A Kingdom Sabbath – A Pearl of Great Price

David Holmyard   -   September 8, 2025

by David Holmyard

A Kingdom Sabbath – A Pearl of Great Price

Over the weekend, we visited a local church service and were touched by the pastor’s teaching on Forgiveness. Prior to this message, there were the customary (for Pentecostal Churches) messages about tithing, given by a wonderful woman who had experienced a revelation of how God’s Kingdom operates. Her theology and conclusions needed refining; however, her message was clear – as she obeyed the Holy Spirit and aligned her heart, her thoughts and her ways with His ways, she was overwhelmed by His provision. She does not receive “more finances” but a revelation on how she could steward her finances and achieve “so much more” with the same amount. Her joy was contagious, and the fruit and testimony were genuine, calling to my memory Mathew 13 and the parables of the Kingdom.

Matthew 13:44-46 – “The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden in the field, which a man found and hid again; and from joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking fine pearls, and upon finding one pearl of great value, he went and sold all that he had and bought it.”

What this Sunday morning testimony missed was that the issue was not about “tithing” or “how much we give”, but it was about obedience and alignment.

As I read this month’s chapters in “Eternity Begins Now”, I am reminded of another key principle of God’s kingdom—the Sabbath.

I do not intend to add further to what is written; instead I would like to encourage you (yes you, the one reading this bulletin), have you made the sabbath part of your spiritual disciplines – have you aligned your heart, your thoughts and your ways to His ways or are you like so many who have not gotten around to it yet?

Anyone who has been around Bruce for any time would know that the Sabbath is one of those messages he speaks and demonstrates regularly, and if we are still struggling to implement this into our lives, we must ask the question, why?

Why do I not think it is a priority to practice and enjoy a Sabbath rest?
  • Perhaps I do not believe it is applicable?
  • Perhaps I do not believe it is essential?
  • Perhaps the pressures of the world keep me “busy”?
  • Perhaps I do not see this as a “sin”?
This last point is confronting, as many would suggest that this is “not required under grace”; so, how can this be a sin?
Paul mentions, “All things are lawful for me, but not all things are profitable.’ All things are lawful for me, but I will not be mastered by anything.”. – 1 Corinthians 6:12.  The sins for mature believers are “anything that master’s me”.  And this is why we practice spiritual disciplines such as:
  • Giving gifts – to practice that money does not master over me
  • Fasting – to practice that food does not master over me
  • Sabbath – to practice work and time do not master over me.
Like the woman who shared her testimony regarding giving, as she aligned, she was able to be far more productive than she ever thought possible – this is our experience with the Sabbath – you will reach a whole new level of productivity in your life, your family, your community and your business, if you align with His will and ways.
If you could see what we see, you would know that this is “a pearl of great value”, and you would give up your control of your life and follow Him.

What I know about His Kingdom is that it is accessed by our obedience, we must put our lives, “our kingdom”, down and walk in His Ways…. and if you choose to do this now…. You will experience His provision.

So, I would encourage you – don’t just read the chapter and “intellectually understand” the sabbath, but rather implement the Sabbath into your lives now……. If you have already, then practice and train in it “like all disciplines” until this becomes a “reflex, a way of life” you can help others with.

We are to be the “Salt and the Light” to the world, and this is another gift we can share with those around us… as long as we own it first.

God bless,

David Holmyard