Sermons on Sabbath Controversy:

Rest (Joshua 11)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Feb 13, 2025

Did Israel find true rest in the Sabbath or the land? Where is true rest? Let's begin in Joshua 11.

Did a Sabbath rest or a land of rest, finally give Israel true rest, or do both picture a blissful, eternal rest far greater than any worldly rest? Let’s begin in Joshua 11. After Israel’s initial conquests, did many other kings join forces against them? When Jabin, king of Hazor, heard of this, ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Sacrifices & Reminders (Numbers 15)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Nov 18, 2024

What sacrifices and reminders do we have in our lives? Let's look at Numbers 15.

Do we offer food and drink in sacrificial service to God and others? Do we rest in Jesus, knowing that He forgives sin? Do we use any reminders of God’s word? Let’s look at Numbers 15. What grain and drink offerings were to accompany a burnt offering? And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, “Speak ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Assumption

Contributed by Michael Koplitz on Nov 18, 2025

Why did the Pharisees assume that Jesus did something wrong on the Sabbath? Healing was allowed. Do we make assumptions about people?

Assumption Luke 13:10 – 17 Rabbi Rev. Dr. Michael H. Koplitz Luke 13:10 Now Jesus was teaching in one of the synagogues on the Sabbath. 11 And there was a woman who for eighteen years had had a sickness caused by a spirit; and she was bent over double, and could not straighten up at all. 12 When ...read more

Scripture: Luke 13:10-17

Denomination: United Methodist

Lord Of The Sabbath - Servant Of Mercy - Matthew 12:1-21 Series

Contributed by William Akehurst on May 3, 2025

JESUS reveals that God's heart gives priority to mercy over ritual, rest over burden, and compassion over condemnation. JESUS redefines true Sabbath rest, corrects legalistic distortions, and fulfills the Servant prophecy with a ministry of gentle justice and mercy.

2025.05.04.Sermon Notes. Matthew 12.1-21 LORD OF THE SABBATH-SERVANT OF MERCY William Akehurst, HSWC SCRIPTURES: Matthew 12:1-21, Mark 2:25-28, 1 Samuel 21:1-6, Hosea 6:6, Mark 2:27, BIG IDEA: JESUS reveals that God's heart gives priority to mercy over ritual, rest over burden, and ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 12:1-21, Mark 2:25-28, 1 Samuel 21:1-6, Hosea 6:6, Mark 2:27, Matthew 11:28  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

How To Celebrate Sunday

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Oct 7, 2025

Original purpose was rest and/or interruption from work.

A. THE ORIGINAL INTENT OF THE LORD’S DAY 1. A special day from the beginning. “On the seventh day, having finished the task, God rested from all His work. And God blessed the seventh day and declared it holy” (Gen. 2:2-3, NLT). a. God’s example for treating it differently. b. Do holy things on ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 2:2-3

Denomination: Baptist

The Lord's Day

Contributed by Clarence Clough on Sep 25, 2008

The Sabbath was made for man.

THE LORD’S DAY The Lord’s Day: — Text: Mark 2:27-28 Intro: Labor is God’s appointment. His wholesome and needful law. But did He mean us to bear the drudgery of ceaseless toil? How wretched, how degrading, how brutalizing! And God has not appointed it: “Six days shalt thou labour.” Son ...read more

Scripture: Mark 2:27-28

Denomination: Church Of God

Goes To Jerusalem For Second Passover; Heals Lame Man Series

Contributed by John Lowe on Jul 14, 2017

The clash between Jesus and the religious leaders was over the Sabbath. They never forgave Him for what He did on the Sabbath days, and then when He said, “…..The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath,” (Mark 2:27) they hated Him.

Harmony of the Gospels -AD 28- Jerusalem Title: Goes to Jerusalem for Second Passover; Heals Lame Man (Exodus 20:10) John 5:1-47 The healing of the impotent man by the pool of Bethesda is a very wonderful incident. But it is also a turning point in the ministry of Christ. You see, after this ...read more

Scripture: John 5:1-47

Denomination: Baptist

The Church In Philadelphia-Revelation 3:10

Contributed by Larry Wolfe on Jul 2, 2009

An in depth look at the controversial text in the Revelation of Jesus Christ

The Church in Philadelphia (Revelation 3:10) “Because thou hast kept the word of My patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.” (Revelation 3:10) This ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 3:7-13

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Did Jesus Go To Hell On The Sabbath Before Easter Sunday?

