Keep the Sabbath Day Holy

Minister:
Date: AM
Text: Hebrews 10; Lord's Day 38
Psalters: 350, 336, 250, 318
  1. The privilege.
    1. The Sabbath is a privilege, not a burden - a positive blessing (God blessed it; Gen. 2:3; Ex. 20:11).
      1. God’s blessing set this day apart from the other six days for sacred use; hallowing it made it holy (cf. Isa. 58:13; Neh. 9:14).
      2. God is a covenant God, Who has a restful relationship with His people.
    2. Thus this command touches all the days of our week and life.
      1. The Sabbath equips us to live properly all the days of our life so we see our whole life as a worship service.
      2. But Jesus is establishing His kingdom where righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees (20).
    3. The Fourth then obviously fits the New Dispensation, though this commandment is not specifically repeated in the New.
  2. The manner of keeping the Sabbath is resting on Jesus our Savior.
    1. “Sabbath” means “rest,” enjoying an accomplished work (as God did, Gen. 2:2).
      1. God gave Jesus so man can rest from the work of saving himself.
      2. In this way the Sabbath is a picture of heaven, the eternal Sabbath (Heb. 4:9,11).
    2. Thus there is no rest for the wicked (Isa. 57:20,21).
    3. The Sabbath rest is the heart of the gospel ministry to a restless world and to saints who live in this world.
  3. The implications.
    1. God’s covenant gives forgiveness, so there is no more offering for sin (Heb. 10:16-18).
    2. Let us observe this day with great delight.
    3. Let us work for six days.
    4. Remember that God blessed the Sabbath day.