Sabbath Keepers | Questions Jesus Asked | Week 7
Pastor Tom ChismLuke 6:9 NIV1. God determines what is lawful.

• Luke 6:6-11

2. Sabbath was God’s idea to keep man connected.

• Genesis 2:1-3

3. God created Sabbath for rest.

• Genesis 2:3
• Matthew 12:8
• Matthew 11:28, 29

4. God created the Sabbath for both man and Himself.

• Exodus 20:1-3
• Mark 2:27
• 2 Corinthians 5:17

5. God meant for Sabbath to be kept together.

• Matthew 18:19
• Galatians 6:2
• Hebrews 4:8-11

1. Read and reflect on Genesis 2:1-3. Why would God rest on Sabbath if He doesn’t need to?
2. In what ways have I allowed culture to define what is important in my life?
3. Often, in our culture being busy can be seen as a badge of honor. In what ways have you allowed busyness to become an idol in your life? Take a few minutes and confess that to Jesus.
4. Read and reflect on Hebrews 4:6-11. How are you going to be diligent to enter Sabbath rest this week?

 

“Therefore since it still remains for some to enter that rest, and since those who formerly had the good news proclaimed to them did not go in because of their disobedience, God again set a certain day, calling it ‘Today.’ This he did when a long time later he spoke through David, as in the passage already quoted: ‘Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts.’ For if Joshua had given them rest, God would not have spoken later about another day. There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from their works, just as God did from his. Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will perish by following their example of disobedience.”
Hebrew 4:6-11 NIV

Video | How to Unhurry Sabbath with John Mark Comer 
Video | Sabbath by BibleProject

This week, explore the spiritual practice of the Sabbath. Be intentional about taking four hours from one day of the week and rest. This rest should be a time that you spend specifically with God in whatever way you feel brings you closer to Him. Whether that is taking a walk or hike while talking to God, listening to worship music or sitting in solitude in the comfort of your own room, even spending time with your Godly community having conversations that He is the center of; whatever it may be, practice remaining focused on worshiping and glorifying our wonderful God. Lastly, delight in the blessing that Sabbath is. Rest is a gift from God, and He wants us to make time for Him.

As an adult, I’ve discovered the spiritual discipline of Sabbath and have made a whole lot of baby steps to begin practicing the Sabbath. I choose the word “practice” carefully because all of the spiritual habits in our lives are practices. There’s no point at which we “arrive” and have a spiritual discipline all figured out. We’re constantly practicing and growing and changing as we look more like Christ.

We have to actively practice the Sabbath because it goes against everything our culture knows. Our culture is infatuated with busyness, long hour weeks, productivity, and – as my friend Whitney says – calendar claustrophobia. We’re inundated with a culture that applauds hustle and grind.

As Christians, we ought to look different. We ought to be set apart and sanctified, which also includes our schedules and workloads. Because it can look so different to take a Sabbath and can be so counter-cultural, rely on your community. Maybe try a Sabbath dinner with friends. Invite a few friends over for dinner to start your Sabbath, put your phones away, and talk about how you saw God move in your week. Lean on your community to help you Sabbath – to stop, rest, worship, and delight.

Blessings,

Lydia Long