Real Rest

Matthew 11:28-30

Introduction: Peace, quiet and rest in NM.

“Rest” is defined as “peace, ease or refreshment.”

“Relax” means “to become loose or less firm, to have a milder manner, to be less stiff.”

1. Rest in Creation – Genesis 2:2-3

The Bible speaks quite highly of rest. It is a repeated theme throughout Scripture, beginning with the creation week (Genesis 2:2-3).

• God created for six days; then He rested, not because He was tired but to set the standard for mankind to follow.
• The Ten Commandments made resting on the Sabbath a requirement of the Law (Exodus 20:8-11). Notice that God said, “Remember the Sabbath.”
  • It wasn’t something new; it had been around since creation. All God’s people and their servants and the animals were to have one day in seven to rest.
  • The command to rest was not an excuse to be lazy. You had to work for six days to get to the Sabbath.
• The land also needed to rest (Leviticus 25:4, 8-12). God is very serious about rest.

God desires rest for us because it does not come naturally to us. To rest, we have to trust that God will take care of things for us. We have to trust that, if we take a day off, the world will not stop turning on its axis.
From the beginning (Genesis 3), when we decided that we would start making all the decisions, mankind has become more tense and less able to relax.

It was disobedience in the Garden that started the problem, but obedience now will bring the rest that God so desires for us (Hebrews 3:7 – 4:11).

Application: If one of the definitions of “relax” is “to become less firm,” then relaxing our grip on our own lives, careers, families, etc., and giving them over to God in faith is the best way to relax.

II. Real Rest

“Rest” encompasses more than just physical cessation of work.

• It signifies a deep spiritual peace and security found in God’s presence and provision.
• It involves trusting in God’s plan, finding solace in His love, and experiencing a renewed sense of well-being.

III. Rest for Rejuvenation

1. The most basic aspect of rest is ceasing from physical labor, as exemplified by God resting on the seventh day after creation.

This aspect of rest is important for physical and mental rejuvenation, allowing the body and mind to recover and recharge.

IV. Resting in God:

• Biblical rest is a state of being at peace with God and others, finding security and contentment in His love and promises.
  
  
  • It involves surrendering to God’s will and trusting in His plan, even when faced with difficult circumstances.
    
• Application: This spiritual rest is often associated with a quietness of the soul, a sense of being at peace despite external pressures.
• Rest in the Bible is also about seeking God’s presence and finding comfort in His love and grace.
  
  • It’s about spending time in prayer, worship, and reflection, allowing God to restore and renew the soul.

Application: This can involve actively seeking out quiet moments to connect with God, listen to His voice, and experience His peace.

V. Rest as a Gift and Invitation:

• God created rest as a gift for humanity, understanding the need for both physical and spiritual restoration.

Jesus invites those who are weary and burdened to find rest in Him (Matthew 11:28-30).

• This invitation is not just to a future state of rest in heaven, but also to experience a present-day rest that comes from a relationship with Christ.

5. Rest as a Way to Honor God:

• By embracing rest, believers can honor God’s design for their lives and acknowledge their dependence on Him.
• It’s about recognizing that true rest comes from surrendering control and trusting that God is working in all things.

Conclusion: In essence, biblical rest is not just about stopping work; it’s about finding a deep and abiding peace in God’s love, grace, and provision.

It’s a gift that enables believers to live with purpose, joy, and security, knowing that God is always with them.