Resting in Christ: The True Meaning of Sabbath

 

Summary

The Lord is exalted above all, reigning in holiness and justice, and we are called to gather and worship Him—not out of obligation, but as a response to His grace. In Matthew 12, Jesus confronts the Pharisees’ rigid interpretation of the Sabbath, revealing that He Himself is the Lord of the Sabbath. The Sabbath was never meant to be a burdensome set of rules, but a gift—a day to rest in God’s mercy, to remember our dependence on Him, and to delight in His presence. Jesus teaches that true rest is not found in our efforts or religious performance, but in Him alone.

God established the Sabbath at creation, not because He needed rest, but to set an example for us: to work diligently, to rest regularly, and to trust Him with our lives. The Sabbath is a weekly reminder that our worth and security are not found in our own striving, but in God’s faithfulness. It is a day to lay down self-sufficiency and to remember that God is at work even when we are not. More than physical rest, the Sabbath points to the spiritual rest we receive through Christ’s finished work—salvation is not something we earn, but a gift we receive.

Jesus exposes the danger of man-made religion, where worship becomes a checklist and a means to earn God’s favor. The Pharisees added layers of rules that suffocated the joy and purpose of worship. But God desires our hearts, not empty rituals. Worship is meant to be an overflow of gratitude for the mercy we have received, not a loveless duty. When we gather, we are not performing for God’s approval; we are responding to His love and encouraging one another in faith.

The Sabbath is also a reflection of God’s mercy. Jesus quotes Hosea, “I desire mercy, not sacrifice,” reminding us that God values faithful love over ritual. The Sabbath is a time to remember how God has been merciful to us and to extend that mercy to others. Jesus demonstrates this by healing on the Sabbath, showing that people are more valuable than rules, and that the heart of God is compassion.

Ultimately, the Sabbath is a display of the gospel of grace. Jesus redefines the Sabbath as a gift, not a test. Just as He restored the man’s hand, He restores us to the fullness of life with God—not by our works, but by His grace. The invitation is to rest in what Christ has done, to lay down our striving, and to worship with hearts full of gratitude.

Key Takeaways

- True rest is found in Christ, not in our own efforts. The Sabbath is a weekly reminder that our salvation and worth are not earned by religious performance, but are gifts received through faith in Jesus. This rest is both physical and spiritual, inviting us to trust God with our lives and to cease striving for approval. [48:38]

- God desires our hearts, not empty rituals. The Pharisees’ obsession with rules turned worship into a burden, but God calls us to worship as an overflow of love and gratitude for His mercy. When worship becomes a checklist, we miss the joy and freedom of relationship with God. [47:15]

- The Sabbath is a celebration of grace, not a test of merit. Jesus, as Lord of the Sabbath, redefines it as a day to receive God’s mercy and to extend that mercy to others. Our gathering is not about proving ourselves, but about remembering and proclaiming the grace we have received. [43:12]

- Mercy is at the heart of true worship. Jesus quotes Hosea to show that God values faithful love and compassion over sacrifice. As we gather, we are called to reflect on the ways God has been merciful to us and to let that mercy shape how we treat others, both in worship and throughout the week. [47:15]

- The gospel frees us from the burden of self-sufficiency. Jesus’ finished work on the cross means we no longer have to strive to earn God’s favor. The Sabbath is an invitation to lay down our striving, to rest in Christ’s sufficiency, and to live out of the abundance of His grace every day. [01:15:04]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:45] - Exalting the Lord in Worship
[02:30] - Singing: Crown Him with Many Crowns
[05:10] - Our Story: From Death to Life
[08:00] - By Grace You Are Saved
[12:00] - Introduction to Matthew 12
[15:20] - Jesus and the Sabbath Controversy
[18:45] - The Lord of the Sabbath
[22:10] - The Purpose of the Sabbath
[25:30] - Resting in God’s Faithfulness
[29:00] - Rejecting Man-Made Religion
[33:15] - Worship as a Response to Grace
[37:00] - Mercy Over Sacrifice
[41:20] - The Sabbath as a Display of the Gospel
[45:00] - Invitation to Rest in Christ

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: Resting in Christ – The Gift of the Sabbath

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### Bible Reading

- Matthew 12:1-14
Jesus and the disciples in the grain fields, the Pharisees’ challenge, and the healing of the man with the shriveled hand.

