Sleep in Heavenly Peace - The Issue of Rest [Sermon]

Athens, Greece

June 2021

John 7:37-38

37 On the last and greatest day of the festival, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink.

38 Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.”

Something's wrong, shut the light, heavy thoughts tonight And they aren't of Snow White Dreams of war, dreams of liars, dreams of dragons' fire And of things that will bite. Sleep with one eye open Gripping your pillow tight Enter Sandman, Metallica, The Black Album, 1991

1. Intermittent Physical Rest

a. Multiple Layers of Physical Rest.

b. Getting Physical Rest

2. Continuous Non-Physical Rest

a. Non-physical restlessness

“You don’t show the monster too many times because you’ll get used to him and you never want to get used to him. …The best screening room in the world is … your brain. So, it’s learning to tap into the human brain to show just so much. Let the brain do a lot of the work. That’s where you start to tap into people’s anxieties.” - Ridley Scott

b. Getting Non-Physical Rest

Matt 11:28-30

28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.

29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

Mark 4:37-38 A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. 38 Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion.

Continuous non-physical rest is found in an ongoing fellowship with the eternal God.

Reflection/Discussion

1. What physical and non-physical burdens are you carrying?

1 Peter 5:7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

Matt 11:28-30

28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.

29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

2. What is preventing you from having an intimate fellowship with Jesus

3. What concrete steps will you take to get intermittent physical rest.

• Time management

• Unnecessary activities

#activity #fear #anxiety #worry #sleep #work

Photo by Hamza Bounaim on Unsplash