Sermon Reflections from Sabbath | Alex Hardt | March 31, 2025
Pastor Alex had a very convicting message about Sabbath- the meaning, the need and the blessing it brings.
He reminded us that God established the Sabbath rest in Genesis 2:1-3 “ Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them. 2 And on the seventh day God finished his work that he had done, and he rested on the seventh day from all his work that he had done. 3 So God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it God rested from all his work that he had done in creation” God did not need to ‘rest’ as we think of rest as God cannot tire. God set aside time to appreciate and look over all the good He had created. He created the time for reflection, appreciation, and thankfulness as He knew it is needed by each of us. Later, He gave the 10 commandments and include this, Exodus 28:8-11 “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. 9 Six days you shall labor, and do all your work, 10 but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work, you, or your son, or your daughter, your male servant, or your female servant, or your livestock, or the sojourner who is within your gates. 11 For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested on the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.” God knew we would struggle with this idea of resting and setting aside a day. He was specific that He did not want ‘working’ like you regularly work on your day of rest. The Jews took this to extreme and became very legalistic about what was work. However, the idea of setting aside a day to reflect, appreciate, worship and be thankful is something we need. God also added a blessing for honoring a day with Him.
How practical is this in our hectic world? Schedules seem to run 24/7, stores are open all week, and fewer and fewer people are coming to God’s house to worship. The verse that comes to mind is from John 16:33 ‘I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” And Jesus’ promises to give us rest, Matthew11:28-30 “ Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
Setting aside time to delight in the Lord takes planning and perseverance. The world wants to intrude in your live at every turn, people are demanding of your attention all the time. However, Jesus promises to overcome and wants us to take heart- trust Him for that time. Set it aside and stick to it. Jesus also promised to give us rest, restoration if we come to Him. Seeking out time to spend with Him is restorative and blesses our soul.
Why do we resist when we know God has great benefits for us? I take comfort in the Apostle Paul’s confession to this weakness in Romans 7:14-16 “ For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am of the flesh, sold under sin. 15 For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate. 16 Now if I do what I do not want, I agree with the law, that it is good. Even Paul struggled with his sin nature in the world he lived in. All is not lost, as Paul persevered and was mightily used by God. We too can preserve and be open to His leading and shaping as we seek to please Him.
God promises good things to those who follow Him. When we take time for Sabbath- we will find renewal, time multiplied, better health, sharper minds as we a closer walk with Jesus. Why not begin this week by setting aside a few minutes a day to commune with God and read His Word and come to worship next Sunday. It will be a start with benefits.
Linda
He reminded us that God established the Sabbath rest in Genesis 2:1-3 “ Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them. 2 And on the seventh day God finished his work that he had done, and he rested on the seventh day from all his work that he had done. 3 So God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it God rested from all his work that he had done in creation” God did not need to ‘rest’ as we think of rest as God cannot tire. God set aside time to appreciate and look over all the good He had created. He created the time for reflection, appreciation, and thankfulness as He knew it is needed by each of us. Later, He gave the 10 commandments and include this, Exodus 28:8-11 “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. 9 Six days you shall labor, and do all your work, 10 but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work, you, or your son, or your daughter, your male servant, or your female servant, or your livestock, or the sojourner who is within your gates. 11 For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested on the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.” God knew we would struggle with this idea of resting and setting aside a day. He was specific that He did not want ‘working’ like you regularly work on your day of rest. The Jews took this to extreme and became very legalistic about what was work. However, the idea of setting aside a day to reflect, appreciate, worship and be thankful is something we need. God also added a blessing for honoring a day with Him.
How practical is this in our hectic world? Schedules seem to run 24/7, stores are open all week, and fewer and fewer people are coming to God’s house to worship. The verse that comes to mind is from John 16:33 ‘I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” And Jesus’ promises to give us rest, Matthew11:28-30 “ Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
Setting aside time to delight in the Lord takes planning and perseverance. The world wants to intrude in your live at every turn, people are demanding of your attention all the time. However, Jesus promises to overcome and wants us to take heart- trust Him for that time. Set it aside and stick to it. Jesus also promised to give us rest, restoration if we come to Him. Seeking out time to spend with Him is restorative and blesses our soul.
Why do we resist when we know God has great benefits for us? I take comfort in the Apostle Paul’s confession to this weakness in Romans 7:14-16 “ For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am of the flesh, sold under sin. 15 For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate. 16 Now if I do what I do not want, I agree with the law, that it is good. Even Paul struggled with his sin nature in the world he lived in. All is not lost, as Paul persevered and was mightily used by God. We too can preserve and be open to His leading and shaping as we seek to please Him.
God promises good things to those who follow Him. When we take time for Sabbath- we will find renewal, time multiplied, better health, sharper minds as we a closer walk with Jesus. Why not begin this week by setting aside a few minutes a day to commune with God and read His Word and come to worship next Sunday. It will be a start with benefits.
Linda
MESSAGE LINK
Our Sunday service is online and in-person at 11:00am.
Come visit us at 5353 Concord Blvd, on the corner of Concord Blvd and Kirker Pass
LINDA'S BLOG
Fearless Living – by Linda Knight Inspirational Christian devotions, faith, hope and love