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### Observation Questions

1. In Matthew 12:1-2, what did the Pharisees accuse Jesus’ disciples of doing wrong, and why did they see it as a problem?
2. How does Jesus respond to the Pharisees’ accusation about the Sabbath? What examples does He use from the Old Testament?
3. What does Jesus mean when He says, “I desire mercy and not sacrifice” (Matthew 12:7)?
4. When Jesus heals the man with the shriveled hand on the Sabbath, how do the Pharisees react, and what does this show about their priorities? [43:12]

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### Interpretation Questions

1. Why do you think Jesus calls Himself “Lord of the Sabbath”? What is He trying to teach the Pharisees and us about true rest? [47:15]
2. The sermon says the Sabbath is a gift, not a burden. How does Jesus’ teaching challenge the way people often approach religious rules and traditions? [48:38]
3. What is the difference between worship that is a “checklist” and worship that is an “overflow of gratitude”? How can we tell the difference in our own hearts? [47:15]
4. Jesus says, “It is lawful to do what is good on the Sabbath.” What does this reveal about God’s heart for people, especially compared to the Pharisees’ focus on rules? [43:12]

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### Application Questions

1. The sermon says the Sabbath is a weekly reminder that our worth and security are not found in our own striving, but in God’s faithfulness. In what areas of your life do you find it hardest to stop striving and trust God? What would it look like to “rest” in those areas this week? [48:38]
2. Think about your usual attitude toward Sunday worship or gathering with other believers. Do you see it more as a duty or as a response to God’s grace? What is one practical way you could prepare your heart to worship out of gratitude instead of obligation? [47:15]
3. The Pharisees added extra rules that made worship a burden. Are there any “man-made” rules or expectations (from yourself or others) that make it hard for you to enjoy God’s presence? How can you let go of those this week? [47:15]
4. Jesus says God desires mercy, not sacrifice. Can you think of a time when you focused more on “doing things right” than on showing mercy to someone? How could you extend mercy to someone in your life this week, especially in your church or family? [43:12]
5. The Sabbath is a celebration of grace, not a test of merit. Is there an area where you feel like you have to “earn” God’s approval? What would it look like to lay down that burden and receive His grace instead? [01:15:04]
6. The sermon suggests making a list of ways God has been merciful to you. Take a moment to name one or two specific ways you’ve experienced God’s mercy. How can remembering these help you worship with a grateful heart? [47:15]
7. Jesus restored the man’s hand on the Sabbath, showing that people are more valuable than rules. Is there someone in your life who needs compassion more than correction right now? How can you show them the heart of Jesus this week? [43:12]

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Closing Prayer Suggestion:
Thank God for His grace and mercy, and ask Him to help you rest in Christ, worship with a grateful heart, and extend His mercy to others this week.

Devotional

Day 1: Jesus is Lord of the Sabbath and the Fulfillment of True Rest
Jesus declares Himself as the Lord of the Sabbath, teaching that true rest is not found in religious rule-keeping but in Him alone. He redefines the Sabbath from a burdensome set of regulations into a gracious invitation to rest in His completed work, reminding us that our salvation and eternal rest are secured not by our efforts but by what He has already accomplished. In Christ, the Sabbath becomes a gift to receive, not a duty to perform, and we are called to trust that God is working even when we are not. [43:12]

Matthew 12:6-8 (CSB): "I tell you that something greater than the temple is here. If you had known what this means: I desire mercy and not sacrifice, you would not have condemned the innocent. For the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath."

Reflection: Where in your life are you striving to earn God’s favor instead of resting in the finished work of Jesus? What would it look like to lay down your striving and trust Him today?


Day 2: Rejecting Man-Made Religion for Heartfelt Worship
God desires worship that flows from a heart transformed by His grace, not empty rituals or man-made rules. The Pharisees added burdensome regulations to the Sabbath, turning worship into a checklist rather than a joyful response to God’s love. True worship is not about gaining approval through our actions, but about gathering as redeemed people to praise the God who has saved us, delighting in Him rather than performing for Him. [48:38]

Isaiah 1:13 (CSB): "Stop bringing useless offerings. Your incense is detestable to me. New Moons and Sabbaths, and the calling of solemn assemblies—I cannot stand iniquity with a festival."

Reflection: How do you prepare your heart for worship each week? What is one practical step you can take to shift from seeing worship as a duty to experiencing it as a delight in God’s presence?


