The Secret of the Sabbath
Velocity Series, part 4
Speaker: Dave Gibbons

Our Perspective of Output

What is a Sabbath?

Pop quiz

The Sabbath is:
A. A tedious day full of rules about what we can’t do.
B. A kickin’ rock group
C. A new spa treatment that soothes your body.
D. A day to rest and grow closer to God
E. A protected time to realize and enjoy our identity as people created by God
F. A 24-hour period in which we relinquish our focus on doing.

“Remember to observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. ⁹Six days a week are set apart for your daily duties and regular work, ¹⁰but the seventh day is a day of rest dedicated to the Lord your God. On that day no one in your household may do any kid of work. This includes you, your sons and daughters, your male and female servants, your livestock, and any foreigners living among you. ¹¹For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and everything in them; then he rested on the seventh day. That is why the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and set it apart as holy.” Exodus 20:8-11

1. Sabbath is Separation.
   It literally means to “rest or to cease from working.”
2. Sabbath is a gift for us not a law.
   It’s a gift of Communion
   It’s a gift of Restoration.
3. Sabbath is also Contemplation.

The Secret of the Sabbath
Hebrews 4:1, 9-11:
4:¹God’s promise of entering his place of rest still stands, so we ought to tremble with fear that some of you might fail to get there.
⁹So there is a special rest still waiting for the people of God. ¹⁰For all who enter into God’s rest will find rest from their labors, just as God rested after creating the world. ¹¹Let us do our best to enter that place of rest. For anyone who disobeys God, as the people of Israel did, will fall.

The Secret of Slowing Down or Keeping the Sabbath is . . .
Trust

Isaiah 40:27-31
²⁷O Israel, how can you say the Lord does not see your troubles? How can you say God refuses to hear your case? ²⁸Have you never heard or understood? Don’t you know that the Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of all the earth? He never grows faint or weary. No one can measure the depths of his understanding. ²⁹He gives power to those who are tired and worn out; he offers strength to the weak. ³⁰Even youths will become exhausted, and young men will give up. ³¹But those who wait on the Lord will find new strength. They will fly high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint..

This rest is rooted in Christ’s work, not ours.

PUS can keep us from this rest.

Rest comes from hearing God.

Sabbath Starters

1. Decide to Have a Sabbath.

2. Ask God for Help. “Dear God, I want to be obedient to you and to keep the Sabbath.”

3. Be Flexible

4. Guard Your Sabbath

5. On Your Sabbath Sleep.

6. Cut back on the TV

7. Give yourself grace and space.

2003 Message Archives