Rest in the Finished Work: Finding Peace in Christ’s Labor

• Labor Sunday Context 00:00:00 ▶️ 📄
  > The pastor introduces the historical and cultural context of Labor Day and Labor Sunday, noting its origins in the labor movement and its current perception as the end of summer.
• Theology of Work and Rest 00:01:40 ▶️ 📄
  > The pastor calls believers to examine society through Scripture, specifically developing a theology of work and rest based on God's Word.
• The Promised Rest of God 00:02:16 ▶️ 📄
  > The pastor introduces the first focal point: the promised rest of God, referencing Hebrews 4 and the concept of entering God's rest through faith.
• Context of Hebrews 00:03:08 ▶️ 📄
  > The pastor provides an overview of the book of Hebrews, explaining it as a sermon to Jewish Christians facing persecution, warning them against returning to Judaism.
• Faith and Rest 00:04:21 ▶️ 📄
  > The pastor examines Hebrews 4, explaining that the promise of rest still stands and requires faith, contrasting the wilderness generation's unbelief with the believer's faith.
• Components of Sabbath Rest 00:09:40 ▶️ 📄
  > The pastor outlines five components of the future Sabbath rest: rest from labor, enemies, worry, sin, and the permanence of rest in heaven.
• Application: Striving to Enter Rest 00:12:45 ▶️ 📄
  > The pastor exhorts the congregation to strive to enter God's rest by persevering in faith and obedience, citing various New Testament passages.
• The Completed Work of Christ 00:14:43 ▶️ 📄
  > The pastor introduces the second focal point: the completed work of Christ, which makes it possible for believers to reach the promised rest of God.
• Christ's Sacrifice vs. Priestly Sacrifice 00:16:34 ▶️ 📄
  > The pastor contrasts the repetitive, ineffective sacrifices of the Old Testament priests with the single, sufficient sacrifice of Jesus Christ.
• Completed Work of Christ 00:14:43 ▶️ 📄
  > The pastor defines the completed work of Christ as the basis for reconciliation, eternal redemption, purification of conscience, and final forgiveness of sins, contrasting it with the futility of the Old Testament priesthood.
• Repentance 00:19:20 ▶️ 📄
  > Defined as a total change in mind, attitude, and behavior, linked to godly grief and the necessity of turning away from sin to live for Christ.
• Reliance on Christ 00:22:52 ▶️ 📄
  > Emphasizes relying solely on Christ's work for salvation rather than human effort, countering the cultural value of work with the theological truth of grace.
• Remembrance 00:28:13 ▶️ 📄
  > Calls believers to remember Christ's sacrifice through the Lord's Supper and in daily life, using the cross and historical memorials as analogies.
• Salvation by Grace 00:30:35 ▶️ 📄
  > Reiterates that salvation is a gift of God through faith, not a result of works, citing Ephesians 2 to explain that believers are created for good works after being saved.
• Salvation by Grace vs. Works 00:31:56 ▶️ 📄
  > The pastor contrasts relying on the completed work of Christ with the futile effort of working to obtain salvation, urging believers to stop working and start surrendering.
• Communion Invitation and Protocol 00:32:41 ▶️ 📄
  > The pastor invites believers to partake in communion, instructs non-believers to abstain, and explains the specific procedure for receiving the elements (two cups, bread and juice).
• Institution of the Lord's Supper 00:37:31 ▶️ 📄
  > The pastor reads the biblical account from 1 Corinthians 11 regarding Jesus' institution of the bread and cup as a remembrance of His death until He comes.

• Sermon Illustration 00:00:16 ▶️ 📄
  > The pastor references the historical origin of Labor Day, noting it was rooted in the late 19th century when labor activists pushed for a federal holiday, with the first celebration occurring on September 5th, 1882, in New York City.
• Sermon Illustration 00:03:55 ▶️ 📄
  > The pastor references the wilderness generation of Israelites who were unable to enter God's rest due to their lack of faith, using this as a warning for the audience not to behave similarly.
