Finding True Rest in God's Sovereign Order

 

Summary

Embrace the new beginnings that God offers each day, letting go of past burdens and embracing His mercies. Today, we explore the concept of rest, which may not align with our typical understanding. In Genesis, the seventh day marks the completion of creation, where God rests not out of exhaustion but as a symbol of His reign and order. This rest is not about inactivity but about living in the ordered world God has established. John Walton's insights into Genesis reveal that the seventh day is the climax of creation, emphasizing that rest is the ultimate purpose. This rest is akin to a king resting on his throne, signifying the beginning of his reign, not a cessation of activity.

The biblical notion of rest is about freedom from chaos and conflict, allowing us to live in peace and comfort. When Jesus invites us to find rest in Him, He offers participation in God's ordered kingdom, not mere leisure. The book of Hebrews encourages us to enter this Sabbath rest, which involves ceasing our attempts to control and create our own order. It is about surrendering our ego and self-reliance, acknowledging that God is on His throne.

The story of King Canute illustrates the futility of trying to control what is beyond us. True rest comes from recognizing God's sovereignty and relinquishing our burdens to Him. This Sabbath rest is about living in God's presence, free from the pressure of outcomes. It is a vibrant, whole way of life, where we enjoy God's creation and His loving rule. As Dallas Willard notes, many Christians miss this vitality, becoming lifeless and dissatisfied. Embracing Sabbath rest means finding balance and vitality within God's loving rule.

Today, consider what you are trying to control that belongs to God. Surrender it to Him, acknowledging that you are not in charge of the tide, time, or others. Allow God to be on the throne, living in His presence and enjoying His creation. Whether resting or working, do so with God, entering into His Sabbath rest.

Key Takeaways

- God's rest on the seventh day is not about inactivity but about establishing His reign and order. It signifies the beginning of His work in creation, inviting us to live in His ordered world. This rest is about freedom from chaos and conflict, allowing us to live in peace and comfort. [03:15]

- Jesus invites us to find rest in Him, not through leisure but by participating in God's kingdom. This rest involves ceasing our attempts to control and create our own order, surrendering our ego and self-reliance. It is about living in God's presence and enjoying His creation. [05:14]

- The story of King Canute illustrates the futility of trying to control what is beyond us. True rest comes from recognizing God's sovereignty and relinquishing our burdens to Him. This Sabbath rest is about living in God's presence, free from the pressure of outcomes. [07:11]

- Dallas Willard highlights that many Christians miss the vitality of Sabbath rest, becoming lifeless and dissatisfied. Embracing this rest means finding balance and vitality within God's loving rule, enjoying His creation and presence. [09:04]

- Today, consider what you are trying to control that belongs to God. Surrender it to Him, acknowledging that you are not in charge of the tide, time, or others. Allow God to be on the throne, living in His presence and enjoying His creation. [08:14]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:45] - Embracing New Beginnings
[00:59] - Understanding Rest
[01:13] - The Climax of Creation
[01:26] - God's Rest on the Seventh Day
[02:06] - Insights from John Walton
[02:33] - The Purpose of the Seventh Day
[03:15] - Rest as the Objective of Creation
[03:47] - Living in God's Ordered World
[04:30] - The King's Rest
[04:46] - Biblical Notion of Rest
[05:14] - Jesus' Invitation to Rest
[05:28] - Entering Sabbath Rest
[06:00] - Surrendering Control
[06:44] - The Story of King Canute
[07:43] - Living in God's Presence
[08:29] - Dallas Willard on Sabbath Rest
[09:56] - Surrender and Enjoyment

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. Genesis 2:1-3
2. Matthew 11:28-30
3. Hebrews 4:9-11

---

Observation Questions:

1. According to Genesis 2:1-3, what did God do on the seventh day, and how is this different from our typical understanding of rest? [01:26]

2. In Matthew 11:28-30, what does Jesus offer to those who are weary and burdened, and how does this relate to the concept of rest discussed in the sermon? [05:14]

