Rest for Christians
- Christians tend to lead busy lives: serving the church, serving the church family, serving the community, ultimately serving The Lord
- Christians are involved in the messiness of life
- Christians are under stress and pressure, we need to learn to rest
- "Come aside by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while" (v31)
When?
- The disciples had just been sent out two by two (6:7)
- They preached the gospel - a difficult message to bring
- They were in spiritual warfare
- They performed miracles and cast out demons
- It must have been strenuous and difficult
- They must have returned tired even though they were thrilled and elated
- They bring a report back to Jesus: all they have done and taught (v30)
- Jesus knew that they needed rest
- The disciples had not only the burden of preaching but also the death of John
- Matt 14:12-13
- The disciples would have heard the news also
- Jesus knew they were emotionally vulnerable
- God knows our frame
- He knows our vulnerabilities and when we are under pressure
- "The Lord never slumbers or sleeps"
- Do we continue on in our situation or do we let friends come along side?
- Signs that you are under pressure:
- Not coping with things
- When everything is an uphill battle
- When little things become big things
- Beware of emotional highs, we can become more vulnerable afterwards
- Elijah - from the high of Mount Carmel to running in the wilderness as someone wanted to take his life
- Come along side:
- When things are difficult
- When there are emotional highs
Where?
- Jesus went to a deserted place
- We should go elsewhere
- It is not always good to be alone
- Often we need the company of joyful, wise Christians
- Most importantly with the saviour
- Come away from the crowds and spend time with your friends
- Rest is important for physical health, mental health and quality of life
- We are to have a change of circumstances
- Perhaps a holiday or a retreat
- Elijah - food and sleep
- Isa 40:29-31 - we must also wait upon The Lord
- A Christian conference
How?
- Involves a decision
- Maybe someone might have to make a decision on your behalf
- Jesus made a decision on behalf of the disciples
- Ps 127:1-2 - God's work is not dependant on us - His work goes on
- Ps 37:4-7 - delight in The Lord
- Part of Christ's ministry is through other Christians to you
- E.g. Philemon, Paul
- Not to be workaholics and to think that we must only do spiritual works
- Jesus said come and eat breakfast - not very spiritual
- Take in before we given out
- Seeking rest may not work out exactly as we picture it
- The rest for the disciples was primarily in the boat, with Jesus
- They were to listen to The Lord Jesus on the green fields along with the crowds
Summary and recap
- For those who are not in Christ:
- There is no rest or peace
- You need a relationship with God
- You must not live for self and sin
- The only way to experience the peace of God is peace with God
- You need to believe in the Lord Jesus
"Come unto me, all you who labour, all who are weary and I will give you rest"