Intro:
1. One wrote, "Grand Opening Earns Rave Reviews! What a report! God’s creation was a complete success! All goals were accomplished not just for the initial launching of Creation, but with all systems on "go" for hundreds and thousands of years."
2. God’s creation work pleased God - it was perfect! Nothing needed to be repeated, repaired, or revised.
3. Seventh day - an Expression of God’s pleasure over what He created.
Trans: Gen. 2:1-3
A few general observations:
(1) First, there is no introductory formula ("then God said") because his creative word is not required.
(2) Second, this day does not have the usual closing refrain "evening" and "morning" to indicate its termination. Theologically the absence of the refrain implies that creation was intended to enjoy a perpetual rest provided by God, although that rest was disrupted by human sin.
(3) Third, the seventh day is the only day of the week blessed and consecrated by God.
(4) Fourth, unlike the creation days, the number of the "seventh" day is repeated three times (twice more by the pronoun "it").
I. FIRST, THE COMPLETION. 1:1-2a
1 Thus the heavens and the earth, and all the host of them, were finished. 2 And on the seventh day God ended His work which He had done -
A. First, creation week came to an End.
Hamilton, "Silence and stillness once again enter the atmosphere...There is no activity, no noise, no speaking. All that God willed and designed for his canvas of the universe is now in place...The Hebrew word for completed or finished, kala, especially in the Piel stem...[Here] means to bring to completion...The point made by this verb is that the universe is no longer in a process of being created."
1. The End of the Week.
on the seventh day - later it becomes obvious that this is what we call Saturday. Later in Israel the "seventh" was displaced with the customary word "Sabbath," and its ritual observance became the preeminent sign of God’s covenant with Israel:
"For in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested the seventh day. Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and hallowed it." Exodus 20:11 (NKJV)
"t is a sign between Me and the children of Israel forever; for in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, and on the seventh day He rested and was refreshed.’ " Exodus 31:17 (NKJV)
Monday is not the first day of the week, most see Satuday and Sunday as the week end; but Sunday is in fact the first day of the week. This is observed by looking at any Calander.
2. The end of Work.
God has finished his work of creation - The first law of thermodynamics is now in effect. This law says that energy can be changed from one form to another, but it cannot be created or destroyed.
While it is true that the amont of available or usable engery is depleted [the second law of thermodynamics], that unavailable engergy still exists.
"3 For we who have believed do enter that rest, as He has said: "So I swore in My wrath, ’They shall not enter My rest,’ " although the works were finished from the foundation of the world. 4 For He has spoken in a certain place of the seventh day in this way: "And God rested on the seventh day from all His works"; Hebrews 4:3-4 (NKJV)
"For he who has entered His rest has himself also ceased from his works as God did from His." Hebrews 4:10 (NKJV)
This does not mean that God stopped working! He rested on the seventh day from His creative activity, but He did not cease His direct control of the universe:
"But Jesus answered them, "My Father has been working until now, and I have been working." John 5:17 (NKJV)
"who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power..." Hebrews 1:3 (NKJV)
God never does, do-overs! Years ago we used to have bullitons, I often had to redo them, God never has that problem. Here are some actual bullitons that should have been redone:
This being Easter Sunday, we will ask Mrs. Lewis to come forward and lay an egg on the alter.
Thursday night: Potluck Supper - Prayer and medication will follow.
Scouts are saving aluminum cans, bottles, and other items to be recycled. Proceeds will be used to cripple children.
The Pastor would appreciate it if the ladies of the congregation would lend him their electric girdles for the pancake breakfast next Sunday morning.
Ushers will eat latecomers.
Next Sunday Mrs. Vinson will be soloist for the morning service. The pastor will then speak on "It’s a Terrible Experience."
Remember in prayer the many who are sick of our church and community.
A bean supper will be held on Tuesday evening in the church hall. Music will follow.
Weight Watchers will meet at 7 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church. Please use large double door at the side entrance.
Low Self-Esteem Support Group will meet Thursday at 7 to 8:30 p.m. Please use the back door.
Ladies, don’t forget the rummage sale. It is a good chance to get rid of those things not worth keeping around the house. Bring your husbands.
Please welcome Pastor Don, a caring individual who loves hurting people.
Well God doesnt have that problem!
II. NEXT, THE CESSATION. 2:2b
and He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had done rested - lit. "to cease or desist."
Phillips, "The rest of God is a wonderful thing—not of course that God ever grows tired! The more we understand the nature of the physical universe, the more we see that the material universe is merely an expression of the boundless energy of God. Each material object in the universe is composed of atoms, bundles of pure energy—energy passing into motion, motion passing into phenomena. Obviously the God who can create more universes than man can count, and who can lock up within the tiny breast of the atom enough energy to obliterate an island, cannot possibly grow tired."
Hughes, "Why did God rest? Certainly not from fatigue. Omnipotence needs no rest because regardless of the amount of power that goes forth from him, his power is not depleted one whit. His omnipotent creating power is infinite. God did not need a breather. Actually the word "rest" means "to cease from." God simply stopped his creating activity. In fact, though God rested (ceased his creating activity),"
"28 Have you not known? Have you not heard? The everlasting God, the LORD, The Creator of the ends of the earth, Neither faints nor is weary. His understanding is unsearchable. 29 He gives power to the weak, And to those who have no might He increases strength. 30 Even the youths shall faint and be weary, And the young men shall utterly fall, 31 But those who wait on the LORD Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint." Isaiah 40:28-31 (NKJV)
Reminds me of the member that asked her pastor if he thought there was life on other planets. He said he didnt think so.
She said, "They why did God go through all that trouble to make such a vast universe?" He said, "What trouble!" Creating caused God no trouble!
When I was first trying to learn to play the Guitar by reading the notes, you see wierd things like funny sevens; or birds flying side ways; and little hat looking things.
There are also musical rests - I thought rests! I just got started, I’m not even tired. I learned that a musical rest does not mean the guitar player is tired but he is simple to stop playing.
III. FINALLY, THE CELEBRATION. 2:3
Then God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it, because in it He rested from all His work which God had created and made
A. There was Satisfaction.
God was pleased! Gen. 1:31 "very good"
The angels obviously joined in this celebration:
"3 Now prepare yourself like a man; I will question you, and you shall answer Me. 4 "Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? Tell Me, if you have understanding. 5 Who determined its measurements? Surely you know! Or who stretched the line upon it? 6 To what were its foundations fastened? Or who laid its cornerstone, 7 When the morning stars sang together, And all the sons of God shouted for joy?" Job 38:3-7 (NKJV)
B. There was also Sanctification.
Sanctified - a verb in the Piel stem, deals with making someone or something holy to God. He blessed the Sabbath day and sanctified it, or set it apart, for a special relationship to Him.
C. The Stipulation for man? None!
1. There is NO command given to man at this time - truth is, nobody even knew about this until God revealed it too Moses many years later!
"First, the sabbath was a uniquely Jewish institution and was neither given to nor fully observed by any other race or nation either ancient or modern. This is not true of the other commandments; they are generally paralleled in other ancient law codes. Sabbatarians generally appeal to Genesis 2:2-3 (referred to in the fourth commandment) as showing the contrary.
Strictly speaking, however, those verses do not say that God instituted the sabbath at the time of creation; indeed, there are other verses which seem to teach that he did it later." [Foundations of the Christian Faith]
Leupold, "The verb "he sanctified it" being Piel stem can be translated "He declared it to be sanctified." However, it should well be observed that no commandment is laid upon mankind at this point."
There is no record of God ever telling Adam and Eve to observe any kind of a Sabbath or special day.
