Sabbath

Scripture Reading (NIV):
Jeremiah 17 : 19 - 27
19 ¶ Thus said the LORD unto me; Go and stand in the gate of the children of the people,
whereby the kings of Judah come in, and by the which they go out, and in all the gates of
Jerusalem;
20 And say unto them, Hear ye the word of the LORD, ye kings of Judah, and all Judah, and
all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, that enter in by these gates:
21 Thus saith the LORD; Take heed to yourselves, and bear no burden on the sabbath day,
nor bring it in by the gates of Jerusalem;
22 Neither carry forth a burden out of your houses on the sabbath day, neither do ye any
work, but hallow ye the sabbath day, as I commanded your fathers.
23 But they obeyed not, neither inclined their ear, but made their neck stiff, that they might not
hear, nor receive instruction.
24 And it shall come to pass, if ye diligently hearken unto me, saith the LORD, to bring in no
burden through the gates of this city on the sabbath day, but hallow the sabbath day, to do no
work therein;
25 Then shall there enter into the gates of this city kings and princes sitting upon the throne
of David, riding in chariots and on horses, they, and their princes, the men of Judah, and the
inhabitants of Jerusalem: and this city shall remain for ever.
26 And they shall come from the cities of Judah, and from the places about Jerusalem, and
from the land of Benjamin, and from the plain, and from the mountains, and from the south,
bringing burnt offerings, and sacrifices, and meat offerings, and incense, and bringing
sacrifices of praise, unto the house of the LORD.
27 But if ye will not hearken unto me to hallow the sabbath day, and not to bear a burden,
even entering in at the gates of Jerusalem on the sabbath day; then will I kindle a fire in the
gates thereof, and it shall devour the palaces of Jerusalem, and it shall not be quenched.

Jeremiah 18 : 1 - 4
1 ¶ The word which came to Jeremiah from the LORD, saying,
2 Arise, and go down to the potter’s house, and there I will cause thee to hear my words.
3 Then I went down to the potter’s house, and, behold, he wrought a work on the wheels.
{wheels: or, frames, or, seats}
4 And the vessel that he made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter: so he made it
again another vessel, as seemed good to the potter to make it. {of clay…: or, was marred, as
clay in the hand of the potter} {made it…: Heb. returned and made, etc}

Mathew 11 : 28 - 30
28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
29 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.
30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

Hebrews 4 : 3a ; 9 - 11
3 For we which have believed do enter into rest, as he said, As I have sworn in my wrath, if
they shall enter into my rest: although the works were finished from the foundation of the
world.
4 For he spake in a certain place of the seventh day on this wise, And God did rest the
seventh day from all his works.
5 And in this place again, If they shall enter into my rest.
6 Seeing therefore it remaineth that some must enter therein, and they to whom it was first
preached entered not in because of unbelief: {it was: or, the gospel was}
7 Again, he limiteth a certain day, saying in David, To day, after so long a time; as it is said,
To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts.
8 For if Jesus had given them rest, then would he not afterward have spoken of another day.
{Jesus: that is, Joshua}
9 There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God. {rest: or, keeping of a sabbath}
10 For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did
from his.
11 ¶ Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of
unbelief. {unbelief: or, disobedience}

Message:
Why is it that such a high percentage of people that are suffering from emotional, nervous
problems, burn out and depression are Christians?

It is because we have failed to understand the true meaning and purpose of the Sabbath.
The Sabbath as established by God in the Old Testament is not to be ignored as “the law”
but taken to new levels of meaning and practice through the message of Jesus and the
cross. (see Hebrews 4 : 3a ; 9 - 11)

God spoke this word to me prophetically and it came to me as a rebuke “Geoff you are
striving and working to achieve things in your own strength and not resting and allowing me
to do it.”

As I meditated on this word I asked three questions.
1.        Why do we continue to strive and refuse to enter God’s rest?
2.        How can we lay down these burdens?
3.        How can we walk free and remain in God’s promised rest which is in Christ?

Why do we refuse to lay down our burdens and walk in “rest”?
1.        Pride
We’re to proud. We feel that only “we” can do such and such.
“I’ve always done this and that's the way its meant to be”
“I’m the only competent one.”
“Only I can do this.”
“I’m the best.”

2.        Fear or Unbelief
“If I let go everything wil fall apart.”
“I feel a fear of failure so I work frantically to prove that I am successful.”

3.        Ignorance
We may feel that by worrying or stressing that we are being conscientious or good stewards
or just being responsible parents, when in fact all that is just a screen for fear and unbelief.

4.        Disobedience

We know God requires us to lay down our lives and our burdens but stubbornly refuse to
obey God.
Essentially our hearts are wicked and set against God.

How can we lay down these burdens?

1.        Come to Jesus in Prayer. Cast your burdens unto Jesus for He cares for you.
2.        Do something physical that demonstrates you have layed it down at the foot of the
cross. e.g. write it out on paper and burn it.
Say out aloud        “ I can’t”        (in my own strength)
“You can!”        (God can)
“and will”        (God is willing to help in the hour of our need)

Then start praising using a song or a psalm or a scripture or your own words. Thank “Thank
you Lord You have heard me and you are answering me.”
3.        Refuse to take it up again. When Satan brings it to your mind say over and over again:
“I have given it to Jesus, it is in His hands.”

How can I walk free of my burdens?

1.        Learn the fear of the Lord. When you gain the fear of the God you loose all other fears.
2.        Draw near to God daily in prayer. I find the early watch has been a key to help me
overcome and gain victories.
3.        Always praise in your heart and sing out loud to the Lord as you feel free to do so. Sing
a new song unto the Lord.
4.        Live in peace with all mankind. The scriptures tell us to make every effort to live in
peace with all mankind - as far as we can , make a serious attempt to clear your heart of all
anger and darkness. Go to sleep in the arms of Jesus.

What various hindrances we meet,
I’m coming to the mercy seat!
Yet who, that knows the worth of prayer,
But wishes to be often there!

Prayer makes the darkest cloud withdraws,
Prayer climbs the ladder Jacob saw,
Gives experience to faith and love,
Brings every blessing from above.

Restraining prayer we cease to fight;
Prayers makes the Christian’s armour bright;
And Satan trembles when he sees
The weakest saint upon his knees.

While Moses stood with arms stretched wide
Success was found on Joseph’s side;
But when, through weariness, the failed,
That moment Amalek prevailed.

Have ye no words. ah! Think again!
Words flow aface when you complain
And fill your fellow creature’s ear
With the sad tale of all your care.

Were half the breath thus vainly spent
To heaven insufficient sent,
Your cheerful song would often be,
“Hear what the Lord has done for me.”

Written by William Cowfer who sat under John Newton’s preaching.
Newton of course wrote “Amazing Grace”

Church on the Way.

Learning to walk free from burdens 24/04/05

St. Georges Presbyterian Church Bluff, Durban, South Africa.