The Value of Rest!

The Value of Rest!

Focal Text: (NRSV) 16 Therefore the Israelites shall keep the sabbath, observing the sabbath throughout their generations, as a perpetual covenant. 17 It is a sign forever between me and the people of Israel that in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day he rested, and was refreshed.

The Two Tablets of the Covenant

18 When God finished speaking with Moses on Mount Sinai, he gave him the two tablets of the covenant, tablets of stone, written with the finger of God.

Introduction

In our focal text, God’s chosen people established a day of rest to show their covenant1 (Agreement) with God.

(Agreement) with God.

Rest has many mental, physical, and spiritual health benefits.

Unfortunately, energy killers and time wasters prevent us from embracing balance and rest.

Make the practice of rest a priority and prepare for exponential growth.

“Sleep is the best meditation.” ~ Dalai Lama

The Big Idea: Rest is essential for growth.

There are blessings or benefits of rest in our lives.

I. Relationship- “Therefore the Israelites shall keep the sabbath, observing the sabbath throughout their generations, as a perpetual covenant.” The Sabbath had two purposes:It was a time to rest and a time to remember what God had done. We need rest. Without time out from the bustle, life loses its meaning. In our day, as in Moses day, taking time out is not easy. But God reminds us that without Sabbaths we will forget the purpose for all of our activity and lose the balance crucial to a faithful life. Make sure your Sabbath provides a time of both refreshment and remembrance of God.

The Israelites’ relationship with God was built on...

A. Trust

B. Dependence

C. Agreement

There are blessings or benefits of rest in our lives.

I. Relationship

II.Restoration- “It is a sign forever between me and the people of Israel that in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day he rested, and was refreshed.” It was a time to rest and a time to remember what God had done. We need rest. Make sure your Sabbath provides a time of both refreshment and remembrance of God. God restores our ...

A. Our Mind

B. OurBody

C. OurSpirit

There are blessings or benefits of rest in our lives.

I. Relationship

II.Restoration

III. Revelation- “When God finished speaking with Moses on Mount Sinai, he gave him the two tablets of the covenant, tablets of stone, written with the finger of God.” God revealed instructions, which created a standard for the people igniting their spiritual growth. The Two tablets of the Testimony contained the Ten Commandments. These were not the only code of laws in the ancient world. Other law codes had come into existence when cities or nations decided that there must be standards of judgment, ways to correct specific wrongs. But God’s laws for Israel were unique in that: (1) they alleviated the harsh judgments typical of the day; (2) they were egalitarian-the poor and the powerful received the same punishment; (3) they did not separate religious and social law. All law rested on God’s authority.

A. Instructions

B. Standard2 A construct which is setup and established by an authority as a rule for the measure of quantity, weight, value, or quality.

C. Growth

What’s In It For Me? Apply It!

1. What has been the most valuable tenet of our Sabbath teaching series?

2. What is your care plan for ensuring your mind, body, and spirit are refreshed daily? What actions, attachments, headspaces, or activities challenge your ability to have peace and rest?

“Rest when you're weary. Refresh and renew yourself, your body, your mind, your spirit. Then get back to work.” ~Ralph Marston