The Gift of Sabbath

November 13, 1988

Exodus 20:8-11 - Isaiah 58: 13-14

Introduction:

Just a few days ago, along with Helen, and Jim and Ruth Cameron, I experienced something very beautiful; something which as a Gentile I never expected to have the privilege to do. We were guests in a devout Jewish home on a Friday evening, and were invited into their family circle as they welcomed the Sabbath . . .

To preach on Sabbath observance is to potentially antagonize everyone; for many will think Sabbath observance went out with the Old Testament laws, while others will be certain that anything that is said is not enough.

But it is my abiding conviction that a proper observance of the Sabbath may well be a key to genuine spiritual awakening and revival, as well as being a deciding factor in salvaging family relationships, in establishing the experience of personal salvation. How you keep or desecrate the Lord's Day will have a profound effect on every other area of your life.

I. THE SABBATH IS A UNIVERSAL AND PERPETUAL PRINCIPLE

[It was incorporated into the very Creation of the world ...]

  1. It is first mentioned in Genesis 2:2.3 (where:) "God blessed the seventh day and set it apart ..."
  2. It was included in the Ten Commandments; it is a part of the Moral Code. As such it has two sides: [A "FROM" and a "TO"]
    1. It is to be a cessation from labor
    2. It is a time for honoring, recognizing God as the Source of Life (LIFE!)

II. THE PRINCIPLE OF SABBATH REST HAS DEGENERATED [ALL TOO OFTEN] INTO CONTROVERSY

[It seems that humankind has always had trouble with this Commandment; the arguments descend from "principle" to "rules" to "squabbling over petty details."]

  1. Which DAY, really, ought we to observe? ['God's SEVENTH was man's FIRST (first full day)', etc., but is this the real issue?]
  2. HOW SHALL WE OBSERVE THE LORD'S DAY?
    1. In times past the Jews multiplied rules; they became very legalistic ('sabbath-days journey,' etc.) [Yet they have preserved something of the rest, beauty, family stability]
    2. Many Christians have become harsh, legalistic, arbitrary in this matter: we, too have multiplied rules and have served OUR OWN INTERESTS in the process
    3. But a reaction to LEGALISM has caused many people to dismiss all idea of the keeping of a Sabbath. And with losing the Sabbath, we HAVE LOST A KEY TO SPIRITUAL HEALTH!

III. NEEDED: A REBIRTH OF OBEDIENCE TO (ALL) TEN COMMANDMENTS

AND, ESPECIALLY, A LOOK AT THE FOURTH COMMANDMENT AS A KEY TO REVIVAL

  1. Principles of Sabbath observance which apply in 1988:
    1. A cessation FROM normal labor: permitting time for spiritual things. If we habitually disregard this 6/1 ratio we sin against God, against our bodies, and against our relationships.
    2. Taking time FOR "spiritual things:" The Sabbath should make time for:
      1. quality corporate worship
      2. study of God's Word, and meditation thereon
      3. God-blessed fellowship with loved ones (family, Family)
  2. Application of these principles in the light of scripture:
    1. This is NOT simply "Old Testament truth." The Sabbath principle is universal and perpetual. Matthew 12:8: "Jesus is Lord of the Sabbath."
    2. We must seek to do God's pleasure on God's day (as the earnest of doing God's pleasure on all other six, too.)
    3. "Call the Sabbath a delight!" A time when we can get better acquainted with God!

Conclusion:

  1. The Sabbath Day or Lord's Day must be a day that is blessed and set apart. There is no question, this is God's will for humankind.
  2. As we deliberately set out to honor God and keep His spiritual (and physical) laws, we shall find great soul health. We shall be "delighted in the Lord." [I am sure this is as much in God's delight in our intent as it is in the intrinsic benefits of rest and meditation.]
  3. I have a particular vision for this coming week that we call "revival;" [We don't value that word 'revival' as some of our brothers and sisters do. To them it is an awesome moving of God in a community in a way which most of us have never seen. Be that as it may;] my vision comes from Psalm 51:

    May God grant us:

    1. The creation of a clean heart
    2. The renewal of a steadfast spirit
    3. The Presence of God in our everyday living
    4. The tangible JOY that must characterize genuine Christian living
    5. May God sustain the purpose of our spirits to serve Him, for then:
    6. We will teach transgressors; and sinners will be converted!

    As a church we talk about gearing up to reach our world, our community, global and local. We are trying to get programs and materials and wise actions in place that will serve to reach those who don't yet know Jesus as Savior.

    BUT REVIVAL BEGINS WITH GOD'S PEOPLE, WITH GOD'S WORK OF CREATION AND RENEWAL DEEP IN THEIR HEARTS. WHEN OUR LIVES HONOR GOD, HE WILL TRUST US WITH PRECIOUS HARVEST!

  4. May I suggest a personal pledge of each of us to God:

    I PLEDGE TO KEEP THE LORD'S DAY AS HOLY UNTO HIM. I WILL SEEK GOD'S WILL ON HOW I SHALL HONOR HIM ON HIS DAY. AS THE HOLY SPIRIT GUIDES ME, I WILL KEEP A CHRISTIAN SABBATH BY AVOIDING UNNECESSARY LABOR, AND BY DEVOTING TIME TO REST AND TO FELLOWSHIP WITH GOD, AND WITH HIS PEOPLE. XXX

Addendum: Having nothing directly to do with the morning message:

There may be some people here that are directly concerned with how to be sure that they are saved. I talked with two people this week who loved the Lord but only recently have come to the assurance that they have been forgiven all their sins, and born again of the Spirit, and brought into a personal relationship with God.

If that is where you are this morning I want to see you come into that assurance of salvation. You can be saved right now! And you can find assurance that God has saved you.

Will you pray with me 'The Sinner's Prayer'? [Will everyone help in this by praying along— in remembrance of the time when you came to the Lord, and as a re-affirmation of your trust in God's grace?]:

'O God, Have mercy on me a sinner,
And save me for Jesus' sake.
O Jesus, I invite you to come into my life,
And I will make you LORD as well as Savior.
Thank You for dying on the cross for me;
Thank You for loving me;
Thank You for saving me. Amen.'

If you believe God has saved you for Jesus' sake this morning, I want to pray with you and talk with you and give you some encouragement.

EH #78 When He Shall Come