• Sermon Illustration 00:26:05 ▶️ 📄
  > The pastor recounts a story from Watchman Nee's book 'The Normal Christian Life' about a drowning man and an expert swimmer who waited until the man was exhausted before rescuing him, illustrating that one must stop trying to save themselves to be saved by Christ.

• Pastoral Charge 00:05:49 ▶️ 📄
  > Strive to enter God's rest to avoid falling into disobedience.
• Pastoral Charge 00:14:22 ▶️ 📄
  > Begin working for Christ immediately.
• Pastoral Charge 00:27:37 ▶️ 📄
  > Stop working to save oneself, acknowledge need for a savior, and verbally surrender to the Lord.
• Pastoral Charge 00:31:15 ▶️ 📄
  > Unbelievers are called to stop working for salvation and surrender to Christ; believers are called to spend time thanking and praising God.
• Pastoral Charge 00:32:41 ▶️ 📄
  > Believers are invited to partake in communion; unbelievers are invited to pray, confess sin, and accept Christ as Lord and Savior.
• Pastoral Charge 00:32:41 ▶️ 📄
  > Partake in the communion elements
• Pastoral Charge 00:32:41 ▶️ 📄
  > Abstain from taking the communion elements
• Pastoral Charge 00:33:23 ▶️ 📄
  > Accept Christ as Lord and Savior
• Pastoral Charge 00:33:23 ▶️ 📄
  > Come forward to prepare and serve the communion elements
• Pastoral Charge 00:33:40 ▶️ 📄
  > Pick up both cups (one containing bread, one containing juice) when receiving the elements

[00:00:00] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_00]
[00:00:00] Well, we are gathered here today to worship on the Sunday before Labor Day.
[00:00:06] According to the United States Department of Labor, Labor Day is an annual celebration of the social and economic achievements of American workers.
[00:00:16] The holiday is rooted in the late 19th century when labor activists pushed for a federal holiday to recognize the many contributions workers have made to America's strength, prosperity, and well-being.
[00:00:30] The first Labor Day holiday was celebrated on Tuesday, September 5th, 1882, in New York City.
[00:00:38] On June 28th, 1894, Congress passed an act making the first Monday in September of each year a legal holiday.
[00:00:48] In 1909, the Sunday preceding Labor Day was adopted as Labor Sunday, that's today, and dedicated to the spiritual and educational aspects of the labor movement.
[00:00:59] Many Americans celebrate Labor Day with parades and parties.
[00:01:04] Festivities very similar to those outlined by the first proposal for a holiday, which suggested that the day should be observed with a street parade, followed by a festival for the recreation and amusement of the workers and their families.
[00:01:19] Now, for many people in America today, Labor Day is seen as just another three-day weekend.
[00:01:25] end. It's been referred to as the unofficial end of summer. It's that time of year when recreation and amusement come to an end as people return to work and as students return to school.
[00:01:40] Interestingly, Labor Day is a day to celebrate work by resting. Now, as believers, we're called to examine all aspects of our society, all aspects of our lives through the lens of Scripture. That's what it means to have a biblical worldview, a Christian worldview. In Acts 17, this is the
[00:02:02] approach taken by the Bereans who compared what they heard to the Word of God, examining the Scriptures daily. Now, we can develop a theology of work and a theology of rest based on God's Word,
[00:02:16] but on this Labor Sunday, as we are gathered to observe communion, that is to remember Christ's work on our behalf, we're going to turn the spotlight on two relevant focal points from God's Word. Two relevant focal points, the promised rest of God and the completed work of Christ.
[00:02:37] The promised rest of God and the completed work of Christ. And within each of these focal points, we'll cover some important principles. And the goal for today is to come away with a clear understanding that our future rest in Christ is based on His completed work. We're going to be
[00:02:57] examining two passages of Scripture today, both of which are found in the book of Hebrews. I invite you to take your copy of God's Word and turn to the fourth chapter of Hebrews. As you're turning
[00:03:08] there now and before we dive in, we need a brief overview of the context of this glorious book of the New Testament. The book of Hebrews, which is referred to as an epistle, essentially is a
[00:03:21] sermon in written form addressed to a group of Jewish Christians who were being persecuted and they were considering leaving the Christian faith to return to their old ways of Judaism.
