Experiencing True Rest
Armor Bearers – Week 2 – November 8, 2020
Experiencing True Rest
Mark 6; Genesis 2, Matthew 11, Psalm 46, John 16
FOUR truths about rest:
1. Rest Is Natural
“Then the LORD God formed a man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being.” ~Genesis 2:7 (NIV)
“So the LORD God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep; and while he was sleeping, he took one of the man’s ribs and then closed up the place with flesh. Then the LORD God made a woman from the rib he had taken out of the man, and he brought her to the man.” ~Genesis 2:21-22 (NIV)
God Does His Best Work When We Are At Rest
“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.” ~Matthew 11:28-30 (MSG)
2. Rest Is About Being Rather Than Doing
Rest Can Be Found In The In-Between Moments Of Our Everyday Activities
“He says, ‘Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.’ ” ~Psalm 46:10 (NIV)
“Immediately Jesus made his disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to Bethsaida, while he dismissed the crowd. After leaving them, he went up on a mountainside to pray” ~Mark 6:45 (NIV)
“Later that night, the boat was in the middle of the lake, and he was alone on land. He saw the disciples straining at the oars, because the wind was against them. (Shortly before dawn he went out to them, walking on the lake. He was about to pass by them,)” ~Mark 6:47-48 (NIV)
To Experience True Rest, We Must Experience Unrest.
“(He saw the disciples straining at the oars, because the wind was against them). Shortly before dawn he went out to them, walking on the lake. He was about to pass by them, but when they saw him walking on the lake, they thought he was a ghost. They cried out, because they all saw him and were terrified. (Immediately he spoke to them and said ‘Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.’)” ~Mark 6:48-50 (NIV)
3. Rest Is Refusing To Let Our External Circumstances Determine Our Internal Perspective
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” ~John 16:33 (NIV)
4. Rest Is Found Only In Jesus Christ
“(because they all saw him and were terrified.) Immediately he spoke to them and said, ‘Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.’ Then he climbed into the boat with them, and the wind died down. They were completely amazed.” ~Mark 6:50-51 (NIV)
Jesus Turns Our Fear Into Faith When We Trust In Him