Finding True Rest and Peace in Christ
Summary
In reflecting on the journey of healing and rest, I was reminded of a personal experience with a back injury. Initially, I believed that staying still and applying ice would lead to recovery, but it only worsened my condition. It was only when I sought guidance and learned to move and apply heat that healing began. This experience mirrors our spiritual lives, where we often fixate on our problems, believing that solving them will bring peace. However, true peace comes not from focusing on our issues but from fixing our eyes on the cross and praising God.
The world often encourages us to dwell on our problems, but Jesus offers a different path. He gives us peace, a peace that surpasses understanding, and invites us to rest in Him. This rest is not about inactivity but about a deep, spiritual rest that comes from trusting in the finished work of Christ on the cross. The Sabbath, a day of rest, can become a burden if we approach it as a work to earn God's favor. Instead, it should be a reflection of the inner rest we have in Christ.
Hebrews 4 reminds us of the Israelites who failed to enter God's rest due to disbelief. We are warned not to fall into the same trap. The rest God offers is not just a physical rest but a spiritual one, rooted in faith and trust in His promises. This rest is a gift, a result of the grace and mercy shown to us through Jesus. Ephesians 2 paints a vivid contrast between our former state as objects of wrath and our new identity as recipients of God's grace. This transformation is not something we can achieve through our efforts but is a result of Christ's work on the cross.
As we gather for communion, we are reminded of the cross and the rest it brings. It's a call to stop striving and to rest in the assurance of God's love and grace. If we find ourselves anxious or burdened by sin, we are invited to lay it down and enter into His rest. The Good Shepherd desires to lead us beside still waters and restore our souls. Let us embrace this rest, trusting in His completed work and finding peace in His presence.
Key Takeaways:
- True peace is found not in solving our problems but in focusing on the cross and praising God. The world may encourage us to dwell on our issues, but Jesus offers a peace that surpasses understanding. [02:22]
- The Sabbath is a reflection of the inner rest we have in Christ. It should not become a burden or a work to earn God's favor but a reminder of the rest we have in Him. [03:12]
- Hebrews 4 warns us not to fall into disbelief like the Israelites, who failed to enter God's rest. This rest is a spiritual one, rooted in faith and trust in God's promises. [13:13]
- Ephesians 2 contrasts our former state as objects of wrath with our new identity as recipients of God's grace. This transformation is a result of Christ's work on the cross, not our efforts. [22:31]
- Communion is a reminder of the cross and the rest it brings. We are invited to lay down our burdens and enter into His rest, trusting in His completed work and finding peace in His presence. [18:15]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:13] - Personal Story of Injury
- [01:27] - Spiritual Lessons from Physical Healing
- [02:22] - Finding Peace in Christ
- [03:12] - The True Meaning of Sabbath
- [04:41] - Entering God's Rest
- [05:09] - Jesus' Invitation to Rest
- [06:27] - The Good Shepherd and Peace
- [09:14] - Reading from Hebrews 4
- [12:13] - Lessons from the Israelites
- [14:42] - The Deeper Rest in Christ
- [20:35] - Ephesians 2: From Wrath to Grace
- [25:06] - The Power of the Cross
- [29:35] - Resting in God's Provision
- [35:53] - The Good Shepherd's Invitation
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Hebrews 4:1-11 - Discusses the promise of entering God's rest and the importance of faith.
