ENJOYING THE SABBATH

Exodus 20:8-11

⁸ “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. ⁹ Six days you shall labor and do all your work, ¹⁰ but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord your God. In it you shall do no work: you, nor your son, nor your daughter, nor your male servant, nor your female servant, nor your cattle, nor your stranger who is within your gates. ¹¹ For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and hallowed it.

INTRO

We are too busy….

Many are afraid to rest. Rest has become uncool.

Ecclesiastics 4:6

Better a handful with quietness Than both hands full, together with toil and grasping for the wind.

I.                   THE PRINCIPLE OF THE SABBATH.

1.   Creation Principle.

i.              God rested in the midst of Creation. It is good”

Genesis 1:3-4

³ Then God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light. ⁴ And God saw the light, that it was good…

ii.            God rested after creation.

Genesis 2:1-3

Thus the heavens and the earth, and all the host of them, were finished. ² And on the seventh day God ended His work which He had done, and He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had done. ³ Then God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it, because in it He rested from all His work which God had created and made.

2.   Old Testament Practice.

Numbers 15:32-36

³² Now while the children of Israel were in the wilderness, they found a man gathering sticks on the Sabbath day. ³³ And those who found him gathering sticks brought him to Moses and Aaron, and to all the congregation. ³⁴ They put him under guard, because it had not been explained what should be done to him.³⁵ Then the Lord said to Moses, “The man must surely be put to death; all the congregation shall stone him with stones outside the camp.” ³⁶ So, as the Lord commanded Moses, all the congregation brought him outside the camp and stoned him with stones, and he died.

3.   New Testament Practice.

i.              Pharisees practiced it legalistically.

Mark 2:4

²⁴ And the Pharisees said unto him, Behold, why do they on the sabbath day that which is not lawful?

ii.            Disciples changed to Sunday.

4.   Jesus Practice.

i.              Made for man not man for Sabbath.

Mark 2:27-28

²⁷ And He said to them, “The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath. ²⁸ Therefore the Son of Man is also Lord of the Sabbath.

ii.            He often withdrew to lonely places.

Matthew 14:23

And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone.

Luke 5:15-16

But so much the more the report went abroad concerning him; and great multitudes gathered to hear and to be healed of their infirmities. But he withdrew into the wilderness and prayed.

Mark 1:32–33, 35–36

That evening, at sundown, they brought to him all who were sick or possessed with demons. And the whole city was gathered together about the door … And in the morning, a great while before the day, he rose and went out to a lonely place, and there he prayed. And Simon and those who were with him pursued him.

5.   Can be a day or an experience.

Sabbath is more than the absence of work; it is not just a day off, when we catch up on television or errands. It is the presence of something that arises when we consecrate a period of time to listen to what is most deeply beautiful, nourishing, or true. It is time consecrated with our attention, our mindfulness, honoring those quiet forces of grace or spirit that sustain and heal us

II.                 THE PURPOSE OF THE SABBATH.

1.   God rested and we are to be like God.

2.   It’s a Holiness Principle.

Genesis 2:2-3

² And on the seventh day God ended His work which He had done, and He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had done. ³ Then God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it, because in it He rested from all His work which God had created and made.

3.   Creates a resting place for God.

Isaiah 66:1-2

“Heaven is My throne, And earth is My footstool. Where is the house that you will build Me? And where is the place of My rest? ² For all those things My hand has made, And all those things exist,” Says the Lord. “But on this one will I look: On him who is poor and of a contrite spirit, And who trembles at My word.

4. It’s a Faith Principle-a statement of God Sufficiency rather than self.

III.              THE BENEFITS OF SABBATH.

1.   Rest helps intuition.

2.   Less Stress.

3.   Helps alleviate false identity. 

4.   Opportunity for Reflection.

5.   Increased Production.

6.   Gives us Permission to slow down.

7.   We can pause and see the good like God.

8.   Increases life span.

9.   Protects the heart.

10. Lowers risk of catching a cold.

11. Boosts your memory.

12. Lowers Stroke Risk.

13. Immunity to Depression.

14. Helps you make better decisions.

15. Keeps you slimmer.

IV.             THE PRACTICE OF SABBATH.

1.Make it Holy. (Set Apart)

2.Practice Silence.

3.Enjoy Nature.

4.Pray.

5.Read.

6.Meditate on Scripture.

7.Limit Commerce.

8.News Fast.

9.Swim or Exercise joyfully.

10.Seriously—go outside and look at the stars. For a long time.

11.Fast all things electronic. (At least for a while)

12.Sit on your porch or front step or deck or out in the back yard

and listen for what you usually miss.

13.Sit mindfully in God's presence and talk out loud to God.

14.No sadness or mourning but feasting and joy.

15.Share a quiet and simple meal with someone you love, or someone you’d like to get to know better, someone you miss, someone who makes you laugh.

OUR MOST NEGLECTED BEST FRIEND.

John 16:7

⁷ Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you.

