WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:07.040 Imagine that you are at school, for a while, a few of us. 00:00:07.419 --> 00:00:14.080 It's week four of school after the holidays and there is an impending assignment. 00:00:14.080 --> 00:00:18.859 And you are already thinking of the end of the school term. 00:00:19.960 --> 00:00:20.859 How about this one? 00:00:21.080 --> 00:00:26.960 You've come back from your Europe trip, day two, sitting at the work desk, 00:00:27.500 --> 00:00:31.640 sitting behind the digger maybe, and you're already scrolling webjet, 00:00:31.760 --> 00:00:34.120 planning for your next holiday or your next cruise. 00:00:35.000 --> 00:00:35.740 Does that sound familiar? 00:00:36.899 --> 00:00:42.480 We are all hungry for rest because at the bottom of this, 00:00:43.159 --> 00:00:50.439 you are yearning for more rest or perhaps what you want is respite from your work. 00:00:51.400 --> 00:00:55.320 And so therefore perhaps the rest that you are pursuing 00:00:55.320 --> 00:00:59.280 aren't actually the antidote to your problem. 00:01:00.179 --> 00:01:02.799 Your problem is a lot deeper. 00:01:02.799 --> 00:01:10.840 And so today we are unpacking rest and specifically God's vision for it. 00:01:11.340 --> 00:01:17.539 And by God's enabling, I pray that we might see and have illuminated in our hearts and minds 00:01:17.539 --> 00:01:21.819 the clarity of scripture that says rest is beautiful. 00:01:21.819 --> 00:01:27.239 Rest is a beautiful gift when you find it in Jesus. 00:01:29.139 --> 00:01:33.679 It's a resource to be stewarded regularly so that you might, like all the other rhythms of grace, 00:01:34.079 --> 00:01:36.559 behold Christ's beauty in your life. 00:01:36.919 --> 00:01:40.000 For that is what these rhythms are indeed about. 00:01:40.399 --> 00:01:46.179 If you think that all these rhythms are purely just doing it because Jesus says to do it, 00:01:46.180 --> 00:01:49.420 then you're missing out on the grace of Jesus. 00:01:49.860 --> 00:01:55.500 Reading the Bible is to gaze at God's glory, the wonder of Jesus who came to this earth. 00:01:55.580 --> 00:02:03.140 We gather right now as people who've been redeemed by Jesus to sing of the goodness of Christ the Redeemer. 00:02:03.140 --> 00:02:11.039 And so too, rest is an experience of God's grace. 00:02:11.560 --> 00:02:12.219 So let's pray. 00:02:12.560 --> 00:02:15.840 Loving Father, we thank you that you are the creator of all things. 00:02:16.259 --> 00:02:19.659 We ask that you might help us with our longing for rest. 00:02:20.620 --> 00:02:24.819 Lord, we want our life to seek the interests of Christ Jesus above our own. 00:02:24.819 --> 00:02:33.620 And by doing so, experience your promise of Jesus' purpose of coming for us to have life. 00:02:34.239 --> 00:02:35.120 Life to the full. 00:02:35.739 --> 00:02:36.039 Amen. 00:02:36.539 --> 00:02:37.799 So I've got three points. 00:02:37.859 --> 00:02:41.400 You'll find them also in the Paul's app, the outline there. 00:02:41.759 --> 00:02:42.419 Three points. 00:02:42.560 --> 00:02:44.919 Number one, the world story of rest. 00:02:45.319 --> 00:02:47.359 Number two, God's story of rest. 00:02:47.919 --> 00:02:50.900 And your story of rest. 00:02:52.219 --> 00:02:53.959 But let's think of the world story of rest. 00:02:53.960 --> 00:02:54.760 What do we see? 00:02:55.180 --> 00:03:02.659 Nearly 100 years ago, in 1930, John Maynard Keynes, an economist, suggested by the time 00:03:02.659 --> 00:03:10.340 that his children would grow up to be of working age, all people would be working only 15 hours 00:03:10.340 --> 00:03:10.700 a week. 00:03:11.620 --> 00:03:17.120 And so you'd think, you know, his grandchildren would work even less than that. 00:03:17.500 --> 00:03:19.219 I mean, that sounds pretty good, right? 00:03:19.840 --> 00:03:22.760 So let's do an inspection on that said generation. 00:03:22.759 --> 00:03:24.679 They did some research of his family and descendants. 00:03:25.319 --> 00:03:29.179 And they do this fun interview, and they talk about how long they're working for, right? 00:03:29.519 --> 00:03:35.159 And so the interviewer asks, so how many works a week are you, you know, working? 00:03:35.399 --> 00:03:37.780 And then the descendant says, yeah, I work 15 hours. 00:03:37.780 --> 00:03:38.780 15 hours. 00:03:38.780 --> 00:03:43.000 That sounds like Keynes finally has made it. 00:03:43.020 --> 00:03:44.979 His family are actually succeeding. 00:03:45.340 --> 00:03:48.159 And then you realise he actually hasn't stopped the sentence. 00:03:48.920 --> 00:03:51.039 15 hours a day! 00:03:51.039 --> 00:03:58.459 And his family even say that Keynes, before he died, did not take his own advice because 00:03:58.459 --> 00:04:05.680 he was busy, stressed and overworked, trying to solve, I don't know what, some economic 00:04:05.680 --> 00:04:06.319 crisis. 00:04:07.180 --> 00:04:12.459 And for you and I, I guess when we engage in small talk, there's this common phrase that 00:04:12.459 --> 00:04:13.399 you and I will hear. 00:04:13.400 --> 00:04:16.819 However, I'm good, but I'm busy. 00:04:18.319 --> 00:04:21.079 It's probably because you're trying to keep all the balls up in the air. 00:04:21.139 --> 00:04:22.300 You've got your family commitments. 00:04:22.459 --> 00:04:23.319 You've got your friendships. 00:04:23.740 --> 00:04:26.100 You've got your work, your health, your appointments. 00:04:26.300 --> 00:04:29.699 You've got church, wellness, extracurricular, sleep, eating, hobbies. 00:04:29.840 --> 00:04:33.060 And you can often feel so overwhelmed. 00:04:33.060 --> 00:04:42.699 And for me, when I get this inner agitation, I find myself blame work or some other externalised 00:04:42.699 --> 00:04:43.240 problem. 00:04:43.819 --> 00:04:45.920 And don't get me wrong, that could be the case. 00:04:46.060 --> 00:04:47.899 There are lots of things going on in life. 00:04:48.199 --> 00:04:52.420 There might be cases when it comes to work that your role gets overloaded. 00:04:52.699 --> 00:04:54.459 Maybe there are office politics. 00:04:54.959 --> 00:04:56.860 Maybe there are problems with colleagues. 00:04:57.399 --> 00:04:57.879 Absolutely. 00:04:59.579 --> 00:05:01.660 But is this always the case? 00:05:01.660 --> 00:05:03.980 Let me put it another way. 00:05:04.640 --> 00:05:11.760 If I were to tell you, go and rest, you are probably thinking, all right, all I just need 00:05:11.760 --> 00:05:12.660 to do is just nothing. 00:05:13.600 --> 00:05:14.440 Sit on the couch. 00:05:14.920 --> 00:05:16.340 Kids, go do your own thing. 00:05:16.460 --> 00:05:16.960 Watch Netflix. 00:05:18.960 --> 00:05:24.860 And for us, I think when it comes to stress management and rest from work, I wonder if our 00:05:24.860 --> 00:05:30.000 solution always tends to be to get rid of all the work things we do. 00:05:30.000 --> 00:05:32.939 So we will have more days off. 00:05:33.100 --> 00:05:33.759 We'll have a holiday. 00:05:34.220 --> 00:05:35.399 We'll plan for retirement. 00:05:35.800 --> 00:05:37.879 Maybe we'll eat some food to find some comfort. 00:05:38.439 --> 00:05:41.600 Maybe we drink alcohol to forget our problems. 