Finding True Rest in God's Grace and Holiness
Summary
So many of us long for rest—true, soul-deep rest that goes beyond a good night’s sleep or a relaxing vacation. We chase after it in all sorts of ways: through productivity, through striving to please God, or by trying to check every box in our spiritual lives. Yet, even as we do more, we often find ourselves more exhausted, wondering why the rest Jesus promised seems so elusive. The truth is, the rest God offers is not something we can earn or manufacture. It is a gift, rooted in His holiness and His work on our behalf.
From the very beginning, God established the Sabbath as a sign that He is the one who sanctifies us—He is Jehovah Mekodishchem, the Lord who makes us holy. The Sabbath was not just a day off, but a weekly reminder that our relationship with God is not built on our striving, but on His grace and provision. Even as the Israelites built the tabernacle and engaged in worship, God commanded them to rest, to remember that it is He who sets them apart.
This call to rest is not just about physical relaxation, but about ceasing from the endless effort to earn God’s approval. It is about enjoying the gift of sanctification—God’s ongoing work of making us holy. In Christ, we are justified (declared righteous), we are being sanctified (made more like Him day by day), and we look forward to glorification (when all sin will be gone forever). Right now, we live in the “already but not yet”—forgiven, but still being transformed.
God’s vision for our holiness is comprehensive. We are called to be holy in our thoughts, in our desires, and in our actions. This means intentionally filtering what we allow into our minds, letting God reshape our passions, and living out our faith in practical ways. Holiness is not about legalism or self-improvement, but about responding to God’s grace and allowing Him to do His work in us. As we rest in Him, we find the freedom and joy that comes from knowing our identity and transformation are His gifts, not our achievements.
Key Takeaways
- Rest is a Gift, Not an Achievement
True rest is not found in our productivity or in striving to earn God’s approval. The Sabbath was given as a sign that God Himself sanctifies us, reminding us that our relationship with Him is based on His grace, not our effort. When we overestimate our own ability to be holy or productive, we miss the rest that only Jesus can provide. [04:13]
- God’s Holiness Sets the Pattern for Our Lives
We are called to be holy because God is holy. This call is not about outward conformity, but about being set apart in every aspect of life—our thoughts, desires, and actions. Holiness means living differently from the world, not out of pride, but as a response to God’s transforming work in us. [19:57]
- Sanctification is an Ongoing Process
Justification happens the moment we trust in Christ, but sanctification is a daily journey of being made more like Him. God is at work in us, changing us from the inside out, and this process continues until we are glorified in His presence. Our role is to actively receive and cooperate with His sanctifying work, trusting that He will complete what He started. [24:03]
- Holiness Begins in the Mind and Heart
Being set apart for God starts with what we allow into our minds and what we desire in our hearts. We are bombarded with messages and influences every day, but God calls us to filter these through the lens of His truth. By intentionally choosing what we dwell on and asking God to reshape our desires, we participate in His work of making us holy. [28:44]
- Holiness is Lived Out in Action, Fueled by Grace
Our actions should reflect the holiness of God, not as a means to earn His favor, but as a grateful response to His grace. Even when we stumble, God is faithful to forgive and restore us. Like Peter, we are given second chances and empowered to live differently, knowing that our ultimate rest and transformation are secure in Christ. [36:07]
Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[01:00] - The Elusive Nature of Rest
[02:28] - Striving vs. Rest in the Christian Life
[04:13] - The Limits of Our Productivity and Holiness
[05:16] - Praying for Clarity on Rest and Holiness
[08:34] - The Sabbath: God’s Sign of Sanctification
[11:39] - The Seriousness of Sabbath Rest
[14:30] - Overestimating Ourselves and God’s Grace
[18:16] - Hakuna Matata vs. God’s Rest
[19:57] - Called to Be Holy: 1 Peter and Leviticus
[22:12] - What It Means to Be Set Apart
[24:03] - Justification, Sanctification, Glorification
[26:12] - Holiness in Our Thoughts
[28:44] - Filtering Our Minds and Media
[30:44] - The Holiness Test: Philippians 4:8
[32:42] - Holiness in Our Desires
[34:15] - God’s Word and Changing Our Passions
[36:07] - Holiness in Our Actions and the Example of Peter
[38:00] - Sabbath, Worship, and Eternal Rest
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: Rest and Holiness as God’s Gift
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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? ([11:39])
