A SUMMER OF SABBATH
THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE SABBATH: Biblical Theme of Rest
1 Thus the heavens and the earth were completed in all their vast array. 2 By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work. 3 Then God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done. —Genesis 2:1-3
1. THE CREATION OF SABBATH REST
In the beginning, God created all things, He said it was good, and then He rested because He was done.
God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground.” —Genesis 1:28
Sabbath rest isn’t about being idle or doing nothing; rather, it’s a rest of peace and shalom and dwelling with God Himself.
Sabbath rest is God enjoying mankind, mankind enjoying God, and everyone enjoying God’s perfect creation.
Mankind’s sin brought death and separation instead of rest.
The remainder of the Bible is all about God making a way to restore rest.
2. THE COVENANT OF SABBATH REST
8 You are not to do as we do here today, everyone doing as they see fit, 9 since you have not yet reached the resting place and the inheritance the Lord your God is giving you. 10 But you will cross the Jordan and settle in the land the Lord your God is giving you as an inheritance, and he will give you rest from all your enemies around you so that you will live in safety. —Deuteronomy 12:8-10
16 Who were they who heard and rebelled? Were they not all those Moses led out of Egypt? 17 And with whom was he angry for forty years? Was it not with those who sinned, whose bodies perished in the wilderness? 18 And to whom did God swear that they would never enter his rest if not to those who disobeyed? 19 So we see that they were not able to enter, because of their unbelief. —Hebrews 3:16-19
The result of not following God into His rest is DEATH
“Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy…” —Exodus 20:8
1 The law is only a shadow of the good things that are coming—not the realities themselves. For this reason it can never, by the same sacrifices repeated endlessly year after year, make perfect those who draw near to worship. 2 Otherwise, would they not have stopped being offered? For the worshipers would have been cleansed once for all, and would no longer have felt guilty for their sins. 3 But those sacrifices are an annual reminder of sins. 4 It is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins. —Hebrews 10:1-4
16 Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day. 17 These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ. —Colossians 2:16-17
3. THE CHRIST OF SABBATH REST
Jesus becomes our final (once and for all) sacrifice for sin and He also becomes our eternal (once and for all) sabbath rest!
“For the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath.” (Mic Drop) —Matthew 12:8
The Messiah, the Anointed One is now our sabbath.
JESUS IS OUR SABBATH – JESUS IS OUR REST
1 Therefore, since the promise of entering his rest still stands, let us be careful that none of you be found to have fallen short of it. 2 For we also have had the good news proclaimed to us, just as they did; but the message they heard was of no value to them, because they did not share the faith of those who obeyed. 3 Now we who have believed enter that rest… —Hebrews 4:1-3a
God has provided a means to permanently enter rest through His Son, Jesus the Christ.
JESUS IS OUR SABBATH – JESUS IS OUR REST
But when this priest had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, —Hebrews 10:12
And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, —Ephesians 2:6
JESUS IS OUR SABBATH – WE HAVE OUR REST IN HIM
Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will perish by following their example of disobedience. —Hebrews 4:11
Have you found your rest in the work of Christ alone?
28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” —Matthew 11:28-29
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS AND PERSONAL APPLICATION:
Q1: (Gensis 2:1-3) Why did God rest? Was God tired and need a break or was His idea of rest How did God rest (see Genesis 3:8)?
Q2: (Hebrews 3:16-19) Does mankind have a choice to receive God’s rest? What is the result of ignoring God’s provision for rest?
Q3: (Colossians 2:16-17) How does this passage portray Jesus and the role of a prescribed Sabbath in our lives today?
Q4: (Hebrews 4:1-3) How does this passage portray Jesus? How do we now enter God’s rest? (Read Matthew 11:28-29) Have you found your rest in Jesus, in His completed and wholly sufficient atoning work?