00:05:41.600 --> 00:05:50.000 Even on your days off or those first few days on holidays, are you still restless? 00:05:51.100 --> 00:05:52.439 Still thinking about work? 00:05:53.040 --> 00:05:58.180 There's a sense that you're worrying about friendships, a charity organisation that is floundering, 00:05:58.580 --> 00:05:59.920 your financial stability. 00:05:59.920 --> 00:06:05.780 And even maybe for some of you, you're like, well, I haven't worked in like 20 years. 00:06:06.540 --> 00:06:07.580 Let's celebrate that for you. 00:06:07.900 --> 00:06:14.600 But even if you are retired, it seems that retirement doesn't resolve this restlessness. 00:06:15.860 --> 00:06:19.160 Have you spoken to someone with retirement plans? 00:06:20.040 --> 00:06:21.500 Keyword, plans. 00:06:21.500 --> 00:06:26.680 And they sometimes seem more busier than when they first started working because they've 00:06:26.680 --> 00:06:27.779 got all this limited time. 00:06:27.899 --> 00:06:30.639 They're like, let's cram it in with more and more and more. 00:06:31.500 --> 00:06:34.800 Because also, you know, they've been wrote by their children to take care of their grandkids. 00:06:35.339 --> 00:06:36.779 There's all these trips they want to go. 00:06:37.000 --> 00:06:38.579 They're the president of the Stamp Society. 00:06:39.019 --> 00:06:39.600 Who knows? 00:06:41.060 --> 00:06:43.019 Why is this the case? 00:06:43.019 --> 00:06:48.659 I wonder if it's because you are restless. 00:06:49.579 --> 00:06:55.740 The problem is not that you are just busy, but that your heart cannot rest. 00:06:56.339 --> 00:07:00.959 Forget about doing nothing or going on and doing your hobbies and your leisure. 00:07:01.259 --> 00:07:06.139 Because if you feel restless and your mind is ruminating on life and you have this regular 00:07:06.139 --> 00:07:13.000 depletion of your mental bandwidth because of all the noise in your head, doing nothing 00:07:13.000 --> 00:07:15.220 means nothing. 00:07:16.819 --> 00:07:22.040 So resting equally doing nothing is not the antidote to your restless spirit. 00:07:22.620 --> 00:07:25.680 But I wonder if the Bible has the best answer. 00:07:26.139 --> 00:07:32.040 There is hope here because I think the feeling and experience of restlessness that we have 00:07:32.040 --> 00:07:33.560 is a sign. 00:07:34.399 --> 00:07:36.079 It's a sign to turn to Jesus. 00:07:36.600 --> 00:07:40.019 It's a sign to turn to the one who says in Matthew 11, 28, 00:07:40.019 --> 00:07:46.899 Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 00:07:47.699 --> 00:07:51.099 So let's look at the Bible's story of rest. 00:07:52.479 --> 00:07:59.199 And to understand the unfolding plan of God's salvation in the Bible, particularly on rest, 00:07:59.620 --> 00:08:02.000 we're simply going to put it in these three categories. 00:08:02.539 --> 00:08:03.500 Number one, creation. 00:08:04.539 --> 00:08:06.299 Number two, fall. 00:08:06.300 --> 00:08:07.420 And number three, redemption. 00:08:09.160 --> 00:08:09.900 So creation. 00:08:10.720 --> 00:08:16.300 The reason why we start talking about creation first because it's at the very beginning, 00:08:17.420 --> 00:08:23.420 imprinted at the very beginning into its narrative is rest. 00:08:23.420 --> 00:08:30.439 Now, if God is the creator of all things, he also creates rest. 00:08:30.800 --> 00:08:34.159 And if you know the creation account, it all begins in Genesis 1. 00:08:34.560 --> 00:08:38.659 God does the most amazing, wonderful, created, magnificent act. 00:08:39.039 --> 00:08:42.600 He creates the word purely from utterance. 00:08:43.899 --> 00:08:49.840 He speaks the very nature of creation into being. 00:08:49.840 --> 00:08:52.860 So God makes the world in six days. 00:08:53.759 --> 00:08:54.500 Then he does what? 00:08:55.060 --> 00:08:56.500 Genesis 2, verse 2, it says, 00:08:56.899 --> 00:09:00.960 By the seventh day, God had finished the work he had been doing. 00:09:01.340 --> 00:09:05.399 So on the seventh day, he rested from all his work. 00:09:06.420 --> 00:09:07.240 He rests. 00:09:09.340 --> 00:09:14.560 I think when you think of the musician who goes on tour and everyone gets dazzled by their music 00:09:14.559 --> 00:09:18.239 and the crowd wants more, what do they say? 00:09:19.799 --> 00:09:20.399 Encore. 00:09:21.099 --> 00:09:22.899 One more song. 00:09:24.239 --> 00:09:28.979 And you might expect that God is going to make more. 00:09:30.439 --> 00:09:30.879 No. 00:09:32.099 --> 00:09:33.339 God rests. 00:09:34.479 --> 00:09:37.639 But he doesn't rest from his work in the sense that he does nothing. 00:09:38.379 --> 00:09:41.779 It's the kind of rest that says he has finished. 00:09:42.739 --> 00:09:44.199 He's accomplished creation. 00:09:44.559 --> 00:09:47.419 God says, wow, about his work. 00:09:47.939 --> 00:09:49.579 His creation in 2, verse 3, he says, 00:09:49.919 --> 00:09:53.019 Then God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, 00:09:53.139 --> 00:09:58.539 because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done. 00:09:59.759 --> 00:10:03.079 You see, God's picture of rest is so beautiful, isn't it? 00:10:03.419 --> 00:10:05.399 Rest is holy. 00:10:06.199 --> 00:10:10.539 Holy simply meaning set apart by God for his purpose. 00:10:10.539 --> 00:10:17.299 In other words, the day of rest is not just an experience that God has, 00:10:17.639 --> 00:10:23.319 but one that his creation, his world is to behold and experience. 00:10:24.000 --> 00:10:26.759 Because rest propels the rest of the story. 00:10:26.759 --> 00:10:33.720 In fact, God ordains rest as a part of the weekly cycle for his people. 00:10:33.779 --> 00:10:34.779 It's one of the Ten Commandments. 00:10:34.779 --> 00:10:36.980 It's Deuteronomy 5, verse 12. 00:10:37.100 --> 00:10:37.439 It says, 00:10:37.639 --> 00:10:41.240 Observe the Sabbath day, the rest day, to keep it holy, 00:10:41.339 --> 00:10:43.699 as the Lord your God has commanded you. 00:10:44.480 --> 00:10:49.240 And Jesus later himself summarizes all the Ten Commandments into two sections. 00:10:49.740 --> 00:10:51.279 Matthew 22, verse 37. 00:10:51.419 --> 00:10:51.600 It says, 00:10:51.600 --> 00:11:06.820 And do you know where the Sabbath rests? 00:11:07.379 --> 00:11:07.960 That commandment. 00:11:08.040 --> 00:11:09.040 Where does that fall? 00:11:09.740 --> 00:11:10.600 In the two summaries. 00:11:10.920 --> 00:11:12.500 If you look closer in Deuteronomy, 00:11:13.000 --> 00:11:16.480 God informs Israel as to why they rest. 00:11:17.379 --> 00:11:21.460 What should they remember to encourage rest for the rest of your life? 00:11:22.259 --> 00:11:23.639 Deuteronomy 5, verse 15. 00:11:24.519 --> 00:11:28.980 You shall remember that you were a slave in the land of Egypt, 00:11:29.259 --> 00:11:32.840 and the Lord your God brought you out from there with a mighty hand 00:11:32.840 --> 00:11:34.180 and an outstretched arm. 00:11:35.480 --> 00:11:41.800 Therefore, the Lord your God commanded you to keep the Sabbath day. 00:11:43.019 --> 00:11:44.860 Love God. 00:11:45.580 --> 00:11:46.480 Love God. 00:11:46.480 --> 00:11:50.420 The centerpiece of the Sabbath rest in the Ten Commandments 00:11:50.419 --> 00:11:52.579 begins with who God is. 00:11:53.079 --> 00:11:53.839 You rest. 00:11:54.059 --> 00:11:58.240 You cease striving because of who God is. 00:11:58.939 --> 00:12:01.839 God is the one who saved the Israelites out of Egypt. 