Finding Spiritual Rest in a Busy World
Summary
### Summary
Good morning, everyone. Today, we continue our series, "A Quiet Place," by exploring the importance of finding a quiet place for our spiritual health. We began by discussing how iconic slogans like "Have it your way" and "Just do it" resonate with us, but there's one slogan that truly speaks to our need: "Want to get away?" We all need to get away for our physical, emotional, and mental health, but we often overlook the necessity of getting away for our spiritual health.
Historically, even medieval peasants, who lived under constant threats of famine, disease, and warfare, took more time off than we do today. They had mandated breaks for weddings, funerals, and other community events. In contrast, modern Americans take far fewer vacation days, even when given unlimited vacation time by their employers. This lack of rest affects our overall well-being, including our spiritual health.
We need a quiet place to connect with God, free from distractions. Last week, we focused on the importance of stopping and being still, as highlighted in Psalm 46:10. Today, we add the necessity of finding a specific quiet place. We looked at Luke 5, where Jesus often withdrew to lonely places to pray, even amidst his busy ministry. If Jesus needed this time, how much more do we?
We also examined the story of Jesus healing a man with advanced leprosy. This man broke societal and religious norms to seek Jesus, who not only healed him but also touched him, showing profound love and compassion. This act of touching the untouchable teaches us about the importance of reaching out to messy people and not being confined by rules that hinder love and compassion.
To apply this to our lives, we need to find our own quiet places. Whether it's a silent retreat, a few minutes on the porch, or a quiet walk, we must intentionally create space to connect with God. We also introduced a giveaway for a 24-hour silent retreat at a lake house to encourage you to practice this discipline.
### Key Takeaways
1. The Necessity of Spiritual Rest: Just as we need breaks for our physical and emotional health, we also need time away for our spiritual well-being. Jesus modeled this by often withdrawing to lonely places to pray, even amidst his busy ministry. If Jesus needed this time, so do we. [21:28]
2. Breaking Societal Norms for Faith: The leper in Luke 5 broke societal and religious norms to seek Jesus, demonstrating that sometimes we must go against the grain to find spiritual healing. Jesus not only healed him but also touched him, showing that love and compassion often require breaking conventional rules. [11:01]
3. The Power of Touch and Compassion: Jesus' act of touching the leper, who had not been touched in years, shows the profound impact of physical touch and compassion. This teaches us that our actions should go beyond mere words to show love and acceptance to those who are marginalized. [12:22]
4. Messy Church for Messy People: Jesus was not soft on sin but was deeply compassionate towards sinners. He called people to repentance in a way that made them feel loved and accepted. As a church, we must embrace messy people and walk with them towards Jesus, understanding that we are all a work in progress. [14:27]
5. Practical Steps to Find Your Quiet Place: Finding a quiet place doesn't have to be complicated. It can be as simple as sitting on your porch for 10 minutes or taking a quiet walk. The key is to be intentional about creating space to connect with God. We also introduced a giveaway for a 24-hour silent retreat to encourage you to practice this discipline. [34:31]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[03:12] - Historical Perspective on Rest
[04:34] - Modern Work Culture and Vacation
[05:15] - The Need for a Quiet Place
[06:03] - Introduction to Luke 5
[07:25] - Overview of the Bible
[08:11] - Understanding Leprosy
[09:03] - The Social Isolation of Lepers
[10:23] - Misconceptions About Sin and Disease
[11:01] - The Leper's Bold Faith
[12:22] - Jesus' Compassionate Touch
[13:10] - Jesus and Religious Rules
[14:27] - Messy Church for Messy People
[17:09] - Tony Campolo's Story
[18:43] - Jesus' Mission and Crowds
[21:28] - Jesus' Need for Solitude
[27:43] - Dr. Josh Myers on Silent Retreats
[34:31] - Practical Steps to Find Your Quiet Place
[36:45] - Scripture for Meditation
[38:02] - Examples of Quiet Places
[39:37] - Invitation to Follow Jesus
[42:03] - Encouragement to Practice Quietness
[42:40] - Closing Prayer and Song
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. Luke 5:12-16 (NIV)
> "While Jesus was in one of the towns, a man came along who was covered with leprosy. When he saw Jesus, he fell with his face to the ground and begged him, 'Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.' Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. 'I am willing,' he said. 'Be clean!' And immediately the leprosy left him. Then Jesus ordered him, 'Don’t tell anyone, but go, show yourself to the priest and offer the sacrifices that Moses commanded for your cleansing, as a testimony to them.' Yet the news about him spread all the more, so that crowds of people came to hear him and to be healed of their sicknesses. But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed."