[00:03:35] The unidentified author writes to exhort and encourage the audience while at the same time issuing them warnings about what would happen if they turn back. The passage we're going to study now is part of the author's warning about the promised rest of God. He reminds the audience
[00:03:55] about their ancestors, going back to Psalm 95, referencing an earlier generation of Israelites, the wilderness generation, who were unable to enter into God's rest due to their lack of faith.
[00:04:09] He's encouraging them not to behave like their ancestors, to persevere, to continue in faith because it remains possible for them to enter into God's rest.
[00:04:21] So let's examine the promised rest of God.
[00:04:24] Hebrews chapter four, starting in verse one.
[00:04:28] Therefore, while the promise of entering his rest still stands, let us fear lest any of you should seem to have failed to reach it.
[00:04:36] For good news came to us just as to them, but the message they heard did not benefit them, because they were not united by faith with those who listened. For we who have believed enter that
[00:04:50] rest, as he has said, and this is from Psalm 95, as I swore in my wrath they shall not enter my rest, although his works were finished from the foundation of the world. For he has somewhere
[00:05:00] spoken of the seventh day in this way, and God rested on the seventh day from all his works.
[00:05:06] And again in this passage, he said, they shall not enter my rest.
[00:05:10] Since therefore it remains for some to enter it, and those who formerly received the good news failed to enter because of disobedience, again he appoints a certain day, today, saying through David so long afterward,
[00:05:24] and the words are already quoted, today if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts.
[00:05:29] For if Joshua had given them rest, God would not have spoken of another day later on.
[00:05:36] So then, there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God.
[00:05:42] For whoever has entered God's rest has also rested from his works as God did from his.
[00:05:49] Let us therefore strive to enter that rest so that no one may fall by the same sort of disobedience.
[00:05:58] Verse 1, the author begins, Now anytime we read that in the Bible, we need to go back a few verses and get a running start to understand the context.
[00:06:06] So we go back to how the author ended chapter 3.
[00:06:09] There he says, So we see that they were unable to enter because of unbelief.
[00:06:16] That earlier generation of Israelites, those who provoked the Lord, who sinned, who were disobedient, these people were unable to enter rest.
[00:06:26] But look here as verse 1 continues.
[00:06:29] The promise of entering rest still stands for the audience and for us today.
[00:06:36] Acts 10 35 says that in every nation anyone who fears God and does what is right is acceptable to him fear generates a response and fear of failing to reach this promised rest should be motivation
[00:06:54] for the audience and for us today verse 2 the author uses two different terms that reference God's word he says good news and the message the promise that's another reference to something spoken, of entering God's rest still stands. But obtaining that promised rest requires belief.
[00:07:18] The generation referenced in Psalm 95 did not benefit from the message because they were not united by faith. The phrase united by faith with those who listened can be rendered it did not meet with faith in the hearers. The response of the wilderness generation to God's promise,
[00:07:38] his word, was unbelief. Because they did not respond with faith, they did not benefit from the word. But look at the contrast in verse 3. For we who have believed the message enter that rest. Faith in God's word is necessary to enter his promised rest. The word, according to
[00:08:04] John 1, is a person, God the Son, Jesus Christ. If we don't believe him, we cannot have rest.
[00:08:15] As Warren Wiersbe notes, the way we treat the word of God is the way we treat the God of the word.
[00:08:25] Now, leading into verse 4 here, the author establishes that God's rest began long before the wilderness generation and long before the reference to rest in Psalm 95 and here in Hebrews 4. In verse 4, the reference is to Genesis 2, verse 2, and the point here is that God rested
[00:08:44] from his works. He entered into rest after he completed his work of creation. And we know from the text here that he provides rest because it says, enter my rest. Now over the next several
[00:08:59] verses, the author explains that the rest that was available to that Israelite generation many years ago, but not attained, still remains available for some to enter it. It is open, but faith is required to enter into that rest. And look now at verse 9. The author writes, so then there remains
[00:09:22] a Sabbath rest for the people of God. This is the promised rest of God. It remained available for the audience of this epistle, and it is available for us today. Now, we need to understand
[00:09:40] what this means. What is Sabbath rest? What rest is available for the people of God? Well, the Greek word for rest that is used here means to cease one's work or activity, resulting in a
[00:09:53] period of rest. We all understand what rest means, but we also acknowledge that we never fully experience rest in this fallen world. But praise God that there will be a future day when we do
[00:10:13] experience true full rest, when we are in heaven with the Lord. Now this Sabbath rest can have several different components. We're going to highlight five specifically. Number one, Sabbath rest involves rest from labor. Rest from labor. We will rest from our works as God rested
[00:10:35] from his works. Now as believers, when we're in the new heaven and the new earth, we will be engaged in work, but it won't be laborious. It won't involve toil and trouble. We will have rest
[00:10:48] from labor. Number two, we'll have rest from enemies. Perhaps that's something you're struggling with today. You're encountering opposition. We'll have rest from enemies. We could include here, we will have rest from the enemy. Number three, we'll have rest from worry. Perhaps that's a
[00:11:09] challenge for you today. You're worried about a relationship, finances, a health issue, some job situation in heaven with the Lord, we will have rest from worry. Number four, we'll have rest from sin. We can't fully comprehend that. We've only known what it's
[00:11:31] like to live in a fallen world tainted by sin. But in heaven, when we're in that place of rest with God, we'll have rest from sin. It's this Sabbath rest to which we look forward with great
[00:11:43] hope. Trusting that one day our labors will cease and we will experience true rest with Christ.
[00:11:51] Number five, all this rest is rest that is permanent in heaven, at peace in the presence of God. What a glorious experience that will be. Eight times in this warning passage, going back to chapter three, verse seven, the author uses the Greek term for rest that means place of rest.
[00:12:16] It helps us understand what it means to enter God's rest.
[00:12:20] It's his place of rest that remains open to us.
[00:12:24] And the author's warning that faith is required to enter that place of rest.
[00:12:30] Verse 10, entering into God's rest gives us rest from our works.
[00:12:34] The rest here is ceasing of activity.
[00:12:37] When we complete our work, we receive rest.
[00:12:41] And then verse 11, he says, let us therefore, here's his exhortation.
[00:12:45] What does therefore point to?
[00:12:47] It's the promised rest of God. Since it remains available, let us strive to enter it. Why? So that we can avoid the fate of the Israelites in the wilderness generation. We don't want to fall
[00:12:59] away from the living God by disobedience, by unbelief. We can summarize the impact of this first passage in this manner. There is a future time of rest for believers. So what does that mean for us today? Let's get to work. Striving to enter that rest means persevering in faith
[00:13:24] and obedience. 1 Corinthians 15.58 exhorts, Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain. What are we going to work on?
[00:13:42] living a life of faith and obedience. John 14, 15, Jesus says, if you love me, you will keep my commandments. That is obedience. We can get to work in making disciples. We can get to work
[00:13:59] completing good works in service to Christ and his church. Galatians 1, 10 calls us to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing
[00:14:12] in the knowledge of God.
[00:14:15] And whatever we do, we are called to work heartily as for the Lord and not for man.
[00:14:22] Colossians 3.23 So let's get to work for Christ.
[00:14:28] We can rest once we get to heaven.
[00:14:33] Are you looking forward to that future day of rest?
[00:14:38] Having placed your faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.
[00:14:43] This brings us to our second relevant focal point for today, the completed work of Christ. Because you see, the completed work of Christ makes it possible for us to reach the promised rest of God.
[00:15:03] What does that mean? Well, we do not have right standing before God without Christ's completed work, Romans 3, 24, and 25. We are reconciled to God through Christ's completed work, Romans 5, 10.
