Sabbath & Rest in a Non-Stop Culture

Sabbath Myths: Has to be on Sunday The last day after EVERYTHING else has been done Everyone rests and is alone It is only for those heavily involved in ministry Sabbatical is taken as disciplinary action

Definition: Rest Hebrew Definition: A day of ceasing

Why is it so hard to rest? Society tells us to go all the time There is always something to do We are terrified of silence We are afraid of being unimportant We don’t want to miss out on something

Genesis 2:2 “By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work.” Exodus 20:8 “Remember the sabbath day by keeping it holy.” Mark 2:27-28 “The sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. So the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath.”

Luke 10:38-42 “Now as they were traveling along, He entered a village; and a woman named Martha welcomed Him into her home. She had a sister called Mary, who was seated at the Lord’s feet, listening to His word. But Martha was distracted with all her preparations; and she came up to Him and said, “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to do all the serving alone? Then tell her to help me.” But the Lord answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and bothered about so many things; but only one thing is necessary, for Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her.”

Why is this so important? Because stress and problems are real in our lives, and we cannot do this alone and we will not survive without rest.

Statistics: ½ of ministers when they graduate quit, usually due to burn out. #2 reason why ministers, and those in ministry quit is because of health issues. One study showed that people in ministry are more unhealthy than those who aren’t.

Some of the most common health issues among ministers are: Insomnia Anxiety Depression Headaches Immune System Issues High Blood Pressure Irritability Feeling overwhelmed The list goes on

How do you take a sabbath in such a busy world?

Hebrews 12: 1-2 Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.