Introduction

Good morning, beloved family in Christ. We gather here today, not as strangers, but as siblings united in the unshakeable love of our Heavenly Father. We come together, not as disparate souls, but as a harmonious choir, each voice unique, yet blending together in a symphony of praise and worship. We stand, not as solitary figures, but as a mighty fortress built on the rock of our faith.

Today, we are going to contemplate on a passage from the second book of the Old Testament, Exodus. This book, as many of you will know, is a cornerstone of our faith, a testament to God's unending mercy and love for His people. It is in this book that we find the Ten Commandments, a divine decree from God Himself, given to Moses on Mount Sinai. Let us read together Exodus 20:1-17:

'And God spoke all these words: 'I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. You shall have no other gods before me. You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments. You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God, for the Lord will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name. Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your male or female servant, nor your animals, nor any foreigner residing in your towns. For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy. Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you. You shall not murder. You shall not commit adultery. You shall not steal. You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor. You shall not covet your neighbor’s house. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his male or female servant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.'

Sanctifying the Sabbath

In the heart of the Ten Commandments, we find a unique instruction. It's not about what we should avoid, like murder or theft, but about what we should do. It's about setting aside a day for rest and reverence. This is the Sabbath, a day dedicated to the Lord. It's a day when we cease our usual work and take time to reflect, to worship, and to rest. It's a day that God Himself instituted and observed after the creation of the world.

The Sabbath is not just a day off from work. It's a day to remember who we are and who God is. It's a day to reconnect with our Creator and to refocus our lives on Him. It's a day to rest in His presence and to be refreshed by His Spirit. It's a day to honor God by following His example and taking time to rest.

The importance of the Sabbath is highlighted by its place in the Ten Commandments. It's not a suggestion or a recommendation. It's a commandment, given by God Himself. It's as important as not stealing, not lying, and not murdering. It's a commandment that carries with it the promise of blessing for those who obey it.

But what does it mean to sanctify the Sabbath? To sanctify something means to set it apart for a holy purpose. It means to treat it as special, sacred, and significant. When we sanctify the Sabbath, we set it apart from the other days of the week. We treat it as a day dedicated to God, a day for worship, rest, and reflection.

The Sabbath is a day to remember God's work in creation. In six days, God created the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them. On the seventh day, He rested. He didn't rest because He was tired. He rested to set an example for us, to show us the importance of taking time to rest and reflect on His goodness and greatness.

The Sabbath is also a day to remember God's work in redemption. In the book of Deuteronomy, when the Ten Commandments are repeated, the reason given for observing the Sabbath is to remember that the Israelites were slaves in Egypt and that God brought them out with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm. The Sabbath is a reminder of God's power to save and His willingness to intervene on behalf of His people.

The Sabbath is a day to rest in God's provision. When the Israelites were in the wilderness, God provided manna for them to eat. He provided enough for each day, but on the sixth day, He provided twice as much so they wouldn't have to gather food on the Sabbath. The Sabbath is a reminder that God is our provider, that He takes care of our needs, and that we can trust Him to provide for us.

The Sabbath is a day to reflect on God's law. It's a day to meditate on His commandments and to consider how we can better obey them. It's a day to examine our lives in the light of God's Word and to make any necessary changes. It's a day to seek God's guidance and to commit ourselves anew to following His ways.

The Sabbath is a day to rejoice in God's goodness. It's a day to celebrate His love, His mercy, and His grace. It's a day to give thanks for His blessings and to praise Him for His faithfulness. It's a day to lift our voices in song, to lift our hands in worship, and to lift our hearts in gratitude.

In observing the Sabbath, we are not only obeying a commandment, we are also aligning ourselves with God's rhythm for life. We are acknowledging our dependence on Him and our need for rest. We are expressing our love for Him and our desire to honor Him. We are setting aside time to focus on Him, to learn from Him, and to be refreshed by Him.

The Sabbath is a gift from God, a day set apart for our benefit and His glory. It's a day to rest, to remember, to reflect, and to rejoice. It's a day to sanctify, to set apart for God, to honor Him, and to be blessed by Him. Let us, therefore, embrace the Sabbath, not as a burden, but as a blessing, not as a duty, but as a delight. Let us sanctify the Sabbath, to the glory of God and for our own good.

Strengthening our Spirituality

As we continue to reflect on the words of Exodus, we find ourselves drawn to the commandments that guide our relationship with God ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO