Is Rest the Missing Key? Why Jesus Gave Us Sabbath
(Do As I Do, Pt. 2 — Rich Dennison)
Search intent this post serves: Why am I so tired? Does God really want me to rest? What is the Sabbath? How do I practice Sabbath today? What happens if I never slow down?
At Open Arms Community Church in Bradford, PA, we’re walking through Do As I Do—a series about apprenticing under Jesus. In Part 2, Pastor Rich Dennison asks a surprising, very practical question: What if the “key” you forgot in your life is rest?
Jesus said, “I am the way.” He didn’t hand us a self-help checklist—He lived God’s original design and invited us to follow it. And God’s way starts with something most of us neglect: Sabbath.
Why Am I So Tired—And Does God Really Want Me to Rest?
Most of us are chronically exhausted—overbusy, underslept, and running on fumes. Tiredness is part of life, but many of us live at a dangerous level of tired, so worn down that we struggle to sense God’s presence or hear His voice.
From page one of the Bible, God’s rhythm is clear: the day begins with rest (sundown), and the week begins with Sabbath (rest). Rest isn’t a luxury; it’s essential to apprenticeship under Jesus.
What Is the Sabbath—And Why Did God Command It?
Exodus 20:8–11 (NIV)
8 “Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy.
9 Six days you shall labor and do all your work,
10 but the seventh day is a sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your male or female servant, nor your animals, nor any foreigner residing in your towns.
11 For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.”
Why we need it (in plain language):
- To counterbalance the other six days of work
- To restore mind, body, and spirit
- To worship and fellowship—real connection with God and people
- To declare freedom from a culture that says your worth = your productivity
- To remember creation and the Creator—the day He blessed and made holy
Did Jesus Break the Sabbath—or Redefine It?
Some accused Jesus of “breaking” Sabbath when His disciples plucked grain because they were hungry. Jesus corrected man-made restrictions and restored God’s heart for Sabbath.
Mark 2:23–28 (NIV)
23 One Sabbath Jesus was going through the grainfields, and as his disciples walked along, they began to pick some heads of grain.
24 The Pharisees said to him, “Look, why are they doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath?”
25 He answered, “Have you never read what David did when he and his companions were hungry and in need?
26 In the days of Abiathar the high priest, he entered the house of God and ate the consecrated bread, which is lawful only for priests to eat. And he also gave some to his companions.”
27 Then he said to them, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.
28 So the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath.”
Key truths:
- Jesus was sinless—He didn’t violate God’s law.
2 Corinthians 5:21 (NIV) God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. - He fulfilled and restored Sabbath, prioritizing mercy, compassion, and human need over rigid rule-keeping.
- Sabbath is a gift meant to draw us closer to God—a blessing, not a burden.
What Happens If I Don’t Slow Down?
When we never rest, we’re not trusting God. We start living as if everything depends on our hustle and nothing depends on His provision. Scripture warns that unbelief hardens hearts and keeps us from God’s rest.
Hebrews 3:7–19 (NIV, excerpt)
7 So, as the Holy Spirit says: “Today, if you hear his voice,
8 do not harden your hearts as you did in the rebellion…”
11 “They shall never enter my rest.”
12 See to it, brothers and sisters, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God…
19 So we see that they were not able to enter, because of their unbelief.
How Do I Practice Sabbath in Real Life?
Think race-car pit stop: after a hard run, everything must be cleaned, inspected, and tuned so it can finish the race. Sabbath is your weekly restoration bay.
Five simple steps to start:
- Prepare (day before): finish shopping, cleaning, errands so they won’t hijack your Sabbath.
- Set boundaries: decide what you’re not doing—work, email, social scroll, etc.
- Embrace life-giving activities:
special meals • time with family/friends • hobbies • reading/nap • walk in nature • journaling/prayer • worship with your church community - Reflect & debrief: What renewed you? What did God highlight? Share it with someone.
- Integrate the rhythm: Make Sabbath a regular, life-giving habit that brings joy, peace, and calm.
God attaches promises to obedience:
Isaiah 58:10–14 (NIV, excerpt)
10 …your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday.
11 The Lord will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden…
12 …Repairer of Broken Walls, Restorer of Streets with Dwellings.
13 “If you keep your feet from breaking the Sabbath…
14 then you will find your joy in the Lord, and I will cause you to ride in triumph…”
Is Sabbath Still About Rules—or About Relationship?
Jesus shows Sabbath is about relationship and restoration. He’s Lord of the Sabbath, and He invites you to trust His rhythm so your soul can breathe.
Bottom line: Six is enough. On the seventh, rest in Him.
A Word on Communion: How Do I Come to the Table Worthily?
As we rest and remember, we also come to Jesus’ table with humility—not trusting our own righteousness but His mercy.
1 Corinthians 11:26–29 (NIV)
26 For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.
27 So then, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord.
28 Everyone ought to examine themselves before they eat of the bread and drink from the cup.
29 For those who eat and drink without discerning the body of Christ eat and drink judgment on themselves.
Simple prayer posture: confession, cleansing, communion—receive what Jesus has already done.
Ready to Try a Real Sabbath This Week?
- Start small: pick a start time and end time (e.g., Saturday 6pm–Sunday 6pm).
- Make one no-work rule and one life-giving plan (meal, walk, worship).
- Ask God to meet you in the quiet.
➡️ Watch the full message on our YouTube channel and walk this out with us.
🙌 Or join us Sunday mornings at 71 Congress Street in Bradford, PA.
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Open Arms Community Church in Bradford, PA — a church where you can find hope, healing, and purpose.
