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Jul 26, 2020

Sabbath Rest: A Sure Hope

Sabbath Rest: A Sure Hope

Speaker: Dennis Gallaher

Series: Sabbath

Category: Sunday Morning

Sabbath hope is about gaining hope right here in this world - no matter what the past has been in our lives.

Sabbath is a biblical and proven antidote for anxiety and hopelessness. Sabbath is a biblical medicine and prescription for hope.

Hebrews 6:19 This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, a hope both sure and steadfast and one which enters within the veil.

Hope is sure and steadfast. Consider how to believe this and, in faith, begin to walk in the discipline of Sabbath. What do we mean by hope? Biblical hope is very exact. 

I John 2:2-3 Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not appeared as yet what we will be. We know that when He appears, we will be like Him, because we will see Him just as He is. And everyone who has this hope fixed on Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.

That's how hope begins - as children of God. This hope! There is so much more to it - what we will be. Imagine that day when we see Jesus - exactly as He is. The miracle of new birth becomes the miracle of eternity. We will be like Him. I Corinthians 2:9...Eye has not seen and ear has not heard, and which have not entered the heart of man, all that God has prepared for those who love Him. This hope is eternity; it's an eternal reward, an eternal home, an eternal destiny, and an eternal relationship. Eternity is to look forward to. This hope purifies us as we go forward and complete the tasks on Earth that honors God. Sabbath is: 

  • a look behind at what God did (in the Garden)
  • a faith to trust God for what is
  • the eternal hope for what will be

This is a definition of a prophetic lifestyle. Hope without a goal is a pipe dream; it's wishful thinking. Hope is like a keel and rudder of a sailboat to keep us steady no matter what the waves are like. 

The goal of hope for us is this… Jude1:24 Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to make you stand in the presence of His glory blameless with great joy.

In studying John, look at the “I Am” statements. John 14:6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me." This is how to find hope.

THE WAY:  Jesus gives hope by leading the way from darkness where we can’t see the way through a storm. The disciples when rowing in a storm on the sea saw Jesus walking on water to them. Jesus provided a way.

THE TRUTH:  Jesus was saying we can trust Him. Our hope in His Word is centered in truth.

THE LIFE:  Jesus is the life that is safe and doesn’t end. John 14:1-2 Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you.

Sabbath hope is about gaining hope right here in this world - no matter what the past has been in our lives. It's spending time with God and in His Word and trusting Him with everyday life. Eternity is beyond this world - a final resting place. The world's hope is centered on avoiding death but the believer's hope is eternal life. 

A note for the young... Begin to change your focus and dwell, meditate regularly on eternity. A note for the older... Set your goal to finish well; complete the tasks that God has given; get ready to meet the King; For all... don’t live with regrets; build your hope in eternity and build your life with gains.

#1 Heaven and hell are real destinations, not places. Eternity is the final destination not a stop over. Plan it out - study it.

#2 Heaven is a stop over to eternity. It's not the final destination. 1 Corinthians 2:9 Eye has not seen and ear has not heard, and which have not entered the heart of man, all that God has prepared for those who love Him. The current Heaven and Earth will be rolled up one day and there will be a new Heaven and new Earth. God has so much more planned than just arriving.

#3 What we do here matters there. It's not fire insurance. Matthew 7:21-23 Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter... A fear of God is lacking a lot today. What we do here matters with eternity.

Luke 15:11 The Prodigal Son (this story should be Parable of the Loving Father). And He said, “A man had two sons.”

  • The prodigal – thought he could pay for his sins.
  • The self righteous brother – wants to earn position with good works.
  • The loving and waiting Father – the door was always open if they would accept his love, acceptance, forgiveness, and approval. Father’s want time with each of their children.

That is what Heaven is all about – and that is why our hope is there! The Father wants time with His children. 

  • Heaven and Hell are real.
  • Heaven is one step closer to a new heaven and a new earth.
  • Heaven is our hope, eternal life is our reward.
  • And when we see Him, we will be like Him.

These things are not difficult to believe. It's not us that wants a relationship with God but that God wants to have a relationship with us. Come to the Father's house and you'll find an open door and a house of rest. Why? Jesus is the way and He is telling the truth and He gives life on Earth and life in Eternity far beyond anything we could hope or dream.

Come to the Father’s house. Come to the house of Sabbath. Sabbath today – taking time to be with God and time in His Word. Come and find hope – the anchor for the soul. If you are hopeless, receive Jesus today...

Dear Lord Jesus, I believe You are the Son of God. I believe that on that cross You took my guilt, my sin, and my shame and You died for it. You faced hell for me, so I wouldn't have to. And You rose again to give me a place in Heaven, a purpose on Earth, and a relationship with Your Father. Today, Lord Jesus, I turn from my sins to be born again. And now, God is my Father, Jesus is my Savior, The Holy Spirit is my Helper. And Heaven is my home. Amen.

Explain Biblical hope versus worldly hope.

What other verses tell of why our work on earth matters? 

What is your final destination? Discuss the "layover" of Heaven. 

Talk about the Parable of the Loving Father.