Healthy Sabbatical Rhythms—by Paul Smith
February 13, 2023
Sermon summary:
As followers of Jesus, we need to find our identity in our relationship with God and not in what we do. To develop healthy sabbatical rhythms will take deliberate and intentional action on our part. We need time to find rest (following in Jesus's footsteps to find a solitary place to connect with God), reflect (meditate on his word), remember (the good God has done for us), rejoice (in his presence), and relate (use opportunities to connect with others).
Watch the full service
here (the sermon starts at 42 mins)
The Holy Spirit gives guidance and direction in our missionary work. Are we doing the work the Spirit has set aside for each one of us to do? He knows the time, place and person to reach out to. Are we listening and obeying when he nudges us? The Holy Spirit forms Christ in all of us and it's a lifetime journey. Seek to be filled. Listen to his voice. Step out boldly.
Giving is an act of trust. It is also not an obligation but an act of worship. Give from the heart, not as a duty, but as a way to express gratitude. Giving is about unity in the church, it is motivated by grace, not guilt, and a spiritual act of joyful worship. Jesus demonstrated sacrificial giving through his actions, leaving us an example to follow.
To embrace Jesus's mission, I must first clothe myself with Jesus and have his character formed in me. He must become greater, I must become less. Then I"ll be able to do as Jesus did.
God's grace is with me. We need each other. Grace is a gift.