Sabbath: The “posture” of Jubilee
Passages: Genesis 1:26-27, Matthew 6:31-33, Leviticus 25:8-12,
John 15:4-5
Preacher: Mark Kingston
I believe Jubilee is our calling in this next chapter of our life together as a church. Jubilee brings four incredible gifts: Forgiveness, Freedom, Restoration, and Fullness. The question is, “How do we step into this? What’s our role in making Jubilee a reality?”
Our instinct? Get busy. Do more. Plan better. Work harder. But what if we’ve got it backwards? What if Jubilee isn’t achieved by striving, but by stopping? What if the key to this life of abundance isn’t in our effort, but in our ability to trust?
The bible is clear: you prepare for Jubilee by living in a Sabbath. You might know Sabbath best as a day of rest. But I want to suggest that it is more than that: it's a radical a way of being, all day everyday.
Sabbath is God’s invitation to trust. A radical shift from striving to resting. In the very beginning, God set rest as our starting point, not the reward for hard work. Jubilee itself was launched not through action, but through stillness—an entire year of ceasing, trusting, and watching God provide.
And Jesus? He lived this trust fully, sleeping through storms, unshaken by chaos, moving at the pace of His Father's will rather than human urgency.
Sabbath is more than a break; it’s way of living that declares "God is enough!" even (or especially) when circumstances suggest otherwise.
So - what does this mean for us as we explore our Jubilee calling? Jesus’ words in John 15 sum it up: Abide in me. Stay connected to the Vine. This is our calling—not to get busy, but to learn how to "abide". To seek out God's presence. To listen for His words. To enjoy His rest.
The fruit we desire - forgiveness, freedom, belonging, and God’s abundance - aren’t things we can force into being. They are the natural overflow of abiding in Him. Just like a branch doesn’t strain to bear fruit, we don’t manufacture Jubilee through our own effort. We receive it by remaining in Him.
So here’s our challenge: let's resist the urge to get busy! Instead, let's slow down. Let's try trusting more. Let's root ourselves in God’s presence. When we do that, God promises that "the harvest is sure to be abundant" (John 15:5, The Message)
Questions
Think through the "goods" of Jubilee. Which one do you long to see most? Why? Share a story with the group….
Do you find it easy to fill life with busyness? If yes, why? If not, what made a difference?
Share a story of a time when you experienced God’s rest, when you truly relaxed in His care. What was it like? What happened?
How might we prioritize and practice "Sabbath-as-a-way-of-life" both personally and as a church in the weeks and months ahead as our preparation for Jubilee? Be practical...
If God releases us into a season of Jubilee, things might get busy as stories get out and people come seeking Him. How can we maintain a Sabbath posture in the midst of that? How did Jesus model this for us?