00:12:02.179 --> 00:12:06.299 They just needed to rest and lean into trusting in God. 00:12:07.039 --> 00:12:07.679 They did nothing. 00:12:08.139 --> 00:12:08.899 Absolutely nothing. 00:12:08.979 --> 00:12:09.819 They didn't part the Red Sea. 00:12:10.079 --> 00:12:11.500 They didn't change Pharaoh's mind. 00:12:11.559 --> 00:12:12.759 They didn't control him. 00:12:12.759 --> 00:12:14.759 It was all God. 00:12:14.759 --> 00:12:17.799 And so too by every other measure. 00:12:18.519 --> 00:12:22.720 God is sovereign and he sustains all things. 00:12:23.559 --> 00:12:25.580 That's the premise of rest. 00:12:25.580 --> 00:12:29.160 Yet we've already discussed, 00:12:29.500 --> 00:12:33.100 and we can simply see from the experience of our lives, 00:12:33.340 --> 00:12:34.740 of what we spoke earlier, 00:12:34.840 --> 00:12:37.879 that despite knowing the goodness of rest, 00:12:37.940 --> 00:12:40.480 we still feel restless. 00:12:41.360 --> 00:12:43.800 And there is a deep longing in our hearts 00:12:43.800 --> 00:12:45.120 that we are trying to fill. 00:12:45.620 --> 00:12:47.800 We're still yearning for this deep rest. 00:12:47.799 --> 00:12:51.259 And when there are the good days of work, 00:12:52.199 --> 00:12:56.559 there can also be plenty of weary and difficult days too. 00:12:57.899 --> 00:12:59.319 In Genesis 3 verse 17, 00:12:59.439 --> 00:13:01.419 we see the result of humanity's sin, 00:13:02.219 --> 00:13:05.439 that work is tainted because of brokenness, 00:13:05.500 --> 00:13:06.679 because of the brokenness of the world, 00:13:06.959 --> 00:13:07.859 work isn't perfect. 00:13:08.240 --> 00:13:10.139 And so of course, rest for our soul 00:13:10.139 --> 00:13:13.459 is also endlessly difficult. 00:13:13.460 --> 00:13:16.560 We're forever chasing the next high 00:13:16.560 --> 00:13:19.500 or wanting some fleeting escapism. 00:13:20.259 --> 00:13:22.200 We are chasing everything 00:13:22.200 --> 00:13:26.000 that God's rest was designed to fill, 00:13:26.780 --> 00:13:27.820 our longings. 00:13:28.800 --> 00:13:30.500 Augustine of Hippo said, 00:13:31.040 --> 00:13:32.680 our heart is restless 00:13:32.680 --> 00:13:36.320 until it rests in you. 00:13:37.800 --> 00:13:40.800 Friends, the good news is that this is not the end. 00:13:40.799 --> 00:13:43.859 You don't have to have the restlessness. 00:13:44.439 --> 00:13:45.859 There is one to look to. 00:13:45.959 --> 00:13:46.979 There is a future hope. 00:13:47.219 --> 00:13:49.379 If you are one who trusts in Jesus, 00:13:49.740 --> 00:13:53.839 you know that Jesus becomes the pinnacle to everything. 00:13:54.199 --> 00:13:55.439 He changes everything. 00:13:55.620 --> 00:14:00.240 And so too is Jesus the pinnacle of rest. 00:14:01.359 --> 00:14:02.599 If you don't know Jesus, 00:14:04.120 --> 00:14:06.839 my prayer is that you listen to this story, 00:14:07.000 --> 00:14:08.439 this wonderful story of Jesus, 00:14:08.859 --> 00:14:10.500 that it might bring encouragement, 00:14:10.799 --> 00:14:14.539 and curiosity of who Jesus is to you. 00:14:15.899 --> 00:14:18.240 So this story is about Jesus 00:14:18.240 --> 00:14:20.259 hanging out with two ladies, 00:14:20.439 --> 00:14:21.099 Mary and Martha, 00:14:21.379 --> 00:14:23.159 and we see this in Luke chapter 10. 00:14:23.759 --> 00:14:25.479 It's clear in verse 38 00:14:25.479 --> 00:14:28.359 that it is Martha, not Mary, 00:14:28.719 --> 00:14:30.679 Martha who invites Jesus in. 00:14:31.439 --> 00:14:32.419 So you might assume, 00:14:32.519 --> 00:14:34.339 oh, Martha is opening her house 00:14:34.339 --> 00:14:36.199 to the Lord and Savior of the world. 00:14:36.859 --> 00:14:38.259 She's doing the best thing. 00:14:38.259 --> 00:14:42.319 And understandably, hands up for me, 00:14:42.439 --> 00:14:43.960 when it comes to hospitality 00:14:43.960 --> 00:14:45.460 and people coming over 00:14:45.460 --> 00:14:47.620 and my house is a mess, 00:14:48.000 --> 00:14:49.740 I don't want anyone to be there. 00:14:50.139 --> 00:14:52.179 I want to make sure that everything's clean. 00:14:52.980 --> 00:14:54.480 So what does Martha do? 00:14:55.000 --> 00:14:56.299 She does homely preparation. 00:14:56.539 --> 00:14:57.299 Maybe she's cleaning, 00:14:57.439 --> 00:14:58.120 maybe she's cooking, 00:14:58.259 --> 00:14:58.980 getting a meal ready, 00:14:59.080 --> 00:14:59.720 who knows? 00:14:59.720 --> 00:15:01.720 But in her exasperation, 00:15:02.680 --> 00:15:04.060 she exclaims to the Lord, 00:15:04.139 --> 00:15:05.899 she's doing it all by herself. 00:15:06.200 --> 00:15:06.660 She says, 00:15:07.180 --> 00:15:08.000 Luke 10, 40, 00:15:08.680 --> 00:15:10.580 Lord, don't you care 00:15:10.580 --> 00:15:13.240 that my sister has left me 00:15:13.240 --> 00:15:15.920 to do the work by myself? 00:15:17.120 --> 00:15:18.639 Tell her to help me. 00:15:19.740 --> 00:15:22.480 Because surely if she doesn't do it, 00:15:23.100 --> 00:15:23.639 Mary won't, 00:15:23.700 --> 00:15:25.300 because all she's doing is lying down, 00:15:25.639 --> 00:15:26.120 hanging out, 00:15:26.240 --> 00:15:27.300 chilling at Jesus' feet. 00:15:27.299 --> 00:15:30.799 And what you must understand here 00:15:30.799 --> 00:15:33.500 is that Martha is doing practically 00:15:33.500 --> 00:15:35.079 what is expected of her, 00:15:35.139 --> 00:15:35.799 of her culture. 00:15:37.759 --> 00:15:40.000 What the world says is expected 00:15:40.000 --> 00:15:41.000 when a guest comes over 00:15:41.000 --> 00:15:41.979 is that, you know, 00:15:42.559 --> 00:15:43.959 you'd prepare the house. 00:15:44.559 --> 00:15:46.339 Probably not dissimilar to us now. 00:15:46.759 --> 00:15:48.000 And so Jesus responds 00:15:48.000 --> 00:15:49.120 with something contrary 00:15:49.120 --> 00:15:52.399 to what the world expects of her. 00:15:53.299 --> 00:15:55.019 Luke 10, 41 to 42. 00:15:55.019 --> 00:15:58.439 Martha, Martha, 00:15:59.000 --> 00:16:00.000 the Lord answered. 00:16:00.539 --> 00:16:02.019 You are worried 00:16:02.019 --> 00:16:03.299 and upset 00:16:03.299 --> 00:16:05.480 about many things. 00:16:06.139 --> 00:16:07.620 But few things are needed. 00:16:08.279 --> 00:16:09.279 Or indeed, 00:16:09.980 --> 00:16:10.939 only one. 00:16:12.500 --> 00:16:13.379 This is the king 00:16:13.379 --> 00:16:14.840 who removes all pretenses 00:16:14.840 --> 00:16:16.319 and just wishes 00:16:16.319 --> 00:16:17.819 to be in relationship 00:16:17.819 --> 00:16:19.419 throughout all the mess. 00:16:20.299 --> 00:16:21.000 Don't worry about 00:16:21.000 --> 00:16:21.799 all the preparations 00:16:21.799 --> 00:16:23.000 for when there is time 00:16:23.000 --> 00:16:23.519 with Jesus. 00:16:24.120 --> 00:16:26.220 Nothing else matters. 00:16:27.100 --> 00:16:28.080 Sit and gaze 00:16:28.080 --> 00:16:29.179 at the glory of Jesus, 00:16:29.820 --> 00:16:31.480 God who is condescended. 00:16:32.740 --> 00:16:35.460 Only one thing matters. 