3. How does the book of Hebrews describe the Sabbath rest that remains for the people of God, and what is the significance of this rest? [05:28]

4. What example from history was used in the sermon to illustrate the futility of trying to control what is beyond us? [07:11]

---

Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the concept of rest in Genesis 2:1-3 challenge our modern understanding of rest as inactivity or leisure? [03:15]

2. What does it mean to participate in God's ordered kingdom as described in Matthew 11:28-30, and how does this differ from simply seeking leisure? [05:14]

3. In Hebrews 4:9-11, what does it mean to "make every effort to enter into that rest," and how does this relate to the idea of surrendering control? [05:28]

4. How does the story of King Canute serve as a metaphor for our attempts to control our lives, and what lesson can be drawn from his actions? [07:11]

---

Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a specific area of your life where you are trying to maintain control. How can you begin to surrender this to God and trust in His sovereignty? [08:14]

2. Consider the pressures and burdens you carry daily. How can you practically find rest in Jesus' invitation to participate in His kingdom rather than seeking temporary relief through leisure? [05:14]

3. Think about a time when you felt lifeless or dissatisfied in your faith. How can embracing the concept of Sabbath rest bring vitality and balance back into your spiritual life? [09:04]

4. Identify a situation where you have been trying to control outcomes. What steps can you take to acknowledge God's presence and allow Him to be on the throne in that situation? [08:14]

5. How can you incorporate a practice of Sabbath rest into your weekly routine, not just as a day of rest but as a way of living in God's presence and enjoying His creation? [09:56]

6. Reflect on the idea of living in God's ordered world. How can you align your daily activities with this concept, whether you are working or resting? [03:47]

7. How can you encourage others in your community to embrace the concept of Sabbath rest and find freedom from the chaos and conflict of daily life? [04:46]

Devotional

Day 1: God's Rest as Sovereign Order
God's rest on the seventh day of creation is not about inactivity but about establishing His reign and order. This rest signifies the beginning of His work in creation, inviting us to live in His ordered world. It is a rest that brings freedom from chaos and conflict, allowing us to live in peace and comfort. The seventh day is the climax of creation, emphasizing that rest is the ultimate purpose. This rest is akin to a king resting on his throne, signifying the beginning of his reign, not a cessation of activity. By understanding this, we are invited to participate in God's ordered kingdom, experiencing the peace and comfort that comes from living under His sovereign rule. [03:15]

"For thus said the Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel, 'In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and in trust shall be your strength.' But you were unwilling." (Isaiah 30:15, ESV)

Reflection: What areas of your life are marked by chaos and conflict? How can you invite God's sovereign order into these areas today?


Day 2: Jesus' Invitation to Kingdom Rest
Jesus invites us to find rest in Him, not through leisure but by participating in God's kingdom. This rest involves ceasing our attempts to control and create our own order, surrendering our ego and self-reliance. It is about living in God's presence and enjoying His creation. By accepting Jesus' invitation, we are called to let go of our need to control and instead trust in His divine order and provision. This rest is not passive but an active engagement in the life God has designed for us, where we find true peace and fulfillment. [05:14]

"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: What is one area of your life where you are striving to maintain control? How can you surrender this to Jesus and trust in His rest today?


Day 3: Recognizing God's Sovereignty
The story of King Canute illustrates the futility of trying to control what is beyond us. True rest comes from recognizing God's sovereignty and relinquishing our burdens to Him. This Sabbath rest is about living in God's presence, free from the pressure of outcomes. By acknowledging that God is on His throne, we can let go of the burdens we were never meant to carry and find peace in His sovereign rule. This recognition allows us to live with a sense of freedom and trust, knowing that God is in control of all things. [07:11]

"Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!" (Psalm 46:10, ESV)

Reflection: What burdens are you carrying that you need to relinquish to God? How can you practice being still and recognizing His sovereignty today?


