In this Christmas Eve sermon, the Ben Fair reflects on the importance of rest, drawing parallels between God's creation, the Sabbath, and the coming of Jesus, who offers us true rest for our souls amidst the busyness of life and the holiday season.
In reflecting on the year 2023, many of us might feel like we're limping across the finish line, exhausted from the challenges and demands of life. As we gather on this Christmas Eve, it's a time to pause and consider the importance of rest, a concept deeply rooted in both our physical and spiritual lives. Just as athletes manage their energy through rest, God also emphasises the significance of rest in the Bible. From the very beginning, in Genesis, God set an example by resting on the seventh day after creation, establishing a pattern for us to follow.
The seventh day, or Sabbath, was intended as a time for humanity to dwell with God, delight in His creation, and experience His presence indefinitely. However, due to humanity's tendency to stray from God's ways, this perfect rest was disrupted. Yet, God's love for us is so profound that He provided a way to restore this rest through Jesus Christ, the Lord of the Sabbath. Jesus invites us to find rest for our souls in Him, offering a life of abundance and completeness.
Throughout history, God instituted various practices for His people, such as the Sabbath day, Sabbath year, and Jubilee, to remind them of the importance of rest and restoration. These practices were designed to help people stop their work, celebrate God's goodness, and experience freedom and renewal. Despite our human shortcomings, God's desire for us to experience His rest remains steadfast.
In Jesus, we find the fulfillment of God's promise of rest. He came to bring good news, release captives, and offer abundant life. His death and resurrection marked the dawn of a new era, a promise that one day we will fully enter into God's eternal rest. As we celebrate Christmas, let us take a moment to rest our minds and souls, delight in God's goodness, and remember that Jesus, our Good Shepherd, leads us to still waters and restores our souls.
1. Rest is a divine principle established by God from the beginning of creation. It is not merely a physical necessity but a spiritual practice that allows us to dwell in God's presence and delight in His goodness. [32:29]
2. The concept of the Sabbath and other rest practices in the Bible serve as reminders of God's desire for us to experience wholeness, restoration, and freedom. These practices invite us to pause, reflect, and worship. [37:06]
3. Despite humanity's tendency to stray from God's instructions, His love remains unwavering. Through Jesus, the Lord of the Sabbath, we are offered rest for our souls and a life of abundance and completeness. [42:27]
4. Jesus' life, death, and resurrection symbolize the dawn of a new era in human history, a promise of eternal rest and restoration with God. This new chapter invites us to live in the fullness of life as God intended. [46:37]
5. As we celebrate Christmas, let us take time to rest our minds and souls, delight in God's goodness, and remember that Jesus, our Good Shepherd, leads us to still waters and restores our souls. [49:37]
Scripture:
Genesis 2:1-3
'Thus the heavens and the earth were completed in all their vast array. By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work. Then God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done. 'Devotional:
Rest is not just a physical necessity but a divine invitation to dwell in God's presence and delight in His goodness. From the very beginning, God established rest as a fundamental principle, as seen in Genesis when He rested on the seventh day after creation. This act was not due to fatigue but to set a pattern for humanity to follow. Rest allows us to pause, reflect, and reconnect with God, experiencing His presence in a profound way. It is a time to step away from the busyness of life and find peace in the assurance of His love and care.
Reflection:
In what ways can you intentionally create space in your life to experience God's presence and delight in His goodness today?
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, as I reflect on the creation story, help me to understand the importance of rest. May I find moments to pause and appreciate the beauty of Your creation. Teach me to set apart my days for rest and worship, just as You did on the seventh day.
Amen
Scripture:
Leviticus 25:3-4
'For six years sow your fields, and for six years prune your vineyards and gather their crops. But in the seventh year the land is to have a year of sabbath rest, a sabbath to the Lord . Do not sow your fields or prune your vineyards. '
https://www.bible.com/bible/111/LEV.25.3-4
Devotional:
The Sabbath and other biblical rest practices serve as reminders of God's desire for us to experience wholeness, restoration, and freedom. These practices were instituted to help people stop their work, celebrate God's goodness, and experience renewal. The Sabbath is not merely a day off but a sacred time to pause and reflect on God's provision and faithfulness. It invites us to step back from our daily routines and focus on what truly matters, allowing us to realign our priorities with God's will.
Reflection:
How can you incorporate a Sabbath practice into your weekly routine that allows you to experience God's wholeness and restoration?
Prayer:
Gracious God, I thank You for the promise of restoration and freedom. Help me to release any burdens I carry and to seek Your restoration in my life. May I experience the joy of new beginnings and the return of what was lost.
In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen
Scripture:
Matthew 11:28-30
' “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”'
https://www.bible.com/bible/111/MAT.11.28-30
Devotional:
Despite humanity's tendency to stray from God's instructions, His love remains unwavering. Through Jesus, the Lord of the Sabbath, we are offered rest for our souls and a life of abundance and completeness. Jesus invites us to come to Him with our burdens and find rest, promising a life that is full and meaningful. This rest is not just physical but a deep spiritual peace that comes from knowing we are loved and cared for by God.