00:16:37.080 --> 00:16:37.720 Notice again 00:16:37.720 --> 00:16:39.080 how clearly Jesus 00:16:39.080 --> 00:16:40.259 is trying to speak to her. 00:16:41.039 --> 00:16:41.639 Martha, 00:16:42.480 --> 00:16:43.279 Martha, 00:16:44.100 --> 00:16:46.139 you are worried 00:16:46.139 --> 00:16:48.539 and upset. 00:16:50.199 --> 00:16:50.759 Friends, 00:16:50.840 --> 00:16:51.600 Martha's issue 00:16:51.600 --> 00:16:53.799 is not simply 00:16:53.799 --> 00:16:55.379 that she's doing things. 00:16:55.899 --> 00:16:56.279 In fact, 00:16:56.340 --> 00:16:57.039 notice that Jesus 00:16:57.039 --> 00:16:57.899 doesn't even talk 00:16:57.899 --> 00:16:59.199 about her actions at all. 00:17:00.299 --> 00:17:02.120 It's that she's worried 00:17:02.120 --> 00:17:04.180 and upset. 00:17:04.980 --> 00:17:05.920 She's restless. 00:17:07.920 --> 00:17:09.379 When faced with the image 00:17:09.379 --> 00:17:10.700 of the invisible God, 00:17:10.779 --> 00:17:12.599 the firstborn over all creation, 00:17:12.599 --> 00:17:15.039 instead of hanging out with him, 00:17:16.079 --> 00:17:17.379 she goes and does something 00:17:17.379 --> 00:17:18.599 that is probably good. 00:17:20.019 --> 00:17:21.000 It's important, 00:17:21.799 --> 00:17:23.399 but it's not the best. 00:17:24.939 --> 00:17:25.619 In our claims 00:17:25.619 --> 00:17:26.439 for doing good 00:17:26.439 --> 00:17:28.179 and seemingly important things, 00:17:28.579 --> 00:17:29.619 making our kids happy 00:17:29.619 --> 00:17:30.279 by taking them 00:17:30.279 --> 00:17:31.559 to every extracurricular 00:17:31.559 --> 00:17:32.619 there is under the sun, 00:17:33.199 --> 00:17:34.079 appeasing the boss 00:17:34.079 --> 00:17:36.599 with the phone of our... 00:17:36.599 --> 00:17:38.659 The boss calls us 00:17:38.659 --> 00:17:40.099 during a non-emergency, 00:17:40.099 --> 00:17:42.240 and we answer the phone 00:17:42.240 --> 00:17:42.939 on a rest day. 00:17:43.659 --> 00:17:44.899 We have to ask, 00:17:45.879 --> 00:17:46.899 is it the best thing 00:17:46.899 --> 00:17:48.219 I could be doing 00:17:48.219 --> 00:17:48.899 with my time? 00:17:50.179 --> 00:17:51.079 Good is good, 00:17:51.919 --> 00:17:52.859 but are you living 00:17:52.859 --> 00:17:54.139 in the best? 00:17:55.159 --> 00:17:56.139 Is your calendar 00:17:56.139 --> 00:17:57.859 filled with good options 00:17:57.859 --> 00:17:59.959 that overshadows the best? 00:18:01.079 --> 00:18:02.319 Jesus is the greatest best 00:18:02.319 --> 00:18:03.079 you can choose. 00:18:03.699 --> 00:18:03.959 In fact, 00:18:04.019 --> 00:18:04.759 the Bible says 00:18:04.759 --> 00:18:05.899 in the passage 00:18:05.899 --> 00:18:07.000 that was read out for us 00:18:07.000 --> 00:18:08.039 in Hebrews 4, 00:18:08.119 --> 00:18:09.059 chapter 1 to 11, 00:18:09.259 --> 00:18:10.039 starts by saying, 00:18:10.199 --> 00:18:10.639 verse 1, 00:18:11.119 --> 00:18:11.679 therefore, 00:18:12.779 --> 00:18:14.219 since the promise 00:18:14.219 --> 00:18:15.259 of entering his rest 00:18:15.259 --> 00:18:15.740 still stands, 00:18:15.980 --> 00:18:17.179 let us be careful 00:18:17.179 --> 00:18:18.719 that none of you 00:18:18.719 --> 00:18:19.879 be found to have 00:18:19.879 --> 00:18:20.639 fallen short of it. 00:18:21.459 --> 00:18:22.559 The writer of Hebrews here 00:18:22.559 --> 00:18:23.379 is pretty much saying, 00:18:23.759 --> 00:18:25.059 there are all these people 00:18:25.059 --> 00:18:25.659 who were trying 00:18:25.659 --> 00:18:27.039 to enter the rest of God, 00:18:27.779 --> 00:18:29.319 but this ultimate rest 00:18:29.319 --> 00:18:30.000 and peace 00:18:30.000 --> 00:18:31.299 that they wanted, 00:18:32.339 --> 00:18:33.339 they were not able to have. 00:18:34.519 --> 00:18:35.419 In verse 2, 00:18:35.500 --> 00:18:36.019 it says, 00:18:36.379 --> 00:18:37.659 for we also 00:18:37.660 --> 00:18:41.019 have had the good news. 00:18:42.180 --> 00:18:43.940 The implication here 00:18:43.940 --> 00:18:45.080 is that the good news, 00:18:45.180 --> 00:18:45.840 the gospel, 00:18:46.560 --> 00:18:48.420 leads to rest. 00:18:48.880 --> 00:18:50.080 The good news 00:18:50.080 --> 00:18:51.660 for God's chosen people 00:18:51.660 --> 00:18:53.800 now and then 00:18:53.800 --> 00:18:55.200 is rest. 00:18:56.200 --> 00:18:57.440 But how do we receive 00:18:57.440 --> 00:18:58.420 the gospel's promise 00:18:58.420 --> 00:18:59.700 of this rest? 00:18:59.700 --> 00:19:02.460 full verse 10, 00:19:03.380 --> 00:19:04.120 for anyone 00:19:04.120 --> 00:19:04.799 who enters 00:19:04.799 --> 00:19:06.180 God's rest 00:19:06.180 --> 00:19:07.100 also rests 00:19:07.100 --> 00:19:08.500 from their work. 00:19:08.500 --> 00:19:11.400 You rest from your work. 00:19:12.119 --> 00:19:12.619 Why? 00:19:13.700 --> 00:19:14.660 It's because Jesus 00:19:14.660 --> 00:19:16.819 died on the cross. 00:19:17.440 --> 00:19:18.740 It's his great work. 00:19:18.859 --> 00:19:20.200 It's his great accomplishment. 00:19:20.859 --> 00:19:21.779 He was the one 00:19:21.779 --> 00:19:22.240 who said, 00:19:22.640 --> 00:19:23.720 it is finished. 00:19:24.380 --> 00:19:25.619 You don't need to work. 00:19:26.099 --> 00:19:27.359 You can't work 00:19:27.359 --> 00:19:28.319 to earn God's favor. 00:19:29.200 --> 00:19:29.859 You rest. 00:19:30.920 --> 00:19:32.079 Jesus worked 00:19:32.079 --> 00:19:34.019 so you could rest. 00:19:34.900 --> 00:19:35.180 You see, 00:19:35.240 --> 00:19:36.359 if Jesus is the one 00:19:36.359 --> 00:19:37.259 who died on the cross, 00:19:37.259 --> 00:19:38.859 you don't need to do anything. 00:19:39.420 --> 00:19:40.359 That is grace. 00:19:40.660 --> 00:19:41.980 It is the undeserved gift 00:19:41.980 --> 00:19:43.119 that Christ paid for. 00:19:43.440 --> 00:19:44.379 You didn't earn it. 00:19:44.960 --> 00:19:46.319 It was simply a gift 00:19:46.319 --> 00:19:48.160 for you to receive. 00:19:49.480 --> 00:19:50.319 And if that is 00:19:50.319 --> 00:19:51.279 Jesus' grace, 00:19:51.440 --> 00:19:52.500 then there is actually 00:19:52.500 --> 00:19:53.920 a logical conclusion 00:19:53.920 --> 00:19:55.759 you can make about rest. 00:19:56.359 --> 00:19:57.759 The logic of grace 00:19:57.759 --> 00:19:59.220 is simple as this. 00:20:00.819 --> 00:20:02.319 If you have received 00:20:02.319 --> 00:20:04.160 the grace of our Lord Jesus, 00:20:04.160 --> 00:20:06.160 then you rest. 00:20:07.259 --> 00:20:08.359 in Jesus. 00:20:10.920 --> 00:20:12.019 Your rest begun 00:20:12.019 --> 00:20:13.039 when you first took 00:20:13.039 --> 00:20:14.200 a glimpse of the gospel. 00:20:15.160 --> 00:20:16.619 For you trusted in Jesus 00:20:16.619 --> 00:20:18.119 and not your works. 