The Seventh Day: A Sign Beckoning You To God's Rest (Gen 2:1-3)

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The Seventh Day: A Sign Beckoning You To God's Rest (Gen 2:1-3)

November 12, 2023 • David Schrock • Genesis 2:1–3

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On Sunday, we come to the Lord’s Day, a day that many have termed the Christian Sabbath. Going back to the time of Constantine, the Sabbath has been treated as a day of physical rest. In fact, our own country established it as day of rest, complete with blue laws, to honor the Sabbath and keep it holy. Yet, is that what Genesis 2:1–3 means when God says that he blessed the seventh day and made it holy? On Sunday, we are going to consider those very things.

In Genesis, the seventh day should be something assigned to the opening prologue (Genesis 1:1–31). As Genesis goes, the book of the generations of the heavens and the earth begins in Genesis 2:4 and goes through Genesis 4:26. In Genesis, the whole book is built around ten statements of the generations. But before that Genesis 1:1–2:3 is a section that introduces the whole of creation in seven days.

As I will try to show on Sunday, man was created on Day 6 *for* Day 7. That means that Day 6 was not the pinnacle of creation, Day 7 was. But what was Day 7 for? That is what we will consider on Sunday as we consider how this final day of the creation week culminated God’s very good creation. Even more, we will see how this day promises rest for all those who find Jesus Christ, the Lord of the Sabbath.

Truly, if you are feeling weary and heavy laden, if the burdens of life and sin are plaguing you, this message about God’s gift of rest is something you will want to hear. To prepare for Sunday, take time to Read Genesis 1:1–2:4. But also read Psalm 92 and Hebrews 4 and pray that the Lord would give you rest in Christ, who is bringing new creation glory to all those who are being remade in his image. This is what holiness looks like and it is something we will consider in detail on Sunday.

As the Lord allows, I look forward to seeing you this Lord’s Day.

For His Glory and your joy in Jesus,

Pastor David

As a reminder, the County Center Community Group is in our overflow downstairs this Sunday.

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Discussion & Response Questions (Genesis 2:1-3)

Discussion Questions for Genesis 2:1–3

1. How do these verses connect to Genesis 1:1–31 and what comes next in Genesis 2:4 and following?

2. What is unique about this passage? What are the key ideas expressed in the passage?

3. Are there any commands in this passage? Any direction for keeping Sabbath as a weekly pattern?

4. What does it mean that God rested? How does this day of rest relate to the other six days of creation?

5. What does it mean that he blessed this day and made it holy?

6. How does a comparison of this passage to other uses of the word ‘holy’ inform the meaning of this day?

7. How did the Sabbath operate in Israel? Did Jesus change that weekly pattern? How? See Matthew 11:28–12:6.

8. What does it mean to find rest today? How does the Sabbath relate to the temple and to the church?

9. Where can you find rest today? What does that actually look like?

10. How does Genesis 2:1–3 make you long for heaven?

More from Creation & Covenant: Genesis 1-3

The Way Out Reveals the Wisdom, Justice, and Mercy of God (Genesis 3:20-24)

March 3, 2024 • David Schrock • Genesis 1—3, Genesis 3:20–24

The Way of God: A Threefold Curse and Consolation (Gen. 3:14-19)

February 25, 2024 • David Schrock • Genesis 3:14–19

He Gets Us: Reimagining the Fallout of Adam and Eve's Sin (Gen. 3:7b-13)

February 18, 2024 • David Schrock • Genesis 3:7–13

Dear OBC Family, If I had to outline Genesis 3, it would fall under the following headings. Genesis 3:1–6: The Fall. Genesis 3:7–13: The Fallout. Genesis 3:14–24: The Way Out. In these three steps, we get a sense of what happens to the first man and woman. First, seeking to be wise, they became fools. They broke God’s law, ate of the fruit, and invited judgment. Yet, before death came, God came. He entered the garden to find the fallout of sin. And then, after questioning the couple, he pronounced a judgment. That judgment led to Adam and Eve’s removal from the Garden. Yet, in that good judgment, the Lord God also pronounced good news. In Genesis 3:15 he declared that salvation was coming through the woman’s seed. Next week, we’ll see that promise in full. But this Sunday we must consider the fallout of Adam’s sin and Eve’s deception. And by looking square in the face of wreckage, it will reveal much about our own sin and its effects. Wonderfully, we can approach this Garden with the full knowledge of Jesus Christ. Yet, we still need to learn afresh how heinous sin is. And so, as you prepare for Sunday, pray for God to see our sin and to hate our sin. For truly, sin is the source of all death, despair, and destruction. And yet, because we are born in Adam, we do not hate sin—our sin!—as we ought. And that is our aim for Sunday. To prepare, go ahead and read Genesis 3. You may also find it helpful if you read Matthew 6, which will be connected to Genesis 3 on Sunday. As the Lord allows, I hope to see you Sunday. For His Glory and your joy in Christ, Pastor David -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Discussion & Response Questions (Genesis 3:7 – 13) What does 3:8 reveal about the fellowship with God that existed prior to sin? What does this text reveal about the effects of sin upon mankind’s relationship to God? Consider Adam and Eve’s response to their shame. What is the effect of their clothing? Does clothing allow them to walk with God? God knows all things. Consider then the significance God’s questions for Adam and Eve in verses 9, 10, and 13. Why does God ask questions? In what ways do we seek to hide because of our sin? What happens when we hide? What happens when our sin is exposed? Instead of taking responsibility for sin, consider the blaming that takes place. Who is blamed? Does blaming another remove one’s responsibility? Why or why not? How does God deal with our guilt and shame in the Gospel? What does the Bible teach us about clothing? (Consider how Scripture speaks about clothing from Genesis to Revelation). How ought we to respond to this text?