Mackintosh, "There are few subjects on which so much misunderstanding and contradiction prevails as the doctrine of "the Sabbath." Not that there is the slightest foundation for either the one or the other; for the whole subject is laid down in the Word in the simplest possible manner.
The distinct commandment to "keep holy the Sabbath day" will come [to Israel as we find in the book of Exodus]. In the chapter now before us, there is no command given to man whatever, but simply the record that "God rested on the seventh day."
2. There is some Confusion - Some try and teach that God has always commanded mankind to observe the Sabbath. That is non-sense!
The Church observes the Lord’s Day, Sunday, the first day of the week, not the Sabbath!
1. Sabbath in the OT.
a. Means "ceassion from activies."
b. God ceased His creation work.
c. Yet, no mention of it given as a commandment, from Adam to Moses.
d. It was first given to Israel (Ex.31:12-17) and embedden in the Law (Ex.20:10-11). It was given to the Nation of Israel - it is first mentioned as a commandment to them in Ex. 16:26-30:
"26 Six days you shall gather it, but on the seventh day, which is the Sabbath, there will be none." 27 Now it happened that some of the people went out on the seventh day to gather, but they found none. 28 And the LORD said to Moses, "How long do you refuse to keep My commandments and My laws? 29 See! For the LORD has given you the Sabbath; therefore He gives you on the sixth day bread for two days. Let every man remain in his place; let no man go out of his place on the seventh day." 30 So the people rested on the seventh day." Exodus 16:26-30 (NKJV)
e. It was predicted that it would cease as a part of judgment
"I will also cause all her mirth to cease, Her feast days, Her New Moons, Her Sabbaths-- All her appointed feasts." Hosea 2:11 (NKJV)
f. It will be reinstated druing the Tribulation Period:
"19 But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days! 20 And pray that your flight may not be in winter or on the Sabbath. 21 For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be. Matthew 24:19-21 (NKJV)
and during the Millennial Kingdom:
"22 "For as the new heavens and the new earth Which I will make shall remain before Me," says the LORD, "So shall your descendants and your name remain. 23 And it shall come to pass That from one New Moon to another, And from one Sabbath to another, All flesh shall come to worship before Me," says the LORD." Isaiah 66:22-23 (NKJV)
"’Thus says the Lord GOD: "The gateway of the inner court that faces toward the east shall be shut the six working days; but on the Sabbath it shall be opened, and on the day of the New Moon it shall be opened." Ezekiel 46:1 (NKJV)
2. Sabbath in the day of Christ.
a. He lived in the dispensation of the Law (Gal.4:4)
b. Therefore, Christ kept the entire Mosaic Law, which included the Sabbath.
3. Sabbath in the Church Age.
a. Sabbath breaking is never mentioned among the possible sins that Christians can commit in the N.T.
b. Warnings are given about observing the Sabbath:
"8 But then, indeed, when you did not know God, you served those which by nature are not gods. 9 But now after you have known God, or rather are known by God, how is it that you turn again to the weak and beggarly elements, to which you desire again to be in bondage? 10 You observe days and months and seasons and years. 11 I am afraid for you, lest I have labored for you in vain." Galatians 4:8-11 (NKJV)
Paul warns, "14 having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross. 15 Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it. 16 So let no one judge you in food or in drink, or regarding a festival or a new moon or sabbaths, 17 which are a shadow of things to come, but the substance is of Christ." Colossians 2:14-17 (NKJV)
The term "Christian-Sabbath" is a misnomer...
4. By contrast the Lord’s Day.
a. First day of the week which is Sunday.
"Now after the Sabbath, as the first day of the week began to dawn, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to see the tomb." Matthew 28:1 (NKJV)
"1 Now when the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, that they might come and anoint Him. 2 Very early in the morning, on the first day of the week, they came to the tomb when the sun had risen." Mark 16:1-2 (NKJV)
b. First day of the week Christ was resurrected.
