Sermons

God created a day and set it apart from the other six. God created the Sabbath day for man, and made it holy. In Exodus, the people were commanded to remember the day. In Deuteronomy 5: 12-15, they were commanded to observe the day. In both, they were to keep it set apart (holy). They were told to remember their slavery, and that God brought them forth from it. They were to remember and observe, both their family and household. The purposes were to rest and to remember their deliverance from slavery (redemption). Really, this is both physical rest and worship. In Exodus 31: 12 they were to keep it for all generations. The punishment for not keeping the Sabbath was death, or being cut off. Sabbath observance is a sign of the covenant forever, because this differently created day and our observance of it makes us a different people. Without government-mandated blue laws, sabbath-keeping becomes a witness. It is a day of solemn or refreshing spiritual rest. In Isaiah 58: 13-14, the people were commanded to turn from their own pleasure and make it a delight, giving them the heritage of Jacob (the covenant). We put aside our normal activities. We have the freedom to observe it so that it is a delight in the Lord. Mark 2: 23: you can't make it a legalistic observance. The Sabbath is made for man. Our greatest need is time with God. Jesus is Lord of the Sabbath, and He gives it meaning. Hebrews: those that died in the wilderness failed to enter the rest because of lack of faith and disobedience. So it is today with unbelievers. Today's Sabbath is the Lord's Day, the first day of the week: the day of Pentecost; the day the church came together in the first century. A benefit is that work doesn't overwhelm our lives and crowd out God. This day is important. Sabbath keeping is not an obligation, but a privilege.