Rest

Sunday, July 13, 2024

Scriptures: Matthew 11:28 - 12:8

• Summary

  In this sermon, Bobbi introduces the summer series "Inside Out," focusing on rest and the deeper meaning behind it, beyond just physical rest. Reflecting on Jesus' teachings in Matthew 11 and 12, she emphasizes how rest is intertwined with wisdom and mercy rather than strict adherence to rules. Bobbi argues that rest is essential for healing and balance, highlighting its spiritual significance and its role in resisting oppressive systems. She concludes with a practical and encouraging call to integrate moments of rest and peace into daily life, urging us to see rest as sacred and necessary.

• Discussion

  Community is shaped by the conversations we share. These questions and reflections are a tool to help you meaningfully engage with the themes of this week's teaching.

  Summer Discussion Guide 2024

  If your group is meeting this summer and wants to talk about the sermons, here are a few questions that you could use to engage with our teaching.

  - What specific part of the message resonated with you the most? Why do you think that particular part, or idea, or story caught your attention?

  - Did the sermon speak into a particular struggle or question in your life or your faith journey right now?

  - What did the message challenge or encourage you personally?
  And what do you think the application could be for our church community? Was there anything that could strengthen or stretch us as a church?

  - How did the exposition of the scriptures used in the sermon provide you with a new perspective of deeper understanding?

  It is good to remember that the conversation experience in the group is shaped by the personal stories of those who participate in it and how willing the people are to be open and vulnerable in the group.

  So if you’re leading the discussion, feel free to model and encourage person-centred and story-centred sharing by reflecting on how some parts of the sermon resonate with you personally.

  Additionally, what contributes to a more authentic group discussion is when people can share not about the abstract and theoretical applications but one or two practical things they are taking away from either the sermon or the discussion.

  So, you can end your time together with this question: 

  - What is one thing you are taking away from either the sermon or the discussion we’ve just had? 

• Prayer

  Prayer from the sermon:
  We’ll end today in the bible’s prayer book. The psalmist offers this picture of a body at rest with God. 

  From Psalm 16. Adapted. Feel free to close your eyes or drop your gaze down. 

  Loving God, you alone are our portion and our cup;

  You make our home secure. 

  The boundary lines have fallen for us in pleasant places.

  Surely we have a delightful place that feels like home. 

  We will praise God, who is our counsellor;

  Even at night (and in our dreams) our hearts instruct us. 

  We keep our eyes on the living God.

  With God at our side, we will not be shaken.

  Therefore our hearts are glad and our mouth speaks gratitude;

  Our bodies rest secure.

  May your body rest securely inside your summer spaces. 

  Amen.

• Liturgy

  CALL TO WORSHIP Psalm 103

  MUSIC Curated by Kevin Borst
  Hillsong Worship - Who You Say I Am
  Brooke Ligertwood - Bless God
  Brooke Ligertwood - A Thousand Hallelujahs
  Hillsong United - Good Grace

  Eucharist Introduction
  Written by Scott Wall
  
  On this fifteenth Sunday in the season of Ordinary Time, we come to the Eucharist Table. Christian worship has - across centuries - repeatedly placed this practice at the centre of worship.
  Where the weary and the jubilant - the curious and the conflicted -
  Where each one is invited to receive ordinary elements as a sign of extraordinary grace.Grace that surrounds you in the warmth of long summer evenings.
  In the gifts of rest - of friendship - of connection.
  And also, in whatever strain or confusion you might be walking through. Today, we come to the table not because we must…but because a place is ever offered and held.
  We come not to lay claim to special status…but to acknowledge life and divine presence in it as gift.
  We come not to bend or earn God’s favour…but simply to express our trust in God’s expansive goodness. Just as Christ did after he’d handed bread and wine to his friends one last time, let’s pray together now.
  Loving God -
  Host of this table,
  And source of the fruit of field and vine we receive now -
  Where we are broken, mend and restore.
  Where we are empty and worn, come and give us your joy.
  Amen.