Introduction

Our passage for the New Year:

Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.   John 15:4-5 (ESV)

1. What does it mean to abide in Christ? To abide in our crucified Lord means to be at one with his person, will and purpose by remaining in personal communion with him so that we bear good fruit that is pleasing to the Father.

2. How can we abide in Christ this year? Sabbath Keeping

And on the seventh day God finished his work that he had done, and he rested on the seventh day from all his work that he had done. So God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it God rested from all his work that he had done in creation.   Genesis 2:2, 3 (ESV)

Shabat means to stop, cease, desist, rest.  The Shabbat is the seventh day in creation sanctified by God to be a day of rest (Gen. 2:3, 3) and commanded his people in the Law of Moses to observe it faithfully (Ex. 20:8). Since the resurrection of Jesus, the Messiah, the followers of Jesus have observed the Lord's Day, Sunday, as the Sabbath.

ECO Essential Tenets – "observe the Sabbath as a day of worship and rest, being faithful in gathering with the people of God"

3. How can I keep the Sabbath?

• Stop
• Rest 

Conclusion and Call to Respond: This week reflect on how you are keeping the Sabbath and surrender to God’s command and invitation to Sabbath rest.