Rest

Good Wednesday to you,

Rest is good for the soul. That is why God gave us the Fourth Commandment. One day in seven to relax, rest, and enjoy life helps give us perspective. Of course we rest from our labor as God rested from the labor of creation. The fall necessitated a different kind of work for God’s people, a labor of obedience to a covenant designed to bring God’s people into the Promised Land. It was a labor they failed time and time again, resulting in an inability to rest in God’s goodness.

When Jesus died on the cross, He said, "It is finished." What was finished was the plan of redemption made necessary by the fall. By accepting what Jesus has accomplished, we may enter His rest. No longer must we "labor for our salvation." However, laboring within our salvation through obedience assures that we remain in His rest. There is no "Sabbath" from obedience. Obedience is the outward evidence of the inward transformation that is taking place as we follow Jesus!

Next Sunday we will look at Jesus as our "Great High Priest." This understanding helps us tie into our Jewish "roots" and come to a deeper knowledge and appreciation of God’s plan of redemption and restoration. We will be looking at Hebrews 4:14-16.

Speaking of Sunday, we are worshipping at both 9:00 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. No need to email and reserve a spot, just come (with masks) and social distance from your fellow worshipers. If you were traditionally a 10:30 worshiper before the pandemic, please consider moving back to the 10:30 service. We would like to keep the services balanced as much as we can within the 25% occupancy outlined by State opening guidelines. If you are missing someone from our community in particular, consider reaching out to them. Write them a card, or give them a call. They will appreciate it.

Thanks for all your faithfulness. I hope to “see” you on Sunday!

Grace and peace,
Pastor David

If you missed this Sunday’s sermon, click here to listen now.