MAKING A PLACE FOR GOD TO REST: THE SABBATH REST (PART 1)

1.  THERE ARE NO GREAT MEN--BUT THERE ARE HUMBLE MEN WHO ARE USED GREATLY:

Isaiah 66:2 ESV All these things my hand has made, and so all these things came to be, declares the LORD. But this is the one to whom I will look: he who is humble and contrite in spirit and trembles at my word.

In the kingdom, there are no great men of God, just humble men whom God has chosen to use greatly. How do we know when we are humble? It is not something we acknowledge. Yet the Word tells us to humble ourselves. We know we are heading towards humility when we tremble when God speaks. God is looking for a man who trembles at His Word. Such a man will find the Spirit of God resting upon him. That man will become a dwelling place for the Almighty.

2.  MAKING A PLACE OF REST FORGOD:

Isaiah 66:1 ESV Thus says the LORD: "Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool; what is the house that you would build for me, and what is the place of my rest?

God asks for nothing but ourselves. Our beautiful church buildings, our professionalism are all nearly useless to God. He does not want what we have, He wants who we are. He seeks to create in our hearts a sanctuary for Himself, a place where He may rest.

3.  THE SABBATH REST: 

Hebrews 4:7-11 ESV again he appoints a certain day, "Today," saying through David so long afterward, in the words already quoted, "Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts." (8) For if Joshua had given them rest, God would not have spoken of another day later on. (9) So then, there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God, (10) for whoever has entered God's rest has also rested from his works as God did from his. (11) Let us therefore strive to enter that rest, so that no one may fall by the same sort of disobedience.

In the Scriptures this "rest" is called "the Sabbath Rest." It does not come from keeping the Sabbath day. The Jews kept the Sabbath day, but they never entered God's rest. Hebrews 4:7-11 tells us about Joshua.

Joshua did not give the Israelites rest. After so long a period of time of keeping the Sabbath day, the Scripture says in verse 9 that there still remains a rest for His people. This rest, therefore, was something more than just keeping the seventh day holy. God was looking for  people where He could rest in the abode of their heart. When He could take up His place of rest in the heart of man then that man could enter into His rest. Our Lord Jesus spoke it best in the Gospel of John. Read each Scripture individually and let the Father speak you about His rest.

John 15:4 ESV Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me.

John 15:5 ESV I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.

John 15:6 ESV If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned.

John 15:7 ESV If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.