2. Psalm 46:10 (NIV)
> "He says, 'Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.'"
### Observation Questions
1. What did the leper do when he saw Jesus in Luke 5:12? How did Jesus respond to him? [07:25]
2. According to Psalm 46:10, what are we instructed to do, and what is the result of this action?
3. How did Jesus handle the increasing demands of his ministry according to Luke 5:16? [21:28]
4. What historical comparison was made about rest and vacation days between medieval peasants and modern Americans? [03:12]
### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think the leper was willing to break societal and religious norms to approach Jesus? What does this say about his faith? [11:01]
2. How does Jesus' act of touching the leper, despite the societal rules, reflect his approach to love and compassion? [12:22]
3. What does Psalm 46:10 suggest about the importance of stillness in our relationship with God?
4. How can the historical context of rest and mandated breaks in medieval times inform our understanding of the need for spiritual rest today? [03:12]
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your current schedule. How often do you intentionally create space for spiritual rest? What changes can you make to ensure you have a quiet place to connect with God? [21:28]
2. Jesus touched the leper, showing profound compassion. Think of someone in your life who might feel "untouchable" or marginalized. How can you reach out to them this week in a meaningful way? [12:22]
3. The leper broke societal norms to seek Jesus. Is there a situation in your life where you need to go against the grain to pursue spiritual health or healing? What steps can you take? [11:01]
4. Jesus often withdrew to lonely places to pray. Identify a specific place where you can regularly withdraw for prayer and reflection. How will you make this a consistent practice? [21:28]
5. The sermon mentioned the importance of a "messy church for messy people." How can you and your small group create an environment that welcomes and supports people who are struggling? [14:27]
6. Consider the historical perspective on rest. How can you advocate for and practice better rest in your own life, balancing work and spiritual health? [03:12]
7. The church is offering a 24-hour silent retreat giveaway. If you were to participate in such a retreat, what would you hope to gain from the experience? How can you incorporate elements of a silent retreat into your daily life? [34:31]
Devotional
Day 1: The Necessity of Spiritual Rest
We often prioritize physical and emotional rest but neglect our spiritual well-being. Just as Jesus withdrew to lonely places to pray amidst his busy ministry, we too need to find time for spiritual rest. This intentional withdrawal allows us to connect deeply with God, rejuvenating our souls and aligning our lives with His will. In our fast-paced world, taking time to be still and seek God is not just beneficial but essential for our spiritual health. [21:28]
Mark 1:35 (ESV): "And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed."
Reflection: What specific time and place can you set aside this week to intentionally seek spiritual rest and connect with God?
Day 2: Breaking Societal Norms for Faith
The story of the leper in Luke 5 teaches us the importance of breaking societal and religious norms to seek Jesus. The leper's bold faith led him to Jesus, who not only healed him but also touched him, showing profound love and compassion. Sometimes, our journey to spiritual healing requires us to go against the grain, challenging societal expectations and norms. This act of faith can lead to profound encounters with God's grace and mercy. [11:01]
Luke 5:12-13 (ESV): "While he was in one of the cities, there came a man full of leprosy. And when he saw Jesus, he fell on his face and begged him, 'Lord, if you will, you can make me clean.' And Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him, saying, 'I will; be clean.' And immediately the leprosy left him."
Reflection: Is there a societal or religious norm that you feel called to challenge in your pursuit of Jesus? How can you take a step of bold faith today?
Day 3: The Power of Touch and Compassion
Jesus' act of touching the leper, who had not been touched in years, demonstrates the profound impact of physical touch and compassion. This teaches us that our actions should go beyond mere words to show love and acceptance to those who are marginalized. In a world where many feel isolated and unloved, our compassionate actions can be a powerful testament to God's love. [12:22]
Matthew 8:3 (ESV): "And Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him, saying, 'I will; be clean.' And immediately his leprosy was cleansed."
Reflection: Who in your life might be feeling isolated or marginalized? How can you show them God's love through a compassionate action today?
Day 4: Messy Church for Messy People
Jesus was not soft on sin but was deeply compassionate towards sinners. He called people to repentance in a way that made them feel loved and accepted. As a church, we must embrace messy people and walk with them towards Jesus, understanding that we are all a work in progress. This approach fosters a community of grace where everyone can grow in their faith journey. [14:27]
Luke 19:10 (ESV): "For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost."
