2018-02-11 The Rest of Rest

Foundations of Discipleship Week 3: The Rest of Rest (God’s Gift of Sabbath) Opening prayer: Psalm 143 Review: Last week we established that God’s divine Rhythm for life begins in rest and ends in rests, with our daily work suspended in the middle. These rhythms are daily (evening first then morning) and weekly (sabbath). Training in Spiritual Disciplines: How did daily devotional rhythm, fasting (food – 2 meals, sleep – 2 hrs., or silence – day), and Sabbath (24 hr. evening then morning) go? · devotional rhythm can take a while to establish · Fasting – spiritual muscle memory eventually kicks in · Sabbath – takes practice. Pursue ______ not ________. What does God have in mind in creating Sabbath? Non-anxious, enjoyable, communion/face-time with Him Sabbath is the rhythm that ______________ - Foundation for the _______________ When are you most creative? “God is on to something here.” Our Daily Bread Exodus 16:1-31 The people complain… What is God’s response? Vs. 4 God ______________________, while simultaneously ______________________ and reveals His glory. Vs. 8 God _________________. This is repeated in vs. 12. Paraphrased, “Be filled and know He is God! Your Lord!” How much did God give? Omer is approximately 2 qts. or 3 lbs. per person, per day How often does God provide? Vs. 19 ____________________. Cultivates a daily dependence on God and is a demonstration of His ongoing care for them. How is Rest made possible? God gives ___________________________, vs.22. but the people must participate. Our preparation is cooperation with God in His provision for our rest. Why might God be testing them in this way and why force them to rest? God is breaking them free from the fear produced by performance based acceptance. · Performance Based Acceptance: Perform = loved, accepted, rewarded · God’s way: You’re LOVED. Therefore: _______,________,____________. Exodus 16:29 · Sabbath is gift, evidence of Divine provision. · Observing Sabbath was therefore a declaration of “_____________,” and “satisfaction” in God’s provision. · Those who did not Sabbath were _______________. · Such is the discipline of simplicity. We say, “___________________” and demand nor seek more than God is willing to give. The Gift of the Fourth Word: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 [10 WORDS] 1:4=______________, 4:10=____________, 4th WORD=________________. What does Exodus 16 say about God? Sabbath observance says? Ways of Sabbath Worship Community Rest Retreat Prayer Play Windows of the Soul -physical: exercise, body matters to God -emotional: beauty -spiritual: kneeling, worship, prayer (for an hour) -social: journey is best shared -intellectual: study, mental workout on “issues”, theological reflection (this is not a “should” but a relationship with Jesus) Psalm 92:1-4 Foundations of Discipleship Week 3: The Rest of Rest (God’s Gift of Sabbath) Opening prayer: Psalm 143 Review: Last week we established that God’s divine Rhythm for life begins in rest and ends in rests, with our daily work suspended in the middle. These rhythms are daily (evening first then morning) and weekly (sabbath). Training in Spiritual Disciplines: How did daily devotional rhythm, fasting (food – 2 meals, sleep – 2 hrs., or silence – day), and Sabbath (24 hr. evening then morning) go? · devotional rhythm can take a while to establish · Fasting – spiritual muscle memory eventually kicks in · Sabbath – takes practice. Pursue ______ not ________. What does God have in mind in creating Sabbath? Non-anxious, enjoyable, communion/face-time with Him Sabbath is the rhythm that ______________ - Foundation for the _______________ When are you most creative? “God is on to something here.” Our Daily Bread Exodus 16:1-31 The people complain… What is God’s response? Vs. 4 God ______________________, while simultaneously ______________________ and reveals His glory. Vs. 8 God _________________. This is repeated in vs. 12. Paraphrased, “Be filled and know He is God! Your Lord!” How much did God give? Omer is approximately 2 qts. or 3 lbs. per person, per day How often does God provide? Vs. 19 ____________________. Cultivates a daily dependence on God and is a demonstration of His ongoing care for them. How is Rest made possible? God gives ___________________________, vs.22. but the people must participate. Our preparation is cooperation with God in His provision for our rest. Why might God be testing them in this way and why force them to rest? God is breaking them free from the fear produced by performance based acceptance. · Performance Based Acceptance: Perform = loved, accepted, rewarded · God’s way: You’re LOVED. Therefore: _______,________,____________. Exodus 16:29 · Sabbath is gift, evidence of Divine provision. · Observing Sabbath was therefore a declaration of “_____________,” and “satisfaction” in God’s provision. · Those who did not Sabbath were _______________. · Such is the discipline of simplicity. We say, “___________________” and demand nor seek more than God is willing to give. The Gift of the Fourth Word: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 [10 WORDS] 1:4=______________, 4:10=____________, 4th WORD=________________. What does Exodus 16 say about God? Sabbath observance says? Ways of Sabbath Worship Community Rest Retreat Prayer Play Windows of the Soul -physical: exercise, body matters to God -emotional: beauty -spiritual: kneeling, worship, prayer (for an hour) -social: journey is best shared -intellectual: study, mental workout on “issues”, theological reflection (this is not a “should” but a relationship with Jesus) Psalm 92:1-4