NOTES: How To Neighbor, Part 5
Practice Sabbath
Text: John 5:10-17
Date: Sunday October 15, 2023
10 So the Jews said to the man who had been healed, “It is the Sabbath, and it is not lawful for you to take up your bed.” 11 But he answered them, “The man who healed me, that man said to me, ‘Take up your bed, and walk.’ ” 12 They asked him, “Who is the man who said to you, ‘Take up your bed and walk’?” 13 Now the man who had been healed did not know who it was, for Jesus had withdrawn, as there was a crowd in the place. 14 Afterward Jesus found him in the temple and said to him, “See, you are well! Sin no more, that nothing worse may happen to you.” 15 The man went away and told the Jews that it was Jesus who had healed him. 16 And this was why the Jews were persecuting Jesus, because he was doing these things on the Sabbath. 17 But Jesus answered them, “My Father is working until now, and I am working.”
Connect:
Consider your sense of exhaustion; it’s source.
Eliminating “busy” or a “TGIF” from our thinking?
Explain:
Story recap:
17 But Jesus answered them, “My Father is working until now, and I am working.”
We neighbor well and resemble our Father and Brother when we work on the Sabbath.
So we need a good understanding of the Sabbath life.
Whenever we see the word “Sabbath” mentioned in the Gospels, we can expect trouble. (Vs. 19)
Sabbath- historically:
(Ex. 20:8-11)
It is the foretaste of paradise.
it is a testimony to God’s loving and powerful presence in the world.
it is a celebration of the time when everything is finally made right.
Jesus says in Luke 6:1–5 (Matt. & Mark too) he is “the Lord of the Sabbath.”
Because we are in Christ, Sabbath can be the atmosphere of our lives—a lifestyle.
When Jesus tells the lame man to sin no more, its an invitation to let go of things that crowd out the life of Christ within, enter into community and go to the feast.
The Sabbath life means to be with God and full of God.
Relate:
You, in one word? ________ or Sabbath?
We neighbor well and resemble our Father and Brother when we work on the Sabbath.
So we need a good understanding of the Sabbath life.
And we need to practice it!
How do we Practice the Sabbath life?
Unwind the hurry (sit with Jesus)
Craft a new normal (daily/weekly rhythm)
Practical thoughts/personal experiences:
Challenge:
Our culture and “flesh” is always in opposition to the Sabbath life.Our neighbors need what the Sabbath life gives us:
Health in our souls, to neighbor like Jesus (to love the most difficult among us).
Luke 6:27–28 (ESV) 27 “But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you.
Invitation to sit with Jesus at His table- communion together:
