Seize the Sabbath

“On the seventh day God had finished his work of creation, so he rested from all his work. And God blessed the seventh day and declared it holy, because it was the day when he rested from all his work of creation.”

Genesis 2:2-3 (NIV)

“Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your male or female servant, nor your animals, nor any foreigner residing in your towns.”

Exodus 20:8-10 (NIV)

1. THE SABBATH IS NOT AN OPTION, IT IS A COMMANDMENT!

“But Jesus often withdrew to the wilderness for prayer.”

Luke 5:16 (NLT)

“Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.” Mark 1:35 (NIV)

2. SEIZE YOUR SABBATH THROUGH SILENCE AND SOLITUDE

“The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. So the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath.”

Mark 2:27-28 (NIV)

“For this is good news—that God has prepared this rest—has been announced to us just as it was to them. But it did them no good because they didn’t share the faith of those who listened to God”.

Hebrews 4:1-2 (NLT)

• RECEIVE YOUR REST, DON'T RESIST IT!

Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.

Matthew 11:28 (NLT)

Victory Group Questions

1. What day is your Sabbath? What do you do to get rested and refilled?

2. Do you find yourself resisting your rest? What can you do better to get refilled on your Sabbath day?

3. What helps you create boundaries from your work life on your Sabbath?

4. Read Hebrews 4:1-11, note how we can learn from the Israelites and honor the Lord through rest.