00:20:18.720 --> 00:20:20.279 The logic of grace 00:20:20.279 --> 00:20:21.980 is rest. 00:20:22.839 --> 00:20:23.779 If this, 00:20:24.099 --> 00:20:24.700 then that. 00:20:25.579 --> 00:20:26.539 If grace, 00:20:27.259 --> 00:20:28.779 then rest. 00:20:30.200 --> 00:20:30.420 Now, 00:20:30.480 --> 00:20:31.359 when it comes to 00:20:31.359 --> 00:20:33.019 the story of our rest, 00:20:33.119 --> 00:20:33.819 your rest, 00:20:33.819 --> 00:20:35.899 I think it's important 00:20:35.899 --> 00:20:36.700 to understand 00:20:36.700 --> 00:20:38.639 what you are resting from. 00:20:39.159 --> 00:20:39.819 And I hope that 00:20:39.819 --> 00:20:40.539 as we were talking 00:20:40.539 --> 00:20:41.539 about the world story 00:20:41.539 --> 00:20:41.819 of rest, 00:20:41.899 --> 00:20:42.599 it was clear that 00:20:42.599 --> 00:20:44.559 what we are to rest 00:20:44.559 --> 00:20:45.819 from is work. 00:20:45.980 --> 00:20:46.899 But what exactly 00:20:46.899 --> 00:20:48.960 qualifies as work? 00:20:49.200 --> 00:20:49.919 Spicy topic, 00:20:49.980 --> 00:20:50.299 I know. 00:20:50.539 --> 00:20:52.079 What is work? 00:20:52.559 --> 00:20:53.259 And I want to hold 00:20:53.259 --> 00:20:54.599 loosely to this definition, 00:20:54.859 --> 00:20:56.039 but for this exercise, 00:20:56.159 --> 00:20:57.759 let's call work 00:20:57.759 --> 00:20:59.099 success 00:20:59.099 --> 00:21:00.659 or striving. 00:21:01.879 --> 00:21:03.459 We're in an aspirational 00:21:03.459 --> 00:21:04.579 culture here in Chatswood, 00:21:04.699 --> 00:21:06.019 and so I just want to ask you, 00:21:06.659 --> 00:21:07.659 what is it 00:21:07.659 --> 00:21:09.299 that you are striving for? 00:21:10.019 --> 00:21:11.319 How are you trying 00:21:11.319 --> 00:21:12.599 to make it in this world? 00:21:13.139 --> 00:21:15.199 What things are you doing 00:21:15.199 --> 00:21:16.599 to bring you purpose 00:21:16.599 --> 00:21:17.359 and meaning? 00:21:18.759 --> 00:21:20.599 Because maybe you're not 00:21:20.599 --> 00:21:21.500 working, 00:21:21.699 --> 00:21:22.939 employed by a boss. 00:21:23.279 --> 00:21:24.740 Maybe you're self-employed. 00:21:24.740 --> 00:21:26.720 Maybe you're the parent 00:21:26.720 --> 00:21:27.160 at home. 00:21:27.859 --> 00:21:28.960 Or you are studying 00:21:28.960 --> 00:21:30.140 or you are retired. 00:21:31.299 --> 00:21:32.359 People might not think 00:21:32.359 --> 00:21:32.900 it's work. 00:21:33.660 --> 00:21:34.880 But let's go 00:21:34.880 --> 00:21:35.720 with our definition 00:21:35.720 --> 00:21:36.339 of work. 00:21:36.920 --> 00:21:38.099 What is it that you invest 00:21:38.099 --> 00:21:38.799 your energy, 00:21:38.980 --> 00:21:40.000 your mind and your heart, 00:21:40.079 --> 00:21:41.059 your resources towards? 00:21:42.640 --> 00:21:43.660 That's your work. 00:21:44.359 --> 00:21:45.539 That's where you need rest. 00:21:46.539 --> 00:21:47.539 You need rest 00:21:47.539 --> 00:21:48.620 from the Martha heart 00:21:48.620 --> 00:21:49.900 that cannot stop worrying. 00:21:52.019 --> 00:21:52.660 Have you gotten 00:21:52.660 --> 00:21:53.539 to the end of the day? 00:21:54.740 --> 00:21:55.500 Gone to bed 00:21:55.500 --> 00:21:56.940 and still just been wired? 00:21:58.339 --> 00:21:59.299 Do you feel like 00:21:59.299 --> 00:21:59.920 you are in this 00:21:59.920 --> 00:22:01.660 endless cycle of working 00:22:01.660 --> 00:22:02.799 because you are 00:22:02.799 --> 00:22:03.980 defining yourself 00:22:03.980 --> 00:22:05.240 in what you do? 00:22:06.559 --> 00:22:07.859 I need not just a body 00:22:07.859 --> 00:22:09.240 that can cease striving, 00:22:09.819 --> 00:22:10.660 but a heart 00:22:10.660 --> 00:22:12.160 that stops worrying too. 00:22:13.480 --> 00:22:14.259 You can believe 00:22:14.259 --> 00:22:15.240 that you are saved 00:22:15.240 --> 00:22:15.880 by your works, 00:22:15.980 --> 00:22:17.839 but be in a habitual pattern 00:22:17.839 --> 00:22:19.079 of physically, 00:22:19.339 --> 00:22:19.940 emotionally, 00:22:20.299 --> 00:22:21.339 mentally exhausting 00:22:21.339 --> 00:22:22.640 your head, 00:22:22.779 --> 00:22:23.359 heart and hands 00:22:23.359 --> 00:22:24.720 by striving for your own 00:22:24.720 --> 00:22:25.180 agenda 00:22:25.180 --> 00:22:26.360 and what you are 00:22:26.360 --> 00:22:27.140 contending for. 00:22:27.880 --> 00:22:28.539 And some of us 00:22:28.539 --> 00:22:29.079 know this. 00:22:29.420 --> 00:22:30.140 Ephesians 2, 00:22:30.220 --> 00:22:30.880 8 to 10, 00:22:31.160 --> 00:22:32.120 for it is by grace 00:22:32.120 --> 00:22:33.019 you have been saved, 00:22:33.299 --> 00:22:35.180 not by works. 00:22:36.180 --> 00:22:36.700 So, 00:22:37.480 --> 00:22:38.400 why is it 00:22:38.400 --> 00:22:39.620 that you suddenly 00:22:39.620 --> 00:22:40.360 are striving 00:22:40.360 --> 00:22:41.600 for everything else 00:22:41.600 --> 00:22:42.019 in life? 00:22:42.700 --> 00:22:43.620 And it makes sense 00:22:43.620 --> 00:22:44.019 logically. 00:22:44.779 --> 00:22:45.620 The reason why 00:22:45.620 --> 00:22:46.480 you strive and worry 00:22:46.480 --> 00:22:46.980 for everyone 00:22:46.980 --> 00:22:47.860 is because maybe 00:22:47.860 --> 00:22:49.740 if you don't do it, 00:22:50.160 --> 00:22:50.940 no one else will. 00:22:51.259 --> 00:22:51.660 Your boss, 00:22:51.660 --> 00:22:52.200 your friend, 00:22:52.660 --> 00:22:53.240 your parents, 00:22:53.300 --> 00:22:53.740 your spouse, 00:22:53.820 --> 00:22:55.320 your child doesn't care. 00:22:56.140 --> 00:22:56.480 And so, 00:22:56.580 --> 00:22:57.519 if you don't do it, 00:22:58.480 --> 00:22:59.060 no one will. 00:23:00.220 --> 00:23:01.040 And I can tell you 00:23:01.040 --> 00:23:02.440 all the theological reasons 00:23:02.440 --> 00:23:04.180 as to why rest 00:23:04.180 --> 00:23:04.920 is a good thing, 00:23:05.480 --> 00:23:06.540 but what is firmly 00:23:06.540 --> 00:23:07.620 lodged in your heart 00:23:07.620 --> 00:23:08.360 and mind 00:23:08.360 --> 00:23:09.380 is that you've got 00:23:09.380 --> 00:23:10.140 to be the one 00:23:10.140 --> 00:23:10.880 who holds 00:23:10.880 --> 00:23:12.380 everything together. 00:23:12.380 --> 00:23:15.580 but what if I told you 00:23:15.580 --> 00:23:17.820 there is someone 00:23:17.820 --> 00:23:18.540 who has, 00:23:19.780 --> 00:23:21.280 someone who is in fact 00:23:21.280 --> 00:23:23.480 holding and sustaining 00:23:23.480 --> 00:23:24.660 everything together. 00:23:25.420 --> 00:23:26.080 Colossians 1, 00:23:26.120 --> 00:23:27.120 15 to 20 says 00:23:27.120 --> 00:23:28.100 that not only was Jesus 00:23:28.100 --> 00:23:28.720 there in the beginning 00:23:28.720 --> 00:23:29.360 of creation, 00:23:29.480 --> 00:23:30.200 but he too 00:23:30.200 --> 00:23:31.740 is the sustainer 00:23:31.740 --> 00:23:33.160 of all things. 00:23:34.020 --> 00:23:35.200 The reason that you 00:23:35.200 --> 00:23:36.100 are successful 00:23:36.100 --> 00:23:37.580 by any measure, 00:23:37.940 --> 00:23:38.860 the reason you have riches 00:23:38.860 --> 00:23:39.800 is because God 00:23:39.800 --> 00:23:40.780 has given it to you, 00:23:40.900 --> 00:23:41.820 not because you're pretty, 00:23:41.819 --> 00:23:42.879 not because you're smart, 00:23:43.099 --> 00:23:44.000 not because you're needy 00:23:44.000 --> 00:23:44.859 or a hard worker, 00:23:45.220 --> 00:23:46.559 it's because God 00:23:46.559 --> 00:23:48.960 is a generous God. 00:23:49.939 --> 00:23:51.059 You've got to remember 00:23:51.059 --> 00:23:51.919 that God 00:23:51.919 --> 00:23:52.960 can do it 00:23:52.960 --> 00:23:53.659 better than you. 00:23:54.000 --> 00:23:55.559 He's a better sustainer 00:23:55.559 --> 00:23:56.359 than you. 00:23:57.299 --> 00:23:58.659 It all comes down 00:23:58.659 --> 00:23:59.419 to who he is, 00:23:59.480 --> 00:23:59.939 doesn't it? 00:24:01.339 --> 00:24:02.179 What good news 00:24:02.179 --> 00:24:02.919 is that? 00:24:03.759 --> 00:24:04.700 Remember Jesus. 