GOD RESTED.
THEN, HE STARTED NEW TASKS THE NEXT WEEK.
***There are some that teach that this was the end of all creation, and that God no longer worked. Wrong. NASA’s Hubble telescope shows God making new universes, right now. And, Jesus said that He went to prepare a place for us. If it was already created, why did He have to go and prepare a place ?
GOD WANTS YOU TO HAVE A COMPLETE REST. All three parts of us !
1 Thessalonians 5:23 And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
—YOU ARE A THREE-PART CREATION OF GOD, AND ALL THREE PARTS NEED REST.
Matthew 11:28-29 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
*Many have never experienced anything except the world’s concept of rest and vacation. As a result, they don’t get all God wants them to have ! Some have vacations where they rest physically, but they come back just as stressed.
1. THE PHYSICAL REST.
A. GOD’S PLAN IS FOR ONE DAY OUT OF THE WEEK TO BE A TIME OF PHYSICAL REST.
—GOD DID IT.
Exodus 31:17 It is a sign between me and the children of Israel for ever: for in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day he rested, and was refreshed.
—ISRAEL WAS COMMANDED TO DO IT.
Numbers 9:18 At the commandment of the LORD the children of Israel journeyed, and at the commandment of the LORD they pitched: as long as the cloud abode upon the tabernacle they rested in their tents.
2. THE SPIRITUAL REST.
A. GET SPIRITUAL MATTERS SETTLED.
YOU CAN’T ESCAPE IF YOU ARE CHAINED TO A PROBLEM. IF THERE IS SIN, DEAL WITH IT. IF THERE ARE THINGS BETWEEN YOU AND OTHER PEOPLE, GET IT SETTLED. OTHERWISE, YOU ARE MERELY DRAGGING PROBLEMS WITH YOU….AND YOU WILL THINK ABOUT THEM.
FUTURE CHALLENGES SHOULD BE CONSIDERED WHILE YOU ARE RESTING. BUT, DON’T ANTICIPATE. LOOK FORWARD TO WINNING. .
Psalms 55:6 And I said, Oh that I had wings like a dove! for then would I fly away, and be at rest.
B. AVOID UNNECESSARY TEMPTATIONS.
*IF YOU ARE EASILY TEMPTED IN THE FLESH, DO NOT GO TO THE BEACH WHERE MANY ARE THERE WITHOUT MUCH IN THE WAY OF CLOTHES. *IF YOU ARE TEMPTED TO GAMBLE, DON’T GO TO LAS VEGAS ON YOUR VACATION.
1 Timothy 6:11 But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.
C. YOU CAN’T GET SPIRITUALLY REFRESHED WHILE WORRYING ABOUT FINANCES OR OTHER NEEDS. DETERMINE TO GO IN FAITH.
1 Corinthians 16:17-18 I am glad of the coming of Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicus: for that which was lacking on your part they have supplied. For they have refreshed my spirit and yours: therefore acknowledge ye them that are such.
3. THE MENTAL REST.
A. MAKE JESUS AND ALL THAT HE HAS DONE FOR YOU AS A MAJOR SUBJECT OF YOUR THOUGHTS.
Hebrews 12:3 For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.
TAKE ALONG GRATITUDE !
B. IF WE APPROACH OUR REST TIME WITH A LOT OF BURDENSOME THINGS, WE WILL BE BURDENED, AND NOT RESTED.
Proverbs 23:7 For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he: Eat and drink, saith he to thee; but his heart is not with thee.
C. SOME FAIL TO RENEW THEIR MINDS BY TAKING CLEAN WATER ALONG.
Romans 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
3. THE FINAL REST—WILL IT BE REST, AT ALL ?
A. MEMORY IS NOT DESTROYED WHEN WE GET TO HEAVEN.
WILL THERE BE PAINFUL TIMES, WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT THE PAST, AND YOUR FAILURE TO GIVE TO GOD WHAT HE HAS COMMANDED YOU TO DO ?
WHEN UNDER CONVICTION, THERE WILL NOT BE MUCH REST, UNLESS YOU HAVE BECOME INSENSITIVE TO THE HOLY SPIRIT
Jeremiah 45:3 Thou didst say, Woe is me now! for the LORD hath added grief to my sorrow; I fainted in my sighing, and I find no rest.
B. THE “REST” OF SOME WILL CONTAIN NO REST WHATSOEVER.
Isaiah 57:21 There is no peace, saith my God, to the wicked.
C. THE ONLY TRUE REST BEGINS WHEN WE STOP TRYING TO WORK OUR WAY INTO HEAVEN, AND RECEIVE GOD’S PAYMENT FOR OUR SINS.
Hebrews 4:9-11 There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God. For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his. Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.