2. Ephesians 2:1-7 - Contrasts our former state as objects of wrath with our new identity as recipients of God's grace.
3. Matthew 11:28-30 - Jesus' invitation to come to Him for rest.
#### Observation Questions
1. What was the personal experience shared by the pastor about his back injury, and how did it relate to the spiritual lesson he was conveying? [00:13]
2. According to the sermon, how can the Sabbath become a burden rather than a rest? [03:12]
3. What does Hebrews 4 warn us about regarding entering God's rest, and how does it relate to the Israelites' experience? [13:13]
4. How does Ephesians 2 describe the transformation from being objects of wrath to recipients of grace? [22:31]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the pastor's story about his back injury illustrate the difference between human understanding and divine guidance in our spiritual lives? [01:27]
2. In what ways can focusing on our problems, rather than on the cross, lead to increased anxiety according to the sermon? [02:01]
3. What does it mean to enter into God's rest, and how is this concept explained in Hebrews 4? [09:14]
4. How does the sermon explain the significance of the cross in transforming our identity from objects of wrath to children of grace? [25:06]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you were fixated on a problem. How did it affect your peace, and what steps can you take to shift your focus to the cross in similar situations? [02:01]
2. How can you ensure that your observance of the Sabbath is a reflection of inner rest in Christ rather than a burdensome task? [03:12]
3. What are some practical ways you can remind yourself of the peace that Jesus offers, especially when facing anxiety or stress? [05:09]
4. Consider the transformation described in Ephesians 2. How does understanding your identity as a recipient of grace impact your daily life and interactions with others? [22:31]
5. During communion, how can you intentionally lay down your burdens and enter into the rest that Christ offers? What specific burdens do you need to release? [18:15]
6. Identify an area in your life where disbelief might be preventing you from entering God's rest. What steps can you take to strengthen your faith in God's promises? [13:13]
7. How can you cultivate a deeper trust in the finished work of Christ on the cross, especially when you feel the need to earn God's favor through your actions? [19:57]
Devotional
Day 1: True Peace Through the Cross
True peace is not found in solving our problems but in focusing on the cross and praising God. The world often encourages us to dwell on our issues, but Jesus offers a peace that surpasses understanding. This peace is not dependent on circumstances but is rooted in the assurance of God's love and grace. By fixing our eyes on the cross, we are reminded of the ultimate sacrifice made for us, which brings a profound sense of peace and rest. [02:22]
"For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility." (Ephesians 2:14, ESV)
Reflection: What is one problem you are currently fixating on? How can you shift your focus to the cross and find peace in God's presence today?
Day 2: The Sabbath as a Reflection of Inner Rest
The Sabbath is a reflection of the inner rest we have in Christ. It should not become a burden or a work to earn God's favor but a reminder of the rest we have in Him. This rest is not about inactivity but about a deep, spiritual rest that comes from trusting in the finished work of Christ on the cross. By embracing the Sabbath as a gift, we can experience a renewal of our souls and a deeper connection with God. [03:12]
"So then, there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God, for whoever has entered God's rest has also rested from his works as God did from his." (Hebrews 4:9-10, ESV)
Reflection: How can you approach the Sabbath as a time of spiritual renewal rather than a religious obligation? What practices can you incorporate to experience this inner rest?
Day 3: Entering God's Rest Through Faith
Hebrews 4 warns us not to fall into disbelief like the Israelites, who failed to enter God's rest. This rest is a spiritual one, rooted in faith and trust in God's promises. It is a gift, a result of the grace and mercy shown to us through Jesus. By believing in His promises and trusting in His provision, we can enter into this rest and experience the peace that comes from a relationship with God. [13:13]
"Let us therefore strive to enter that rest, so that no one may fall by the same sort of disobedience." (Hebrews 4:11, ESV)
Reflection: In what areas of your life do you struggle with disbelief? How can you actively choose to trust in God's promises and enter into His rest today?
Day 4: Transformation Through Grace
Ephesians 2 contrasts our former state as objects of wrath with our new identity as recipients of God's grace. This transformation is a result of Christ's work on the cross, not our efforts. By embracing this new identity, we can live in the freedom and joy that comes from being recipients of God's grace. This transformation is not something we can achieve on our own but is a gift from God. [22:31]
"But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved." (Ephesians 2:4-5, ESV)
Reflection: How does understanding your identity as a recipient of God's grace change the way you view yourself and your relationship with God?
Day 5: Communion as a Reminder of Rest
Communion is a reminder of the cross and the rest it brings. We are invited to lay down our burdens and enter into His rest, trusting in His completed work and finding peace in His presence. As we gather for communion, we are reminded of the assurance of God's love and grace, which allows us to stop striving and rest in Him. This act of remembrance is a powerful reminder of the peace and rest that comes from a relationship with God. [18:15]
"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: As you prepare for communion, what burdens do you need to lay down at the cross? How can you embrace the rest and peace that comes from trusting in God's completed work?
