Finding Rest in Christ Amidst Our Work

Devotional

Day 1: Justification Brings Rest

In our daily work, we often strive to earn approval and validation, but the profound truth of justification by faith in Christ offers us a different kind of rest. This rest is not about ceasing from our efforts but about finding peace in the assurance that we are already justified before God. Our standing with Him is not based on our performance or achievements but on our faith in Christ. This understanding liberates us from the anxiety of trying to earn God's favor through our work. Instead, we can approach our tasks with a sense of peace and fulfillment, knowing that our identity and worth are secure in Christ. [05:04]

"For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin. But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it." (Romans 3:20-21, ESV)

Reflection: In what areas of your work do you find yourself striving for approval? How can you remind yourself today that your worth is already secured in Christ?

Day 2: Love as the Source of Energy

The knowledge that we are deeply loved by God transforms our approach to work. This love is not something we earn; it is freely given, and it infuses our labor with energy and joy. When we understand that we are loved unconditionally, our work becomes an act of worship and gratitude rather than a means to earn love or approval. This divine love fuels our purpose and gives us the strength to persevere, even in challenging circumstances. It is a love that empowers us to work with joy, knowing that our efforts are meaningful and valued by God. [08:22]

"But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." (Romans 5:8, ESV)

Reflection: How does knowing you are loved by God change the way you approach your work today? Can you identify a specific task where you can express gratitude for this love?

Day 3: Empowered by the Spirit

God's love is not passive; it is active and empowering. Through His Spirit, we are equipped to accomplish more than we could on our own. Our work becomes a divine partnership, where God's strength enables us to overcome challenges and achieve our goals. This empowerment is not about relying on our abilities but about trusting in God's power working through us. As we submit to His guidance, we find that our efforts are multiplied, and our work becomes a testimony to His glory and goodness. [10:09]

"Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us." (Ephesians 3:20, ESV)

Reflection: In what areas of your work do you feel limited by your own abilities? How can you invite the Holy Spirit to empower you in these areas today?

Day 4: Trusting in God's Sovereignty

Facing obstacles in our work can often lead to frustration and anxiety. However, when we trust in God's sovereignty, we can approach these challenges with peace. We are assured that nothing is too hard for the Lord and that He is working all things for our good. This trust allows us to see obstacles not as hindrances but as opportunities for growth and reliance on God's wisdom and strength. By surrendering our worries to Him, we find peace in the midst of difficulties, knowing that He is in control and has a purpose for every situation. [11:37]

"Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand." (Proverbs 19:21, ESV)

Reflection: What is one obstacle you are currently facing in your work? How can you practice trusting in God's sovereignty over this situation today?

Day 5: Rest in the Midst of Work

Christ offers us a unique kind of rest that is not dependent on the absence of work but is found in the midst of it. This rest is rooted in the assurance of our justification, the energy of being loved, and the empowerment of the Spirit. It is a rest that allows us to work with peace and purpose, knowing that our efforts are part of a greater divine plan. As we embrace this rest, we find that our work is not a burden but a joyful expression of our faith and trust in God. [11:59]

"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: How can you experience Christ's rest in your work today? What practical steps can you take to integrate this rest into your daily routine?

Sermon Summary

In our daily lives, especially in our work, we often find ourselves seeking rest and peace amidst the hustle and bustle. Christ offers us a profound rest, not just on Sundays, but every day, even in the midst of our labor. This rest is not about ceasing from work but finding peace and fulfillment in Christ while we work. Hebrews chapters 3 and 4 speak of a present and future rest for God's people, urging us to believe and enter into this rest. However, today, we focus on how Christ is our Sabbath rest in our daily work.

Matthew 11:28-30 invites us to come to Jesus, who offers rest for our souls. His yoke is easy, and His burden is light. This means that even as we exert ourselves in our vocations, we can experience a restful submission to Christ's lordship. This rest is not just before or after our work but in the very act of working.

Firstly, we work with the assurance that we are justified before God, not by our works but through faith in Christ. This understanding frees us from the anxiety of trying to earn God's favor through our efforts. Secondly, we are energized by the knowledge that we are deeply loved by God. This love is not something we earn; it is given freely, and it fuels our work with joy and purpose. Thirdly, God's love is active; He doesn't just watch us work but empowers us through His Spirit. Our work becomes a divine partnership, a miracle that glorifies God and impacts others. Lastly, the obstacles we face in our work no longer rob us of peace because we trust in God's sovereignty and His promise to work all things for our good.

Key Takeaways

1. Justification by Faith: Our work is not a means to earn God's favor. We are justified by faith in Christ, which brings a profound rest to our souls, freeing us from the anxiety of trying to earn our standing before God. [05:04]
2. Energized by Love: Knowing we are loved by God infuses our work with energy and joy. This love is not earned but given, and it transforms our labor into an act of worship and gratitude. [08:22]
3. Empowered by the Spirit: God's love is active, empowering us through His Spirit. Our work becomes a divine partnership, where God's strength enables us to achieve more than we could on our own. [10:09]
4. Overcoming Obstacles: Trusting in God's sovereignty, we face obstacles with peace, knowing that nothing is too hard for the Lord and that He works all things for our good. [11:37]
5. Rest in Exertion: Christ offers rest not just in the absence of work but in the midst of it. This rest is found in the assurance of our justification, the energy of being loved, and the empowerment of the Spirit. [11:59]
** [11:59]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:14] - Christ as Our Sabbath Rest
[00:29] - Understanding Eternal Rest
[01:01] - Hebrews on Present and Future Rest
[01:38] - Experiencing Rest in Work
[02:02] - Matthew 11:28-30: Rest for the Soul
[03:12] - Rest in Exertion
[03:50] - Justification and Rest
[05:04] - Assurance of Justification
[05:59] - Energized by God's Love
[07:04] - Love and Work Analogy
[09:01] - God's Active Love
[10:09] - Empowered by the Spirit
[11:00] - Overcoming Work Obstacles
[11:59] - Conclusion and Reflection

