Finding True Rest in Christ: A Call to Trust
Summary
In today's sermon, we explored the profound concept of rest, both physical and spiritual, as presented in the scriptures, particularly focusing on Matthew 11:28-30. We delved into the significance of rest in our lives, emphasizing that true rest is found in Jesus Christ, who offers us a rest that transcends mere physical relaxation.
We began by discussing the importance of acknowledging God as the central point of our lives, not our careers or daily tasks. This perspective shift is crucial as it aligns our purpose with God's will. We examined the Sabbath as a divine institution designed not just as a day of rest but as a reminder of God's role as our provider and savior. This weekly pause is a testament to our trust in God's provision and a reminder of the freedom we have in Christ, contrasting our former bondage to sin and worldly burdens.
As we continued, we reflected on the nature of Jesus as described in Matthew 11, where He invites all who are weary to find rest in Him. This passage is unique as it reveals Jesus' heart, emphasizing His gentleness and humility. Understanding this aspect of Jesus' character is vital for deepening our relationship with Him, recognizing that He sympathizes with our weaknesses, yet is mighty to save.
We also discussed the practical aspects of living out this restful life through establishing daily and weekly rhythms of rest, which include Sabbath observance, giving, and physical rest through sleep. Each of these practices is not just a physical act but a spiritual declaration of our dependence on and trust in God.
The sermon concluded with a call to action, inviting everyone to embrace the rest that Jesus offers. We were encouraged to confess our sins and burdens to Christ, allowing His gentle and lowly heart to transform our lives. This transformation is not just for our benefit but is meant to be shared with others in our community through baptism, fellowship, and communal worship.
### Key Takeaways
1. Rest as a Declaration of Trust: Embracing the biblical concept of Sabbath—both physical and spiritual—serves as a declaration of our trust in God's sovereignty and provision. By ceasing from our labors one day a week, we acknowledge that we are not the ultimate providers for our lives; God is. This practice not only refreshes us but also realigns our priorities with God's purposes. [09:47]
2. Jesus' Offer of Rest is Holistic: When Jesus invites us to take His yoke upon us, He is offering a rest that permeates every aspect of our being—body, mind, and spirit. This rest is not an escape from reality but an invitation to experience life as God intended, free from the heavy burdens of sin and self-reliance. [01:12]
3. The Heart of Jesus: Understanding the heart of Jesus as gentle and lowly is crucial for our approach to Him. This revelation in scripture invites us to come to Him with our weaknesses and failures, knowing He will receive us with compassion and not condemnation. This insight transforms how we view ourselves and our failures, encouraging us to approach God with confidence. [18:40]
4. Community and Confession: The Christian life is not meant to be lived in isolation. Our relationships within the church, including small groups and communal worship, provide the context for mutual support and confession. These interactions are vital for spiritual growth and for experiencing the fullness of the rest that Jesus offers. [28:52]
5. Baptism as a Public Declaration of Faith: Baptism is an outward expression of an inward decision to follow Jesus. It is a powerful testimony to our community of our commitment to live out the restful life that Jesus provides. This sacrament is a step of obedience that follows faith and is a celebration of the new identity we have in Christ. [30:07]
### Chapters
0:00 - Welcome
01:12 - The Righteousness of Christ
02:09 - Ending the Series on Rest
03:11 - The Purpose of Sabbath
04:08 - Reflecting on Sabbath Observance
04:53 - Christ's Work on the Cross
05:41 - Ultimate Rest in Christ
06:23 - Declared Righteous in Jesus
07:18 - Christ as Our Sabbath
08:02 - Invitation to Receive Christ
08:42 - Finding Personal Sabbath
09:11 - Trusting God with Our Time
09:47 - The Act of Giving
10:35 - The Importance of Giving
11:09 - The Value of Sleep
11:59 - God's Gift of Sleep
12:42 - Trusting God Overnight
13:54 - Jesus' Active Intercession
14:43 - Identity and Security in Christ
15:37 - Identity Not Found in Work
16:13 - Pleasing God Through Our Callings
17:08 - Working for God's Glory
18:40 - Jesus' Gentle and Lowly Heart
20:12 - Jesus' Empathy and Sympathy
21:34 - Jesus Stands With Us Against Sin
23:10 - God's Love and Creation
24:46 - Personal Story of Grace
26:19 - Encouragement to Confess
27:43 - Gentle and Lowly with the Repentant
28:52 - Importance of Community
30:07 - Explanation of Baptism
30:48 - Baptism as a Public Testimony
31:28 - Prayer for Baptism Candidates
32:12 - Closing and Call to Action
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. Matthew 11:28-30: "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."
