Holy Rest = Time with God

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Holy Rest changes our approach to relationship with God

Background

God is the sole creator - He is known as the creator

They had a job to do

Remember man and woman were created and blessed to manage (work) the creation

Genesis 2:1–3 NLT

So the creation of the heavens and the earth and everything in them was completed. On the seventh day God had finished his work of creation, so he rested* from all his work. And God blessed the seventh day and declared it holy, because it was the day when he rested from all his work of creation.

Holy Rest

How to Read the Bible

v1 - the creation frame

Important for understanding scripture

v2 - 7 is the biblical number of completion and wholeness

No precedent in the ancient Near East for 7 day cycle.

What is the importance of #7?

The first sentence of the bible is 7 Hebrew words

1:2 - 2 sets of 7 words

7 days

7 in sets and in multiples show completeness and totality

Peter forgives 7 times - 7X70

How does this tie to creation?

Days 1, 4, and 7 are all about time from and for God.

Why does the framing and #7 matter?

The Bible is not tossed together - sophisticated art

Time matters to God. He establishes time and respects it.

If you are waiting on God knows and will bring his work to completion

The 7th day

Worldview & Practice

Time with God and Others

Law - 24-hour period based on God’s example

If he can stop, so can you!

Stop and Enjoy Rest

Point of Creation

Why did God create the world

God's character is seen in creation

Order

Beauty

Cositancy

Freedom

That’s not why He did it.

He did it because he wants a relationship with us.

Rested = Stopped Working (shi-bot)

Not out of being drained, but enjoying the satisfaction

While he has the identity of Creator, he doesn’t live out of that - He lives out of Love

God worked from love, not for love.

1 John love - fully loved by God.

1 John 4:16 “16 We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in his love. God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them.”

Worked from love

Stopped from love

What wears us out is: 2 things

Is not understanding who God is and what He wants

1) Working for love VS from Love

Buying flowers For a reason vs From a reason

Paul salvation by faith alone

Resting anchors us in God’s love - not for God's love

“To the extent that you allow yourself to rest in Jesus’ love is the extent to which you can handle your life.”

His love propels you forward and causes you to wait

The practice of resting is because God knows we confuse ourselves.

2) Working to shore up your Identity

God = sole creator but he is more than what He does

You are more than what you do.

No end of the 7th day.

What is missing on the 7th day - no evening and morning

Does NOT cancel the Blessing God gave humanity

Work is a blessing when we look in, up, and out

7th day includes us in an additional blessing

The primary funtion of “evening and morning the next day” is to show order, and an End to each day except the 7th.

The next time God goes to work when Sin enters the world

The 7th day is heaven.

No fear, anxiety

What would you explore and do?

What parts of the Earth would you enjoy and discover?

This brings Hope.

This is why we need to practice heaven now.

It almost killed my wife.

How do we Rest well?

1st, spend time with God

Don’t drive the needle - improve

Self improvement

Self-analysis

What brings you joy and connects the aspects of your humanity together?

Go for a walk, watch a movie, and get lunch with a friend

How do I rest?

Stay home - listen to the bible

Football news

Cut wood

Eat what I want

Not a rule but an invitation to a relationship

You can’t go 24/7 without a break

What does Holy mean

treated with special care,

belonging to the sanctuary (heaven on earth)

treat according to the procedures of worship

How is Holy and Rest connected?

Revelation (after Jesus) holiness is primarily associated with God’s Character.

Revelation 4:8 “8 Each of these living beings had six wings, and their wings were covered all over with eyes, inside and out. Day after day and night after night they keep on saying, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God, the Almighty— the one who always was, who is, and who is still to come.”

We want to set apart time for God - Stop moving the needle

Holy delight - satisfaction of being known (ID) not by doing

Not just physical - it's every aspect of humanity

How is Holy Rest a gift?

Dependent on God - He has already provided everything

The heavens and the earth are complete and perfect

Time - purpose and meaning

Heaven - is being with God

Rationship with God and others is more important than anything else

Practice keeping the main thing the main thing

God’s way is from love, not for love

not striving. It’s joyful and life-giving

Rest is Time with God and others

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