Day 3: The Sabbath as a Reflection of God’s Mercy
The Sabbath is meant to reflect God’s mercy, not to be a ritualistic performance. Jesus teaches that God desires mercy and faithful love over sacrifice, calling us to receive His mercy and extend it to others. When we gather for worship, we are reminded of the countless ways God has been merciful to us, and we are invited to let that mercy overflow into our relationships and actions throughout the week. [47:15]

Hosea 6:6 (CSB): "For I desire faithful love and not sacrifice, the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings."

Reflection: Make a list of specific ways God has shown you mercy. How can you intentionally extend that same mercy to someone in your life this week?


Day 4: The Sabbath as a Display of the Gospel of Grace
Jesus redefines the Sabbath as a testimony of grace, not a test of grit. He restores the man with the withered hand, showing that the Sabbath is about receiving God’s healing and wholeness, not about proving ourselves through works. The rest Jesus offers is a gift, reminding us that our worth and identity are found in Him, not in our performance or perfection. [01:15:04]

Titus 3:5 (CSB): "He saved us—not by works of righteousness that we had done, but according to his mercy—through the washing of regeneration and renewal by the Holy Spirit."

Reflection: In what area of your life do you feel pressure to “prove” yourself to God or others? How can you embrace the grace of Jesus and rest in His acceptance today?


Day 5: Gathering Together to Encourage and Provoke Love
God calls us to gather regularly, not out of obligation, but to encourage one another and provoke love and good works. Our assembling is a means of reminding each other of the gospel, singing truth over one another, and building each other up as we await Christ’s return. The Sabbath gathering is a grace that helps us remember who we are in Christ and strengthens us to live out His love in the world. [40:32]

Hebrews 10:24-25 (CSB): "And let us consider one another in order to provoke love and good works, not neglecting to gather together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging each other, and all the more as you see the day approaching."

Reflection: Who in your church family needs encouragement this week? How can you reach out to them and speak or show the love of Christ in a tangible way?

Quotes



And as we come to it today, we come seeking truth that is fresh as this morning's headlines, but as ancient and as truthful as you are. Lord, the truths of the scriptures, we come to it to change our hearts and lives. And Lord, I pray that as it seeks to change our desires, our hearts, our, any traditions we might have set above your law and of your word, I pray that they would be torn down. And instead, we were replaced with that heart of flesh that longs to please you and look like your son, Jesus. We ask this in Jesus' name. Amen. So picture this. You're struggling. You're trying to keep it all together. You're working hard. You're trying to juggle everything at home, at work, at all the things that you've got going on in your life. And someone comes to you and says, Oh, by the way, not only do you need to do all those things, but you need to be perfect on the Sabbath. [00:44:23] (81 seconds)


Imagine in that age in the first century, you're walking to the synagogue and you're like, Hey, kid, get out of the, you're not supposed to be up on the tree. You're already breaking, you know, you set, you're like, we should turn around, but I know that would break the laws of how many steps I'm supposed to take. So you, so you're in a big conundrum. They're already defeating, defeated, coming in the door. And oftentimes we are as well. [00:46:01] (27 seconds)


In this, we see that Jesus is teaching the Pharisees then, and for us today, two things. One, that we have misunderstood salvation and grace, but also we've understood what worship looks like. [00:46:41] (20 seconds)


Both that the mercy of God, the grace that will come through the kingdom is here, but also the King is here. Jesus is here. And he says, I am the Son of Man, the Lord of the Sabbath. [00:47:31] (18 seconds)


Let me just kind of give us a little bit of what the Sabbath is. I said briefly that under the Old Testament law, the Sabbath would have been fallen on the seventh day of the week, which was Saturday in our calendar. And in that, there was lots of different laws that were written for the people of God to be holy like God and to establish that as a day of holiness. [00:48:01] (27 seconds)


also we see as jesus teaches through the sabbath finally jesus makes the sabbath a display of the gospel of grace verse 11 through 14 is the second sabbath day that the pharisees were trying to trick trick jesus but jesus shows this awesome display of grace jesus doesn't just protect the sabbath he redefines it as a gift of grace as we said earlier the pharisees were setting this trap as this crippled man is standing there what's jesus going to do you can imagine [01:15:01] (38 seconds)


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Transcript
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