the Sabbath, we are offered rest for our souls and a life of abundance and completeness. [42:27]
- Jesus' life, death, and resurrection symbolize the dawn of a new era in human history, a promise of eternal rest and restoration with God. This new chapter invites us to live in the fullness of life as God intended. [46:37]
- As we celebrate Christmas, let us take time to rest our minds and souls, delight in God's goodness, and remember that Jesus, our Good Shepherd, leads us to still waters and restores our souls. [49:37]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:30] - Reflecting on 2023
[01:45] - The Importance of Rest
[03:00] - God's Example of Rest
[05:00] - The Seventh Day and Its Significance
[07:00] - Humanity's Struggle and God's Love
[09:00] - The Sabbath and Jubilee Practices
[11:00] - Jesus, the Lord of the Sabbath
[13:00] - Finding Rest in Jesus
[15:00] - The New Era Through Jesus
[17:00] - Christmas: A Time to Rest and Reflect
[19:00] - Prayer and Blessing
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Genesis 2:1-3
2. Matthew 11:28-30
3. Luke 4:18-19
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Observation Questions:
1. According to Genesis 2:1-3, what did God do on the seventh day, and why is this significant? How does this relate to the concept of rest discussed in the sermon? [32:29]
2. In Matthew 11:28-30, Jesus invites those who are weary to come to Him. What does He promise to give them, and how does this connect to the idea of Jesus being the "Lord of the Sabbath"? [43:13]
3. The sermon mentions various practices like the Sabbath day, Sabbath year, and Jubilee. What were these practices intended to remind God's people of, according to the sermon? [37:06]
4. In Luke 4:18-19, Jesus reads from the book of Isaiah. What mission does He declare for Himself, and how does this relate to the theme of rest and restoration? [43:58]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the concept of rest in Genesis 2:1-3 serve as a model for both physical and spiritual rest in our lives today? What might this look like practically?
2. In Matthew 11:28-30, Jesus offers rest for our souls. What does this "rest" entail, and how might it differ from physical rest? [43:13]
3. The sermon discusses humanity's tendency to stray from God's instructions. How does this tendency impact our ability to experience the rest God desires for us? [35:09]
4. Jesus' declaration in Luke 4:18-19 speaks of bringing good news and setting captives free. How does this mission align with the promise of eternal rest and restoration mentioned in the sermon? [43:58]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your current state of rest. Are there areas in your life where you feel spiritually or physically exhausted? How can you incorporate the principle of Sabbath rest into your weekly routine? [32:29]
2. Jesus invites us to find rest in Him. What burdens are you currently carrying that you need to bring to Jesus? How can you practically lay these burdens down this week? [43:13]
3. The sermon highlights the importance of pausing to reflect and worship. How can you create intentional moments of reflection and worship in your daily life, especially during busy seasons? [37:06]
4. Consider the idea of restoration and freedom as discussed in the sermon. Is there an area in your life where you need to experience God's restoration? What steps can you take to seek this restoration? [39:08]
5. As we celebrate Christmas, how can you ensure that you take time to rest your mind and soul amidst the festivities? What specific actions can you take to delight in God's goodness during this season? [49:37]
6. The sermon mentions the concept of living in the fullness of life as God intended. What does living a life of abundance and completeness mean to you personally? How can you pursue this in your daily walk with God? [46:37]
7. Reflect on the idea of Jesus as the Good Shepherd leading us to still waters. How can you allow Jesus to guide you to places of peace and restoration in your life? [43:58]
Devotional
Day 1: Rest as a Divine Invitation
Rest is not just a physical necessity but a divine invitation to dwell in God's presence and delight in His goodness. From the very beginning, God established rest as a fundamental principle, as seen in Genesis when He rested on the seventh day after creation. This act was not due to fatigue but to set a pattern for humanity to follow. Rest allows us to pause, reflect, and reconnect with God, experiencing His presence in a profound way. It is a time to step away from the busyness of life and find peace in the assurance of His love and care. [32:29]
"Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them. And on the seventh day God finished his work that he had done, and he rested on the seventh day from all his work that he had done. So God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it God rested from all his work that he had done in creation." (Genesis 2:1-3 ESV)
Reflection: In what ways can you intentionally create space in your life to experience God's presence and delight in His goodness today?