00:24:05.339 --> 00:24:06.919 He is not your fountain 00:24:06.919 --> 00:24:07.679 that begun 00:24:07.679 --> 00:24:08.379 your journey 00:24:08.379 --> 00:24:09.099 with Christ. 00:24:09.659 --> 00:24:10.759 He is the ocean 00:24:10.759 --> 00:24:11.740 by which everything 00:24:11.740 --> 00:24:12.900 has been formed 00:24:12.900 --> 00:24:14.559 and is still sustained. 00:24:15.660 --> 00:24:16.220 Your marriage 00:24:16.220 --> 00:24:17.180 is sustained by Jesus. 00:24:18.000 --> 00:24:19.120 Your super fund, 00:24:19.660 --> 00:24:20.920 your retirement plan, 00:24:21.620 --> 00:24:22.200 your mortgage 00:24:22.200 --> 00:24:23.460 is not solved by you, 00:24:23.839 --> 00:24:24.599 but by Jesus. 00:24:25.740 --> 00:24:26.539 And I think there are 00:24:26.539 --> 00:24:28.720 four intrusive thoughts 00:24:28.720 --> 00:24:29.599 you might be telling 00:24:29.599 --> 00:24:30.079 yourselves 00:24:30.079 --> 00:24:31.799 which are not true 00:24:31.799 --> 00:24:32.400 for the one 00:24:32.400 --> 00:24:33.539 who trusts in Jesus. 00:24:33.539 --> 00:24:36.700 I am what I do. 00:24:36.700 --> 00:24:39.200 I need to prove myself. 00:24:39.960 --> 00:24:40.759 My meaning 00:24:40.759 --> 00:24:41.599 is from 00:24:41.599 --> 00:24:42.399 what I do. 00:24:43.119 --> 00:24:44.599 And if I don't do it, 00:24:44.899 --> 00:24:45.960 no one else will. 00:24:47.079 --> 00:24:47.700 For me, 00:24:47.779 --> 00:24:48.539 there are places 00:24:48.539 --> 00:24:49.440 where I have 00:24:49.440 --> 00:24:50.839 this disbelieving power 00:24:50.839 --> 00:24:53.419 and I disbelieve 00:24:53.419 --> 00:24:53.959 the gospel 00:24:53.959 --> 00:24:54.679 in my life. 00:24:54.759 --> 00:24:55.519 I must admit 00:24:55.519 --> 00:24:56.359 for you 00:24:56.359 --> 00:24:57.299 that stopping 00:24:57.299 --> 00:24:58.419 is not actually 00:24:58.419 --> 00:24:59.119 something that I'm 00:24:59.119 --> 00:24:59.720 very good at. 00:25:00.079 --> 00:25:00.419 In fact, 00:25:00.459 --> 00:25:01.139 I must confess, 00:25:01.240 --> 00:25:01.839 yesterday we had 00:25:01.839 --> 00:25:02.480 a training session 00:25:02.480 --> 00:25:03.519 here for our 00:25:03.519 --> 00:25:04.019 youth leaders 00:25:04.019 --> 00:25:05.899 and I was telling 00:25:05.899 --> 00:25:06.379 a few people, 00:25:06.579 --> 00:25:06.959 oh yeah, 00:25:07.019 --> 00:25:07.419 I'm preaching 00:25:07.419 --> 00:25:08.480 on rest tomorrow. 00:25:08.899 --> 00:25:09.579 And they're like, 00:25:10.439 --> 00:25:10.679 um, 00:25:10.839 --> 00:25:11.220 Ash, 00:25:11.899 --> 00:25:13.279 isn't Saturday 00:25:13.279 --> 00:25:13.779 your Sabbath? 00:25:13.779 --> 00:25:16.879 And when it comes 00:25:16.879 --> 00:25:17.700 to busy weeks 00:25:17.700 --> 00:25:18.379 like this, 00:25:19.079 --> 00:25:20.660 I find I can be 00:25:20.660 --> 00:25:21.339 prayerless 00:25:21.339 --> 00:25:22.720 because I feel 00:25:22.720 --> 00:25:23.339 like I have to 00:25:23.339 --> 00:25:24.059 work on my own 00:25:24.059 --> 00:25:24.480 strength. 00:25:24.980 --> 00:25:26.379 Or even worse, 00:25:26.599 --> 00:25:28.119 I might overwork 00:25:28.119 --> 00:25:28.740 myself 00:25:28.740 --> 00:25:29.980 because I must 00:25:29.980 --> 00:25:30.779 do it myself. 00:25:31.720 --> 00:25:32.519 But friend, 00:25:32.960 --> 00:25:33.359 Ash, 00:25:34.119 --> 00:25:35.279 you cannot 00:25:35.279 --> 00:25:37.279 lean into Jesus, 00:25:38.119 --> 00:25:39.379 stop and come 00:25:39.379 --> 00:25:39.899 to the foot 00:25:39.899 --> 00:25:40.480 of the cross 00:25:40.480 --> 00:25:41.299 and lean on 00:25:41.299 --> 00:25:41.940 his sovereignty, 00:25:42.779 --> 00:25:43.180 provision, 00:25:43.180 --> 00:25:44.060 and kindness 00:25:44.060 --> 00:25:44.539 to you. 00:25:46.039 --> 00:25:46.660 But you might 00:25:46.660 --> 00:25:47.460 have a different 00:25:47.460 --> 00:25:48.580 intrusive thought 00:25:48.580 --> 00:25:49.840 and we need 00:25:49.840 --> 00:25:50.460 to be actively 00:25:50.460 --> 00:25:51.340 preaching gospel 00:25:51.340 --> 00:25:52.000 truths, 00:25:52.380 --> 00:25:53.140 gospel glue 00:25:53.140 --> 00:25:54.180 in your brain. 00:25:54.759 --> 00:25:55.539 If you believe 00:25:55.539 --> 00:25:56.220 on the screen, 00:25:56.360 --> 00:25:57.620 I am what I do, 00:25:58.259 --> 00:25:59.180 trust in the 00:25:59.180 --> 00:26:00.200 better news 00:26:00.200 --> 00:26:01.660 that you are 00:26:01.660 --> 00:26:02.380 who God 00:26:02.380 --> 00:26:03.740 says you are, 00:26:04.120 --> 00:26:04.799 a beloved 00:26:04.799 --> 00:26:05.940 child of God. 00:26:06.820 --> 00:26:07.700 If you believe 00:26:07.700 --> 00:26:08.440 in I need to 00:26:08.440 --> 00:26:09.539 prove myself, 00:26:10.320 --> 00:26:10.900 know that 00:26:10.900 --> 00:26:11.720 the gospel 00:26:11.720 --> 00:26:12.620 reality is that 00:26:12.620 --> 00:26:13.080 you have 00:26:13.079 --> 00:26:13.779 already been 00:26:13.779 --> 00:26:14.559 justified, 00:26:14.559 --> 00:26:15.359 you have been 00:26:15.359 --> 00:26:16.000 made right 00:26:16.000 --> 00:26:16.699 with God 00:26:16.699 --> 00:26:17.819 by faith in 00:26:17.819 --> 00:26:18.240 Christ. 00:26:18.919 --> 00:26:19.419 If you're 00:26:19.419 --> 00:26:19.779 hearing, 00:26:20.199 --> 00:26:20.619 my meaning 00:26:20.619 --> 00:26:21.179 is from what 00:26:21.179 --> 00:26:21.779 I do, 00:26:22.980 --> 00:26:23.519 my prayer 00:26:23.519 --> 00:26:24.220 is that you 00:26:24.220 --> 00:26:25.220 experience that 00:26:25.220 --> 00:26:26.259 the good news 00:26:26.259 --> 00:26:27.579 makes really 00:26:27.579 --> 00:26:28.079 clear your 00:26:28.079 --> 00:26:29.220 purpose in life 00:26:29.220 --> 00:26:30.759 is to glorify 00:26:30.759 --> 00:26:31.579 God and enjoy 00:26:31.579 --> 00:26:32.159 him forever. 00:26:33.039 --> 00:26:33.939 If you have 00:26:33.939 --> 00:26:34.679 this anxious 00:26:34.679 --> 00:26:35.220 feeling, 00:26:35.759 --> 00:26:36.299 the one that 00:26:36.299 --> 00:26:37.139 I get often, 00:26:37.559 --> 00:26:38.480 if I don't 00:26:38.480 --> 00:26:38.839 do it, 00:26:38.899 --> 00:26:39.579 no one else 00:26:39.579 --> 00:26:39.899 will, 00:26:40.559 --> 00:26:40.879 brother, 00:26:41.799 --> 00:26:42.179 sister, 00:26:43.439 --> 00:26:44.000 remember that 00:26:44.000 --> 00:26:44.480 Jesus has 00:26:44.480 --> 00:26:46.199 done it all 00:26:46.199 --> 00:26:47.439 and all that 00:26:47.439 --> 00:26:48.119 is necessary, 00:26:48.579 --> 00:26:49.019 the most 00:26:49.019 --> 00:26:49.859 important thing 00:26:49.859 --> 00:26:50.720 on the cross. 00:26:52.480 --> 00:26:53.259 He's dealt 00:26:53.259 --> 00:26:53.919 with your sin 00:26:53.919 --> 00:26:54.980 and punishment. 00:26:56.319 --> 00:26:56.619 Friends, 00:26:56.699 --> 00:26:57.220 preach the gospel 00:26:57.220 --> 00:26:57.740 to yourself 00:26:57.740 --> 00:26:58.279 regularly. 