"Now after the Sabbath, as the first day of the week began to dawn, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to see the tomb." Matthew 28:1 (NKJV)
"Now on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene went to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb. John 20:1 (NKJV)
"Then, the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in the midst, and said to them, "Peace be with you." John 20:19 (NKJV)
c. The church met for fellowship on the first day of the week.
"Now on the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul, ready to depart the next day, spoke to them and continued his message until midnight." Acts 20:7 (NKJV)
"On the first day of the week let each one of you lay something aside, storing up as he may prosper, that there be no collections when I come." 1 Corinthians 16:2 (NKJV)
Sabbath Lord’s Day
Saturday Sunday
Rest Resurrection
Jews Christians
Law Grace.
Boice, "But what about Sunday? Sunday is another day established by God, but for the church rather than for Israel and with quite different characteristics. The sabbath was a time of rest and inactivity. In fact, failure to rest had strict penalties attached to it.
By contrast, the Christian Sunday is a day of joy, activity and expectation, the character of which is set by the events of the first Lord’s Day, on which Christ arose.
The Lord regathered the disciples, taught them, imparted the Holy Spirit (Jn. 20:22) and commissioned his own to world evangelism. The fact that Sunday was established and the sabbath abolished is seen in the speed and totality with which Sunday replaced the sabbath in the worship of the early church.
In the Old Testament the word sabbath is mentioned frequently. In Acts, by contrast, the word is found only 9 times, and not once is it said to be a day observed by Christians. The first chapter speaks of it in the phrase "a sabbath day’s journey" (Acts 1:12).
In chapter 13 it occurs 4 times in describing how Paul used the sabbath day for his evangelistic ends, going into the synagogue to preach to the Jews who were assembled there (13:14, 27, 42, 44). Later chapters give a few more similar references (15:21; 17:2; 18:4).
Nowhere is it suggested that the church met on the sabbath day or even regarded it with any special affection or attention."
D. The Survey of various rests.
1. The Creation Rest.
"4 For He has spoken in a certain place of the seventh day in this way: "And God rested on the seventh day from all His works";" Heb.1:4
2. The Commanded rest - to Israel under the Law. Ex.20
3. The Canaan rest - Israel removed out of Egpt into the promised Land.
"9 for as yet you have not come to the rest and the inheritance which the LORD your God is giving you. 10 But when you cross over the Jordan and dwell in the land which the LORD your God is giving you to inherit, and He gives you rest from all your enemies round about, so that you dwell in safety," Deuteronomy 12:9-10 (NKJV)
"5 and again in this place: "They shall not enter My rest." 6 Since therefore it remains that some must enter it, and those to whom it was first preached did not enter because of disobedience, 7 again He designates a certain day, saying in David, "Today," after such a long time, as it has been said: "Today, if you will hear His voice, Do not harden your hearts." 8 For if Joshua had given them rest, then He would not afterward have spoken of another day." Heb. 4:5-8
Note: Moses did not lead Israel into the Promised Land because of their unbelief. And years later the promise of Canaan rest was still being offered to David.
It may be objected that the Canaan rest was fulfilled when Joshua led the people into the land. But they did not totally conquor the land that God had given them.
4. The Christian rest.
"1 Therefore, since a promise remains of entering His rest, let us fear lest any of you seem to have come short of it. 2 For indeed the gospel was preached to us as well as to them; but the word which they heard did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in those who heard it. 3 For we who have believed do enter that rest, as He has said: "So I swore in My wrath, ’They shall not enter My rest,’ " although the works were finished from the foundation of the world." Heb. 4:1-3
"9 There remains therefore a rest for the people of God. 10 For he who has entered His rest has himself also ceased from his works as God did from His. 11 Let us therefore be diligent to enter that rest, lest anyone fall according to the same example of disobedience." Hebrews 4:1-11 (NKJV)
The key is identification of the "he" lit. "the person" [masc.] - who is this?
a. Some say it is referring to believers. That is the believer enters into God’s rest he will cease from fleshly works.
