Sabbath: Worship and Community
"What would you say to your younger self if you could go back in time?"
"Good relationships keep us happier and healthier. Period!"
~ Harvard Study of Adult Development ~
Exodus 20:12 “Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land the Lord your God is giving you.”
Hebrews 6:24-25 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
Genesis 2:2 By the seventh day God had finished his work. On the seventh day he rested from all his work. God blessed the seventh day. He made it a Holy Day Because on that day he rested from his work, all the creating God had done.
"Creation works better when we honor its rhythms."
Isaiah 30:15 In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength.
Psalms 23:2 He makes me lie down in green pastures… leads me beside quiet waters.
Acts 2:42–47 They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.
"The persons within God exalt each other, commune with each other, and defer to one another...each divine person harbors the others at the center of His being. In constant movement of overture and acceptance, each person envelops and encircles the other...God's interior life therefore overflows with regards for others."
~ Cornelius Plantinga Jr. ~
"In Christianity God is not a static thing...but a dynamic, pulsating activity, a life, almost kind of drama. Almost, if you will not think me irreverent, a kind of dance."
~ C.S. Lewis ~
"And because the Father, Son, and Spirit are giving glorifying love to one another, God is infinitely, profoundly happy."
~ Tim Keller ~
Genesis 1:26 God spoke: “Let us make human beings in our image, in our likeness…”
"The whole dance, or drama, or pattern of this three-Personal life is to be played out in each one of us..."
~ C.S. Lewis ~
2 Samuel 6:14 Wearing a linen ephod, David was dancing before the Lord with all his might, while he and all Israel were bringing up the ark of the Lord with shouts and the sound of trumpets.
"He must have created us not to get joy but to give it."
~ Tim Keller ~
John 10:10 “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life and have it to the full.”
Luke 10:21 At that time Jesus, full of joy through the Holy Spirit, said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this is what you were pleased to do.”
Galatians 6:7 “...a man reaps what he sows. Whoever sows to please their flesh will reap destruction, whoever sows to please the Spirit from the Spirit will reap eternal life…”
First Strand is DEVOTION
Acts 2:42 They devoted themselves…
Ephesians 1:17 I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father may give you the Sprit of wisdom and revelation so that you may KNOW HIM BETTER.
Hebrews 12:14 Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy…
The SECOND DNA strand is NURTURING
Acts 2:44–45 All the believers were together… they gave to anyone as he had need.
"Church is not an organization you join; it is a family where you belong, a home where you are loved and a hospital where you find healing."
~ Nicky Gumble ~
Ephesians 2:19-22 Consequently you are no longer foreigners and strangers but FELLOW citizens with God's people and also members of HIS household built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets with Christ Jesus Himself as the chief cornerstone. In Him the whole building is joined together and RISES to become a Holy Temple in the Lord. And in Him YOU too are being built together to become a dwelling in which GOD LIVES by His Spirit.
Galatians 6:2 Carry each other's burdens, and in this way, you will fulfill the law of Christ.
"The Bible tells us to love our neighbors, and also to love our enemies, probably because they are generally the same people."
~ G.K Chesterton ~
The THIRD strand is AWE in ASSEMBLY
Acts 2:43,46–47 Everyone was filled with awe… Every day they continued to meet together…
D – Devoted
N - Nurture
A – Assembly and AWE