We continue our NEW sermon series entitled “It’s time to REST”. Preaching from Nathan Gordon. Service led by Kuda Osoba.

Sermon Notes

Intro

Last week we established the importance of acquiring good and GOD rest. Resting our bodies is essential but resting in God’s presence through spiritual devotion is also paramount to our discipleship and growth.

The Disciples on Tour

Normally when we think about rest we often think about stillness, laying on the beach, peace & quiet and some vital R&R time. However, this morning we are going to examine how divine rest can also come through serving, adventure and living out the mission and mandate of Christ.

Context of the disciples on tour – Mark 6:7-13

• Essential items only (Light luggage) – v8-10
• No luxury living arrangements – v10
• No money is needed
• No bread

The mission field may not look on paper like a luxurious five-star holiday experience, but the disciples were so engaged and inspired by the work of God transforming people’s lives. Through fulfilling the call and mission of God in our lives and communities, despite the hard work we can find joy and rest through service.

Quote Zone

“As we serve others we are working on ourselves; every act, every word, every gesture of genuine compassion naturally nourishes our hearts as well. It is not a question of who is healed first. When we attend to ourselves with compassion and mercy, more healing is made available for others. And when we serve others with an open and generous heart, great healing comes to us.”- Wayne Muller

It’s possible to find Rest through serving – v8-13

• The disciples understood serving Christ would take them out of their comfort zones.
• Serving the mission of Christ does require hard work but the joy that comes through glorifying God and seeing lives changed and impacted rejuvenates our souls.
• In verse 12 – the disciples were obedient to the mandate of Christ on their lives, and they witnessed the joy that comes through serving.

Challenge – Quote from Sacred Rest – “I am a Christian, but I don’t make it a habit of quoting Bible verses or preaching while practising medicine. My faith is a part of who I am.  To deny its influence in my life would be inauthentic. Its effect in my life reaches into every interaction in how it prepares me to receive others.” You may feel your life is extremely busy as it is to find the time to serve the mission of Christ. However, just like the disciples, we can embrace the call to serve by sharing the good news of the kingdom. Wherever we travel we have windows of opportunity to shine the light of Christ into the world.

Rest in the power of God at work – v35-44

• Despite the disciples being physically tired from their ministry endeavours by trusting in Jesus and His provision, they were witnesses of a wonderful miracle.
• The disciples teach us to remember the big why for serving Christ and His mission.
• Through sacrificing even our own needs at times, the joy in helping others offers a sense of peace in our souls.

Challenge – Are you energised by the power of God at work in your life and the lives of others? Are you excited about what God can do in your community? The power of God at work through the Holy Spirit should rejuvenate us to continue to serve the mission of Christ in the world.

Questions

1. Discuss the challenges of modern living and our busy schedules concerning the availability to serve the mission of Christ. What adaptations do we have to make in comparison to the disciples in Mark 6?
2. Read Mark 6:7-13, How did leaving these items behind affect the manner in which they ministered, and why is this important?
3. Do believers today have the power as disciples to cast out demons and heal people? If so, how does this happen, and if not, why not?
4. How do believers today know whether a person has “received” and “listened to” them, how do we know when to “shake the dust off” our feet, and what does that entail?
5. How do you feel when you are interrupted while doing something important or something for yourself? How do you generally respond?
6. How is God calling our church to use limited resources to meet a great need? How can you and your small group or others support and pray for that work?