Reflection:
What burdens are you carrying today that you can bring to Jesus, trusting Him to provide rest and peace for your soul?
Prayer:
Jesus, I acknowledge You as the Lord of the Sabbath. Help me to find true rest in You. May I come to You with my weariness and burdens, trusting that You will provide me with peace and rest for my soul.
In Jesus' name, I pray, Amen.
Scripture:
2 Corinthians 5:17
'Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! '
https://www.bible.com/bible/111/2CO.5.17
Devotional:
Jesus' life, death, and resurrection symbolise the dawn of a new era in human history, a promise of eternal rest and restoration with God. This new chapter invites us to live in the fullness of life as God intended, free from the chains of sin and death. Through Jesus, we have the hope of eternal life and the assurance that one day we will fully enter into God's rest. This promise encourages us to live with purpose and hope, knowing that our future is secure in Him.
Reflection:
How does the promise of eternal rest and restoration through Jesus impact the way you live your life today?
Prayer:
Lord, as I celebrate the resurrection of Jesus, may I be reminded of the hope and new beginnings it brings. Help me to live in the light of this truth, knowing that You have conquered death and offer me eternal life.
In Jesus' name, I pray, Amen.
Scripture:
John 10:10
'The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. '
https://www.bible.com/bible/111/JHN.10.10
Devotional:
As we approach the end of another year, many of us may feel a bit weary. The hustle and bustle of life can often leave us feeling like we’re limping across the finish line, tired from the demands of work, relationships, and personal challenges. In this context, Jesus’ promise of abundant life takes on a profound significance. We know about the importance of rest, as modelled by God in creation. Just as God rested on the seventh day, He invites us to find rest in Him. This rest is not merely physical; it encompasses our minds and souls. Jesus, the Lord of the Sabbath, offers us a way to experience this rest, a way to step into the abundant life He promises.
The thief, as Jesus describes, seeks to distract us from the abundant life, but we have a choice. We can choose to come to Jesus, to lay down our burdens, and to rest in His presence.
Reflection:
What is stealing your joy? What burdens are you carrying that prevent you from experiencing the fullness of life that Jesus offers?
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank You for the gift of Your Son, Jesus, who came to give us life in abundance. Help me to recognize the areas in my life where I feel weary or burdened. Teach me to rest in You, to find peace in Your presence, and to embrace the abundant life You offer. May I take moments to delight in Your goodness, especially during this busy season. Lead me to still waters and restore my soul. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
Scripture:
Luke 4:18-19
' “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour.”'
https://www.bible.com/bible/111/LUK.4.18-19
Devotional:
In this season of rest and celebration, let us remember that Jesus, the Lord of the Sabbath, invites us to find true rest in Him. He offers us a chance to pause, reflect, and delight in His goodness. The seventh day, which God intended for rest and communion, symbolizes a life lived in His presence. Jesus embodies this rest, calling us to come to Him when we are weary and heavy-laden. As we celebrate Christmas, let us take a moment to embrace the peace that comes from knowing Jesus. He is our good shepherd, leading us beside still waters and restoring our souls. In the chaos of the holiday season, we can find solace in His promise of freedom and restoration.
Jesus came to bring good news, to set the captives free, and to restore sight to the blind. In the midst of our busy lives, especially as we approach the end of a challenging year, we may find ourselves feeling weary and burdened. Many of us might feel like we are "limping across the finish line".
Reflection:
How are you getting rest in this season? Do you need more of God's peace?
What can you give to Him to find more freedom or have Him restore?
Prayer:
I come before You today, grateful for the gift of Your Son, Jesus. Thank You for sending Him to proclaim good news and to set us free. As I reflect on this year, I acknowledge my weariness and the burdens I carry. Help me to find rest in You, to pause amidst the busyness, and to delight in Your goodness. May I experience the peace that surpasses all understanding as I celebrate Your love this Christmas. Lead me to still waters and restore my soul. I honor You and bless Your name. Amen.
Scriptures:
Psalms 23:1-3
'The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. '
https://www.bible.com/bible/111/PSA.23.1-3
Luke 2:11-12
'Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” '
https://www.bible.com/bible/11...
Devotional:
As we celebrate Christmas, let us take time to rest our minds and souls, delight in God's goodness, and remember that Jesus, our Good Shepherd, leads us to still waters and restores our souls. Christmas is a reminder of God's incredible love for us, demonstrated through the birth of His Son. It is a time to pause and reflect on the true meaning of the season, allowing the peace of Christ to fill our hearts and minds. In the midst of the festivities, let us not forget to find moments of quiet and rest in His presence.
Reflection:
Amidst the busyness of Christmas day, how can you intentionally create moments of rest and reflection to focus on the true meaning of Christmas?
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, I thank You for the gift of Jesus, who came to dwell among us. Help me to honour Him in my heart and life, recognising the sacrifice He made for me. May I always remember Your love and grace.
Amen