4/30/13

From Mark Copeland... The Need For Rest 


                          "THE GOSPEL OF MARK"

                      The Need For Rest (6:30-31)

INTRODUCTION

1. One might easily conclude that the Bible is all about work and no
   play...
   a. It speaks negatively about sloth and idleness - Pr 6:6-11; 1Ti 5:13
   b. It speaks positively about labor and work - Ep 4:28; 1Th 4:11

2. Yet Jesus spoke of the need to rest...
   a. After His disciples had returned from fulfilling the Limited
      Commission - Mk 6:30
   b. Encouraging them to come aside to a deserted place and rest a
      while - Mk 6:31

[Despite advances in labor-saving technology, it seems we are more
stressed than ever.  We do well to remember and apply what the Bible
says about...]

I. THE NEED FOR REST

   A. ILLUSTRATED BY THE SABBATH...
      1. God rested on the seventh day - Gen 2:1-2
      2. The principle of rest served as the basis for the Sabbath - Gen 2:3
      3. Which later was commanded of the Israelites as a weekly
         observance - Deut 5:12-15
      -- Clearly God approved of taking time to rest on a regular basis

   B. ILLUSTRATED BY OTHER JEWISH HOLIDAYS...
      1. The Feast of Unleavened Bread, with two days of rest - Lev 23:5-8
      2. The Feast of Harvest (Pentecost), one day of rest - Lev 23:21
      3. The Feast of Trumpets (1st day of 7th month), one day of rest
         - Lev 23:23-25
      4. The Day of Atonement (10th day of 7th month), one day of rest
         - Lev 23:26-32
      5. The Feast Of Tabernacles (15th day of 7th month), two days of
         rest - Lev 23:33-36
      6. Included with several of the above were:
         b. Required trips to Jerusalem - cf. Lev 23:14-17; Deut 16:16
         b. Seven-day feasts, including one week of living in tents
            - cf. Lev 23:42
      7. These were in addition to the weekly sabbaths
      -- Approximately 70 days each year "no customary work" was to be
         done

[As the Old Testament was written for our learning (Ro 15:4), it is
apparent that God created man with a need for rest.  Here are some
thoughts related to...]

II. TAKING TIME TO REST

   A. TWO DANGERS TO AVOID...
      1. Too much work
         a. No man can work without rest; and no man can live the
            Christian life unless he gives himself times with God
         b. How can we shoulder life's burdens if we have no contact
            with him who is the Lord of all good life?
         c. How can we do God's work unless in God's strength?
         d. How can we receive that strength unless we seek in quietness
            and in loneliness the presence of God?
      2. Too much withdrawal
         a. Devotion that does not issue in action is not real devotion
         b. Prayer that does not issue in work is not real prayer
         c. We must never seek the fellowship of God in order to avoid
            the fellowship of men but in order to fit ourselves better
            for it
         d. The rhythm of the Christian life is the alternate meeting
            with God in the secret place and serving men in the market
            place
      -- These thoughts come from Barclay's Daily Study Bible

   B. TWO TYPES OF REST...
      1. Physical rest, to refresh the body
         a. Such as a good night's sleep, afternoon naps
         b. Vacations involving travel, dining with friends - cf. the OT
            feasts
         c. Benefits:  less stress, weight control, memory performance,
            overall good health
      2. Spiritual rest, to refresh the spirit
         a. Such as a daily devotional period
         b. Special times devoted to prayer, meditation on God's Word
            - cf. Php 4:6-9
         c. Benefits:  a closer walk with God, inner renewal, peace of
            mind
      -- Body and soul both need periods of rest

   C. TWO SUGGESTIONS TO CONSIDER...
      1. Making time
         a. Schedule for periodic rest
         b. Isaac liked the evening - Gen 24:63
         c. David and Daniel liked morning, noon, and evening - 
            Psa 55:17; Dan 6:10
         d. Jesus preferred early morning - Mk 1:35
         e. Remember also the OT weekly and annual rests as an example
            of systematic rest
      2. Choosing location
         a. Find places that allow for privacy (in the case of personal
            devotions)
         b. Isaac liked the field - Gen 24:63
         c. David meditated on his bed - Psa 4:4; 63:6
         d. Daniel prayed in his room - Dan 6:10
         e. Jesus preferred deserted places - Mk 1:35; 6:31
         f. Remember also the OT feasts (as example of celebratory rest
            with others)
      -- These suggestions are simply to stimulate your thinking

CONCLUSION

1. The life of the Christian is more of a marathon than a sprint...
   a. We need to have endurance - He 10:36; 12:1
   b. Lest we fall short of reaching our rest - He 4:1,9-11

2. To reach our "Heavenly Rest", we need both...
   a. Diligence in serving the Lord
   b. Diligence in taking time to rest

3. Some Christians fail to maintain a proper balance...
   a. Suffering physically as a result (e.g., poor health)
   b. Suffering spiritually as well (e.g., emotional and mental burn
      out)

As physical strength requires both exercise and rest, so it is with
spiritual strength.   We can be thankful that in the wisdom of God there
is to be opportunity for both...

   Then Jesus said, "Let's go off by ourselves to a quiet place and
   rest awhile." - Mk 6:31 (NLT)



Executable Outlines, Copyright © Mark A. Copeland, 2011

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