Genesis - Part 3
COD - May 23, 2024 Genesis Part 3
Genesis 2:1–3 (ESV)
The Seventh Day, God Rests
2 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.
Meeting Purpose
Discuss the importance of rest and work-life balance from a biblical perspective
Key Takeaways
The Sabbath was meant to point towards salvation through Christ, not strict rule-following
Rest allows us to refocus, recharge, and reconnect with God amidst the busyness of life
Topics
Biblical Perspective on Rest
Genesis 2 describes God resting on the 7th day after completing creation, setting a pattern
The Hebrew words suggest completion and cessation of work, not fatigue
God rested to set an example for humans to periodically rest, not because He needed it
Sabbath Debates
Some groups argue keeping the 7th day Sabbath is still required based on Old Testament commands
But Jesus pointed to the Sabbath being made for man's benefit, not strict rule-following
Early Christians shifted to observing the 1st day (Sunday) to commemorate Christ's resurrection
Purpose of Rest
The Sabbath pointed forward to the rest found in salvation through Christ
Rest allows refocusing on God, recharging, and celebrating redemption
Busyness in ministry can inadvertently lead to spiritual dryness without intentional rest
Developing Habits of Rest
Start each day with prayer, Bible reading, and reflection
Examine emotions, actions, and spiritual movements throughout the day
End the day with gratitude and planning for the next
Consistently make time for personal worship and prayer
See rest as part of life's rhythm, not a constraint
Next Steps
Implement daily habits of reflection, gratitude, and planning
Prioritize regular times of personal worship and connection with God
View rest not as unproductive, but vital for spiritual health and celebrating redemption
Anchor the weekly schedule with regular worship in a local church.
Augment times of rest with personal worship in prayer and Bible reading.
Make your rest consistent but not constricted.
Learn to see rest in the context of your entire life.
To summarize, God calls us to rest just as he calls us to work.
He wants to bless our relationship with him by giving us time to experience his presence and celebrate our redemption.
As believers who love our Lord, we worship him and grow in devotion when we find time for rest.
It may not be today, but it should be soon.
Develop habits of Sabbath rest so those times of celebration are never far away.
Dr. Michael Burer, associate professor of New Testament Studies at DTS, https://voice.dts.edu/article/rest-and-rejoice-christian-take-on-sabbath