Keep the Sabbath Day Holy

Minister:
Date: AM
Text: Hebrews 4, 10; Lord's Day 38
Psalters: 229, 337, 379, 350
  1. Beautiful concept.
    1. The Sabbath is a positive blessing (God blessed it; Gen. 2:3; Ex. 20:11) and therefore is a privilege, not a burden.
      1. God’s blessing set this day apart for sacred use; hallowing it made it holy.
      2. God claimed the Sabbath as His: “My holy day” (Isa. 58:13); was recognized as such: “Thy holy Sabbath” (Neh. 9:14).
    2. Thus this command touches all the days of our week and life.
    3. The Fourth then obviously fits the New Dispensation, though this commandment is not specifically repeated in the New.
  2. The restful 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. Wonderful 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.
      1. If Adam, before sin, needed separation of one day from the rest in order to worship God, then we need it much more.
      2. Sanctify the day (not a few hours) by keeping it holy, i.e. separated from common use and dedicated to His praise.
    3. Remember that God blessed the Sabbath day.