Resting Like Jesus-THE DUST OF THE RABBI Part IV
Mark 4:35-41 (NIV)
As we approach the conclusion of the sermon series, "The Dust of the Rabbi". The ancient Jewish folk talk told to the young Levite priest in training, we learn to follow the Rabbi-Jesus Christ.
Over the last few weeks we have learned:
1. What the Dust of the Rabbi means to us today.
2. How to pray like Jesus.
3. How to serve like Jesus
and today, we learn to "Rest Like Jesus".
Q: Do you get enough "real" rest? When you wake up in the morning do you feel refreshed and ready to experience a new day?
As we learn to walk more deeply in relationship with God, Jesus teaches us that it is possible to rest in the midst of turmoil around us when we walk with Him!
In our Scripture text today, Jesus rests in circumstances where everyone else with Him is filled width fear.
We learn through Christ's example the importance of self care. We see that the Son of God went off frequently to rest. (Luke 5:16) NIV
in Mark 6:30-32 Jesus teaches the disciples and He teaches us to "come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest." (vs.31)
No other Scripture, that I can think of, can teach us how to rest in peace that the example of Jesus in the Gospel of Mark. This Gospel is written by John Mark, one of the twelve disciples. When we study the Gospels, we are wise to look at all four of the Gospels. The first four books of the New Testament are the Gospel books. The experience of Jesus' ministry is documented by four of the disciples who traveled most closely with Christ. They walked with Him, slept with Him, traveled with Him, witnessed His miracles, teachings and much more...
The Gospel of Mark is a great place to begin studying the Word of God is you are just beginning your journey through Scripture.
I have been studying the effects of sleep depravation over the past few weeks. The affects of not resting are pretty incredible. While I am not a physician, there are some really reliable places to research what happens to the human body when we do not know our boundaries and rest properly. For example, it affects our whole health, our cognitive abilities, mood, ability to function and how we interact with one another.
REAL rest is vitally important to the success and joy of our lives.
Jesus teaches us how to rest no matter what our circumstances are in our Scripture text. Because of Jesus' relationship with God He had faith and peace and we can have that same faith and peace.
Jesus knew that His Heavenly Father has all power, authority, presence and provision for us.
You might say, "But Jesus is the Son of God." YES. That is true. Through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the Cross of Calvary, we have the presence of the Holy Spirit and can stand on the same promises of the Word of God that Jesus practiced as His ministry unfolded on earth!
God even rested on the seventh day! As God created the heavens and the earth, He rested on the seventh day and made it holy, sabbath rest. (Genesis 2:2-3)
My friends these examples of rest are for our benefit.
Rest comes in many forms: rest from our labors, resting our minds, rest from our worries and rest for our bodies...just to name a few. In the Gospel of Matthew 11:30, Jesus tells us that He will carry our burdens.
To rest effectively it requires self discipline. We need to know our own personal boundaries, our personal limits. We need to listen to our bodies. We need to practice trusting God to care for the situations in our lives that require our attention or input.
We need to practice FAITH!
If you would like to explore more of the Word of God, we would love to have the opportunity to send you a Bible and help get you started on your journey. Just email us at 1stBaptistAmo@gmail.com
PERSONAL APPLICATION:
Take time to rest.
Get enough sleep-start practicing a disciplined sleep schedule.
Explore your personal boundaries so you will know when you need to rest.
Help someone else get some rest this week!
Have a blessed week!
In His service and yours,
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