[00:15:18] Think about that. How can we be at rest if we are not reconciled to God? Our second passage today is a little further along in the book of Hebrews. Turn a few pages forward to chapter 10. We'll pick
[00:15:33] up in verse 11 there in a moment. Now, between chapters 4 and 10, the author devotes a lot of attention to the priesthood of Christ. Chapter 9 focuses on the blood of Christ's priesthood and
[00:15:44] highlights several significant results of Christ's sacrifice. It secures an eternal redemption. It purifies the conscience. It provides an eternal inheritance. Chapter 10 adds that it provides final forgiveness of sins. All of this is accomplished by the final sufficient sacrifice
[00:16:03] of Jesus Christ. That is where we turn now. Let's take a look at the completed work of Christ, Hebrews chapter 10, starting in verse 11.
[00:16:34] his feet. For by a single offering, he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified. Verse 11, every priest stands daily offering repeatedly. Here the author highlights the futility of the work of the priest. His work is never complete and the same sacrifices every
[00:16:57] priest offers can never take away sins. Verse 12, but when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, what happened? He sat down at the right hand of God. Christ's sacrificial work
[00:17:15] is complete. Remember what he said on the cross. It is finished. You don't sit down until your work is complete. The sacrificial work of Jesus Christ was needed only once. In verse 10, it's described
[00:17:34] as once for all. Here in verse 12, Christ's work is described as for all time a single sacrifice for sins. One single sufficient sacrifice to take away sins, to sanctify believers. Verse 13, from the time that he sat down, Christ has been waiting until his enemies should be made a
[00:17:55] footstool for his feet. This is a reference to Psalm 110 verse 1, which is the most quoted Old Testament verse in the New Testament. And for the purposes of this epistle, it highlights the ultimate authority granted to Christ. He's seated at the right hand of God the Father as he waits
[00:18:16] for his enemies to be made his footstool. And here the author points out what Christ is doing with all authority. He is seated because his sacrificial work is complete. Verse 14, Christ's single sacrifice has perfected for all time. That is perfected or purified. He perfects those who draw
[00:18:38] near to God. He provides access to God. Who has been perfected for all time? Those who are being sanctified. As the author says, we, that is himself and the audience, believers in Christ.
[00:18:56] Our sanctification would not be possible without the completed sacrificial work of Christ.
[00:19:02] So what does this mean for us today? Well, the completed work of Christ is cause for three responses. The completed work of Christ is cause for three responses. Number one, repentance.
[00:19:20] Christ died for us, so let us live for him. And to do so requires repentance. The Greek word for repentance means a change in mind and reflects a total change in thought, attitude, and behavior.
[00:19:40] It's when you come to realization that what you are doing needs to change. You need a 180 degree turn. Second Corinthians 7.10 declares, for godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death. So, you say, there's nothing from
[00:20:04] which I need to repent. Well, don't fall for that deception. The Bible says all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, Romans 3.23. Our sin, that is our thoughts, our attitudes, and behaviors
[00:20:22] that create separation from God should grieve us to the point that we repent, that we turn from sin, that we change our behavior. It's not that repentance adds works to the gospel.
[00:20:42] It's that repentance is proof that one is saved. If one's repentance is genuine, there will be a change in behavior. The first word of the preaching of Jesus as recorded in Matthew 4.17 is repent. In Acts 17 30, the Apostle Paul says that God commands all people everywhere to repent.
[00:21:08] And in Mark 1 verses 14 and 15, we find a direct link between repentance and faith. Now after John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee proclaiming the gospel of God and saying the time is fulfilled
[00:21:22] and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent and believe in the gospel. So it's helpful for us to think of repentance and faith as two sides of the same coin. So let's say I'm facing my sin.
[00:21:40] We turn away from sin. That's repentance. But the action doesn't stop there. We have to do something next. We turn to Christ in faith. Turn away from sin, repentance. Turn to Christ, faith. And we don't get to keep our sin when we come to Christ. He's holy, and he has expectations
[00:22:05] for his followers. But why would we want to keep our sin? Why wouldn't we desire to repent?