Reflection: How can you and your church community better embrace and support those who are struggling with sin and brokenness? What practical steps can you take to create a more inclusive and compassionate environment?
Day 5: Practical Steps to Find Your Quiet Place
Finding a quiet place doesn't have to be complicated. It can be as simple as sitting on your porch for 10 minutes or taking a quiet walk. The key is to be intentional about creating space to connect with God. This practice helps us to hear God's voice more clearly and align our lives with His purposes. Consider participating in a silent retreat or setting aside regular times for solitude and prayer. [34:31]
Psalm 62:1 (ESV): "For God alone my soul waits in silence; from him comes my salvation."
Reflection: What specific quiet place can you identify in your daily routine where you can consistently spend time with God? How will you ensure this time remains a priority amidst your busy schedule?
Quotes
1. "Every one of us needs to get away. Like we do. We need to get away at times for our physical health. Sometimes we need to get away for our emotional health. Sometimes we need to get away, kind of clear the mechanism for our mental health. Like we need to get away. In fact, this is what's crazy. Historical economists have studied ancient cultures and how the economy works in those times. Medieval peasants, medieval peasants, 14th century, take more vacation days than you and I do." [03:12] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "You need a place to get away for your spiritual health. We've been talking about a quiet place. Last week, we said, hey, the kind of thing was just stop. Just stop and breathe. Stop. We looked at Psalm 4610. Be still and know that I'm God. Just stop and know God. I'm going to add to that this morning and let you wrestle with this as we spend four weeks talking about the spiritual discipline of quiet. You need to just stop. But you also need a quiet place." [05:15] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Jesus, who is God, could have stood inside that village. He could have been 50 miles away. We see pictures where Jesus healed people from a distance. He could have just said, leper, be clean. And he was clean. When the guy came into the camp, Jesus could have seen him coming and said, be clean. But you know what Luke records? The doctor, verse 13, Jesus reached out and touched him. He The one that everybody else had cleared a path for. The one that nobody had touched in years." [12:22] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Jesus didn't namby-pamby sin. Jesus didn't look at people and go, well, it's okay. Jesus called sin what it was and called people to turn away from it and never go back to it. And as he looked at people and said, the lifestyle that you're living is wrong, he did it in such a way that the Bible says the sinners and the tax collectors, the people hated, loved being around him. Wherever he went, they went. But like the people where they're like, tell us a little bit more about what we need to fix, Jesus." [14:27] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "So many people, people are coming into a world and coming into church and trying to explore faith thinking, I've got to have it all cleaned up. I had somebody this week last, I guess, a couple of weeks ago. We were talking about marriage and stuff and he was saying, hey, you know, I feel like in my life, a lot of times I compare my marriage to other people's marriage. That's what we do, right? We compare our life, our marriage, our parenting, and we know the mess that we have. We don't know everyone else's mess because we're not just telling everybody about it." [16:13] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "Jesus's mission that he was on for those three years. I'm just going to go out there on a limb and say vastly more important than anything you've got this week. The salvation of humanity. That's a, that's a mission. He's got a three year window before the cross. And then really, excuse me, all of that, I won't die, I promise. In all of that, he stops and finds a quiet place to pray. He finds a place to withdraw. His disciples don't go with him." [21:28] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "Susanna Wesley, 17 children, 17 children, small. Her quiet place was literally a rocking chair in the middle of the living room with a blanket put over her head. Then when mom had the blanket over her head, that was her quiet place. No one went to interrupt. Thomas Edison had a thinking chair. Alexander Graham Bell had a dreaming place. Henry David Thoreau went and skipped rocks at Walden Pond. Beethoven would get up and after a day's work, would go out on a quiet walk with a pencil and a sheet of paper, just to write down anything that came to him." [38:49] (37 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8. "If you came in and you are a follower of Jesus, just stop. Find your quiet place. Somebody asked, do you really need four weeks to talk about quiet? And I said, I'm hoping that at the end of four weeks, somebody listened once. Because it's hard. It's hard. Practicing. Start that. It's a spiritual discipline. And Jesus is going to show up. Lord, we love you. Thank you for all that you do in our life. Lord, help us to find quiet. Amen." [42:40] (37 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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