Finding True Rest: God's Gift of Holiness

Summary

So often, we find ourselves longing for rest—physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Even when we set aside time for vacation or leisure, we can end up more exhausted than when we started, striving to fill our lives with activity and accomplishment. This same striving can creep into our walk with God, where we begin to treat our faith like a checklist, hoping that more effort will finally bring us the rest and wholeness we crave. Yet, the rest that Jesus promises is not something we can earn or manufacture; it is a gift that comes from Him alone.

God’s call to holiness is not a demand for us to muster up our own righteousness, but an invitation to receive His sanctifying work. In Exodus, God institutes the Sabbath as a sign that He is the one who makes us holy—Jehovah Mekodishchem. Even in the midst of good and necessary work, God commands His people to rest, making it clear that our holiness and productivity are not self-generated. The seriousness with which God treats the Sabbath underscores how vital it is to rest in Him, not just physically, but spiritually—trusting that He alone is the source of our sanctification.

This rest is not a passive escape from life’s demands, nor is it a “Hakuna Matata” philosophy of ignoring our problems. Rather, it is a deep, soul-level rest from striving, from enmity with God, and from the endless cycle of trying to earn His favor. Through Christ, we are justified—declared holy at the moment of faith—and then sanctified, as God continues to shape us into the likeness of Jesus. This process is ongoing, and it is God’s work in us, not our own.

To truly experience this rest, we must seek holiness in the way God prescribes: in our thoughts, our desires, and our actions. The world offers many counterfeit forms of rest, but only God’s way leads to true peace and transformation. We are called to evaluate what fills our minds, to allow God’s Word to reshape our desires, and to let our actions reflect the holiness of Christ. Weekly rhythms of worship and Sabbath are not burdens, but gifts—opportunities to receive God’s rest and to be reminded that our holiness is His gracious work in us.

Key Takeaways

- Rest is a Gift, Not an Achievement
True rest—spiritually and physically—cannot be earned through relentless activity or religious performance. God’s command to observe the Sabbath is a reminder that our holiness and rest come from Him alone, not from our own striving. When we overestimate our ability to be productive or holy, we miss the life-giving rest that only God can provide. [11:35]

- The Seriousness of Resting in God
God treats our need to rest in Him as a matter of life and death, not simply as a suggestion for better living. To neglect this rest is to risk being cut off from the very source of life and holiness. Our relationship with God depends on trusting Him as the one who sanctifies, rather than relying on our own efforts or achievements. [15:15]

- Sanctification is God’s Ongoing Work
Justification happens in a moment when we trust Christ, but sanctification is a lifelong process where God continually shapes us to be more like Jesus. This “holyification” is not something we accomplish, but something we receive as we walk with Him. Looking back, we can see how God has changed our desires and actions, and we look forward to the day of glorification when His work in us is complete. [19:36]

- Holiness Begins in the Mind
Our thoughts are the starting point for a life set apart for God. What we allow into our minds—through media, conversations, and daily input—shapes our desires and actions. God calls us to evaluate everything by the standard of His truth, filling our minds with what is pure, true, and praiseworthy, so that our lives reflect His holiness from the inside out. [25:41]

- God’s Rest Transforms Our Desires and Actions
As we rest in God’s sanctifying work, our desires shift from self-centered passions to God-honoring pursuits. This transformation is fueled by God’s Word and the Spirit’s work in us, leading to actions that mirror the character of Christ. Weekly worship and intentional Sabbath rhythms are practical ways to receive this rest and allow God to continue His work of making us holy. [31:26]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[01:00] - Reflections on Discipleship and Village Bible Church
[02:30] - The Elusive Nature of Rest—Vacation Stories
[03:15] - Spiritual Weariness and the Search for Rest
[06:07] - Prayer for Holiness and Rest
[07:19] - Overestimating Our Productivity and Holiness
[09:55] - The Sabbath in Exodus: God’s Provision and Rest
[11:35] - Sabbath as a Sign: Jehovah Mekodishchem
[15:15] - The Seriousness of Resting in God
[17:24] - God’s Productivity While We Rest
[19:36] - Justification, Sanctification, and Glorification
[22:40] - Called to Be Holy as God is Holy
[24:21] - Counterfeit Rest vs. God’s Rest
[25:41] - Holiness in Our Thoughts
[27:47] - Holiness in Our Desires
[28:50] - God’s Word and the Transformation of Desires
[30:08] - Holiness in Our Actions
[31:26] - Sabbath, Worship, and Receiving God’s Gift of Holiness

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: Rest in God’s Gift of Holiness

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### Bible Reading

Exodus 31:12-17 (ESV)
> And the Lord said to Moses, “You are to speak to the people of Israel and say, ‘Above all you shall keep my Sabbaths, for this is a sign between me and you throughout your generations, that you may know that I, the Lord, sanctify you. You shall keep the Sabbath, because it is holy for you. Everyone who profanes it shall be put to death. Whoever does any work on it, that soul shall be cut off from among his people. Six days shall work be done, but the seventh day is a Sabbath of solemn rest, holy to the Lord. Whoever does any work on the Sabbath day shall be put to death. Therefore the people of Israel shall keep the Sabbath, observing the Sabbath throughout their generations, as a covenant forever. It is a sign forever between me and the people of Israel that in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day he rested and was refreshed.’”