00:26:59.919 --> 00:27:00.199 And so, 00:27:00.779 --> 00:27:01.199 lastly, 00:27:01.399 --> 00:27:01.819 there's just 00:27:01.819 --> 00:27:02.599 three tips I 00:27:02.599 --> 00:27:03.359 just hope 00:27:03.359 --> 00:27:03.960 will propel 00:27:03.960 --> 00:27:04.500 you into 00:27:04.500 --> 00:27:05.819 having rest 00:27:05.819 --> 00:27:06.240 weekly, 00:27:06.379 --> 00:27:06.980 making it a 00:27:06.980 --> 00:27:07.299 rhythm in 00:27:07.299 --> 00:27:07.700 your life. 00:27:08.240 --> 00:27:08.860 Good is 00:27:08.860 --> 00:27:09.460 the enemy 00:27:09.460 --> 00:27:10.519 of best. 00:27:11.259 --> 00:27:11.900 Your most 00:27:11.900 --> 00:27:12.920 powerful verbal 00:27:12.920 --> 00:27:13.900 tool you 00:27:13.900 --> 00:27:14.640 might actually 00:27:14.640 --> 00:27:15.140 have is the 00:27:15.140 --> 00:27:15.680 ability to 00:27:15.680 --> 00:27:16.140 say no. 00:27:16.819 --> 00:27:17.279 Because every 00:27:17.279 --> 00:27:17.759 time you say 00:27:17.759 --> 00:27:18.160 yes to 00:27:18.160 --> 00:27:18.559 something, 00:27:19.140 --> 00:27:19.860 you're actually 00:27:19.860 --> 00:27:20.720 saying no 00:27:20.720 --> 00:27:21.339 to another. 00:27:22.140 --> 00:27:22.660 Matthew 5, 00:27:22.680 --> 00:27:23.000 37, 00:27:23.380 --> 00:27:23.880 let your 00:27:23.880 --> 00:27:24.579 yes be yes 00:27:24.579 --> 00:27:24.860 and your 00:27:24.860 --> 00:27:25.519 no be no. 00:27:26.079 --> 00:27:26.980 Your no 00:27:26.980 --> 00:27:28.319 means your 00:27:28.319 --> 00:27:29.360 biggest yes 00:27:29.360 --> 00:27:30.559 to what truly 00:27:30.559 --> 00:27:31.000 matters. 00:27:31.799 --> 00:27:32.779 Reality is, 00:27:33.880 --> 00:27:34.640 you and I 00:27:34.640 --> 00:27:35.120 are finite 00:27:35.120 --> 00:27:36.019 beings and we 00:27:36.019 --> 00:27:36.480 can't do 00:27:36.480 --> 00:27:36.920 everything. 00:27:37.620 --> 00:27:38.039 In fact, 00:27:38.200 --> 00:27:38.640 I've got 00:27:38.640 --> 00:27:39.099 printed on 00:27:39.099 --> 00:27:39.380 the side 00:27:39.380 --> 00:27:39.680 of church 00:27:39.680 --> 00:27:40.200 over there 00:27:40.200 --> 00:27:41.539 a reflection 00:27:41.539 --> 00:27:42.120 document, 00:27:42.240 --> 00:27:42.819 a time 00:27:42.819 --> 00:27:43.980 audit to 00:27:43.980 --> 00:27:45.200 help you 00:27:45.200 --> 00:27:45.900 reflect on 00:27:45.900 --> 00:27:46.380 biblical 00:27:46.380 --> 00:27:47.539 principles and 00:27:47.539 --> 00:27:48.539 priorities and 00:27:48.539 --> 00:27:49.620 understand your 00:27:49.620 --> 00:27:50.400 time and 00:27:50.400 --> 00:27:50.960 where it's 00:27:50.960 --> 00:27:52.920 going and 00:27:52.920 --> 00:27:53.700 to help you 00:27:53.700 --> 00:27:55.420 run for 00:27:55.420 --> 00:27:55.880 the best 00:27:55.880 --> 00:27:56.279 yes. 00:27:57.259 --> 00:27:57.660 Quick 00:27:57.660 --> 00:27:58.220 side note, 00:27:59.019 --> 00:27:59.360 make sure 00:27:59.360 --> 00:27:59.920 you're saying 00:27:59.920 --> 00:28:01.240 no to the 00:28:01.240 --> 00:28:01.779 things, 00:28:02.400 --> 00:28:02.839 sorry, 00:28:03.400 --> 00:28:03.680 restart, 00:28:04.259 --> 00:28:04.839 make sure 00:28:04.839 --> 00:28:05.819 you are not 00:28:05.819 --> 00:28:06.900 saying no 00:28:06.900 --> 00:28:07.180 to the 00:28:07.180 --> 00:28:08.720 things that 00:28:08.720 --> 00:28:09.280 propel 00:28:09.280 --> 00:28:10.040 God's 00:28:10.040 --> 00:28:10.360 mission. 00:28:11.759 --> 00:28:12.019 You're 00:28:12.019 --> 00:28:12.820 why that's 00:28:12.820 --> 00:28:13.340 driven by 00:28:13.340 --> 00:28:14.060 God's word. 00:28:14.680 --> 00:28:14.880 And I 00:28:14.880 --> 00:28:15.120 wonder, 00:28:15.780 --> 00:28:16.460 too often 00:28:16.460 --> 00:28:17.259 we get so 00:28:17.259 --> 00:28:18.160 tired and 00:28:18.160 --> 00:28:18.500 then we're 00:28:18.500 --> 00:28:19.180 forced to 00:28:19.180 --> 00:28:19.740 rest by our 00:28:19.740 --> 00:28:20.259 bodies and 00:28:20.259 --> 00:28:20.980 say no to 00:28:20.980 --> 00:28:21.680 the things 00:28:21.680 --> 00:28:22.480 that we are 00:28:22.480 --> 00:28:23.220 commanded by 00:28:23.220 --> 00:28:24.000 God to do. 00:28:25.320 --> 00:28:26.220 Even I need 00:28:26.220 --> 00:28:27.019 to ask myself, 00:28:27.160 --> 00:28:27.400 Ash, 00:28:27.960 --> 00:28:28.720 why did you 00:28:28.720 --> 00:28:29.320 overcommit? 00:28:29.840 --> 00:28:30.300 Maybe you 00:28:30.300 --> 00:28:30.620 shouldn't have 00:28:30.620 --> 00:28:31.880 said yes to 00:28:31.880 --> 00:28:32.180 all that 00:28:32.180 --> 00:28:32.700 training and 00:28:32.700 --> 00:28:33.200 that party 00:28:33.200 --> 00:28:34.799 if it 00:28:34.799 --> 00:28:35.180 meant you 00:28:35.180 --> 00:28:35.700 weren't able 00:28:35.700 --> 00:28:36.420 to rest and 00:28:36.420 --> 00:28:36.600 you were 00:28:36.600 --> 00:28:37.039 preaching the 00:28:37.039 --> 00:28:37.519 next day. 00:28:38.160 --> 00:28:38.880 Good is 00:28:38.880 --> 00:28:39.420 the enemy 00:28:39.420 --> 00:28:40.299 of best. 00:28:41.279 --> 00:28:41.759 Number two, 00:28:41.880 --> 00:28:42.259 preach the 00:28:42.259 --> 00:28:42.700 gospel to 00:28:42.700 --> 00:28:43.140 yourself. 00:28:43.580 --> 00:28:44.000 If you 00:28:44.000 --> 00:28:44.420 want that 00:28:44.420 --> 00:28:45.019 hope of 00:28:45.019 --> 00:28:46.140 non-restlessness, 00:28:47.120 --> 00:28:47.620 those four 00:28:47.620 --> 00:28:48.120 things that we 00:28:48.120 --> 00:28:48.539 spoke about 00:28:48.539 --> 00:28:48.840 before, 00:28:48.980 --> 00:28:49.500 preach the 00:28:49.500 --> 00:28:50.539 gospel against 00:28:50.539 --> 00:28:51.059 those four 00:28:51.059 --> 00:28:51.460 things. 00:28:51.819 --> 00:28:52.259 Read the 00:28:52.259 --> 00:28:52.759 Psalms like 00:28:52.759 --> 00:28:53.600 chapter 46 00:28:53.600 --> 00:28:54.080 verse 10, 00:28:54.180 --> 00:28:55.259 be still and 00:28:55.259 --> 00:28:57.480 know that I 00:28:57.480 --> 00:28:57.980 am God. 00:28:58.880 --> 00:28:59.500 Rest by 00:28:59.500 --> 00:29:00.039 knowing who 00:29:00.039 --> 00:29:00.600 God is. 00:29:01.019 --> 00:29:01.680 Rest knowing 00:29:01.680 --> 00:29:02.299 he is your 00:29:02.299 --> 00:29:02.799 redeemer. 00:29:03.500 --> 00:29:03.840 You don't 00:29:03.840 --> 00:29:04.100 need to 00:29:04.100 --> 00:29:04.779 prove yourself 00:29:04.779 --> 00:29:05.140 to him 00:29:05.140 --> 00:29:05.519 anymore. 00:29:07.019 --> 00:29:07.759 He likes 00:29:07.759 --> 00:29:08.279 you as you 00:29:08.279 --> 00:29:08.420 are. 00:29:08.539 --> 00:29:08.920 He is 00:29:08.920 --> 00:29:09.200 sovereign. 00:29:09.340 --> 00:29:09.759 He is the 00:29:09.759 --> 00:29:10.340 sustainer of 00:29:10.340 --> 00:29:10.820 all things. 00:29:11.259 --> 00:29:11.740 Put your 00:29:11.740 --> 00:29:12.400 work phone 00:29:12.400 --> 00:29:12.880 and emails 00:29:12.880 --> 00:29:13.279 down. 00:29:13.400 --> 00:29:13.700 Stop 00:29:13.700 --> 00:29:14.259 pottering in 00:29:14.259 --> 00:29:14.640 the kitchen. 00:29:14.860 --> 00:29:15.259 Let someone 00:29:15.259 --> 00:29:15.820 else do it. 00:29:16.420 --> 00:29:17.299 The world 00:29:17.299 --> 00:29:18.299 expects you to 00:29:18.299 --> 00:29:18.820 have your 00:29:18.820 --> 00:29:19.740 kids that 00:29:19.740 --> 00:29:20.380 are successful 00:29:20.380 --> 00:29:20.960 and happy, 00:29:22.240 --> 00:29:23.240 but all they 00:29:23.240 --> 00:29:23.560 need is 00:29:23.560 --> 00:29:23.980 Jesus. 