Sunday Message

Understanding the Times

A TIME OF PAUSE AND PREPARATION FOR THE PASSOVER

Verses: 1Chro 12:32; Deut 5:12-14; Ps 46:10-11; Heb 13:20-21

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"of the sons of Issachar who had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do, their chiefs were two hundred, and all their brethren were at their command."

1 Chronicles 12:32

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1. They comprehended the circumstances in which their country was placed.
2. They marked the spirit which prevailed among the people.
3. They were well versed in political affairs.
4. They knew what course of action to take.

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Words being used today that have spiritual significance:

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UNDERLYING or PRE-EXISTING CONDITION

strongholds; root of the problem

"Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life."

Proverbs 4:23

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SELF-QUARANTINE or SOCIAL DISTANCING

separation; isolation

"Then the Lord struck the king, so that he was a leper until the day of his death; so he dwelt in an isolated house. And Jotham, the king’s son, was over the royal house, judging the people of the land. "

2 Kings 15:5

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LOCKDOWN or SHUTDOWN

Sabbath

"Observe the Sabbath day, to keep it holy, as the Lord your God commanded you. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but on the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord your God. In it you shall do no work: you, nor your son, nor your daughter, nor your male servant, nor your female servant, nor ox, nor your donkey, nor any of your cattle, nor your stranger who is within your gates, that your male servant and your female servant may rest as well as you."

Deut 5:12-14

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Kinds of Rest or Pause

1. Physical Rest

Means: No work

"There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from his own "

Heb 4:9-10

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2. Spiritual Rest

Means: "Selah” moment, a pause, an intermission

"Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth! The Lord of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah"

Ps 46:10-11  

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3.  Rest for the Land

Means: the soil is also to have a rest

"But in the seventh year the land is to have a sabbath of rest, a sabbath to the Lord. Do not sow your fields or prune your vineyards.  Do not reap what grows of itself or harvest the grapes of your untended vines. The land is to have a year of rest."

Lev 25:4-5  

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How do we use this time of rest to PREPARE?

Take ADVANTAGE of this time!

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Reflect. Rest. PREPARE!

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