The Heart of the Father: Lesson’s Learned From Sabbatical

John 1:1-4; 16-18

A sabbatical is supposed to be a time of rest.

~O.T. work the fields for 6 years, then give them a year

off.

~In the academic world: A time to be free of teaching duties and to do research, travel and writing.

~For us: A time of rest, reflection on the past years of ministry, and seeking God for what’s next. And sometimes I can be a slow learner!

So, in order to find what to do, I had to go back to the beginning…

Please stand for the reading of God’s Word:

John 1:1-4, 16-18 (NLT)

“In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God. ² He existed in the beginning with God. ³ God created everything through him, and nothing was created except through him. ⁴ The Word gave life to everything that was created, and his life brought light to everyone…From his abundance we have all received one gracious blessing after another. ¹⁷ For the law was given through Moses, but God’s unfailing love and faithfulness came through Jesus Christ. ¹⁸ No one has ever seen God. But the unique One, who is himself God, is near to the Father’s heart. He has revealed God to us.”

I love how John takes us back to the beginning, just like Genesis, where it all started. So since Jesus was there at the beginning, and we are created in their image, think about the first heartbeat of Adam when life was breathed into him! He was in rhythm with the Father’s heart.

~When a baby is born, the first thing they want for the new parents to do is have skin time, but actually, it is a way for the baby to hear their heartbeat…a sound very familiar to them as they were in the womb.

~According to John 13:23, the disciple John was leaning on Jesus’ chest as they were around the table at the Last Supper. I believe it was so he could hear his Master’s heart.

ILLUS: Stethoscope

-need to close out sounds of the world

-need to be quiet yourself

-The Twelve Disciples has Jesus with them, and they

Still struggled to know the Father’s heart.

John 14:9-11

^“Philip said to Him, “Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us.” ⁹ Jesus *said to him, “Have I been so long with you, and yet you have not come to know Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father; how can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? ¹⁰ Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father is in Me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on My own initiative, but the Father abiding in Me does His works. ¹¹ Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father is in Me; otherwise believe because of the works themselves

In the English language we have these little connecting words call “prepositions”. Their purpose is to create a phrase that shows direction, connection or relationship between elements in a sentence. I had an ‘ah ha’ moment during this time away. I needed to quit having conversations AT God and have conversations WITH God.

-Still bring all my needs to Him

-Express how I am feeling

-BUT…Take the time to be quiet &

listening for His response.

Why: Prioritize relationship with God over public

Ministry (Luke 6:12)

Personal Time with God (Matt. 6:6)

Encountering God more deeply in silence. (Mk 1:35)

Able to express authentic emotions privately

Get away from worldly distractions (Luke 5:16)

Maintain spiritual disciplines

Prayer over congregation:

Gracious God, thank you for wanting us close by so we can hear Your heartbeat. Cure our spiritual restlessness each morning to wait upon You. Help us live each and every day with Your power and grace so we can become the people after Your own heart.

Abide