This past Sunday, we began a two-week series called Boundless Love. This is a bit weird and awkward since I’m the guy preaching, but I highly recommend you give it a listen. (Click here for the link.) And then be sure to show up or watch online this Sunday as we continue. I’m not saying this is one of my best, but it is among the most personal messages I’ve given. I want to invite you to be a part of what God is doing in my life.
With this blog post, I want to go back to the last sermon series about the Sabbath. Any spiritual practice like this takes…practice…right? No matter how familiar we may be with a concept, the implementation, especially when it’s spiritual in nature, takes time, it takes some tenacity, and it takes a certain level of kindness toward ourselves. We have to be willing to fail and then learn from that failure as we attempt to make Sabbath a part of our lives.
I have three thoughts and four questions to share.
I hope you find this helpful. Let me rephrase that. I know you’ll find this helpful if you give it a moment to think, to process, to pray as you read. I’m right there with you.
T1 – Desire is infinite, but we are finite.
We have one body, one family, we live in one city with one job. We have one story. No matter how hard we try to pretend to live otherwise, we’ll always come back to the same end result — RESTLESSNESS. We live in a chronic state of unsatisfied desire.
Q1 – What do you do with your restlessness?
I promise. You do something with it. The question is what, not if.
T2 – Human desire is infinite because we were made to live with God forever in his world.
Nothing less than that will satisfy us. But there’s good news! Jesus of Nazareth comes to you to offer you REST.
“Come to me all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 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. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11.28-30
Q2 – Do you recognize your own need for rest?
What do you need rest from? In other words, what has you tired, worried, worn down, confused…?
T3 – The word Sabbath can be translated as “to delight.”
That is so in line with God’s character. We experience constant unfilled desires and restlessness. And while it’s true he offers us rest, he offers so much more! It’s a rest that has potential to be a party, a joyful, peaceful celebration. It’s a whole day set aside to follow God’s example to stop and rest and delight.
Q3 – What brings you delight? And how can you do more of that?
Q4 – I want to know how Sabbath is working for you.
What’s gone well? How has it been a challenge? What have you learned about yourself? About God? Shoot me an email – matt@commonwaychurch.com. I can’t wait to hear your story!