1 Peter 1:13-16 (ESV)
> Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.”

Philippians 4:8 (ESV)
> Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.

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### Observation Questions

1. In Exodus 31, what does God say is the purpose of the Sabbath for His people? What does the Sabbath “sign” point to?
2. According to 1 Peter 1, what areas of life does Peter say should be marked by holiness?
3. What are some of the consequences mentioned in Exodus 31 for not keeping the Sabbath? Why do you think God treats this so seriously?
4. In Philippians 4:8, what kinds of things does Paul encourage believers to focus their minds on? How does this connect to the idea of holiness in our thoughts?

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### Interpretation Questions

1. Why do you think God made the Sabbath such a serious command, even attaching the penalty of being “cut off” or death for breaking it? What does this reveal about God’s priorities for His people? [15:15]
2. The sermon said that rest is not just about taking a break from work, but about trusting God as the one who makes us holy. How is this different from the way the world usually thinks about rest? [11:35]
3. Peter calls believers to be holy in their thoughts, desires, and actions. What might it look like for someone to pursue holiness in these three areas? [25:41]
4. The sermon mentioned that sanctification is an ongoing process, not a one-time event. How can someone recognize God’s ongoing work of sanctification in their life? [19:36]

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### Application Questions

1. The sermon described how even vacations or leisure can leave us feeling more exhausted if we’re always striving for accomplishment. Can you think of a time when you tried to “rest” but ended up more tired? What was missing from that experience? [03:15]
2. Are there areas in your life where you tend to treat your faith like a checklist or try to “earn” God’s favor through activity? What would it look like to rest in God’s work instead of your own? [03:15]
3. God’s command to rest is not just about physical rest, but about trusting Him for holiness. What are some practical ways you could build rhythms of spiritual rest (like Sabbath or worship) into your week? [31:26]
4. The sermon challenged us to evaluate what fills our minds. What is one thing you regularly consume (media, news, social media, etc.) that might not pass the “holiness test” of Philippians 4:8? What could you do to change that this week? [25:41]
5. Think about your desires—are there any “passions of your former ignorance” (1 Peter 1:14) that you still struggle with? How could you invite God’s Word to reshape those desires? [27:47]
6. The sermon said that our actions should reflect the holiness of Christ. Is there a specific area of your conduct this week where you want to be more set apart for God? What step could you take? [30:08]
7. Looking back over the past year, can you see any ways God has changed your desires or actions? How does this encourage you about His ongoing work of sanctification in your life? [19:36]

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Close in prayer, asking God to help you rest in His gift of holiness and to trust Him as the one who sanctifies you.

Devotional

Day 1: True Rest Comes from God, Not Our Own Efforts
God calls us to stop overestimating our own ability to be productive and holy, reminding us that true rest and sanctification are gifts from Him, not something we can earn through our own striving. Just as the Israelites were commanded to observe the Sabbath as a sign that it is the Lord who makes them holy, we too are invited to rest in His completed work rather than our own accomplishments. When we become consumed with busyness—whether in our jobs, homes, or even church activities—we risk missing the deep, restorative rest that only God can provide. Let us remember that our holiness and our rest are not achieved by our own hands, but are graciously given by the Lord who sanctifies us. [15:15]

Exodus 31:13-14 (ESV)
"You are to speak to the people of Israel and say, 'Above all you shall keep my Sabbaths, for this is a sign between me and you throughout your generations, that you may know that I, the Lord, sanctify you. You shall keep the Sabbath, because it is holy for you. Everyone who profanes it shall be put to death. Whoever does any work on it, that soul shall be cut off from among his people.'"

Reflection: In what area of your life are you striving to earn God’s approval or rest through your own efforts, and how can you intentionally pause this week to receive His rest as a gift instead?


Day 2: God’s Rest Is a Gift to Be Enjoyed
The rest God offers is not simply a break from work or a worry-free mindset, but a deep, spiritual rest from striving, from enmity with God, and from the effects of sin. Through Jesus, we are justified—declared holy at the moment of faith—and God continues to sanctify us, making us more like Christ day by day. This process is a gift, not a burden, and it is meant to be enjoyed as we trust in God’s ongoing work in our lives. Rather than anxiously trying to “do enough,” we are invited to delight in the rest and sanctification that God freely gives, looking back with gratitude for our justification and forward with hope to our glorification. [19:36]

1 Peter 1:15-16 (ESV)
"But as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, 'You shall be holy, for I am holy.'"

Reflection: What is one way you can intentionally enjoy God’s gift of rest and sanctification today, rather than seeing your spiritual growth as a task to accomplish?


Day 3: Be Holy in Your Thoughts
God calls us to be set apart in our thoughts, evaluating everything that enters our minds by the standard of His holiness. The world bombards us with information, entertainment, and opinions, but we are to prepare our minds for action and set our hope fully on the grace of Jesus. By filtering our thoughts through God’s Word and focusing on what is true, pure, and praiseworthy, we honor Him with our intellect and guard our hearts from the anxieties and distractions of the world. [25:41]

Philippians 4:8 (ESV)
"Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things."

