JESUS' MINISTRY GOES VIRALLuke 4:14 - and news about Jesus spread throughout the entire vicinity.Luke 4:37 -And news about Jesus began to go out to every place in the vicinity.Luke 5:15 - But the news about Jesus spread even more, and large crowds would come together to hear Him and to be healed of their sicknesses.
JESUS SEEKS SOLITUDE & RESTLuke 5:16 - Yet He often withdrew to deserted places and prayed.Luke 4:42 -When it was day, He went out and made His way to a deserted place.
SABBATH
Hebrew – שַׁבָּת (Shabbat)
• Root: šāḇaṯ (שָׁבַת) — meaning “to cease, desist, rest, stop working.”
• First appears in Genesis 2:2–3 — God “rested from all His work” on the seventh day.
• The noun שַׁבָּת derives directly from this verb: “a ceasing, an intermission, a day of rest.”
• In Hebrew thought, Shabbat was not merely a break from activity but a positive turning toward God—to delight in His presence, creation, and covenant.
Exodus 20:8–10 - Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy: 9 You are to labor six days and do all your work, 10 but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God.
Colossians 2:16–17 - Therefore, don’t let anyone judge in the matter of… a Sabbath day. 17 These are a shadow of what was to come; the substance is the Messiah.
THE SUBSTANCE OF THE SABBATH (SOLITUDE & REST) IS FOUND IN THE SAVIOR.
Matthew 11:28 - Come to Me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
THE POINT OF SABBATH (SOLITUDE & REST) IS TO DWELL IN GOD'S PRESENCE.
Psalm 46:10 - Be still, and know that I am God.
HOW DO YOU FIND REST FOR YOUR WEARINESS?
PHYSICALLY (BODY)?
EMOTIONALLY & MENTALLY (MIND)?
SPIRITUALLY (SPIRIT)?
PRACTICING SOLITUDE & REST BRING SPIRITUAL RENEWAL TO GUARD AGAINST DIGITAL CULTURAL POLLUTION IN OUR LIVES.
Ephesians 4:22–24 - 22 You took off your former way of life, the old self that is {POLLUTED} by deceitful desires; 23 you are being renewed in the spirit of your minds; 24 you put on the new self, the one created according to God’s likeness in righteousness and purity of the truth.
THE PROCESS OF SOLITUDE & REST:
FILTER EXTERNAL POLLUTION (CULTURAL DISTRACTIONS & TEMPTATIONS)
CONTROL INTERNAL POLLUTION (PERSONAL DISTRACTIONS & TEMPTATIONS)
LISTEN FOR GOD'S VOICE (SPIRITUAL RENEWAL & RESTORATION)
Mark 1:35-37 - Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, He got up, went out, and made His way to a deserted place. And He was praying there. 36 Simon and his companions went searching for Him. 37 They found Him and said, “Everyone’s looking for You!”
JESUS OFTEN WITHDREW TO FIND REST AND RENEWAL, STRENGTHENED IN GOD’S PRESENCE TO CARRY OUT GOD’S PURPOSES.
Mark 6:30-31 - The apostles gathered around Jesus and reported to Him all that they had done and taught. 31 He said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a remote place and rest for a while.”
Isaiah 58:13–14 - if you call the Sabbath a delight, and the holy day of the Lord honorable; if you honor it, not going your own ways, seeking your own pleasure, or talking too much; 14 then you will delight yourself in the Lord.
CHALLENGE: 24 HOUR DIGITAL DETOX
SPEND 24 HOURS DISCONNECTED FROM YOUR DEVICE(S)
DURING YOUR 24 HOUR DIGITAL DETOX
DETERMINE DAILY 1 HOUR DIGITAL DETOX (FOR SELF & FAMILY)
SPEND TIME IN GODS WORD:
-READ
-LISTEN
-REFLECT
READ: ROMANS 12 - RENEWING OF THE MIND
READ: 1 KINGS 18 & 19 - ELIJAH HEARING THE VOICE OF GOD
READ: LUKE 4 & 5 - BEGINNING OF JESUS' MINISTRY AND HOW HE “OFTEN SOUGHT” GOD.
READ: BE STILL: REST & SOLITUDE IN A DIGITAL AGE (STUDY & RESEARCH)
