Holy Rest: The Sabbath Was Made for Man - 11.16.25

Jordon Gilmore

I. Introduction

• The Law = God’s guidelines for Israel (not just the Ten Commandments).
• Purpose: Not to justify us, but to align our lives with Christ.
• Jesus fulfilled the Law perfectly; we follow in His steps.

II. The Fourth Commandment – The Sabbath

A. Exodus 20:9–11 – The Command

• Six days of work, one day of rest.
• The Sabbath is rooted in God’s pattern at creation.
• God didn’t need rest—He modeled it for us.

B. Common Misunderstandings

• Many treat Sabbath like a list of rules: things you can and can’t do.
• Cultural examples: “No hunting or fishing on Sunday,” etc.
• Pharisees turned rest into a burden.

III. Jesus and the Sabbath

A. Mark 2:23–28

• Disciples pick grain; Pharisees accuse them of breaking the law.
• Jesus cites David eating the holy bread.
• Key point: “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.”
• Sabbath is meant as a blessing, not a burden.
• Jesus, Lord of the Sabbath, shows mercy outweighs legalism.

IV. Sabbath as a Gift

• God commands Sabbath because we resist receiving rest as a gift.
• Like disciplining a child: seems unpleasant, but given in love.
• Our natural response: “But I have deadlines… stress… obligations…”
• Sabbath requires trust that God knows what we need more than we do.

V. The Personal Struggle With Rest

• Jordon shares his own difficulty:
  • Raised equating manhood with constant work.
  • Feels guilt and anxiety when resting.
  • Even during family time, mind drifts to unfinished tasks.
• Sabbath must be received as a gift, not just another item on the to-do list.
• Rest should lead to gratitude and presence, not guilt.

VI. What Sabbath Produces in Us

1. Discipline

• Forces intentional planning and boundaries.

2. Prioritization

• Helps separate what truly matters from what doesn’t.
• Encourages saying “no,” delegating, and letting others help.

3. Teamwork & Delegation

• Realizing we don’t have to carry everything alone.

4. A Heart Check

• What goals or desires am I unwilling to lay down for obedience?
• Are we serving our ambitions or God’s rhythm?

VII. Sabbath Reminds Us of God’s Provision

A. We Are Not Holding the World Together

• We often think everything will collapse if we rest.
• But we’re resting in the palm of God’s hand—He carries it all.
• Jesus modeled stepping away even during intense ministry.

B. The World Keeps Turning Without Us

• Hard but freeing truth.
• We shouldn’t have to experience sickness or crisis to learn dependence on God.

C. Rest Restores Perspective

• Sabbath helps us return with clarity:
  • What can be improved?
  • What can be delegated?
  • What should be released?

VIII. Conclusion

• Sabbath is:
  1. A gracious gift from God
  2. A discipline that shapes our priorities
  3. A reminder of God’s care and our limits
• Challenge:
   Ask the Lord how He wants you to practice Sabbath—and be willing to obey.