R&R

R&R, Sometimes the military calls this rest and recuperation or rest and recreation. I prefer rest and recreation. I like that word recreation because it is a rendering of re-creation. Re-creation is what the Lord Jesus is doing to the world and it is what He is doing to us as we gather here each Lord’s Day.

         Sabbath Communion is R&R. Are you feeling it? The Lord has given us rest in Jesus. We find rest because we can stop striving. We can stop trying to purge our sins and we can stop trying to save ourselves by our good deeds. Both actions are equally frustrating and impossible.

         When we come to Jesus, we get real forgiveness for real sins. Nothing we can do but say, Thank you, Jesus. When we come to Jesus, we realize that our life in Christ is a life of grace and so we can rest in any work that we do as His work by His Spirit.

         And this leads us to the re-creation part. In Jesus, after His rest, we are new creatures. We are ready for Monday, for the rest of our lives in Jesus. So, glad we get R&R every week!

CREC Sermon- Reformed 4- Sabbath Rest

CREC 8 R4- Sabbatarian Rest

December 10, 2017

Lynchburg, Virginia

EXHORDIUM

Sabbatarian, Rest, Hospitality, Manners

         We continue our sermons on the CREC, the Communion of Reformed Evangelical Churches. My goal in these sermons has been two things. First, to give a survey of the things we believe and how we practice them. Second, to create appreciation and excitement for who we are as a denomination and as a church as we seek to honor Christ, grow His kingdom, and serve one another here at Providence Church. I pray the Lord will use these sermons to that end.

Today we are on Reformed, R4, Sabbath Rest. In today’s sermon, I want to focus on the Lord’s Day. In our church, as in most CREC churches, the Lord’s Day is a central part of the character and culture of the church.

         On the Lord’s Day, we do all of those practices that we hold in high esteem in our churches. We Worship, We renew Covenant, We partake of the Sacraments, We read and hear the Word of God, We serve and love one another, We enjoy Christian fellowship, We rest. We recreate. We learn to set aside our particular desires for the sake of Christ and His people.

Prepare for Jesus

         It is Advent. Time to get ready for Jesus. How do you prepare for Jesus? By getting rid of the malice of wickedness. 

         Are you angry? Are you bitter? Are you at odds with God through sin? Are you at odds with your parents, or children, or fellow Christians? How are you doing in your extended family? Are all of your relationships at peace?

         You may not be able to fix every relationship. Sometimes, others just won’t reconcile. But the Bible says, if possible, so much as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. How are you doing on that?

         You can fix it in principle right here and now through repentance of your own sins. And you can fix it, indeed, as soon as you leave here today by confessing your sin to the ones you have wronged and asking them for forgiveness.

         If you won’t repent of your sins, why would you be excited to see Jesus? So, prepare for Jesus.

Rest in Jesus

We just finished a robust anniversary of the Reformation. This last week, we spent the week with relatives giving thanks and eating turkey. We now rush into several weeks of planning, shopping and traveling in a long holiday season that finishes with a flurry on New Year’s Day.

         It is all grand and glorious, a gift from God to us, to learn thankfulness, sharing, love, celebration. But it can also be a time where we grump about all the fun. We might have to get back to normal on January 2 just to get some rest.

         But true rest can really only be found in the One who is rest. Jesus is our rest. In Christ, we have perfect peace with God and this is rest for our souls. So, as we rush into the holidays, let us make sure we take time to rest in Jesus.

The Lord’s Day can be a busy day, too. Food with family and guests, prepping meals, going to church. It is work. You might not even rest.  But learn the lesson. This day, we honor God with gratitude for the forgiveness of sins and the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit. If this peace pervades our souls, then we can even rest in the midst of all the work. Thanks be to God for our peace in Jesus Christ.