Sabbath—To Rest 🙏🙌
Hasn’t it been busy lately?! It doesn’t matter if it is your day job, family commitments, sicknesses and doctor’s appointments, or even ministry opportunities that we’ve had right here at Crosspoint, there has been a lot pulling at us lately. These are not all necessarily bad things. God made us for work, family, and relationship with Him. He wants us to serve too.
However, some of the things that wear us out are some of the results and fallout of sin. It started way back in the beginning with the choice of Adam and Eve. God could have just allowed everything to constantly wear us down as a consequence of the curse of sin until we are even more exhausted physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.
However, because He’s so good, God gave what we would need. He knew we would need a Savior, and He knew that we would need rest. So He sent Jesus to take care of the sin problem, and He created a Sabbath (it literally means to rest). Throughout Scripture, He lovingly teaches us the importance of both a Savior and a sabbath.
Psalms 23:1-3 A Psalm of David. The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. 3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
Matthew 11:28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Jesus truly is our rest! (Do you need to know Him as your Savior? Click here to learn more.)
So why don’t we rest? Worry, stress, an overly full schedule, concern about what others might think if we don’t go to their party or event… What else? You fill in the blank.
With Jesus leading and caring for us, we don’t have to worry about past, present, or future. Jesus has provided peace for our heart and mind. He has provided rest.
That doesn’t mean we don’t have to work. God actually built us for work. It wasn’t part of the curse. He gave Adam a job in the garden of Eden, and He has designed a place for you and me to work and serve.
Genesis 2:15 And the LORD God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it.
Genesis 2:19-20 And out of the ground the LORD God formed every beast of the field, and every fowl of the air; and brought them unto Adam to see what he would call them: and whatsoever Adam called every living creature, that was the name thereof. And Adam gave names to all cattle, and to the fowl of the air, and to every beast of the field; but for Adam there was not found an help meet for him.
But, he also showed through example the importance of rest on purpose. Here’s the historical definition of Sabbath:
The Jewish Sabbath (from Hebrew shavat, “to rest”) is observed throughout the year on the seventh day of the week - Saturday. According to biblical tradition, it commemorates the original seventh day on which God rested after completing the creation.
While many have mistakenly understood the sabbath to be a day of worship, it was simply and solely a day of rest.
Whether you’re in the habit of a day of rest or not - God created sabbath for you, and you should utilize it regularly. Jesus said, “The sabbath was made for man, and not man for the sabbath:” (Mark 2:27)
Let’s keep it simple and prioritize what God does:
Worship God
Love your family
Work
Serve Jesus by serving others
Over the next few weeks, may we suggest that you say no to a few things so you can have the rest that your physical body needs and that your family needs. This time can also be purposefully spent drawing closer to God. It’s not about Netflix and chill or scrolling social media. A sabbath is not about missing church to spend time at home. It is about resting your body, soul, and spirit. Don’t take on burdens He didn’t intend for you to carry. Focus on Him and find rest.
Mark your calendar! 🗓
Exciting things are coming to Crosspoint! See below for several of these opportunities to serve and grow together. Be sure to save the dates and be a part.
November 13
T.E.A.M. meeting - Sunday @ 1:30 PM
Join us for a bonus time of spiritual growth and team building. Bring your lunch and see how you can be actively involved in what God is doing in and through Crosspoint.
November 16
Crosspoint Thanksgiving Dinner - Wednesday @ 7:00 PM
Turkey will be provided. Click here to let us know what you will bring to the dinner.
November 20
Operation Christmas Child
Help get the Gospel to children around the world this Christmas. Shoeboxes and other information will be available for pickup this Sunday.
December 18
Children's Christmas Program
Our annual Children's Christmas program is coming up. Each year, we take time during the morning service for the kids to sing songs and quote Bible verses about the birth of our Savior. This is always a wonderful time to invite family and friends. Practices will be each Sunday night during Awana.
New Church AppYou can now download our new app and stay connected with your church family, your small group, and upcoming events! You can also give and listen to past services. Download here: Apple App Store or Google PlayService Times and Location
434 N Altadena Drive
Pasadena, CA 91107
Sunday @ 10:30 AM - Worship gathering
Childcare through age 5 and children's church for 1st - 5th graders is available. Check-in starts at 10:15 am
Sunday @ 5:00 AM - AWANA
Our fun and exciting program for teens and children continues this Sunday evening at 5:00 PM. Check-in starts at 4:45 PM. Click here for information you can share.
Wednesday @ 7:00 PM - Growth Group
We have our Thanksgiving potluck this Wednesday night at 7:00 pm. See details above.
What is your Next Step?
God intends for us to grow in our new life in Christ. Here are several things you can do to jumpstart that growth.
Enroll in Christian Life Coaching.
Sign up for Baptism.
Become a Member of Crosspoint.
Join a ministry team.
Whatever your next step is, we are here to support you and help you make it! Not sure of your next step? That's ok too! We can help. Click here!
If Opportunity knocked are we ready?
We have been praying for some time now that God would bless us with a building of our own, and we believe He will do it in His timing and in His way. There is currently a property on the market that would be a tremendous asset to our ministry if the Lord provided it for us. However, a downpayment and the monthly payments for a property like this would be out of our reach at this time.
We should prepare for an opportunity by setting aside money and giving generously to a building fund. Would you ask the Lord what He would lead you to give (above your tithe) to help us prepare for the opportunity when God brings it our way?
God is able, but He expects us to be obedient!
LIVESTREAM
We will be streaming the 10:30 am service LIVE on our Facebook page and on our YouTube channel.
Important stuff 😉:
- Who are you going to bless this week? "Exhort one another daily" is a great encouragement to us all. It helps us stay close in fellowship and protects us against the attacks of the enemy who wants to divide us.
- Let us know if you or someone you know has a need.🙏
Love and Share
Share Crosspoint on social media! Help your friends and family see what God is doing in lives! As you love and share our posts, others see how excited you are about what God is doing. Hey, they just might show up and start walking with Jesus too!