Day 2: The Sabbath as a Reminder of Wholeness
The Sabbath and other biblical rest practices serve as reminders of God's desire for us to experience wholeness, restoration, and freedom. These practices were instituted to help people stop their work, celebrate God's goodness, and experience renewal. The Sabbath is not merely a day off but a sacred time to pause and reflect on God's provision and faithfulness. It invites us to step back from our daily routines and focus on what truly matters, allowing us to realign our priorities with God's will. [37:06]
"For six years you shall sow your field, and for six years you shall prune your vineyard and gather in its fruits, but in the seventh year there shall be a Sabbath of solemn rest for the land, a Sabbath to the Lord. You shall not sow your field or prune your vineyard." (Leviticus 25:3-4 ESV)
Reflection: How can you incorporate a Sabbath practice into your weekly routine that allows you to experience God's wholeness and restoration?
Day 3: Jesus, the Lord of the Sabbath
Despite humanity's tendency to stray from God's instructions, His love remains unwavering. Through Jesus, the Lord of the Sabbath, we are offered rest for our souls and a life of abundance and completeness. Jesus invites us to come to Him with our burdens and find rest, promising a life that is full and meaningful. This rest is not just physical but a deep spiritual peace that comes from knowing we are loved and cared for by God. [42:27]
"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. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." (Matthew 11:28-30 ESV)
Reflection: What burdens are you carrying today that you can bring to Jesus, trusting Him to provide rest and peace for your soul?
Day 4: A New Era Through Jesus
Jesus' life, death, and resurrection symbolize the dawn of a new era in human history, a promise of eternal rest and restoration with God. This new chapter invites us to live in the fullness of life as God intended, free from the chains of sin and death. Through Jesus, we have the hope of eternal life and the assurance that one day we will fully enter into God's rest. This promise encourages us to live with purpose and hope, knowing that our future is secure in Him. [46:37]
"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come." (2 Corinthians 5:17 ESV)
Reflection: How does the promise of eternal rest and restoration through Jesus impact the way you live your life today?
Day 5: Christmas: A Time to Rest and Reflect
As we celebrate Christmas, let us take time to rest our minds and souls, delight in God's goodness, and remember that Jesus, our Good Shepherd, leads us to still waters and restores our souls. Christmas is a reminder of God's incredible love for us, demonstrated through the birth of His Son. It is a time to pause and reflect on the true meaning of the season, allowing the peace of Christ to fill our hearts and minds. In the midst of the festivities, let us not forget to find moments of quiet and rest in His presence. [49:37]
"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." (Psalm 23:1-3 ESV)
Reflection: Amidst the busyness of the Christmas season, how can you intentionally create moments of rest and reflection to focus on the true meaning of Christmas?
Quotes
Holidays are brilliant aren't they holidays are so good holidays are actually really important rest is really important you know some of the greatest sportsmen and women in the world spend a lot of their day resting and recuperating and that's one of the reasons why they're so good at what they do is they very carefully manage their energy and their activities output, and they rest accordingly. You know, God thinks rest is important as well. In the Bible, we read a lot about rest, actually. [00:31:46] (43 seconds)
Every seven years, something special happened. God told His people that even their fields should get a rest that year. So all the farmers, they were not to plant new crops in their fields on that seventh year. Even their field was to get a rest. They were allowed to eat whatever popped up out of the ground, but they weren't allowed to kind of deliberately work it and plant new crops in it. Their fields would get a rest. [00:38:11] (28 seconds)
Every 49 years. So maybe once in your lifetime, maybe twice if you were born at the right moment. Some other things would happen. If you owed anybody anything, any money or anything at all, that would be wiped clean. No more debt. If you had lost your property over time, so if your ancestors had been allocated a certain property, maybe a certain piece of farmland or something like that, that you could live on and make your living from, and you had lost that along the way, every Jubilee year, which is the 49th year, that would be returned to you. [00:39:20] (44 seconds)
In Matthew, chapter 11, He says, come to me, all you who are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you, what? Rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. In Jesus, the Lord of the Sabbath, we can find rest for our souls. [00:42:51] (33 seconds)
In John, chapter 10, verse 10, Jesus said, the thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. Abundant life. Whole completeness of life. Life, as it was intended. Just one verse later, Jesus says, I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays his life down for his sheep. [00:43:27] (32 seconds)
The spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives, and recovery of sight to the blind, to set free those who are oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor. I wonder if that reminds you of what we've been talking about this morning. Release for the captives. Freedom for the oppressed. Jesus really was the Lord of the Sabbath. [00:45:24] (40 seconds)
The promise that one day, one day, God's people would be able to stop and rest, to delight in his goodness and to worship him forever in the seventh day as it was originally created. I wonder, this Christmas, tomorrow, why? Dallas Willard called Jesus, he was asked, what word would you use to describe Jesus? What one word? And he said, As we stop and as we have a holiday, we set tomorrow apart from all the other days, pretty much of the whole year. [00:47:12] (71 seconds)
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