We saw yesterday how God rested, and set out a rhythm for work and rest. Here we see God giving some of the reasons why it’s important for us to rest, and how it’s still God’s gift for all creation even though many years have passed.

“‘Observe the Sabbath day, to keep it holy, as the LORD your God commanded you. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God. On it you shall not do any work, you or your son or your daughter or your male servant or your female servant, or your ox or your donkey or any of your livestock, or the sojourner who is within your gates, that your male servant and your female servant may rest as well as you. You shall remember that you were a slave in the land of Egypt, and the LORD your God brought you out from there with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm. Therefore the LORD your God commanded you to keep the Sabbath day. (Deuteronomy 5:12-15 ESV)

He wants the Israelites to practice it, and to share it with those in their employ. Even their animals are included. But it’s more than that. It has to do with showing who their God is. God reminds them they were once slaves. The day of rest, the Sabbath, is a weekly emancipation from slavery.

They were being reminded by God, weekly, that they were created human beings, not pyramid building resources. Sabbath was part of their freedom – they belong to God, not pharaoh.

This is so important today. We can live in self-imposed slavery to career, money. Or fear. Or a form of slavery to work can be imposed by an exploitative company, a sex trafficker, a manipulative boss, etc.

Sabbath is a way for people who spend all week working to announce they are not just money making machines, they are God’s beloved children, and so they are free.

Yes, this is a limitation on work – it limits profits and production. And it wasn’t just weekly, the idea of Sabbath rest also applies to every seven years – when no fields could be worked. Imagine the statement of a nation that planned ahead like that, and took a year of rest to focus on other kinds of work. It would be very risky, but it was a way to show their trust in God, not themselves or their own risk management efforts. They may have been less productive, but they were free.

Question: How do you break free from the sense you are a slave to work? How can you show colleagues that there are more dimensions to your life than work?

Ryan Sim - June 24, 2013

Monday - A New Idea - Influences

When the iPad first came out, it was revolutionary, first of its kind. Sold 2 million in the blink of an eye. But within days of its release, its first virus was released. It was malicious software masquerading as a product update…something that claimed to make an iPad even better! But this update would actually destroy it. We are coming to the end of studying the Sermon on the Mount, and something similar is happening. Jesus has just released something incredible into the world. It's still widely regarded as the greatest moral teaching ever. The sermon was a detailed description of his kingdom, and how his followers are to practice kingdom living. But naturally, Jesus knew, there would be people waiting in the wings, pretending to be his followers, but planning to twist and take advantage of his words…claim to be speaking for God like real prophets. These are the Wolves in sheep’s clothing. Not people with innocent questions, or doubt. This was active opposition. Jesus says guard against them, and you will know them by their fruit. We'll study four "fruit" to watch for. They will be: Attractive Lack of Results Short Lived Wrong Motives Look at each of these through the week. Question: When have you seen someone undermine good work? How could you tell? See you tomorrow. Or at Coffee hours on Wednesday. Live C101 in fall. Or just get in touch.

Related Topics: Influence | More Messages from Ryan Sim | Download Audio

From Series: "Sermon on the Mount"

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