How does God use time to set apart his people from the pagan nations?
The sanctification of time created purposeful rhythms for God’s people to relate to him and each other according to God’s creative and redemptive purposes.
I. Sabbath: God’s weekly microcosmic recalibrating rhythm – God’s purpose in your day-to-day routines (Lev. 23:1-3, Gen. 2:1-3, Ex. 20:9-11, Deut. 5:13-15).
II. God’s festival calendar: His cosmic, revelatory, redemptive masterplan (Lev. 23:1-44).
a. Spring festivals – Messiah’s first coming: Passover (Luke 22:15), unleavened bread (1 Cor. 5:7-8), first fruits (1 Cor. 15:20, 23), Pentecost (Acts 2:1-4), Lev. 23:4-22.
b. Fall festivals – Messiah’s second coming: Feast of trumpets (Is. 27:12-13, Matt. 24:29-31, 1 Thess. 4:16), day of atonement (Zech. 12:10-13:1), feast of tabernacles (Zech. 14:16-19) Lev. 23:23-44.
III. The Sabbath year and the year of Jubilee: Releasing creation from the bondage of decay to eternal glory (Lev. 24-25, Rom. 8:18-24, Rev. 21-22).
Busyness is this world’s business.
Holiness is God’s.
Don’t trade the glory of eternity
For the false promises of this age’s mediocrity.
1. Do you make it a priority to regularly meet with God to recalibrate through worship both individually and in community? You are not a slave to the busyness of this world. In Christ you have been set free to enjoy the Sabbath of his resurrection victory.
2. Christ gave his people a mission. He will hold us accountable for this on his return. What will be the outcome of your life when he calls you to give an account of your stewardship? (See Matthew 25:14-30.)