[00:22:15] Sin brings death, despair, bondage. Jesus offers abundant life, joy, freedom. Turning away from sin is hard, but Jesus is worth it. Have you repented of your sins? The completed work of Christ is cause for repentance. Number two, it is cause for reliance. It is cause for reliance.
[00:22:52] this means we rely solely on Christ's work for our salvation. At the end of Hebrews chapter 3, the author notes that the Israelites were unable to enter into rest because of unbelief. The Greek term there for unbelief means to refuse to put one's trust or reliance in something or someone.
[00:23:13] It's not merely a lack of faith, it's a refusal to believe. Not relying on Christ is the opposite of faith. By faith, we rely on Christ's work. There's nothing we can do to earn our salvation.
[00:23:32] It's not a result of works. We'll get to that passage in a few moments. Now, this is somewhat counterintuitive. We are a society that works, especially here in the Triangle. The current national unemployment rate is 4.1%. In Wake County, that rate is approximately 3%. This means
[00:23:52] that 97% of our labor force is employed, is working. Many of you here today have advanced college degrees representing multiple years of educational work. According to the Research Triangle Regional Partnership, this region of North Carolina has the fourth highest concentration
[00:24:13] of PhDs in the United States. We are a community that knows how to work, that values work. So it's understandable that you may think you have to work for your salvation, but no, today that simply is
[00:24:29] not true. Romans 4, the Apostle Paul declares, to the one who does not work but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness. It's not our work that grants us righteousness, that accomplishes forgiveness
[00:25:09] of sins. It's the work of Christ on our behalf. What is required of those of us who have grown up in a society that rewards hard work? Faith. In John 6, we read of an exchange between Jesus and
[00:25:28] his disciples, and they're asking him, what does it mean to do the works of God? John 6, 29, Jesus says it simply, this is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent. Believe in Jesus
[00:25:43] Christ. He has completed the necessary work. In his book titled, The Normal Christian Life, Watchman Nee tells a story about going swimming with a group of people. He writes, on one occasion, a brother got a cramp in his leg and I suddenly saw he was sinking fast.
[00:26:05] So I motioned to another brother who was an expert swimmer to hasten to his rescue. But to my astonishment, he made no move. Growing desperate, I cried out, don't you see the man is drowning?
[00:26:18] And the other brothers, about as agitated as I was, shouted vigorously too. But our good swimmer still did not move. Calm and collected, he remained just where he was, apparently postponing the unwelcome task. Meantime, the voice of the poor drowning brother grew fainter and his efforts
[00:26:36] feebler. In my heart, I said, I hate that man. Think of his letting a brother drown before his very eyes and not going to the rescue. But when the man was actually sinking, with a few swift
[00:26:48] strokes, the swimmer was at his side, and both were soon safely ashore. Nevertheless, when I got an opportunity, I aired my views. I've never seen any Christian who loved his life quite as much as
[00:27:01] you do, I said. Think of the distress you would have saved that brother if you had considered yourself a little less and him a little more. But the swimmer, I soon discovered, knew his business
[00:27:14] better than I did. Had I gone earlier, he said, he would have clutched me so fast that both of us would have gone under. A drowning man cannot be saved until he is utterly exhausted and ceases
[00:27:30] to make the slightest effort to save himself.
[00:27:37] Friends, if you have not yet done so, stop working and start surrendering.
[00:27:45] Stop trying to save yourself.
[00:27:48] Acknowledge that you need a savior.
[00:27:52] Come to the Lord with empty hands and say to him, I have nothing to offer.
[00:27:57] I am relying on your work.
[00:28:02] The completed work of Christ is cause for repentance.
[00:28:06] It's cause for reliance.
[00:28:08] And finally, number three, it is cause for remembrance.
[00:28:11] It's cause for remembrance.
[00:28:13] Romans 5, 8 declares, but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
[00:28:21] We must never forget Christ's sacrifice.