Quotes
"Sometimes we think if I have a problem then I need to focus on that problem until I fix that problem and then I will have peace but I won't have peace till I figure out this problem and so we get fixated on on it and then we get less and less peace and more and more anxious versus coming and just staring at the cross and taking our eyes off of ourselves and actually praising him." [00:01:44]
"The Sabbath can actually be detrimental to your rest if because there's a way in which you could Sabbath that could become like work to you or you're earning something by watch me God I'm not going to work this day and I'm and the very thing that you're Wonder in which is peace and rest if we're not careful we won't enter that rest because Sabbath can become a work to people." [00:03:10]
"Therefore while the promise of entering his rest still stands let us fear lest any of you should seem to have failed to reach it for good news came to us just as to them but the message they heard did not benefit them because they were not United by faith with those who listened for we who have believed enter that rest as he has said as I swore in my wrath they shall not enter my rest." [00:09:20]
"God created the Earth the world in six days and then on the seven seventh day he rested it was a picture of completion it doesn't mean God is not doing anything anymore that he made the Earth and then he's just at rest from that on it's just saying that that he rested from that work of creation because it was done and so the picture here is of the Cross it's of the finished work of C of of Christ what he did on the cross should bring us rest." [00:14:54]
"Are you telling me that what happened on the cross really is it that easy that it wipes out everything and I can just rest I can enter into his rest I can I I like what happened on the cross was completed and so I don't have to think okay I better prove myself I better get more serious this week cuz I failed last week and so I'm going to make up for that and I'm not even going to talk to him you know kind like The Prodigal Son maybe I'll just be a servant for a while because I I can't just go back to him and pretend that everything's okay." [00:16:13]
"God wants us to rest in the cross you know when you you come here we're going to have communion every week we will always make this about the cross of Jesus and you may come here and say oh can you talk about depression tonight because I'm super depressed or can you talk about this can you talk about this because this is my problem tonight and we're going to keep steering you to the Cross not that those discussions don't need to happen." [00:18:02]
"I was meditating specifically on the contrast I I thought is there a bigger contrast on Earth from chapter 3 I mean sorry from verse three where he says we were by nature objects of Wrath that is one of the most terrifying phrases I can't think of a more terrifying phrase than that that I because of my sin by Nature I'm an object of Wrath what could be worse than that being an object on which God is to pour His wrath out upon." [00:22:44]
"Wait so now you're telling me in the coming ages I'm this object of Grace and in the coming ages he's going to pour the immeasurable Riches of his grace in kindness towards me in Christ Jesus okay what greater contrast could there be so at one moment I'm an object of Wrath just awaiting the wrath of God and then few verses later I'm waiting for him to pour the measurable Riches of his grace and kindness toward me in the coming ages like this is what the cross did it took me from an object of Wrath to this child of Grace." [00:24:21]
"God has always wanted he always wanted Israel to be this nation that was different because they obeyed his law he he wanted everyone to walk through the nation of Israel and see whoa these guys take 24 hours off and just remember their God and rest in him and yet their land is flourishing we're working seven days a week in our country and we don't seem to get this blessing wait they give 10% of everything they make they give a tithe to God and yet they have have plenty." [00:27:40]
"All my life I thought I had to make up for my sin and the things I did wrong and then I learned Jesus did it all on the cross it was completed and so this is just a picture it reminds me every week that I can rest in Christ it reminds me I I I'm a I'm a social iting with the god of creation who completed his work in six days and he rested I'm aligning myself with all of the Saints of the Old Testament that God commanded this to and so I just take a day the Lord's day and I remember and God's got me he already saved me from all of my sin if he didn't spare his own son he says if I seek first his kingdom his righteousness all these other things will be given to me so I'm a person of rest I'm a person of peace I'm a person of Shalom." [00:30:09]
"Tonight do you sit here going my soul's at rest I'm not going to spend the rest of my life try to make up for some of the sins that I've committed I'm resting in the finished work of Christ because there's nothing else that could take me from being an object of Wrath to an object of Grace and tonight maybe for some of you maybe there's a lack of peace because there's a ongoing sin in your life you know two things he mentioned about those those uh Israelites was their unbelief and their Disobedience God puts the Holy Spirit into us his spirit is in us so that when we're in sin there isn't peace there's this internal struggle." [00:31:19]
"Today if you hear his voice don't make it more callous don't make your your heart callous to where it doesn't feel anymore he can turn that heart that was becoming Stone back into a heart of Flesh through his Spirit today and so what I want to do right now is I just want to make sure tonight all of us when we leave our soul is at rest and we've truly found the Sabbath rest that Christ offers from the cross and for some of you maybe it's been unbelief that all your life you've been trying to earn the love of your parents the approval whoever a man you love a woman you love and you've been doing the same thing to God and not trusting in his finished work on the cross and it's making you more and more miserable less and less restful it's been the enemy who's been trying to steal this peace from you and your Good Shepherd tonight saying I want to take you to a green pasture and force you to lie down besides Still Waters and you can drink I want to set a table for you so you can just eat amidst all the problems in your life it's not the changing of those situations that's going to bring you peace it's you eating at my table that's what we're doing at Communion and he's pouring you a drink to where it overflows that's the picture of our Good Shepherd." [00:34:20]
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