2. Exodus 20:8-11: "Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor, and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work, you, or your son, or your daughter, your male servant, or your female servant, or your livestock, or the sojourner who is within your gates. For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested on the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy."
3. Hebrews 4:9-10: "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."
### Observation Questions
1. According to Matthew 11:28-30, what does Jesus promise to those who come to Him? How does He describe His heart? [02:09]
2. In Exodus 20:8-11, what are the three main reasons given for observing the Sabbath? [03:11]
3. What does Hebrews 4:9-10 say about the nature of the Sabbath rest that remains for the people of God? How is it different from the rest provided by Moses and Joshua? [05:41]
4. How does the sermon describe the relationship between physical rest and spiritual rest? [02:09]
### Interpretation Questions
1. What does it mean to take Jesus' yoke upon us and learn from Him, as mentioned in Matthew 11:29? How does this relate to finding rest for our souls? [02:09]
2. How does observing the Sabbath serve as a declaration of trust in God's provision and sovereignty, according to the sermon? [03:11]
3. The sermon emphasizes Jesus' heart as "gentle and lowly." How does this understanding of Jesus' character affect our approach to Him with our weaknesses and burdens? [18:40]
4. How does the concept of Sabbath rest in Hebrews 4:9-10 point forward to the ultimate rest found in Jesus? What implications does this have for our daily lives? [05:41]
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your current weekly schedule. How can you incorporate a regular Sabbath rest to declare your trust in God's provision? What specific steps will you take to make this a reality? [03:11]
2. Jesus invites us to come to Him with our burdens. What specific burdens are you carrying right now that you need to bring to Jesus? How can you practically lay these burdens at His feet this week? [02:09]
3. Understanding that Jesus is "gentle and lowly," how can this change the way you view your failures and weaknesses? Share a recent experience where you felt burdened by your shortcomings and how you can approach Jesus differently next time. [18:40]
4. The sermon mentioned the importance of community and confession. Do you have a group of believers with whom you can share your struggles and receive support? If not, what steps can you take to find or create such a community? [28:52]
5. Baptism is described as a public declaration of faith. If you have not been baptized, what is holding you back from taking this step? If you have been baptized, how can you support others in your community who are considering this important decision? [30:07]
6. The sermon highlighted the importance of giving as a declaration of trust in God. How can you practice generosity in your life, even if it feels challenging? What specific actions will you take to trust God with your resources? [09:47]
7. Sleep was mentioned as a form of Sabbath rest. How can you improve your sleep habits to better trust in God's provision and care? What changes will you make to ensure you get adequate rest each night? [11:59]
Devotional
Day 1: Trusting God Through Sabbath Rest
Embracing the Sabbath is a profound expression of trust in God's sovereignty and provision. By setting aside one day each week to rest, we acknowledge that our ultimate sustenance and success do not depend on our continuous labor but on God's gracious provision. This practice not only rejuvenates us physically and spiritually but also helps realign our priorities, placing God at the center of our lives. It's a time to reflect on His goodness, mercy, and the sufficiency of Christ's work on the cross, which grants us the ultimate rest from striving against sin. [09:47]
"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: How can you better honor God by observing a Sabbath rest? What changes might you need to make in your weekly routine to ensure you are trusting God rather than your own efforts?
Day 2: Holistic Rest in Jesus
Jesus offers a rest that encompasses our entire being—body, mind, and spirit. This rest is not merely an escape from daily stresses but an invitation to live fully in the peace and purpose God has designed for us. By taking Jesus' yoke upon us, we enter into a relationship where He bears our burdens and grants us peace, allowing us to experience life unburdened by sin and self-reliance. This holistic approach to rest transforms how we engage with the world, promoting a life of grace and peace. [01:12]
"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: In what ways are you currently seeking rest outside of Jesus? How can you shift your approach to find true rest in Him?
