Concordia Lutheran Church
Rest
The Sabbath was a day to give up work so people could take up rest. Sadly, the religious leaders turned the gift of rest into a burden. Jesus invites His followers to experience the Sabbath as a gift rather than a requirement.
Locations & Times
Concordia Lutheran Church
16801 Huebner Rd, San Antonio, TX 78258, USA
Sunday 8:00 AM
Sunday 9:30 AM
Sunday 11:00 AM
Worship Online
Worship with us online live every Sunday morning, or on demand 24/7 throughout the week!
https://live.concordia.ccGive Online
https://tinyurl.com/s3k9z53Take Up: Rest
Mark 2:23-27
3.13.2022
Series Intro
“Whoever wants to be My disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow Me.” Matthew 16:24 We are asking in this series: what does it mean when Jesus asks us to “take up our cross”? What is Jesus asking us to take up, specifically? And today, we’re going to look at how Jesus wants us to “take up” rest.
<ILL: Burnout>
- Exhaustion
- Cynicism
- Inefficacy
I think about all sorts conversations I’ve had recently…
- Workload
- Personal Trials
- Bad News
Mark 2:23-27
3.13.2022
Series Intro
“Whoever wants to be My disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow Me.” Matthew 16:24 We are asking in this series: what does it mean when Jesus asks us to “take up our cross”? What is Jesus asking us to take up, specifically? And today, we’re going to look at how Jesus wants us to “take up” rest.
<ILL: Burnout>
- Exhaustion
- Cynicism
- Inefficacy
I think about all sorts conversations I’ve had recently…
- Workload
- Personal Trials
- Bad News
“On it you shall not do any work” The religious leaders came up with 39 things that constituted work. One was “harvesting.” The religious leaders were watching for something to criticize. When they see Jesus and His disciples “harvesting,” they are incensed. Jesus is breaking their law!
Jesus is saying, The Sabbath isn’t meant to be a burden. God created it to be a blessing! It isn’t meant to be a bunch of rules and restrictions.
1. Understanding Sabbath - ENJOYMENT
“Sabbath” – shabbat – “stop or cease” <ILL: Prepping for Vacation>
God created the Sabbath because He knows us and He loves us. We need a chance to catch our breath, change the scenery, refresh and refill! Let’s get back to the synonym I gave you for “rest” – “enjoyment”
- Harvesting
- Cooking
- Working in the garage
- Reading a book
- Going for a run
Anything that fills you can be rest. Take up a hobby! Take up a habit. Have fun!
Don’t just take up rest for yourself. Offer rest to others.
Find ways to rest with together.
2. Understanding Sabbath - PEACE!
1. Understanding Sabbath - ENJOYMENT
“Sabbath” – shabbat – “stop or cease” <ILL: Prepping for Vacation>
God created the Sabbath because He knows us and He loves us. We need a chance to catch our breath, change the scenery, refresh and refill! Let’s get back to the synonym I gave you for “rest” – “enjoyment”
- Harvesting
- Cooking
- Working in the garage
- Reading a book
- Going for a run
Anything that fills you can be rest. Take up a hobby! Take up a habit. Have fun!
Don’t just take up rest for yourself. Offer rest to others.
Find ways to rest with together.
2. Understanding Sabbath - PEACE!
The Sabbath is God’s invention. When Jesus says He is “Lord of the Sabbath,” He’s saying, “I’m Lord over God’s invention. Which means Jesus is God!
When we turn to Jesus for rest, we get so much more. We gain the kind of rest that brings peace. Peace that the world cannot give. Jesus says, when He gives rest, it will be an easy yoke and a light burden. Why? Because Jesus has overcome every obstacle and every struggle this world can throw at us. Because He knows our pain and fear and struggles and will never leave us. Because He isn’t just Lord of the Sabbath, He is the ruler of the universe and you are his beloved child.
This week, I invite you to take up your cross and follow Jesus by taking up rest.
This week, I invite you to take up your cross and follow Jesus by taking up rest.