2. According to 1 Peter 1, what areas of life are we called to be holy in? ([22:12])
3. What does Philippians 4:8 tell us to focus our minds on?
4. In the sermon, what are some examples given of how people try to “earn” rest or God’s approval? ([02:28])
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### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think God made the Sabbath such a serious command for Israel, even attaching a death penalty to breaking it? What does this say about how God views rest and dependence on Him? ([11:39])
2. The sermon says that rest is a gift, not an achievement. Why is it so hard for people to accept rest as a gift instead of something to be earned? ([04:13])
3. In 1 Peter 1, Peter calls believers to be holy in thoughts, desires, and actions. What might it look like for someone to be “set apart” in each of these areas? ([22:12])
4. The sermon describes sanctification as an ongoing process. How does understanding the difference between justification, sanctification, and glorification help someone deal with their own struggles and failures? ([24:03])
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### Application Questions
1. The sermon talked about overestimating our own productivity and holiness. Can you think of a time when you tried to “do it all” spiritually or in life, and ended up exhausted? What would it look like to trust God’s provision and rest instead? ([04:13])
2. Sabbath was described as a weekly reminder that God is the one who makes us holy. How do you currently practice rest? Is there a way you could set aside time each week to remember God’s grace and stop striving? ([11:39])
3. The sermon challenged us to filter what we allow into our minds. Is there a specific type of media, news, or entertainment that you sense is not helping you grow in holiness? What practical step could you take this week to “filter” your mind? ([28:44])
4. In what ways do your desires or passions still reflect your “former ignorance” rather than God’s holiness? Is there a desire you want to ask God to change? ([32:42])
5. The sermon said that holiness is lived out in action, fueled by grace. Is there an area of your life where you feel stuck in old patterns? How can you invite God’s grace to help you live differently this week? ([36:07])
6. The story of Peter shows that even when we fail, God gives second chances. Is there a failure or regret in your life that you need to bring to God for forgiveness and a fresh start? ([36:07])
7. The “holiness test” from Philippians 4:8 was mentioned. Choose one thought or habit you want to run through this test. What would it look like to replace it with something “true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable, excellent, or praiseworthy”? ([30:44])
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Closing Prayer Suggestion:
Invite the group to pray for God’s help to rest in His grace, to be set apart in thoughts, desires, and actions, and to trust that He is the one who makes us holy.
Devotional
Day 1: Rest Comes from Jesus, Not Our Own Efforts
True rest is found not in our striving or productivity, but in coming to Jesus, who alone gives us rest for our souls.
Many of us find ourselves exhausted, not just from the busyness of life, but from the constant pressure to earn approval—whether from God, others, or even ourselves. We may serve, strive, and check every box, hoping that our efforts will finally bring us peace. Yet, Jesus invites us to lay down our burdens and receive the rest that only He can provide. This rest is not about doing more or being better; it is about trusting that Jesus has already accomplished what we could never do on our own. When we stop overestimating our own ability to be productive or holy, we open ourselves to the gift of rest that Jesus freely offers. [02:28]
Matthew 11:28-30 (ESV)
"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."
Reflection: Where in your life are you striving to earn God’s approval or rest through your own efforts? What would it look like to lay that down and trust Jesus for true rest today?
Day 2: God Is the One Who Makes Us Holy
Holiness is not something we achieve, but a gift God gives as He sets us apart for Himself.
From the very beginning, God made it clear to His people that it is He who sanctifies and sets them apart. The Sabbath was given as a sign, not just of rest, but as a reminder that God is the one who makes us holy—not our work, not our striving, not even our religious activity. Even in the midst of building the tabernacle, God commanded rest so that His people would never forget that their holiness comes from Him alone. This truth remains for us today: we are set apart by God’s grace, not by our own merit. When we rest in Him, we acknowledge His power to transform us and provide for us, even when we cease from our labors. [11:39]
Exodus 31:12-14 (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."'"
Reflection: In what ways do you need to be reminded that it is God who makes you holy? How can you intentionally rest this week as an act of trust in His sanctifying work?
Day 3: Called to Be Holy in Every Aspect of Life
God calls His people to be holy—set apart in thoughts, desires, and actions—because He Himself is holy.
Holiness is not just about outward behavior or religious rituals; it is a call to be different from the world in every area of life. God’s people are to reflect His character by being holy in the way they think, the desires they pursue, and the actions they take. This call is not limited to a select few or to ancient Israel, but extends to all who follow Jesus. As we grow in Christ, we are invited to examine our lives and allow God to transform us so that we increasingly reflect His holiness in our daily living. [22:12]
1 Peter 1:14-16 (ESV)
"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.'"
Reflection: What is one area—your thoughts, desires, or actions—where God is inviting you to be set apart for Him today? What practical step can you take to pursue holiness in that area?
Day 4: Be Holy in Your Thoughts, Desires, and Actions
Holiness involves intentionally shaping what we think, desire, and do according to God’s truth.
Every day, we are bombarded with messages, images, and ideas that shape our minds and hearts. God calls us to be intentional about what we allow into our thoughts, to pursue desires that honor Him, and to act in ways that reflect Jesus. This means filtering what we watch, read, and listen to, asking God to transform our desires, and choosing actions that align with His will. God’s Word is a powerful tool in this process, helping us discern what is true, honorable, and pure. As we submit our minds, hearts, and actions to God, He continues His work of sanctification in us. [30:44]
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 thing you regularly allow into your mind or heart that does not pass the “holiness test”? What would it look like to replace it with something that draws you closer to God?
Day 5: Enjoy God’s Gift of Rest and Look Forward to Eternal Rest
God invites us to enjoy His rest now and anticipate the ultimate rest to come in eternity.
While vacations and days off can be refreshing, the rest God offers goes far deeper—it is a rest from striving, from earning, and from the effects of sin. Each week, God invites us to pause, worship, and remember that He is the one who provides for us and makes us holy. This Sabbath rest is a foretaste of the eternal rest we will experience with Him, free from sin, struggle, and sorrow. As we gather with God’s people and set aside time for Him, we are reminded of His faithfulness and the hope of glory that awaits us. [36:07]
Hebrews 4:9-11 (ESV)
"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. Let us therefore strive to enter that rest, so that no one may fall by the same sort of disobedience."
Reflection: How can you intentionally set aside time this week to enjoy God’s rest and worship, both as a reminder of His faithfulness now and as a way to anticipate the eternal rest He promises?
Quotes
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