Pastor Dan shared from Genesis 2:1-3 where God establishes a day of rest called Sabbath. It is important to note that this Sabbath of rest is set aside before the law and the ten commandments was given. It was later incorporated into the laws given the Israelites with punishment for those who disregarded the day.
As Christians we also have the privilege of observing the Sabbath although we are not under the law of Moses we do live by a higher law. Many Christians say that since it was under the law we no longer need to keep it but we must remember that it was established before the law was given. If this argument holds true then we should be able to disregard all the other commandments as well. Since no one believes that then we need to come to a mature understanding of exactly what it was that God intended when he set aside this day of rest.
Jesus words help to shed some light on the subject. When criticized for breaking the Sabbath by allowing his disciples to pick a few heads of wheat Jesus responded that the Sabbath was made for man and not man for the Sabbath. There are some religious groups that insist that the day be kept on Saturday and in a certain way. The Scribes, Pharisees and teachers of the law had over the years come up with 39 categories of prohibited actions for the Sabbath. Each category was then subdivided into more things not to do. It had become a burden and repressive and nearly impossible to keep.
Jesus came to free us from all the rules and regulations and brought us back to what was originally intended and that is relationship. Sabbath was a day for nurturing relationships both with God and with people.
This week I'll post some ways we as Christians can honor the Sabbath in a way that is pleasing to God. I am very interested in how creative we can be with the Sabbath. Leave a comment.
4 comments:
Pastor Dan you did an excellent job with yesterday's sermon The Gift of Sabbath. I think the congregation as whole really appreciated the sermon and identified with needing to get back to basics, keeping one day set apart and holy to spend with God and family. That appreciation was evident in the congregation clapping in agreement 2 times! I think we all feel the need to slow down and spend time with the Lord.
P.S. The little gift boxes were a great illustration of the message you were trying to get across.
Great message Sunday. Jonathon were laughing to see if I could turn off my phone and he would have to turn off his I-phone and no laptop for both of us. LOL It was funny that you mentioned going outside to see the beauty of our world because Jonathon, myself, and Nathanael spent 2 hours outside Saturday. We walked for 2 miles, then took Nathanael to the park. It was an amazing day!
Blogging is a whole lot more interesting than homework :) Yesterday during sunday school I ducked out in the new cry room to get quiet time and cram in some review for school today. The whole time I felt guilty for not being in sunday school. During the sermon I decided that I have 6 days of the week to study, review and cram to my hearts content...but from now on not on sunday. Sunday is my sabbath day set apart especially for my Lord and I. I want to be totally free from everything that distracts and pulls me in different directions...mainly away from worshipping Him, growing in His word, worshipping Him and just spending time Him.
I'm hoping someone might post yesterday's sermon on the podcast feature. My spouse is just about ready to start a second FULL time position. 6-2 then 3-11 on same day! Insanity I say, he says gotta do what I gotta do. He really would benefit from hearing that sermon.
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