00:29:24.660 --> 00:29:25.019 Model that 00:29:25.019 --> 00:29:25.340 rest for 00:29:25.340 --> 00:29:25.539 them. 00:29:25.880 --> 00:29:26.360 Be still. 00:29:27.420 --> 00:29:27.720 And lastly, 00:29:27.940 --> 00:29:28.580 book in 00:29:28.580 --> 00:29:29.900 time to 00:29:29.900 --> 00:29:30.519 rest and 00:29:30.519 --> 00:29:31.060 create a 00:29:31.060 --> 00:29:31.320 rest 00:29:31.319 --> 00:29:32.119 action plan. 00:29:33.019 --> 00:29:33.599 In your 00:29:33.599 --> 00:29:34.139 magazines, 00:29:34.319 --> 00:29:35.939 you'll see 00:29:35.939 --> 00:29:36.279 that there 00:29:36.279 --> 00:29:36.519 is a 00:29:36.519 --> 00:29:36.960 helpful 00:29:36.960 --> 00:29:37.899 crawl, 00:29:38.220 --> 00:29:38.500 walk, 00:29:38.559 --> 00:29:39.059 and run 00:29:39.059 --> 00:29:39.619 table. 00:29:40.579 --> 00:29:40.879 And from 00:29:40.879 --> 00:29:41.299 what we've 00:29:41.299 --> 00:29:41.960 already gathered 00:29:41.960 --> 00:29:42.700 about rest, 00:29:42.799 --> 00:29:43.279 it is clear 00:29:43.279 --> 00:29:43.720 that it is 00:29:43.720 --> 00:29:45.220 both ceasing 00:29:45.220 --> 00:29:46.200 your strivings, 00:29:46.259 --> 00:29:46.899 but a 00:29:46.899 --> 00:29:47.419 worship of 00:29:47.419 --> 00:29:47.759 Jesus. 00:29:48.539 --> 00:29:48.839 And so 00:29:48.839 --> 00:29:49.379 your day 00:29:49.379 --> 00:29:49.799 of rest 00:29:49.799 --> 00:29:50.839 should be 00:29:50.839 --> 00:29:51.480 ceasing, 00:29:52.159 --> 00:29:52.919 delighting, 00:29:53.139 --> 00:29:53.500 and 00:29:53.500 --> 00:29:54.039 worshiping. 00:29:55.200 --> 00:29:55.700 Perhaps 00:29:55.700 --> 00:29:56.559 you are 00:29:56.559 --> 00:29:57.039 really good 00:29:57.039 --> 00:29:57.419 at the 00:29:57.419 --> 00:29:57.700 ceasing 00:29:57.700 --> 00:29:58.059 bit, 00:29:58.359 --> 00:29:58.740 but not 00:29:58.740 --> 00:29:58.939 the 00:29:58.939 --> 00:29:59.379 worshiping 00:29:59.379 --> 00:29:59.639 bit. 00:29:59.640 --> 00:30:01.060 And 00:30:01.060 --> 00:30:01.320 vice 00:30:01.320 --> 00:30:01.680 versa. 00:30:02.440 --> 00:30:02.800 And if 00:30:02.800 --> 00:30:02.960 you're 00:30:02.960 --> 00:30:03.520 stuck on 00:30:03.520 --> 00:30:04.020 things to 00:30:04.020 --> 00:30:04.380 do on 00:30:04.380 --> 00:30:04.820 your rest 00:30:04.820 --> 00:30:05.080 day, 00:30:05.540 --> 00:30:05.940 here's 00:30:05.940 --> 00:30:07.460 three ideas 00:30:07.460 --> 00:30:07.940 for you. 00:30:08.380 --> 00:30:08.600 Number 00:30:08.600 --> 00:30:08.940 one, 00:30:09.140 --> 00:30:09.620 creation. 00:30:09.840 --> 00:30:10.500 Go out 00:30:10.500 --> 00:30:11.080 and have 00:30:11.080 --> 00:30:11.759 a look 00:30:11.759 --> 00:30:12.620 at the 00:30:12.620 --> 00:30:13.200 sky, 00:30:13.380 --> 00:30:13.980 the heavens, 00:30:14.820 --> 00:30:15.520 the trees, 00:30:15.720 --> 00:30:16.220 and see how 00:30:16.220 --> 00:30:17.060 magnificent God 00:30:17.060 --> 00:30:17.340 is. 00:30:18.060 --> 00:30:18.780 Be in awe 00:30:18.780 --> 00:30:19.360 and wonder 00:30:19.360 --> 00:30:19.780 of him. 00:30:20.240 --> 00:30:20.600 Second, 00:30:21.200 --> 00:30:21.800 avocation, 00:30:22.060 --> 00:30:23.360 not avocado. 00:30:24.400 --> 00:30:25.720 Anti-work, 00:30:26.020 --> 00:30:26.280 a 00:30:26.280 --> 00:30:27.340 vocation. 00:30:27.339 --> 00:30:28.459 What do 00:30:28.459 --> 00:30:28.919 you do 00:30:28.919 --> 00:30:29.339 for your 00:30:29.339 --> 00:30:29.980 works and 00:30:29.980 --> 00:30:30.799 strivings? 00:30:31.839 --> 00:30:32.199 Do the 00:30:32.199 --> 00:30:32.480 opposite. 00:30:33.059 --> 00:30:33.480 If it's 00:30:33.480 --> 00:30:34.139 your hands, 00:30:34.240 --> 00:30:34.480 read a 00:30:34.480 --> 00:30:34.720 book. 00:30:35.299 --> 00:30:35.639 Join a 00:30:35.639 --> 00:30:36.099 book club. 00:30:36.359 --> 00:30:36.779 If you 00:30:36.779 --> 00:30:37.159 use your 00:30:37.159 --> 00:30:37.799 mind for 00:30:37.799 --> 00:30:38.279 work, 00:30:38.959 --> 00:30:39.279 do a 00:30:39.279 --> 00:30:39.720 painting. 00:30:40.299 --> 00:30:40.519 Learn 00:30:40.519 --> 00:30:41.019 to knit. 00:30:42.379 --> 00:30:43.059 If your 00:30:43.059 --> 00:30:43.819 work involves 00:30:43.819 --> 00:30:44.439 you by 00:30:44.439 --> 00:30:45.039 yourself, 00:30:46.139 --> 00:30:46.819 maybe serve 00:30:46.819 --> 00:30:47.459 in a team. 00:30:47.819 --> 00:30:48.179 Join a 00:30:48.179 --> 00:30:48.779 soup kitchen. 00:30:49.259 --> 00:30:49.720 Engross 00:30:49.720 --> 00:30:50.459 yourself with 00:30:50.459 --> 00:30:50.919 being with 00:30:50.919 --> 00:30:51.220 God's 00:30:51.220 --> 00:30:51.579 people. 00:30:53.519 --> 00:30:54.559 And three, 00:30:54.679 --> 00:30:55.179 reflecting. 00:30:55.180 --> 00:30:55.320 Think. 00:30:56.320 --> 00:30:57.080 Consider how 00:30:57.080 --> 00:30:57.480 God has 00:30:57.480 --> 00:30:57.980 been changing 00:30:57.980 --> 00:30:58.820 you over 00:30:58.820 --> 00:30:59.299 the last 00:30:59.299 --> 00:30:59.900 few days, 00:31:00.320 --> 00:31:00.580 weeks, 00:31:00.700 --> 00:31:01.140 and months. 00:31:01.980 --> 00:31:02.420 How has 00:31:02.420 --> 00:31:02.799 he been 00:31:02.799 --> 00:31:03.440 doing it 00:31:03.440 --> 00:31:04.060 by teaching 00:31:04.060 --> 00:31:04.440 you from 00:31:04.440 --> 00:31:04.940 his word? 00:31:05.240 --> 00:31:05.620 Maybe the 00:31:05.620 --> 00:31:06.299 circumstances 00:31:06.299 --> 00:31:06.860 he's placed 00:31:06.860 --> 00:31:07.080 you in. 00:31:07.180 --> 00:31:07.560 What is 00:31:07.560 --> 00:31:08.000 he teaching 00:31:08.000 --> 00:31:08.259 you? 00:31:09.039 --> 00:31:09.380 How are 00:31:09.380 --> 00:31:09.880 you tracking 00:31:09.880 --> 00:31:10.320 in your 00:31:10.320 --> 00:31:10.860 relationship 00:31:10.860 --> 00:31:11.340 with him? 00:31:13.500 --> 00:31:13.980 Now, 00:31:14.060 --> 00:31:14.480 over to 00:31:14.480 --> 00:31:14.720 you. 00:31:15.759 --> 00:31:16.299 What might 00:31:16.299 --> 00:31:16.980 you consider 00:31:16.980 --> 00:31:18.380 helpful for 00:31:18.380 --> 00:31:19.160 resting in 00:31:19.160 --> 00:31:19.460 Jesus? 00:31:20.240 --> 00:31:20.700 On the 00:31:20.700 --> 00:31:21.019 screen, 00:31:21.120 --> 00:31:21.360 you are 00:31:21.360 --> 00:31:21.600 going to 00:31:21.600 --> 00:31:22.360 see three 00:31:22.360 --> 00:31:23.640 questions on 00:31:23.640 --> 00:31:24.180 ceasing, 00:31:24.180 --> 00:31:25.460 delighting, 00:31:25.660 --> 00:31:25.759 and 00:31:25.759 --> 00:31:26.299 worshipping 00:31:26.299 --> 00:31:26.880 to ponder. 00:31:27.740 --> 00:31:28.080 And then 00:31:28.080 --> 00:31:28.480 the band 00:31:28.480 --> 00:31:28.900 will come 00:31:28.900 --> 00:31:29.320 up in 00:31:29.320 --> 00:31:29.640 a few 00:31:29.640 --> 00:31:30.060 minutes. 00:31:30.799 --> 00:31:31.080 But what 00:31:31.080 --> 00:31:31.279 I want 00:31:31.279 --> 00:31:31.640 you to do 00:31:31.640 --> 00:31:32.100 is take 00:31:32.100 --> 00:31:32.620 some time 00:31:32.620 --> 00:31:33.460 to jot 00:31:33.460 --> 00:31:33.840 something 00:31:33.840 --> 00:31:34.200 down. 00:31:34.200 --> 00:31:34.299 Thank you.