Surrender our Time / Heb. 4:1-13
Meditations
February 23, 2016
THE FORGOTTEN
COMMANDMENT
The Promise…
“And on the seventh day…”
Sabbath was initially intended
as a promise to Israel that their
God had not forsaken them.
Sabbath was to be a rehearsal
and celebration of their
liberation and freedom. That
promise not only stands, but
stands more complete in Jesus.
Sunday is a feasting on the
promise of freedom in Christ.
The Priorities…
Sabbath was always meant to
give man a breather. Our
holistic health was the focus
of Sabbath which is why Jesus
said that Sabbath was made
for man. Yet, it is not mindless
recreation. It was meant to be
a rest that centered on God’s
favor. We rest best when we
rest in Jesus.
The Power…
Resting in Jesus means resting
in his word, meditating on his
word, allowing his word to form
us. Sabbath, now called Sunday
or the Lord’s day, still has the
power to transform us as we
rest our weary hearts in the
supernatural power of God’s
perfect and unfailing word.
Mosaic, Lexington
One of the defining marks of a Jesus lover is…REST! From Genesis
to Revelation, our heavenly father threatens terrible things if his
children will not rest. He promises eternity if we will. How is it that
we can hear Jesus’ invitation each Sunday to give him our
burdens, to give him our weariness and—so often—still be carrying
them Monday morning? Have we forgotten the fourth
commandment? When some of us hear the word “Sabbath” we
naturally think of the ceremonial legal system given to the nation
of Israel by Moses in the Old Testament. Therefore, its
understandable that there remains a measure of confusion and
uncertainty when it comes to the fourth commandment. Here are
just a few questions that the fourth commandment raises for
Christians: Now that Jesus has come as the perfect sacrificial lamb,
isn’t it legalistic to “keep the sabbath?” Didn’t Jesus push back
against the pharisees who accused him of breaking the Sabbath?
Does the New Testament say anything about the Sabbath? Didn’t
Paul warn about the celebration of new moon festivals and
Sabbath Days? If Sabbath was a day to celebrate the Lord,
shouldn’t every day be a Sabbath day in some form? What does
the Lord really expect me to do with this notion of Sabbath?
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Surrender our Time / Heb. 4:1-13
I Surrender All…
Sexuality
Time
Money
Christ Centered
Conversation…
1. What most spoke to you from
the text this week?
2. Was the Sabbath/Sunday/
Lord’s Day set apart as
different from other days of
the week when you were
growing up?
3. Do you consider Sunday to
be all that different from any
other day of the week?
4. What does your Sunday
speak about your God? Is He
a playful loving Father? A task
master? A judge?
5. What would need to change
in order for your Sunday to
become a day of rest?
6. If you currently have to work
on Sunday (physician, law
enforcement, minister, tough
temporary season) how will
you set apart another time
during your week to
experience the rest that God
calls his children to enter
into?
Mosaic, Lexington
Meditations
February 23, 2016
3 Things Take Away From Hebrews 4:1-13
1. God isn’t playing when it comes to playing…1 “God’s promise
of entering his rest still stands so we ought to tremble with fear
that some of you might fail to experience it” Another way of
thinking about Sabbath/Sunday/The Lord’s Day is to think of
God’s desire for his children to play. We play because we are no
longer slaves. We play because we are free. Our Heavenly Father
loves to play with his children. When we ride our bikes, when we
walk our dogs, when we nap in a sunny spot, when we run in the
rain or sled in the snow, or get our hands dirty in the flower bed
while being mindful of our Heavenly Father is overjoyed.
Perhaps God is most glorified when his children play.
2. Sunday IS a sacred day… 9 “So there is a special rest still waiting
for the people of God. 10 For all who have entered into God’s
rest have rested from their labors, just as God did after creating
the world.” In our 24/7 capitalistic culture where money is God,
productivity is the highest virtue, and minimum wage is low, the
idea of not working on Sunday is laughable. One day is no more
or less sacred than all the rest. Unless you work at Chick-Fil-A,
chances are that you will face the pressures of laboring on the
Lord’s Day. While there were always provisions for some labor
(medical, law enforcement, acts of mercy, ministry) within Israel’s
Sabbath, God calls the majority of his children to cease our
labor, and keep Sunday (resurrection day) sacred. Six days to
labor and one to rest…will you trust Him?
3. Sunday has the power to change us… 12 “For the word of God
is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged
sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and
marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires. 13
Nothing in all creation is hidden from God.” It’s interesting that
after all the “rest” language from Hebrews 4 that the writer
finishes his thought by talking about God’s word. But the entire
point of pausing, resting, playing and delighting on the Sabbath
is to hear from our Father through his word. Rest and Listen!
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