Bringing Balance Back Into Your Life

02-11-06

1. Matt. 11:28-30 – Jesus said to come to Him and find rest.

A. Mark 6:31 – Even Jesus needed to rest from His labors.

· John 11:12 – Sleep leads to wellness.

· Many studies have shown productivity is tied to rest.

· Gen. 1 – God created a seven day week.

· Longer days or longer weeks are counterproductive:

· http://www.igda.org/articles/erobinson_crunch.php

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“More than a century of studies show that long-term useful worker output is maximized near a five-day, 40 hour workweek. Productivity drops immediately upon starting overtime and continues to drop until, at approximately eight 60-hour weeks, the total work done is the same as what would have been done in eight 40-hour weeks.” Evan Robinson, “Why Crunch Mode Doesn’t Work: 6 Lessons”.

“I was shown that Sabbathkeepers as a people labor too hard without allowing themselves change or periods of rest. Recreation is needful to those who are engaged in physical labor and is still more essential for those whose labor is principally mental. It is not essential to our salvation, nor for the glory of God, to keep the mind laboring constantly and excessively, even upon religious themes.” {AH 494.1}

B. Ex. 20:8-11 – The Sabbath was created for rest.

· Gen. 2:1-4 – Even before sin we needed time to rest.

· Luke 4:16 – Time to worship God.

· Luke 4:17-19 – A day of healing and liberty.

· Luke 13:10-16 – A day of good deeds.

· The man who said, “I feel spiritually cleansed.”

C. How to enjoy the Sabbath blessing:

· Neh. 13:15-19 – Free yourself from worldly cares.

· Ex. 16:23-30 – Plan ahead and make preparation.

· Isa. 58:13-14 – God will bless you.

· The bedfast woman and the Sabbath visit.