Hebrews 12:1-3

Philippians 1:3-11

Psalm 90

I. Teach us to number our days.

The three R’s of Sabbath: Rest, Renewal, Reverence.

II. Rest as spiritual food.

Sabbath is what balances the active parts of life with the holy parts, the spiritual parts, the most valuable parts.

Mark 3:1-6

The intent of the commandment – rest – is what is important.

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.

I. Rest from being hurt.

Rest gives our souls the time they need to heal.

II. Rest from heavy labors.

If we are to treat our bodies as temples, we must allow time for physical, mental, and spiritual recovery from the labors of the week.

III. Rest from the pace of the world.

Fast-paced lives leave less time for activities that build family and friendships.

IV. Rest from the speed of change.

V. Rest from the job.

Resting is even more necessary in uncertain times. It helps us remember that God is in control and that our identity is not dependent on the work we do.

VI. Rest from information.

We need rest from the deluge of information in order to discern what information is important and how we should respond.

Exodus 20:1-17

I. The Sabbath is missing.

Remember that you were once slaves in Egypt, but the Lord your God brought you out with his strong hand and powerful arm. That is why the Lord your God has commanded you to rest on the Sabbath day.

II. The Sabbath has meaning.

As we keep or break the Sabbath day, we nobly save or meanly lose the last best hope by which man rises.

A Sabbath Poem

Breathe

rest in Rest,

Sabbath.

hearing Ears,

Sabbath.

guiltless Feasting,

Sabbath.

Nothing-doing

Sabbath.

1 Peter 2:9-10 – 9

But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. 10 Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.

1. You are acceptable – 1 Peter 2:9, “a chosen people”

Titus 3:7 (Contemporary English Version)

2. You are valuable – 1 Peter 2:9, “God’s special possession”

1 Corinthians 7:23 – “You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of human beings.”

3. You are capable – 1 Peter 2:9, “a royal priesthood”

1 Peter 2:9-10 (The Message Translation)

4. You are forgivable – 1 Peter 2:9, “a holy nation”

Romans 8:1 (New Living Translation)

God doesn’t rehearse your sin, he releases it.

5. You are lovable – 1 Peter 2:10, “you have received mercy”

Isaiah 54:10 (Good News Translation)

The world tells us to “do, strive, and achieve” but Jesus says “surrender, believe and receive!”

John 14:1-6

Consider the ministry of Jesus.

When the teachers of the law who were Pharisees saw [Jesus] eating with the sinners and tax collectors, they asked his disciples: “Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?” 17On hearing this, Jesus said to them, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”

Consider the resurrection of Jesus.

“You killed the author of life, but God raised him from the dead. We are witnesses of this.”

Consider the eternal message of Jesus.

We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. And this is true for everyone who believes, no matter who we are.

Luke 19:35-38

I. Jesus comes to Jerusalem as King.

II. Jesus arrives in heaven as the King of Glory.

III. Jesus returns to earth as King of Kings and Lord of Lords!

Psalm 92:12-14

Tell Archippus: See to it that you complete the ministry you have received in the Lord.

I. Stay focused till you’re finished.

II. Stay resilient about retirement

III. Stay connected to your calling

The gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.

IV. Stay vigilant after your victories

V. Stay ready for redeployment

Now Joshua was old, advanced in years. And the Lord said to him: You are old, advanced in years, and there remains very much land yet to be possessed.

The righteous shall flourish like a palm tree, he shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon. Those who are planted in the house of the Lord shall flourish in the courts of our God. They shall still bear fruit in old age; they shall be fresh and flourishing.

Even to your old age, I am He, and even to gray hairs I will carry you! I have made, and I will bear; even I will carry, and will deliver you.

Matthew 6:19-21

“The real measure of our wealth is how much we would be worth if we lost all our money.”

I. Invest in God’s Word

Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away.

A. Study His Word

B. Spread His Word

II. Invest in God’s Work

A. Develop a Personal Ministry

B. Devote Yourself to a Local Church

III. Invest in God’s Wealth

Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.

The great use of life is to spend it for something that will outlast it.