-This morning, it’s ok to sleep during the sermon
-Tomorrow is Labor Day
-A day off from work for many filled with picnics, BBQ’s, shopping, recreation, telethons and other activities
-Labor Day History -It’s whole purpose is to pay tribute to the contributions American workers have made for the strength, prosperity and well-being of our country. There is debate as to who first proposed the idea. Peter J. McGuire or Matthew McGuire. The first holiday was held on Tuesday, September 5, 1882 in New York City. By 1885, it was being celebrated in many of the industrial centers of our country. The first state to make it an official holiday was Oregon in 1887. By 1894, 31 states had made it an official holiday. Later that year, Congress passed an act making the first Monday in September of each year a legal holiday in the District of Columbia and the territories. The form that the observance and celebration of Labor Day should take were outlined in the first proposal of the holiday — a street parade to exhibit to the public "the strength and esprit de corps of the trade and labor organizations" of the community, followed by a festival for the recreation and amusement of the workers and their families.
-While this weekend we celebrate the wonderful job of our working folk, I want to tell you this morning that what I think wee need in America today is a little less work and a lot more rest
ILL - The only industrialized country in the world that takes less time off from work than we do is Japan. In fact, the situation there is probably worse; although they supposedly get two weeks of paid vacation a year, most don’t take even that. The Japanese work so hard that one of the most pressing health issues in Japan is "karoshi," or "death by overwork".
-Matthew 11:28-30
I. The Call To Rest
-We saw this spoken of directly in our text
-Where Christ is calling us to rest in Him
-Yet, this is seen clearly early on in scripture
-Ten Commandments
-Exodus 20:8-11
-This, in some sense, seems like the most unusual of the commandments
-Q: Why would God require us to not work on the seventh day?
A. Because it is a special day
-Genesis 2:2-3
-While we need not go back to blue laws, I think we need to more often act as if they were there
-Q: Why do we want a day off, while expecting others to have to work to meed our “so-called” need, which are usually only wants?
B. Because we need to rest
-We were not created with limitless energy
-God could have made us that way, but He didn’t
-All of creation needs rest
-Animals
-Ground
II. The Example Of Rest
A. God after creation
-Genesis 2:2-3
-Q: Did God need to rest?
-Certainly not
-Even though it was a very busy week
B. Christ on earth
1. Mountains to pray
2. Asleep in the storm
III. The Resistance To Rest
A. Busyness
-We spend our lives running from appointment to appointment
-We live guided by our calendars, day planners and PDAs
B. Peer pressure
-We don’t want others to think we are lazy
ILL - A man told his doctor that he wasn’t able to do all the things around the house that he used to do. After the examination he said, "Now, Doc, I can take it. Just tell me straight out, in plain English, what is wrong with me." "In plain English?" the doctor said, shrugging his shoulders, "You’re just lazy!" "Okay..." said the man, rubbing his chin. "Now give me the medical term so I can tell my wife."
-Q: How many were asked the question this morning, “What did you do this week”?
-Q: What do you suppose the response would have been if you had said, “I took a good nap the other day”?
-In all likelihood you would receive some snickers or jeers
-Rest is not admonished in society
-Most of the time we equate busyness with success
-But it is not always so
-As a matter of fact, often busyness leads to less success
IV. The Benefits Of Rest
A. A rejuvenated body
-Q: Do you know why you sometimes get sick?
-It is because your body is saying it needs to rest
-It is forcing you to do what you have failed to do before
-After rest comes greater energy to be more efficient in our endeavors
B. A renewed mind
1. Mentally
2. Emotionally
C. A restored spirit
-Psalm 23:1-3a
V. The Look Of Rest
A. Spend a DAWG (Day Alone With God) each week
-A day to rest and spend your time focusing on God
-His promises to you
-His commands to you
-His love of you
-Your Sabbath
-Sundays are great, but whatever day works for you is God’s Sabbath for you
B. Be inactive
-Rest is not the same as recreation
-Much of recreation is not restful
-Note: In your inactivity, don’t force others to be active
C. Get ample sleep
1. At night
-Most adults require between 7-9 hours of sleep a night
-Most adults get far less than 7 hours of sleep a night
-Maybe you need to set two alarm clocks
-One for when to get up
-One for when to go to bed
-Too many stay up far too late
2. During the day
-Take naps if necessary
-Without apology or shame
CONCLUSION
-Caution: I’m not condoning laziness this morning
-I’m calling us to make sure we take periods of rest
-Sabbath rest
-Daily rest
-Of course, I hope this morning that all are at rest with the Lord
-I’m know that some here today likely find their greatest need for rest in the spiritual lives
-If so, come to Christ who wants to give you rest for your weary soul
-Yet, there are others that need rest for their physical lives
-Christ wants to help you with that too
-With a new mindset
-With the ability to rest
-Q: Why not allow Christ to help you in whichever of these areas you need help in today?