Reflection: What is one thought pattern or media input you need to surrender to God today so your mind can be more fully set on what is true and holy?


Day 4: Let God Transform Your Desires
As followers of Jesus, we are called to be holy not only in our actions but also in our desires. Before knowing Christ, our passions were shaped by ignorance and the world’s values, but now God invites us to pursue new, God-honoring desires that align with His truth. Through His Word and the work of the Holy Spirit, our hearts are transformed so that we long for what pleases Him, rather than what once captivated us. This ongoing transformation is part of God’s sanctifying work, making us more like Jesus from the inside out. [28:50]

John 17:17 (ESV)
"Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth."

Reflection: What is one old desire or passion that God is calling you to surrender, and how can you replace it with a desire rooted in His Word?


Day 5: Holiness in Action—Living Set Apart
Holiness is not just a matter of belief or intention; it is meant to be lived out in every area of our conduct. God calls us to be holy in all our actions, reflecting the character of Jesus in our daily lives. This may mean making different choices than those around us, confessing areas where we fall short, or intentionally practicing habits that draw us closer to God. Each day is an opportunity to live out the holiness God has given us, not to earn His favor, but as a grateful response to His sanctifying grace. [30:08]

James 1:22 (ESV)
"But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves."

Reflection: What is one specific action you can take this week to live out God’s holiness in your relationships, work, or daily routines?

Quotes

Or maybe you're experiencing this. Maybe in your Christian life, you're excited about being a follower of Jesus, but you've started to translate what God describes in his word, and now you're starting to live what we could call a glorified honeydew list. That you think, oh, if I could just start checking things, checking boxes, checking things off the list, getting involved in every event that the church is throwing at us, getting involved with any sort of service opportunity. If I just do as much activity as I could, maybe I will find that wholeness. Now, don't get me wrong. We just heard about some incredible opportunities here at the church. Being engaged in church life is not only helpful for you, it's commanded by God. And serving him is commanded as well. It's absolutely something that we should be doing. But neither of those things are things that we can do to earn rest. True rest can only come as a gift from Jesus. [00:04:58] (61 seconds)  #restIsAGiftNotEarned Edit Clip Translate Clip

It's a serious life and death matter that if any one of us forgets that our rest and our holiness comes from Him, if any person is not experiencing the rest that only God provides, they are not in a saving relationship with Him. If we have a position in our head where we think, no, yeah, I'm here, I'm coming to church, but I haven't really put my full trust and rest in the holiness that only God can give, then that describes us as people who are cut off from among His people. It's very important to God that we recognize holiness only comes from Him. [00:15:41] (43 seconds)  #trustGodForRest Edit Clip Translate Clip

Have you ever found yourself so busy with keeping up in life that you don't have time to find restful, restorative time in God's presence? If so, then you need to heed the words of King Solomon from Psalm 127 where he says, It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil. For he gives to his beloved sleep. God is the one who continues to work even while we sleep. God is the one who continues to be productive, we could say, even while we are resting and taking time to be with him. And as a result, that helps us to understand even the holiness that we need to be in a relationship with him is something that he provides for us as well. [00:16:55] (57 seconds)  #GodWorksWhileWeRest Edit Clip Translate Clip

``We've got to know that the rest God has in mind for us goes way beyond laying in hammocks and sipping lemonade by waterfalls in the African savannah. The rest that God has in mind for us is rest from striving. Rest from earning. Rest from enmity with God, rest from being God's enemy, even rest from some of the effects of sin in our daily lives when we come and we talk about finding rest in God's gift of holiness. [00:19:22] (39 seconds)  #restBeyondRelaxation Edit Clip Translate Clip

It's true. God's different than any other being. He is holy, holy, holy. We're called to be set apart from the world in the exact same way. But what does this look like? What does it look like in our lives to be holy or to be set apart? Does it mean that we talk differently than the other people that we encounter in our neighborhood? Well, it might mean that. Does it mean that as a church we dress differently? That may be part of it. Does it mean that we have different thoughts than the co -workers that we are with week in and week out? The Bible tells us the answer is yes. Our thoughts are to be different. Does it mean we have different desires than we used to have before we knew Jesus? The Bible tells us the answer is yes. Does it mean that we live differently in every area of life? The Bible says yes, we are called to be holy as He is holy. [00:22:56] (61 seconds)  #beSetApartBeHoly Edit Clip Translate Clip

And where is it that we can find those? It's right here in God's Word. As a matter of fact, I want to encourage you because in John 17, 17, just hours before Jesus went to the cross on our behalf, Jesus prayed not only for his own disciples at that time, but for all those people that would believe down the line. That's you and me. And Jesus prayed for us, and his request to the Father was our word for the day. Sanctify them in the truth. God, would you, Father, would you use the truth to make my disciples more holy? And he finishes and says, your word is truth. My friends, let's go to God's Word again and again and have our desires change from what they used to be. [00:28:44] (50 seconds)  #sanctifyThroughGodsWord Edit Clip Translate Clip