Acts 2:1-4

When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. ² And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. ³ Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. ⁴ And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

I.                  WHAT THE HOLY SPIRIT DOES FOR US.

1. Seals us.

Ephesians 1:13-14

¹³ In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, ¹⁴ who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory.

2. Fills us.

Ephesians 5:18

¹⁸ And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit.

3. Gives us gifts.

1 Corinthians 12:8-10

⁸ for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, ⁹ to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit, ¹⁰ to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues.

4. Empowers us for Service.

Acts 10:38

³⁸ how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him.

5. Strengthens us.

Ephesians 3:16

¹⁶ that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man.

6. Convicts us.

John 16:7-8

⁷ Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you. ⁸ And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment.

7. Transforms us.

2 Corinthians 3:18

¹⁸ But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.

8. Shows us the Future.

John 16:13

¹³ However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come.

9. Subdues the flesh.

Romans 8:13

¹³ For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.

10. Intercedes for us.

Romans 8:26

²⁶ Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.

  

11. Comforts us.

Acts 9:31

³¹ Then the churches throughout all Judea, Galilee, and Samaria had peace and were edified. And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, they were multiplied.

12. Provides information.

Acts 10:19-20

¹⁹ While Peter thought about the vision, the Spirit said to him, “Behold, three men are seeking you. ²⁰ Arise therefore, go down and go with them, doubting nothing; for I have sent them.

13. Directs us.

Acts 16:6-9

⁶ Now when they had gone through Phrygia and the region of Galatia, they were forbidden by the Holy Spirit to preach the word in Asia. ⁷ After they had come to Mysia, they tried to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit did not permit them. ⁸ So passing by Mysia, they came down to Troas. ⁹ And a vision appeared to Paul in the night. A man of Macedonia stood and pleaded with him, saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.”

14. Reminds us.

John 14:26

²⁶ But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.

15. Testifies of Jesus.

John 15:26

²⁶ “But when the Helper comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify of Me.

II.               OUR RESPONSIBILITY TO THE HOLY SPIRIT.

1.   Receive Him.

Acts 19:2

² He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed?

  

2.   Don’t Grieve Him.

Ephesians 4:30

³⁰ And ⁱgrieve not ^kthe holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.

3.   Don’t Quench Him.

1 Thessalonians 5:19

¹⁹ Quench not the Spirit…

4.   Commune with Him.

2 Corinthians 13:14

¹³ All the saints salute you. ¹⁴ The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen.

Oh No Not Another Selfie!!!!

2 Timothy 2:1-5

This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. ² For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, ³ Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, ⁴ Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; ⁵ Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.

I.                   LOOK WHAT SELF HAS DONE.

1.    Lucifer and Self.

Isaiah 14:12-17

¹² “How you are fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! How you are cut down to the ground,You who weakened the nations! ¹³ For you have said in your heart:‘I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God; I will also sit on the mount of the congregation On the farthest sides of the north; ¹⁴ I will ascend above the heights of the clouds, I will be like the Most High.’ ¹⁵ Yet you shall be brought down to Sheol, To the lowest depths of the Pit. ¹⁶ “Those who see you will gaze at you, And consider you, saying: ‘Is this the man who made the earth tremble,Who shook kingdoms, ¹⁷ Who made the world as a wilderness And destroyed its cities, Who did not open the house of his prisoners?

2.    Adam and Eve and Self.

Genesis 3:1-7

Now the serpent was more cunning than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made. And he said to the woman, “Has God indeed said, ‘You shall not eat of every tree of the garden’?” ² And the woman said to the serpent, “We may eat the fruit of the trees of the garden; ³ but of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God has said, ‘You shall not eat it, nor shall you touch it, lest you die.’ ” ⁴ Then the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die. ⁵ For God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” ⁶ So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree desirable to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate. She also gave to her husband with her, and he ate. ⁷ Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves coverings.

1 John 2:16

¹⁵ Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. ¹⁶ For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world.

3.    The Law Depended on Self.

Romans 3:20-21

²⁰ Therefore by the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight, for by the law is the knowledge of sin. ²¹ But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets.

Romans 3:27-28

²⁷ Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? Of works? No, but by the law of faith. ²⁸ Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith apart from the deeds of the law.

II.                 SALVATION IS NOT DEPENDENT ON SELF.

Romans 3:28

²⁸ Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith apart from the deeds of the law.

Romans 4:13-16

¹³ For the promise that he would be the heir of the world was not to Abraham or to his seed through the law, but through the righteousness of faith. ¹⁴ For if those who are of the law are heirs, faith is made void and the promise made of no effect, ¹⁵ because the law brings about wrath; for where there is no law there is no transgression. ¹⁶ Therefore it is of faith that it might be according to grace, so that the promise might be sure to all the seed, not only to those who are of the law, but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all.

III.              SELF DENIAL IS THE KEY TO A SUCCESSFUL CHRISTIAN LIFE.

Luke 9:23-24

²³ Then He said to them all, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me. ²⁴ For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it.