[00:28:25] In the Old Testament, the Israelites would memorialize significant events by setting up stones.
[00:28:31] Today, you may find statues of significant historical figures or memorials that have been established to remember significant events.
[00:28:40] The cross is a symbol of Christ's sacrifice.
[00:28:44] And we have a regular exercise that reminds us.
[00:28:48] When he instituted the Lord's Supper, which we will observe in just a few moments, Jesus instructed his disciples to take the bread and the cup in remembrance of him.
[00:28:58] But let's not limit that remembrance to the practice of communion.
[00:29:04] When we go to work, when we contemplate work, when we celebrate work, even when we stop working momentarily to rest, let us remember the work of Christ.
[00:29:17] And may it spur us to repentance and obedience.
[00:29:22] The completed work of Christ is cause for remembrance.
[00:29:25] I close with the reading of a popular section of the Apostle Paul's letter to the church at Ephesus. This section encapsulates well what we've covered here today. Ephesians chapter 2, starting in verse 1, in the passions of our flesh,
[00:29:59] carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath like the rest of mankind.
[00:30:06] But God, being rich in mercy because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ.
[00:30:19] By grace you have been saved and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace
[00:30:31] in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.
[00:30:35] For by grace you have been saved through faith.
[00:30:39] And this is not your own doing.
[00:30:41] It is the gift of God, not a result of works so that no one may boast.
[00:30:47] For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.
[00:30:57] believers created in Christ Jesus for good works. If you're a believer today, know that you can rest once you get to heaven. Until then, let's get to work. Our salvation is by grace through faith.
[00:31:15] It's a gift from God, not a result of works. If you're an unbeliever today, find comfort in the wonderful truth that no amount of your work will result in salvation. When we work to earn God's
[00:31:27] favor or achieve salvation, we labor in vain. On this Labor Day 2026, are you resting in the completed work of Christ for salvation? If so, spend time thanking him and praising him for what he's done. Alternatively, are you still working to obtain something that is only available by God's
[00:31:56] grace, stop working and start surrendering. You won't find true rest unless you come to Christ.
[00:32:07] Let's pray. Father, we thank you for your word. We thank you for this great promise of rest that you, the one who made that promise, are faithful. And that by placing our faith in you and relying on
[00:32:26] the completed work of Christ that one day we will be at rest with you in your presence. So help us to remember these truths each day, relying on the completed work of Christ as we seek to live lives
[00:32:41] of faith and obedience. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen. Well, we transition now to the observance of communion. If you are a believer, if you professed faith in Christ as your Lord and Savior, we invite you to partake with us today. If you're not yet a believer, if you've not professed faith
[00:33:04] in Christ, we ask that you allow the plates to pass without taking the elements. However, there remains time right now for you to pray, confess that you're a sinner, that you need a Savior. And we invite you to do that now, to accept Christ as Lord and Savior. I invite the deacons to
[00:33:23] come forward now to prepare to serve the elements. Now we're trying something new this time. You'll notice as you receive the plate that there are two cups in each spot. This is intentional. There's one cup stacked inside of another. So as you remove your elements, make sure you pick up both
[00:33:40] cups. You'll notice that one contains the bread and one contains the juice. As the music begins now and the deacons start to distribute the elements.
[00:33:50] I invite you to spend time in quiet meditation, remembering Christ's work on our behalf.
[00:37:31] 1 Corinthians chapter 11, the Apostle Paul writes, For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread.
[00:37:43] And when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, This is my body, which is for you.
[00:37:48] Do this in remembrance of me.
[00:37:52] let us partake. In the same way, also he took the cup after supper saying, this cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this as often as you drink it in remembrance of me. For as often as
[00:38:14] you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes. Let's partake.
[00:38:28] Join me as we pray. Father, thank you for this time. Thank you for Christ's sacrifice on our behalf may we always remember what you have done for us and may we live in light of these truths
[00:38:47] for you, pointing others to you for your glory in Jesus name we pray