Sabbath

Foundational Truths

¡  Jesus rested (Matthew 13:1)

¡  God commands us to rest (Exodus 20:8-11)

¡  The people of God held a rhythm of daily, as well as weekly, work and rest.

The discipline of resting

¡  To choose to relax the body on a regular basis through sleep at night and occasional rest during the day.

¡  To choose to have one day a week set apart for rest and remembrance.

Scriptures on resting

¡  God promises rest as a blessing: Exodus 33:12-14 and Joshua 21:43-44

¡  Rest opens us up to the Lord’s ministry: Isaiah 30:15

¡  The Lord knows we need to rest and be still: Psalm 46:10; Psalm 23:2

¡  Rest is part of God’s own rhythm: Genesis 2:2

¡  Rest must not be an excuse for laziness: Proverbs 6:9-11

Jesus set the example

¡  Jesus sat by the sea – Matthew 13:1

¡  Jesus sat on the mountainside – Matt. 15:29

¡  Jesus sat by the well – John 4:6

¡  Jesus withdrew to private places to pray – Matt. 14:13

¡  Jesus slept at opportune times – Matt. 8:24

Sabbath principles

¡  Cease work and appreciate what God has done – Genesis 2:1-3

¡  Receive life by the Word of God – Matthew 4:4; Deut. 8:3

¡  No heavy food preparation – Exodus 16:21-26; Ex. 35:1-3

¡  Do not do or employ others to do “servile work” on the sabbath – Deut. 5:12-14

¡  It is a day to meet for worship – Lev. 23:3; Luke 4:16; Acts 13:14-15

¡  It is a day to forsake our thoughts and think God’s thoughts and delight in God – Isaiah 56:4 and 58:13-14

¡  We must not do unnecessary work on the Sabbath – Jeremiah 17:21-27

¡  Do not buy or sell on the Sabbath – Nehemiah 13:15-22

¡  Do ministry on the Sabbath – e.g. Jesus’ many examples like John 5:1-14

¡  We may meet our physical needs on the Sabbath – Matthew 12:1-2

¡  It is a time of prayer – Acts 16:13

¡  It is a time for teaching and discussion of God’s Word – Acts 17:2; 18:4, 11

¡  Singing is a part of Sabbath worship – Eph. 5:19-20; Psalm 92

3 Christian principles

¡  Sabbath activities should be God-centred not man-centred;

¡  Sabbath activities should ensure the freedom and joy of all people;

¡  Sabbath activities should contribute to our mental, emotional and physical renewal.

Saturday or Sunday

¡  Neither!

¡  The Sabbath was a sign between Israel and God (Exodus 31:16-17)

¡  Thus, the Law of Sabbath does not apply to the Christian

¡  Colossians 2:16-23 restates our freedom from Law; as do Rom. 14:5-6 and Gal. 4:9-10

¡  Scripture only ever records Christian worship on a Sunday – Acts 20:7; 1 Cor. 16:2

Principles of rest

¡  Get to bed early

¡  Listen to your body

¡  Learn to stop and think at times of stress

¡  At bed time – PRAY

¡  Take a power-nap

¡  Pray over your stress points daily

¡  Find a hobby

¡  PRACTISE Sabbath as a joy!