READ | SERMON NOTES
SUMMARY l 2026 is the year of Sabbath rest, but only about 48 percent of us in Wesley observe a day of Sabbath. Isaiah was speaking to people who appeared very religious on the surface; they were fasting yet fighting. Their religious practices did not shape their relationships or transform their hearts. From v6–12, God explains that true fasting is not merely abstaining from food, it is a life that moves towards compassion, justice and lifting the burdens of others. In v13–14, God accuses the people of trampling on the Sabbath when it should be a delight. They were delighting in their own pleasures rather than in God.
Sabbath is more than a day when we stop working; it is a day set apart for God. It is a day to re-orientate our lives around Him, offering our time to Him. According to Jewish tradition, Sabbath begins at sundown and we wake up to what God is doing. Sabbath is a gift that frees us from worshipping ourselves and our things; it turns our hearts back to God, who gives true life and empowers us to worship Him with joy.
John Mark Comer shares that Sabbath can become a true delight for us when we:
- Stop
Think: “What slows me down?” “Am I stopping what I normally do on a workday?” - Rest
Think: “Does this refill my soul?” “Does this restore me emotionally, intellectually, physically or spiritually?” - Delight
Think: “Does this bring me deep joy in God?” “Am I naturally grateful, happy or connected to God?” - Worship
Think: “Does this fix my attention on Jesus?” “Does this activity draw me deeper into God’s goodness?” “Do I come alive to His wonders and respond in praise?”
Some think Sabbath-keeping is only possible for the rich or retired. This is not true. Sabbath is for everyone. All of us can practise delighting in God and worshipping Him with our whole being. Sabbath-keeping is not about shaping one day but learning how to dwell in His presence for the other six days as well.
When Sabbath becomes a delight, we are invited to enjoy it, not be spiritually exhausted. Delight and worship are what we are drawn into on the Sabbath. When we are tired, we often lack the energy to do things that restore our souls. We tend to drift towards distractions and entertainment, as these demand little from us, but they do not renew us, bring lasting joy or draw us into God’s presence. Therefore, the Sabbath is God’s invitation to restore joy in our lives.
John Mark Comer highlights three things we need to understand about joy:
- An emotion we feel
A sense of happiness when our hearts are lifted. Think of moments when we have experienced deep, genuine joy. - A condition we grow into
A state of the soul that remains joyful even when things are not going well. Joy is a virtue, an aspect of the fruit of the Spirit. It is an inner posture that develops over time. - A practice of our volition
We also choose joy. Being joyful is an act of the will. It is not always easy and sometimes feels more like obedience than emotion. We practise joy so that it can take root in us. It is alright to complain, but we should stop to celebrate instead of being fixated on ceaseless complaints.
Sabbath is a discipline of celebration; it trains us to be people of joy. On the Sabbath, we focus our delight in:
- God’s world
We slow down to taste and see the goodness of creation. God uses nature to reveal Himself to us. - Our own life in God’s world
We slow down to notice the goodness God has woven into our ordinary days. We are not tourists wandering aimlessly but pilgrims moving towards God. Our lives have direction and meaning. Reflect: “Where have I seen God’s hand in my life?” “What is God nurturing in me now?” “What joy is God inviting me to savour?” Sabbath invites us to enjoy life in simple, grounded ways that nurture our souls, such as reading, walking and playing. Sabbath delight is also communal and best practised with others. When was your last great conversation? Delight grows when it is shared, and good conversations awaken us. - God Himself
We delight in the gifts God has given, but we also delight in the Giver. We turn our attention to Him with affection, gratitude and wonder. There is great value in moments of delight through journalling, poetry, Scripture or worship, as we build our spiritual storehouse for the future. When days are hard, these memories of God’s goodness will help us persevere.
Sabbath-keeping gives us space and lifts our eyes to see God in both beauty and brokenness. Psalm 121:1–2: “I lift up my eyes to the hills – from where will my help come? My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth.” The true source of joy is God. Sabbath is more than a rule to obey; it is a sanctuary for our souls to experience the sweetness of friendship with Him.
Oscar Wilde said, “We are all in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars.”
(Sermon notes by Honey Vreugdewater)
PONDER | REFLECTION QUESTIONS
- Study Scripture
a. In the Isaiah 58:13-14 passage, what are the people delighting in, and what are they failing to delight in?
b. What promises does God attach to Sabbath delight, and what do these promises reveal about His heart?
c. How does Isaiah 58:13–14 sit within the larger context of Isaiah 58, especially the call to justice and compassion? - Recall Sermon
a. Which part of the four elements of Sabbath (Stop, Rest, Delight, Worship) felt most clarifying or challenging?
b. What are the three things about joy mentioned by the pastor? Elaborate how they are different from one another. - Relate Personally
a. Which of the four elements of Sabbath (Stop, Rest, Delight, Worship) is hardest for you to practise, and why?
b. In Sabbath, we can focus our delight in three areas. Which are you most familiar with, and which are you least familiar with?
c. “We are all in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars.” (Oscar Wilde) Where do you sense God inviting you to lift your head from the “gutter” and to look toward the “stars”? - Commit to Action
a. What is one practice that helps you delight in God’s world – creation, beauty, nature, or the gifts of the season?
b. What is one way you can intentionally delight in your life in God’s world – gratitude, slowing down, enjoying your family, or receiving God’s care?
c. What is one small act of worship you can incorporate into your Sabbath that helps you enjoy God Himself?
d. What will you do this week to honour the Sabbath as a day that belongs to God, not to your own striving?
