http://www.maywoodbaptistchurch.org/flighttraining/27%20forced%20baseball.mp3
27

All Show Notes: http://www.flighttrainingpodcast.wordpress.com

Special Thanks for This Episode:

Richard Foster, Celebration of Discipline, 1998

Scripture taken from The Holy Bible, New International Version®. Copyright© 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Music used under Creative Commons. Something Elated by Broke For Free. http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Broke_For_Free/Something_EP/Broke_For_Free_-_Something_EP_-_05_Something_Elated

This Episode Show Notes

Episode 27 Do I have to rest?

Forced to play sports growing up

So we are nearing the end of our time on Sabbath and we have spent most of our time in the Old Testament. Anytime you are reading commands just from OT, begs the question of what Christians are supposed to do with it.

Hebrews 4:1-11

Therefore, since the promise of entering his rest still stands, let us be careful that none of you be found to have fallen short of it. 2 For we also have had the good news proclaimed to us, just as they did; but the message they heard was of no value to them, because they did not share the faith of those who obeyed.[a] 3 Now we who have believed enter that rest, just as God has said,

“So I declared on oath in my anger,

‘They shall never enter my rest.’”[b]

And yet his works have been finished since the creation of the world. 4 For somewhere he has spoken about the seventh day in these words: “On the seventh day God rested from all his works.”[c] 5 And again in the passage above he says, “They shall never enter my rest.”

6 Therefore since it still remains for some to enter that rest, and since those who formerly had the good news proclaimed to them did not go in because of their disobedience, 7 God again set a certain day, calling it “Today.” This he did when a long time later he spoke through David, as in the passage already quoted:

“Today, if you hear his voice,

do not harden your hearts.”[d]

8 For if Joshua had given them rest, God would not have spoken later about another day. 9 There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; 10 for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from their works,[e] just as God did from his. 11 Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will perish by following their example of disobedience.

So while I would not say a specific sabbath command with a thousand sub-commands is necessary, this passage is pretty clear there should still be some sort of rest in our life.

Important way to approach this, not what do I have to do but what can God give me

Mark 2:27 Then he said to them, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.

The principles of the Old Testament teachings on sabbath can help guide us:

1. Rest is about more than recovery from weakness
2. Rest helps us see God as our provider (and be thankful)
3. Sabbath is meant to be a delight, a gift.
4. Fear and doubt are the wrong reasons to put off rest

But what could it really look like in our life. Well you have tried a couple of times based around one day in seven. This week’s challenge is a different way. Conversation with Joey about early mornings.

Challenge:

2 hours a day of rest. Could do 1 hour meals twice a day. Could do something else.