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Jun 30, 2019

Sabbath Defaults

Sabbath Defaults

Speaker: Tyler Ferguson

Series: Sabbath

Category: Sunday Morning

Sabbath is not a religious system, but a lifestyle that simply seems to do the things we see Jesus doing. Look to Jesus for how to Sabbath, not to other people.

Matthew 11:29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

When our burden is more than we can bear, God's rest is not to be put to the side but embraced all the more. The past few weeks, we’ve heard in the sermons what Sabbath is – a deliberate time of resting in the presence of God. It’s not about doing nothing, but about doing the right thing. Also, we have studied why we Sabbath and this week, we need to hear more practically how to Sabbath. Decide what our goal for these 40 days will be. If Sabbath is not about specific rule-keeping, then what is it about?

We’ve studied John 5 on The Healing at Bethesada; now consider specifically verses 18-21 on the heart behind Sabbath.

John 5:18-21 For this reason, therefore, the Jews were seeking all the more to kill Him, because He not only was breaking the Sabbath but also was calling God His own Father, making Himself equal with God. Therefore, Jesus answered and was saying to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, unless it is something He sees the Father doing; for whatever the Father does, these things the Son also does in like manner. For the Father loves the Son and shows Him all things that He Himself is doing, and the Father will show Him greater works than these so that you will marvel. For just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, even so, the Son also gives life to whom He wishes.

The heart behind Sabbath (the how) is that Jesus only did what He saw the Father doing. Therefore, Sabbath is, very practically, looking at Jesus and doing what He did and not doing what He didn’t do. Jesus can’t do anything He has not seen the Father doing. It was His default – His automatic response in every situation. Let us let the Lord use this season to change some of our defaults.

  • Instead of finding fault – worship God;
  • Instead of time for self – serve others;
  • Instead of disappearing when going through difficulties, press into others - fellowship.
  • Instead of having fear of losing something – give it away.

Sabbath is not a religious system, but a lifestyle that simply seems to do the things we see Jesus doing. Look to Jesus for how to Sabbath, not to other people. Use these 40 days to allow the Lord to make us different.

Verse 20 For the Father loves the Son and shows Him all things that He Himself is doing; and the Father will show Him greater works than these, so that you will marvel. 

Matthew 14:13-21 This passage of the feeding of the 5000 has four areas that we as a church follow for celebrating Sabbath:

1) WORSHIP (Prayer): Verse 13 He withdrew from there in a boat to a secluded place by Himself. Jesus’ default when things got hard was to go and spend time alone with the Father. Worship is simply spending time with God and honoring Him as God. Ideas:

  • Spend 15 minutes reading a devotion asking God to speak to you one thing.
  • Listen to Worship Music.
  • End each day in prayer by talking to God about your day.
  • Ask God to change your default to an instant desire to pray about everything and worship Him relentlessly.

2) SERVE: Verse 16 But Jesus said to them, “They do not need to go away; you give them something to eat!” The needs of others followed Jesus and He was moved to compassion and met practical needs. He served people.

  • Recognize who has some basic, unmet needs like a neighbor or co-worker.
  • Attend Serve Day, July 20, 8am to noon, serving our community.

3) FELLOWSHIP: Matthew 18:19 Again I say to you, that if two of you agree on earth about anything that they may ask, it shall be done for them by My Father who is in heaven. During Sabbath, we refocus our attention to do life together. Run to people when life get’s hard. 

  • Spend Sabbath with others, not alone.
  • Join us at Landa Park, July 10, at 6pm, for some fellowship and fun.
  • Find someone who is more like Jesus in a certain area than you and spend some time with them.
  • Reconnect with a friend who you haven’t shared time with lately.

4) GIVE: Verse 19 He blessed the food, and breaking the loaves He gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds, and they all ate and were satisfied. Jesus entire ministry and life was built around giving.

  • Find what God has given you in order to give away.
  • Think of some material resources that you can be generous with.
  • Pass on the comfort that you have received from God that you can pass to others. II Corinthians 1:4
  • Participate on August 11, as we give together to our India Mission.
  • Ask God to show you where to freely give, not begrudgingly.

As we focus on these next 40 days of Sabbath, let us pray that God changes us for a lifetime. Pray that as we rest in the Lord, He will have more of our attention so that He can speak change into our lives.

Who should we look to for how to celebrate Sabbath?

What are your own "defaults" when things get tough? When things are going well?

What “defaults” is God asking you to change? What attitudes?

What is Sabbath? How has your view of Sabbath changed after this study?