What is the Sabbath?
- Exodus 20:8-11
- Deuteronomy 5:12-15
- We rest because of His work and because God rested
- He commands us to stop our busyness to give Him time
- It’s a gift so we don’t forget to worship Him
Should Christians keep the Sabbath?
- Mark 2:27-28
- Hebrews 4:9-10
- Romans 6:14-23
The Sabbath as a Principle
- Shabbat Shalom (order)
- Means to be complete or to be sound
- Synonyms for Shalom peace, completeness, welfare, wellbeing, …
- Psalm 111: 1-2
- Zephaniah 3:17
- 1 Corinthians 14:24-25
- Sabbath rest is re-creation
- 2 Corinthians 5:17
- Spiritually Psalm 51:11
- Emotional Psalm 51:12
- Mentally Proverbs 1:7
- Physically Isaiah 40:29
The Sabbath in the 21st Century
- Ephesians 5:15-17
- Matthew 11:
- Don’t want to? – Agreement vs. obedience
- No time to rest? – Prioritization, delegation, and saying no
- Don’t know how? – Learn with your growth group
“To be at our best physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually, we must engage in re-creation- a necessary and God-intended part of the human experience that re-creates the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual resources we’ve expended in the pursuit of our calling. Without replenishing internal resources, we can’t hope to carry out God’s purpose in our lives long-term. Instead, we will prematurely flame out.”
– Preventing Ministry Failure, Michael Todd Wilson.
Guidelines for Practicing the Sabbath
- Seek the principle of sabbath (Shalom, worship and re-Creation), knowing that everyone is different
- Consider the whole household/friend group
- Aim for a period of time that includes sleeping and waking
- Rest from restlessness: Relationship work, parenting work
- Take sabbath rest on vacation
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.” – Jesus, Matthew 11:28-30