Day 4: Embracing the Vitality of Sabbath Rest
Dallas Willard highlights that many Christians miss the vitality of Sabbath rest, becoming lifeless and dissatisfied. Embracing this rest means finding balance and vitality within God's loving rule, enjoying His creation and presence. This rest is not about inactivity but about engaging in a vibrant, whole way of life where we enjoy God's creation and His loving rule. By embracing Sabbath rest, we find a renewed sense of purpose and joy in our daily lives, living in harmony with God's design. [09:04]

"Thus says the Lord: 'Stand by the roads, and look, and ask for the ancient paths, where the good way is; and walk in it, and find rest for your souls.' But they said, 'We will not walk in it.'" (Jeremiah 6:16, ESV)

Reflection: How can you incorporate the vitality of Sabbath rest into your daily routine? What changes can you make to ensure you are living in balance and harmony with God's design?


Day 5: Surrendering Control to God
Today, consider what you are trying to control that belongs to God. Surrender it to Him, acknowledging that you are not in charge of the tide, time, or others. Allow God to be on the throne, living in His presence and enjoying His creation. Whether resting or working, do so with God, entering into His Sabbath rest. By surrendering control, we acknowledge our limitations and trust in God's infinite wisdom and power. This act of surrender allows us to live with a sense of peace and assurance, knowing that God is in control of all things. [08:14]

"Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths." (Proverbs 3:5-6, ESV)

Reflection: What is one specific area of your life where you need to surrender control to God? How can you practice trusting Him with this area today?

Quotes


The promise of God is that we can live in confidence together with him. There is nothing that you can do stressed and exhausted that you cannot do better without stress and exhaustion. [00:59:31]

By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing so on the seventh day he rested from all his work. Then the Lord blessed the seventh day and made it holy because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done. [01:27:58]

Genesis 1 contains a seven day account of Origins not a six day account. Our frequent reference to the six days is at least in part a result of not knowing what to do with the seventh day. What does God resting have to do with creation? Why would God need to rest? [02:36:08]

Rest is the objective of creation, but it's not rest as we normally think about it, and that has a lot to say to the way that you and I will live our life even this day. John uses the example that Genesis is kind of like the story of how a home is made ready. [03:29:22]

When Jesus invites people, "Come to me all you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest," he is not offering nap or a Leisure Time. In fact, he offers a yoke, which is an instrument of work. He's inviting people to participate in the ordered kingdom of God. [05:03:54]

The work that we desist from on the Sabbath, on the seventh day, is that that represents our own attempts to create our own order. I want things to be the way that I want them to be. I want to be on the throne. It is to resist our self-interest, our self-sufficiency. [05:55:08]

There is a story that was written by Henry of Huntington in the 12th century of King Knut where his flatterers were all trying to tell him what a great king he was and how vast his control was. We all live with this myth or Illusion of control which is both narcissistic and exhausting. [06:44:06]

The invitation to rest is not primarily about taking a nap. By all means, if you need sleep, get sleep, but it is much more vibrant, much more wonderful, much more whole than that. It is to live now in God's home, God's house, with God on the throne. [07:37:60]

How many people are radically and permanently repelled from the way by Christians who are unfeeling, stiff, unapproachable, boringly lifeless, obsessive, and dissatisfied? Yet such Christians are everywhere, and what they are missing is the wholesome liveliness springing from a balanced Vitality. [08:39:59]

By all means, as it is helpful to have a day a week where you are resting from the stuff that you do to make money or practicing digital asceticism, getting away from the screens for a while, being with people that you love to be with, enjoying creation, enjoying God. [09:22:44]

Surrender this day. Quit trying to tell the tide to come in. This day, take a breath, relax, and when you are resting today, rest and enjoy it, and when you are working today, do that together with God and enjoy it. Enter into Sabbath rest. [09:58:56]

End of teaching, beginning of your day with God. [10:20:58]

Chatbot

  • I'm an AI bot trained specifically on the sermon from May 31, 2023. Do you have any questions about it?

Transcript
What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?
Were there any personal stories shared?