A Year of Sabbath Rest

January 7, 1990

Matthew 11:28 "Come unto Me ...and I will give you rest."

Introduction

[Today is the first Sunday in "Year of Sabbath"]

The words "rest" or "freedom" probably remind us of lazy summer days with a recreational book and a warm summer sun. And that's probably all right.

But I want to talk with you this morning about a different, deeper quality of rest and freedom. What about "rest" as a way of life? What about a life of perfect "freedom?" Is it possible?

I really believe that it is. And if what I want to tell you is God's truth, it is worthy of your full attention.

I. REST IS MORE THAN VACATION

1. REST AND FREEDOM ARE MORE THAN SIMPLY DOING AS WE PLEASE. Bernard Ramm quotes Barth as saying 'the usual definition of freedom that people write for themselves is a definition of sin.' That is a disturbing statement. But isn't it true that we think of freedom as being able to do what we want to do, regardless of what anyone else may think? Isn't it true that we define freedom in purely individualistic terms?

   It is not that sitting in the sun and reading is wrong or evil. Thank God for lazy summer days and vacations where we can read about Captain Horatio Hornblower if we wish!

   But when we think of freedom as only as doing what we want to do with no thought of God we are making islands and idols of ourselves.

2. REST AND FREEDOM MUST BE MORE THAN NEGATIVE TERMS. We may rest IN labor; we may have FREEDOM TO obey.

   Jesus says: "Come, I will give you REST" and in the same breath "Take my YOKE upon you ..." REST and WORK [- at least the kind of work Jesus has for us -] are NOT mutually exclusive.

   The Children of Israel in slavery in Egypt thought that rest was simply not having to do as they were told, and not having to make bricks without straw. But God knew that their "rest" and "freedom" was much more than that!

   In Exodus 13, before the Exodus even began, the scriptures record God as telling the Children of Israel through Moses that they were headed for a land of promise, of milk and honey.

   But on the way to the rest and liberty they stopped by the Mountain called Sinai and received Ten Commandments!

3. THERE MUST ALWAYS BE A POSITIVE SIDE TO TRUE FREEDOM. We don't understand true freedom until we see it as the enabling to become! God has made us with certain innate longings and desires. We are built with a yearning after God.

   But in ourselves, in our own power, we are not free to enter that fullness! We do not have the capacity to satisfy that longing! But when God sets us free FROM sin, He also sets us free TO FULFILLMENT.

   THAT IS WHY CHRIST'S CALL TO REST IS ALSO A CALL TO A YOKE. When we really meet Jesus Christ, and follow Him, then for the very first time we can be certain of beginning the kind of living we are capable of living.

II. PRAYER IS THE ROYAL PATHWAY TO REST

1. "COME UNTO ME!" The invitation to REST is a personal invitation to the Presence of GOD. REST is not just some thing, REST is some ONE!

   Prayer is God's gift to us that enables us to function fully. Whatever we need to be wholly human we may unlock with prayer.

   If we can live without prayer we can live without God. And if we can live without God, we may be sure that we will live without true rest or freedom.

2. Prayer must be seen as much, much more than a duty or a chore. Prayer must be seen as the VEHICLE OF GOD'S GRACE.
3. Prayer must be LEARNED. "Lord, teach us to pray!" We learn to pray by praying. We learn to pray by not giving up. We learn to pray by praying all alone. We learn to pray by praying in the great congregation. We learn to pray by praying together in twos and threes and small groups.
4. Prayer is seeking to be in tune with God's will. Prayer has several facets, and we usually use just a few. Our favorite is "petition." (GIVE me!) But some people's front yards are so full of garbage and junk that if God did choose to deliver on some of their petitions, He wouldn't have any place to back up the delivery truck!

LET'S TAKE THIS YEAR TO SEEK TO LEARN HOW TO PRAY BETTER!

III. WE CAN HELP EACH OTHER FIND THIS REST

1. The power of a common cause. People unite around common causes. Common causes cost something! Avoid "busy work" but foster "support systems." The work of the kingdom need not come to a standstill; but we need to ask ourselves what purpose each function serves. [Make everything bend to the mission statement!]
2. "Sacrifice" is a key to fellowship. It may seem strange to talk about "sacrifice" so we can "rest." But a worthy goal means deliberate choice. People will suffer and give up comfort if they believe they can achieve significant goals; and in the process of achieving, or even just in the struggling, they are bonded together in love that is deep and satisfying. [The "sacrifice" times of the ancients were times of feasting.]
3. [Let's not worry about 'keeping score.']

Conclusion

• Practical:

  How may we make 1990 a year of rest and freedom? Perhaps this is a great place to return to our text. I'm sure you thought I had forgotten it! Jesus promises us rest!

• Desire:

  HOW MUCH DO WE WANT GOD? Jesus says" If you want REST— come unto ME!" How much do we really WANT God? And how much do we simply want OUR way— want OUR prayers answered?

  It isn't a matter of being "earnest" or "fervent" when we pray! Not how much do we "feel" in our prayer life; but will we ask God to help focus our desire?

• Discipline:

  ANYTHING WORTHWHILE TAKES SOME CONCENTRATION. Jesus says "If you want REST— take my YOKE and learn!" What will we set aside of lesser or distracting goals?

  Not the rigid discipline of a drill sergeant (although that may be helpful at times and in certain circumstances) but the surrender of lesser to higher; the willingness to pursue worthy goals. Perhaps as simple a thing as planning TV watching; or going to bed earlier in order to be fresher for devotions the next day.

• Devotion:

  THERE IS A PERSONAL, GENTLE, CARING FACTOR HERE: Jesus says: "I will give YOU rest!" We must cultivate that CARING! "Devotion" has shades of meaning:

• Adoration:

  Having to do with God and love.

• Esteem:

  Having to do with looking with fresh eyes on the riches of God's grace: the joy of being God's children

• Fellowship:

  Committing to God's family!

• Enthusiasm:

  Simply asking God to help us come alive! "Boring" is a simpleton's word! "Boring" is the password of a jaded generation! To follow God and lay aside the drugs of the day is to discover a fresh enthusiasm for life. In that setting off for the Promised Land is both rest and freedom!

A year of JUBILEE has exciting prospects! Together, as the writer of Hebrews says it: "Let us labor to enter into that rest."

EH 57 The Servant Song