Problem: It obviously views the "works" as fleshly or bad, which cannot be right because of the "as God did from His [works]. God’s works are the comparison, and His works are always good never bad.
b. Others say it refers to believers, who at physical death [entering God’s rest], will cease from their earthly works.
This does agree with Rev. 14:13; see’s the works as good; and fits well with the context where believers were in danger of losing their lives.
Problem: Verse 3 uses a present tense for "For we who have believed do enter that rest..."
c. My understanding is that the "he" which is masc. singular, is referring to Jesus Christ! He entered into redemption Rest [By His finished work at the cross] and thus ceased from that work.
(1) This agrees with verses like - Heb. 1:3/Jn.19:30
(2) It agrees with the comparison with God’s good works, redemption is a good work.
(3) This fits the context which is too Jewish Christians who entertained the thought of going back to Judaism [animal sacrifices] to avoid the persecution. This is foolish since they point to Christ and His sacrifice is complete and finished.
(4) It agrees with the overall context. 3:1,14
(5) It agrees with the immediate context.
Them and they = Israel in the wilderness.
you and me = first century believers and us.
he - or the one, is singluar, masc. So who is this person?
Jesus Christ.
"Christ has already entered there. He is resting from his work, just as God did after the creation." Hebrews 4:10 (TLB)
(6) It also allows for the present tense of "enter" in verse. 3
Phillips, "The writer comes to the rest he has in mind: Calvary rest. When Christ died upon the cross of Calvary, He cried, "It is finished!" (John 19:30). He had finished the work God gave Him to do.
Today God rests in Christ’s finished work and so does the believer. That is one reason Christian believers do not keep the Old Testament Sabbath, for our rest is not in a day but in a Person.
As far as the believer’s standing is concerned, he has already entered into rest. His salvation is based upon a finished work.
But often our state does not correspond to our standing. Many genuine believers lack assurance of salvation. Many occupy lower ground than God intends by confusing the dispensations or imposing Galatian bondage upon the soul.
The child of God must deliberately appropriate for himself the rest the Lord has wrought. "Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief" (4:11).
Calvary rest frees us from the burden of our sin. We can rest it all on Christ along with all the other heartaches and problems of life. The writer wants to see this accomplished in his readers. He wants their state to be in keeping with their standing in Christ."
"27 All things have been delivered to Me by My Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father. Nor does anyone know the Father except the Son, and the one to whom the Son wills to reveal Him. 28 Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For My yoke is easy and My burden is light." Matthew 11:27-30 (NKJV)
Wiersbe, "All of this is possible because of the finished work of Jesus Christ. (The two "He’s" in Heb. 4:10 refer to Jesus Christ.) God rested when He finished the work of Creation. God’s Son rested when He completed the work of the new creation."
5. Celestrial rest. Rev. 14:13
"12 Here is the patience of the saints; here are those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. 13 Then I heard a voice from heaven saying to me, "Write: ’Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.’ " "Yes," says the Spirit, "that they may rest from their labors, and their works follow them."" Revelation 14:12-13 (NKJV)
Con:
1. The bottom line is that God Expressed pleasure over what He created.
2. That is the purpose of all creation - please God!
"Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created." Revelation 4:11 (KJV) Should this not be our purpose in life?
3. "A zealous man in [Christ] is preeminently a man of one thing. He sees only one thing; he cares for one thing; he lives for one thing; he is swallowed up for one thing; and that one thing is to please God.
Whether he lives, or whether he dies; whether he has health, or whether he has sickness; whether he is rich, or whether he is poor; whether he pleased man, or whether gives offense; whether he is thought wise or whether he is thought foolish; whether he gets honor, or whether he gets shame; for all this the man cares nothing at all.
He burns, for one thing; and that one thing is to please God and to advance God’s glory."
Johnny Palmer Jr
StrugglingThruScriptures.ning.com
