Message: "abundantlifetoday.info/recreation" by Randy Roberts 
Part 4 - abundantlifetoday.info

Pastoral Welcome: Jacqueline Lynch and Calvin Thomsen

Scripture Reading: Mark 6:30–34, Matthew 11:28–30, TNIV - Clark and Melissa Bassham

Prayer: Betsy Matthews

INTRODUCTION TO THE SERMON

       Have you ever felt like you needed a vacation to get over your vacation?!  Have you ever thought that your leisure time tired you out just as much as your work?  Do you live a stressful life that leaves you hoping for rest, soul rest?

Jesus promises us just that kind of rest.  On at least two different occasions, he invites his disciples to rest.  One is during a period of intense ministry.  Things, in fact, were so busy “that they did not even have a chance to eat” (Mark 6:31, TNIV).  Jesus took notice of the stress they were under and was sympathetic to it.  He said to them, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest” (Mark 6:31, TNIV).

It’s such a simple invitation but one that has life contained within it.  Spending time in a solitary place alone with Jesus speaks to the needs in the deepest parts of my soul.  What about you?

The other time that Jesus invites his disciples to rest is in Matthew 11.  Here he speaks to people who are burdened down by all of the duties and demands of their religious lives – lives in which they had never learned to rest in God.  To such, Jesus says, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give your rest.  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.  For my yoke is easy and my burden is light” (Matthew 11:28–30, TNIV).

It is in the settings of rest in Jesus that true re-creation takes place.  Such re-creation goes beyond leisure time, beyond entertainment, and beyond amusement.  From such times and places we emerge re-created to join life in the world again.

That is the invitation of Jesus to you!  Will you accept it?


      Randy Roberts
      Senior Pastor

THIS PRODUCT IS CURRENTLY UNAVAILABLE.

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO ORDER THIS PRODUCT PLEASE CLICK HERE TO FILL OUT A FORM TO REQUEST THIS PURCHASE. YOU MAY ALSO CALL (909) 651-5551 AND PROVIDE THE DATE OF THE SERVICE AND SERVICE TYPE YOU'RE WANTING TO PURCHASE.