The Sabbath: The Promise - Part I

Yesterday I preached sermon two in this short series on the Sabbath Day with the message "The Sabbath: The Promise."  Here are part one of my notes.  Tomorrow I will post the second half of the notes.


“There is a place of Quiet rest - near to the heart of God.”  This old hymn says it well - that place of rest is the Gospel.

I quoted John MacArthur this past Wednesday night as saying, “Grace is a one-word description of the Gospel.”  I would agree. But you can almost say “rest” is also another one-word description of the Gospel.

Hebrews 3:16 - 4:11

1. Rest is the beginning of the Gospel.

Withholding rest and causing weariness is part of the curse. Genesis 3: 17-19

But in salvation, Jesus offers rest to all who come to Him.  Matthew 11:28-30

It was promised we would enter into a rest.  The rest was not a place (Canaan), but a person (Christ).

Colossians 2: 16-17  makes it clear that the keeping of the Mosaic Sabbath has no place in the New Covenant:  “Therefore let no one pass judgement on you in questions of food and drink, or with regard to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath.  These are a shadow of the things to come, but the substance belongs to Christ.”  (ESV)

Jesus will accept no works our parts.

Ephesians 2:8-9  “For by grace you have been saved through faith and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.”

Titus 3: 5 - “Not by works of righteousness which we have done.”

Come to the end of the work week - you find a Sabbath.  Come to the end of your labors and good works and you will find Christ.

The Jews kept the Sabbath day for 1,500 years but never entered into the rest.

The rest is due to belief - not works.