SRI Rest Part 4

Intro:

Introduction – A Recap of the Journey

Enjoyed seeing everyone last week.

The only way it could have been better is if it were in the swamp, beat Georgia.

Thank you for allowing me to be with you these last few weeks

For the past three weeks, we’ve walked together through one of the deepest struggles of modern life — finding rest for our souls.

In Week 1, we learned from Jesus’ invitation:

“Come to Me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28) We saw that rest is not laziness — it’s obedience. Jesus calls us to find peace in Him.

In Week 2, we looked back to Genesis and saw that rest was God’s idea. He rested on the seventh day, not because He was tired, but because He wanted to show us how to live — in rhythm with His creation.

In Week 3, we faced the hard truth that our refusal to rest often exposes a lack of trust. We saw how the Israelites’ unbelief kept them from entering God’s rest — and how Jesus invites us to trust Him instead of living driven by fear or self-reliance.

And now, in Week 4, we come to the grand conclusion: True rest is not just something we practice weekly — it’s something we’ll experience eternally.

If you will practice rest here and now intermittently then you’ll experience it one day eternally.

Today we’ll look at two powerful passages — Psalm 23 and Hebrews 4 — to see how God offers His children not only rest for today but also rest that lasts forever.

1. The Shepherd Who Knows His Sheep (Psalm 23:1–4)

Let’s start with Psalm 23 — one of the most beloved passages in all of Scripture.

“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul.” (vv. 1–3)

Notice something: David doesn’t say, “I lead myself.” He says, “The Lord is my shepherd.”

King davids grind from shepherd to King Warrior

And yet he says that the Lord is my shepherd and in doing so he is admitting that he is a sheep

If you’ve ever been around sheep, you know — they’re not the smartest animals. They can’t defend themselves. They wander easily. They panic quickly. They need constant care and direction.

And God says, That’s you. That’s us.

We like to think we’re strong and independent — lions, not lambs. But spiritually speaking, we’re sheep. We get anxious easily. We follow the crowd. We wander off when things look greener somewhere else.

But praise God — we have a Shepherd who knows us by name.

Jesus said in John 10:14:

“I am the good shepherd; I know My own and My own know Me.”

2. Rest Begins with Trust

When a sheep lies down, it’s not because it’s lazy — it’s because it feels safe.

Sheep will only lie down when they know:

They’re full.

They’re safe from danger.

They trust the shepherd is watching over them.

David says,

“He makes me lie down in green pastures.”

That means God provides rest by removing fear and restoring peace.

Let’s pause here for a moment.

Many of us aren’t resting — not because we’re too busy, but because we’re too anxious. Our minds race with what-ifs: “What if the money runs out?” “What if my career falls through?” “What if the doctor’s report is bad?”

But David reminds us — when the Lord is your Shepherd, you lack nothing. You can rest because He’s in control.

Real rest is the fruit of real trust. You won’t find it on vacation. You won’t find it by turning off your phone. You’ll only find it when you fully trust the One who leads you.

3. Rest Restores the Soul

David continues:

“He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.” (v. 3)

Notice — rest isn’t just physical; it’s spiritual.

We live in a generation that’s physically tired and spiritually drained. We’ve got better mattresses and more coffee than any generation before us — but less peace.

Why?

Not because we don’t have enough it’s because we don’t have what we need. Because our souls are weary.

The Shepherd doesn’t just give His sheep a nap. He gives them renewal. He restores their hearts, minds, and faith.

Sometimes, the most spiritual thing you can do… …is slow down long enough to let God remind you that He’s still in charge.

4. The Shepherd Leads Us Through the Valleys

Then David writes,

“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me.” (v. 4)

Notice — he doesn’t say, “I stay in the valley.” He says, “I walk through it.”

That’s important. God doesn’t promise to keep us from every hard place — but He promises to walk with us through it.

The valleys in life — the loss, the grief, the stress, the burnout — aren’t permanent stops. They’re pathways God uses to bring us closer to Himself.

Maybe today you’re walking through one of those valleys — a valley of exhaustion, anxiety, or sorrow.

Remember: valleys are temporary. The Shepherd is eternal. And if you keep walking with Him, He’ll lead you to green pastures again.

5. The Promise of Eternal Rest (Hebrews 4:1–11)

Now let’s look at the second passage — Hebrews 4.

This chapter connects all the dots between the Sabbath rest of creation, the Promised Land rest of Israel, and the eternal rest of Heaven.

“Therefore, while the promise of entering His rest still stands, let us fear lest any of you should seem to have failed to reach it.” (v. 1)

In other words, God’s promise of rest is still available. It wasn’t just for Israel — it’s for you and me.

The writer goes on to say that those who hardened their hearts in unbelief could not enter God’s rest.

But for those who believe,

“There remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God.” (v. 9)

And then this powerful statement:

“For whoever has entered God’s rest has also rested from his works as God did from His.” (v. 10)

That’s the gospel. To rest in Christ means to stop striving to earn God’s favor. It means believing that Jesus’ work on the cross was enough.

We no longer work for acceptance — we work from acceptance.

And one day, when this life is over, all the striving, all the pain, all the pressure — will give way to perfect rest in the presence of Jesus.

6. What Heaven’s Rest Will Be Like

Imagine that for a moment. No deadlines. No anxiety. No restless nights lying awake. No worries about tomorrow.

Revelation 14:13 says,

“Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord… they may rest from their labors, for their deeds follow them.”

That’s eternal rest — not inactivity, but peace. Not sleep, but satisfaction. Every wound healed. Every burden lifted. Every fear gone.

When we rest in Jesus, we’re getting a small taste of Heaven right here on earth.

7. Rest Is an Act of Faith

So what do we do while we wait for that eternal rest?

We practice trusting God now. Every time you choose to rest — to turn off your phone, to stop striving, to sit in prayer — you’re preaching to your soul:

“God, You’re enough.”

Rest is one of the loudest ways you can declare your faith.

The world says, “Keep hustling. Keep producing. Keep proving yourself.” Jesus says, “Stop striving. Come to Me. I am enough.”

Every Sabbath you take is a small rebellion against the world’s system of self-reliance — and a declaration that you belong to a kingdom that runs on grace, not grind.

8. The Shepherd Is Still Leading

Psalm 23 ends like this:

“Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” (v. 6)

That’s not wishful thinking. That’s a guarantee.

The same Shepherd who leads you beside still waters today will lead you safely into His eternal home tomorrow.

He won’t lose a single sheep who trusts in Him.

So if you feel weary, burned out, or afraid, hear this: You are not forgotten. You are not too busy for God to care. You are not too far gone for Him to restore you.

The Shepherd is still calling your name — “Come to Me. Rest. Trust Me. I’ve got you.”

Closing Story – The Shepherd in the Storm

tackling sheep to give them medicine

They say that if you are around sheep enough they begin to recognize you. That if you feed them and call out to them that over time when you call out to them then one by one they will come to you, following the voice they trust.

That’s what Jesus does for us.

When the world grows dark and the storms of life surround us, He calls us by name. His voice cuts through the noise — and if we listen, He’ll lead us safely home.

Final Call & Closing Teaser

We’ve spent four weeks learning about rest. And here’s what we’ve discovered:

Rest is not optional — it’s commanded.

Rest is not weakness — it’s worship.

Rest is not found in circumstances — it’s found in Christ.

And one day, that rest will be complete when we’re finally with Him.

So as we close this series, let’s stop chasing peace the world can’t give. Let’s start resting in the Shepherd who already gave everything for us.

Because if the Lord is your Shepherd… You have all you need. And you can rest — now, and forever.