OLD TESTAMENT PRINCIPLES
So that IT MAY GO WELL WITH YOU
Dt. 5, 6, 7, 8
So that YOU MAY LEARN TO TRUST
So there WILL BE A SIGN
Ex. 31:12,13
NEW TESTAMENT PRINCIPLES
What is RIGHT
Luke 4:16
What is NECESSARRY
Matt. 12:3
What is GOOD
Matt. 12:12
What is BENEFICIAL FOR YOU
Mark 2:27
What you are CONVINCED OF
Rom 14:5 Col. 2:16
The OT is full of sayings that tell us to obey the law so that it may go well with you. DT. 5, 6, 7, 8 are great examples. God knows our bodies and He knows we need rest and worship. Because we don’t obey this commandment we see, heart attacks, high blood pressure, ulcers, stress, depression, etc.
This commandment is given so we can learn to turst God and take Him at His word. Do I trust God enough to take a day off? Do I trust him enough to not rely on my own understanding… Do I trust Him enough that even in the light of a busy schedule, I’ll kick back for a day. Do I trust Him enough to believe Him when he says 6 days of work is enough. Same principle as tithing. Tithing is a trust issue not a financial one.
This commandment is given as a sign. If we take a day and make it special for Him that is a sign for generations to come. Eric Lindell clip from the Chariots of Fire works well here.
Jesus got in a lot of trouble over the Sabbath. He did not interpret it the way the religious people of the day did. Lets look at some principles Jesus gave us for the proper understanding of how to honor God on His day.
Jesus did:
What was RIGHT. He went to the synagogue, as was His custom. No account of any activity that Jesus did on the last Sabbath of His earthly life. Did he rest? Even on the last week of his life. With all there was left to do? If Jesus considered it that important maybe we should too. Lets do what is right on His day. Worship and rest.
What was NECESSARY. His disciples picked grain and ate it on the Sabbath. They had to eat and Jesus saw no problem with that. The rub comes when we decide what is necessary. Is it really necessary that we go to Wal-Mart or get our haircut or mow the grass…. You decide.
What was good. Jesus healed on the Sabbath much to the dismay of the Pharisees.
Jesus said the Sabbath was made for man and not man for the Sabbath. This tells us that a NT understanding of the Sabbath is doing what is BENEFICIAL FOR YOU. It’s your day. A gift God has given you. Use it for your health. Maybe you need to exercise. Maybe you need to take a nap. Maybe you need to work in the flower garden. It’s your day. What do you do that benefits your rest and worship the most?
Paul said they we should BE CONVINCED OF our convictions about this day. He said don’t let other people judge you. Be convinced in your own mind.
