Rest and Celebrate

In one paragraph

This was the second of two weeks on Sukkot, the feast of tabernacles. Brian picked up where last week's conversation on rest left off, and turned the focus to what rest makes possible: genuine celebration of what God has done. Isaiah 61:10 was the anchor text. Before getting into the prepared message, Brian paused the service. He and Lissa had both sensed something unsettled in the room during...

Read together

1. Revelation 1 John in the Spirit on the Lord's day, vision of Jesus as barefoot priest walking among the lampstands
2. Isaiah 42:3 a flickering candle he will not snuff out, a bent reed he will not break
3. Song of Solomon the beloved resting in shade, asking to be fed fruit, pictured as resting in the finished work of the cross
4. James 4:6 God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble
5. Revelation 3:20 behold I stand at the door and knock, if you open I will come in and we will enjoy fellowship together
6. Isaiah 61:9-11 read aloud as the main passage for the sermon, covering descendants known among nations, garments of salvation, robe of righteousness, bridegroom and bride
7. Leviticus 23 these are the feasts of the Lord, establishing Sukkot as God's family tradition
8. Deuteronomy cited alongside Leviticus 23 as declaring these are the feasts of the Lord, not only of the Jews
9. John 1:29 Jesus is the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world, fulfilling Passover

What was said

• Build a sukkah this week, even something simple like a blanket fort or stringing paper chains across a backyard structure, and spend some time outside in it before Sukkot ends.
• Pick one thing in your life that feels hard or uncertain right now, and deliberately overlay it with God's goodness by thanking him for it out loud rather than rehearsing the worry.
• Sit outside one evening this week, look up at the stars or wrap up by a fire, and use that quiet to ask God whether you have drifted from him and need to recalibrate.
• If you have been carrying guilt or shame about past failures, take a moment to receive what Brian described as the outer garment of salvation, and stop reaching back into the closet for the old raggedy ones.
• If you have never invited Jesus into your life, do what Brian described: fall to your knees, repent, and ask him to be your savior and the leader of your life.

Talk about it

1. Brian talked about Jesus as the great high priest who walks among his people tending the lamps, making sure each one is burning well. What does it feel like to you to think of Jesus that attentive to your own life right now?
2. Several people shared dreams and visions that connected to the image in Isaiah 61 of being clothed in salvation and righteousness. Has God ever spoken to you through a dream, a picture, or an experience that made scripture feel personal and real? What happened?
3. Brian described the three purposes of celebrating the feasts of the Lord as remembering, rehearsing, and recalibrating. Which of those three do you feel you most need right now, and why?
4. The sermon described resting from striving to earn God's love as the foundation for being able to celebrate. Where in your life do you still find yourself trying to earn something from God rather than resting in what he has already done?
5. One person in the congregation said that being clothed in salvation felt like being invited into a family, and that being part of that family means you get to participate in the family traditions. What would it look like practically for you to lean into one of God's feasts this week before Sukkot ends?