Bible Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Matthew 11:28-30
- Hebrews 3:19-4:1
- Romans 4:4-5

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Observation Questions:

In Matthew 11:28-30, what does Jesus promise to those who come to Him, and how does He describe His yoke and burden?
According to Hebrews 3:19-4:1, what is the condition for entering God's rest, and what warning is given to the readers?
How does Romans 4:4-5 differentiate between working for justification and being justified by faith? [04:08]

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Interpretation Questions:

What does it mean for Christ to be our Sabbath rest in the context of our daily work, according to the sermon? [01:38]
How does the assurance of being justified by faith impact the way we approach our work and the anxiety associated with it? [05:04]
In what ways does understanding God's love as active and empowering change our perspective on the challenges we face in our work? [09:52]

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Application Questions:

Reflect on a time when you felt burdened by your work. How might embracing the concept of Christ as your Sabbath rest change your experience in similar situations? [02:53]
How can you remind yourself of your justification by faith in moments when you feel the need to prove your worth through your work? [05:23]
Identify a specific task or project at work where you can consciously invite God's Spirit to empower you. How might this change your approach to that task? [10:09]
Consider a current obstacle in your work. How can trusting in God's sovereignty and His promise to work all things for your good bring you peace in this situation? [11:18]
How can you cultivate a sense of joy and purpose in your work by focusing on the knowledge that you are deeply loved by God? [06:48]
Think of a colleague or friend who might be struggling with work-related stress. How can you share the message of Christ's rest with them in a practical way?
What specific steps can you take this week to experience rest in the midst of your work, rather than just before or after it? [03:12]

Sermon Clips

Christ is our Sabbath rest a hearty Amen to that wonderful truth to the degree that I understand it and I don't think I fully understand it quite yet, this seems to mean a lot more than Christ has set apart one day of rest for us the Lord's Day on Sunday. [00:00:21]

If we had time we would dig into Hebrews chapters 3 and 4 because there that amazing author presents an argument for the present rest of the people of God and the future Eternal rest for the people of God and he urges us in 3:19 and 4:1 to fear lest we attain or fail to attain the rest meaning fear unbelief because belief is the only way into the rest of Jesus Christ both now and in the future. [00:01:01]

The submission at that moment to the demands of Jesus is called a restful experience you will find rest for your souls precisely in the midst of your exertions to do your job with Excellence for his glory. [00:02:56]

We work with the sweet assurance that we stand already Justified before God not on the basis of our work but on the basis of faith alone in Christ's work even as we work so Romans Chapter 4 verses 4 and 5. [00:03:51]

How sweet are these words now to the one who works and he has in mind working for justification working to get right with God to the one who works his wages are not counted as a gift but as his due to the one who does not work for justification to get right with God but believes in him who justifies the ungodly his faith is counted as righteousness. [00:04:14]

In Christ, we work hard with the thrilling energy that we are loved by God very personally and forever Ephesians 2:4 amazing verse Paul says that God's great love and that phrase great love I think it's the only place in his letters he uses that very phrase God's great love made us alive in Christ. [00:06:01]

There is in the exhaustion of the heavy boxes a restfulness of Soul of not wondering anymore am I loved I am loved I am loved and of course the analogy breaks down a little bit because God doesn't need any help with lifting heavy boxes I got that but the principle is the same. [00:08:33]

He gives me the privilege of serving his purposes in the world and he takes away all of its burdensomeness by saying I love you I've got you I love you I choose to love you. [00:08:57]

God's love doesn't stand by like Noel stood by and watch us lift the boxes of life watch us do our job at work he doesn't Stand By and Watch counting on us to muster the energy because we're loved his love commits him to help us help us he steps into our lives by his Spirit within us and becomes the kind of energy that turns our work into something far greater than mere human achievement even in response to love. [00:09:13]

There is a restfulness in work because God is an inexhaustible helper in our work so that our energy is really in a profound sense his energy supplied to us. [00:10:42]

The obstacles that always meet us in our work and which formerly robbed us of peace and restfulness and filled us with anxiety those obstacles don't have that effect anymore because now we know nothing is too hard for the Lord Jeremiah 32:17 nothing and he works everything together for our good Romans 8:28. [00:11:04]

At least for those four reasons we can speak of Christ being our rest rest for our souls even in the very exertion of our daily work beautiful and robust explanation of this rest for our souls. [00:11:39]

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Finding Rest in Christ Amidst Our Work

Devotional

Day 1: Justification Brings Rest

Day 2: Love as the Source of Energy

Day 3: Empowered by the Spirit

Day 4: Trusting in God's Sovereignty

Day 5: Rest in the Midst of Work

Sermon Summary

Key Takeaways

Youtube Chapters

Bible Study Guide

Sermon Clips

Chatbot

Finding Rest in Christ Amidst Our Work

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