Day 3: The Compassionate Heart of Jesus
Understanding Jesus as gentle and lowly is essential for approaching Him with our weaknesses and failures. This insight into His character reassures us that we can come to Him without fear of condemnation. Jesus is not only our Savior but also our empathetic High Priest who invites us to receive mercy and find grace in our times of need. This understanding should transform how we view ourselves and our shortcomings, encouraging us to approach God with confidence and honesty. [18:40]
"For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need." (Hebrews 4:15-16 ESV)
Reflection: How does understanding Jesus' compassionate heart change the way you bring your struggles and failures to Him?
Day 4: Community and Confession in Christian Life
Living out our faith is not meant to be a solitary journey. The Christian life thrives in community, where we can confess our sins, share our burdens, and support each other in our walk with Christ. This communal aspect of faith is vital for spiritual growth and for experiencing the fullness of the rest Jesus offers. It is in the fellowship of believers that we find encouragement, accountability, and the shared joy of serving Christ together. [28:52]
"Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working." (James 5:16 ESV)
Reflection: Who are the people in your church community with whom you can be more open and honest about your struggles? How can you strengthen these relationships?
Day 5: Baptism as a Declaration of New Life
Baptism is an outward expression of an inward transformation, a public declaration of faith and commitment to live according to Jesus' teachings. It symbolizes our death to sin and new life in Christ, marking our inclusion into the community of believers and our acceptance of the restful life Jesus provides. This sacrament is a step of obedience following faith, celebrated by the church as a testimony of God's saving grace. [30:07]
"We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life." (Romans 6:4 ESV)
Reflection: If you have been baptized, reflect on that moment and its significance in your spiritual journey. If not, what is holding you back from taking this step of faith?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "Today we're going to talk about a spiritual rest, a rest that points forward to Jesus who gives all of us ultimate, ultimate rest. So Matthew 11, 20-30, Jesus says, I want to give you rest. Physical rest? Yes. What's Jesus saying in these three verses here? Jesus is first saying, number one, Jesus is our righteousness." [01:12]
2. "Whatever occupation you have in your life, whatever you've given your career to, that is not your identity. Your identity is found in Christ. He's given us a new identity. I'm no longer a stranger. I'm no longer an orphan before God. I'm a son or daughter. I'm a daughter of God, a brother or sister with Christ." [15:37]
3. "When you lay your head on the pillow at night, you can say, let me give you a prayer that you can say. Dear God, I am tired. In Jesus' name, amen. What are you declaring? I'm done. I've got nothing else. God, I'm going to stop. What is sleep? Sleep is a type of Sabbath that God has built into our bodies that we are required, we must have at some point." [11:59]
4. "The first is find time. Find a Sabbath. Whether it's a 24-hour period of time. The early church moved it from Saturday to Sunday because they thought what better way to start our week than to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus. We're going to come together corporately like we're doing today." [08:42]
### Quotes for Members
1. "Now we come to Matthew 11, 28 through 30. There's one place in all the Gospels, 89 chapters of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. And we learn a lot about Jesus. There's only one place in the entire Bible. Where we get to see the heart of Jesus. And it's in this passage. The only place where Jesus reveals his heart." [18:40]
2. "Jesus is not against you because of your sin. He is for you and he stands with you against our sin. You and I have a common enemy with Jesus and that is our sin. He loves you. He loves you. He loves you. He is gentle and lowly. He is humble. He wants you to come to him as who he is." [21:34]
3. "Baptism is a public expression of an inward decision. The inward decision is when we come to Jesus. For anyone who's come to Jesus, you've given your life to Jesus, and you've not been baptized, today you have an opportunity to be baptized. It's telling your church, it's telling your family, it's telling your friends, I'm a follower of Jesus." [30:07]
4. "All our work, all our labor, will either be done for our own glory or for the glory of God. It's a good question to ask when we roll out of bed in the morning. For whose glory am I getting out of bed today? Is it for my own kingdom or for the kingdom of God?" [17:08]
5. "Giving is an opportunity to declare to God that I trust you with not just what I have, but everything that is to come. So you have an opportunity to give to your local church. Giving is important part of following Jesus. When you give, you end up living on less than more." [10:35]
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