Contributed by Dr. Craig Nelson on May 6, 2023

Not much is said about the Sabbath day that followed the death of Jesus and preceded Easter resurrection morning

Jesus willingly gave His life on a Friday afternoon before sunset when the Sabbath began. It is known as Good Friday because He forgave all sin on the Cross and conquered death. Not much is said about the Sabbath day that followed His death and preceded Easter resurrection morning in modern Western ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 4:15, 1 Peter 3:18-22, Acts 2:24-32, Philippians 2:9-11

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Lord's Day: Resurrection Joy, Not Sabbath Duty

Contributed by Terry Hovey on Feb 10, 2026

Here's the truth we're going to establish today: the Lord's Day is not the Sabbath. Christians are not commanded to observe the Sabbath. Our gathering on Sunday is not about keeping a law—it's about celebrating a resurrection.

The Lord's Day: Resurrection Joy, Not Sabbath Duty Introduction: The Confusion in Our Pews Today we’re going to take a look at something that might be a cause of confusion to some Christians. Our Sunday School lesson this morning, titled: The Lord’s Day dealt with God’s command to honor the ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 20:8-11, Exodus 31:16-17, Acts 20:7, 1 Corinthians 15:17, Revelation 1:10, 1 Corinthians 16:2, Colossians 2:16-17, Acts 15:19-20, Galatians 4:9-11, Romans 14:4-6, Hebrews 10:24-25  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Methodist

They Could Have Had Jesus

Contributed by J Jeffrey Smead on Jul 4, 2015

There is a vegetable juice commercial that ends with the phrase "Wow, I could have had a V8. Beloved, do not settle for what the world has to offer, when you could have had Jesus. Updated February 2022.

For Those not familiar with an Anglican Service there are four Scripture passages read prior to the Message. Today's assigned passages are 2 Samuel 5:1-10; Psalm 48; 2 Corinthians 12:2-10 and Mark 6:1-13. A saying that goes back as far as ..." Publius" the Syrian... in 2 BC. And we ...read more

Scripture: John 1:46, Luke 4:16-30, Mark 5:20-43, Isaiah 61:1-2, Matthew 18:20, Mark 5:1-20, Hebrews 13:5-6, Mark 1:15, Matthew 3:2, Philippians 4:13, Mark 6:1-13, Joshua 24:15  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Anglican

The Cross Unfiltered--A Reflection On The Passion Of Christ

Contributed by William Yates on Feb 28, 2004

The recent controversy over Mel Gibson’s Passion of Christ proves that whenever the message of the cross is presented unfiltered it always evokes controversy.

The Unfiltered Cross 17For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel--not with words of human wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power. 18For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1:17-18

The Use Of Spiritual Gifts, Focusing On Tongues

Contributed by James Wallace on Jun 6, 2022

The practice of the gift of tongues is very controversial in evangelical circles. I Corinthians 12-14 was intended to save us from much of this controversy.

May 27, 2022 Hi Abby, Here are my concerns about some forms of practice among those who call themselves Charismatic, or especially Pentecostal. I might be called Charismatic by some, because I believe that “sign gifts” such as prophecy, tongues, healings, knowledge, miracles, etc. are ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:19-22, 1 John 4:1-3, 1 Timothy 4:1-3, 1 Corinthians 12:12-13, Ephesians 5:18  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Bible Church

This Special Day! Series

Contributed by Terry Blankenship on Mar 14, 2012

Which day is THE Special Day? Saturday or Sunday? The Old Testament Shabbat or the New Testament Lord's Day? What do you think?

Exodus 20:8-11 This Special Day! As I prepared this series, I realized how little we actually preach or teach on the Ten Commandments as if they are neither important nor relevant. They are both. It was very enlightening to me to preach through them. I learned a lot! I trust this series will ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 20:8-11

Denomination: Baptist

Standing With The Lamb: The Everlasting Gospel Of Revelation 14

Contributed by David Dunn on Feb 20, 2026

The Three Angels’ Messages call the world to the everlasting gospel, exposing counterfeit worship and forming a people who resemble the Lamb.

There are moments in Scripture when heaven grows very quiet. And then there are moments when heaven speaks so loudly that the sound seems to echo across centuries. Revelation 14 is one of those moments. Revelation 13 is dark. Beasts rise from sea and land. Power consolidates. Worship is coerced. ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 14:1-12, Revelation 13:11-17, Daniel 7:9-14, Exodus 20:8-11, Revelation 7:9-14  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist