| Author | Message | ||
| Jtree |
A sabbath is a "cessation from activity; rest." The seventh-day sabbath was the weekly day of rest which God required of Israel when He entered into covenant with them at Mount Sinai. This requirement was expressed in the fourth of the Ten Commandments (Exod 20:8-12): "Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the LORD your God. In it you shall do work ...." What was the purpose of the seventh-day sabbath? In the preceding study, we observed that it was the sign of the covenant God made with Israel at Mount Sinai. We now observe: 2. The seventh-day sabbath was a shadow, or type, of that rest which would eventually be found in Jesus Christ. We learn this from the admonition of Paul the apostle to Christians to "let no one judge you ... regarding ... sabbaths, which are a shadow of things to come, but the substance is of Christ" (Col 2:16). The seventh-day sabbath was but a passing shadow cast by the coming Christ. Therefore, the rest found in it was but a shadow of the rest which would be found by trusting in Him. Before the arrival of Christ, God required His people honor the shadow cast by Christ. But upon the arrival of Christ, God requires His people to forsake honoring the shadow and to honor instead the Christ who cast it. They who would judge Christians for not honoring the sabbaths are thereby giving more honor to the sabbaths than to Christ. Christians are therefore exhorted to ignore such Christ-dishonoring legalists. (More on this in subsequent messages.) 3. The seventh-day sabbath was a reminder that mankind needs rest from his labors. God directed Israel to devote no more than six days of each week to the pursuit of an occupation (v.9): "Six days you shall labor and do all your work." God considers work to be very honorable. He employed the first man and woman in tending to His creation (Gen 2:15,18), thereby teaching us that every man and woman should be occupied in honorable employment. He furthermore intends we all be occupied for as long as we are physically capable. He who seeks "early retirement" in order to "sit around and do nothing" is called by God "You fool" (Luke 12:16-20). And God requires us to refuse food to able-bodied persons who will not work (2 Thess 3:10; Eph 4:28). God also directed Israel to reserve a weekly day of rest from their occupations (v.10): "but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the LORD your God. In it you shall do no work: you, nor your son, nor your daughter, nor your manservant, nor your maidservant, nor your cattle, nor your stranger who is within your gates." He who never rests from his labors, to enjoy their fruits and to be refreshed for further labors, is a slave to his occupation. And he who never permits his employees, whether of persons or animals, a day of rest is a slave-master (see Deut 5:13-15) God Himself has set the example (v.11): "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" (Gen 2:1-3). God rested not because He was tired, but in order to enjoy the fruits of His labors and to set an example for us. The fact that Christians today are not required to observe the seventh-day sabbath (see e.g. Colossians 2:16; Romans 14:5) does not negate the need for days of physical rest. Even more important than physical rest for one's body is spiritual rest for one's soul. This spiritual rest is the cessation of works of self-righteousness in order to obtain the favor and salvation of God. It is found through trusting in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. He Himself invites us to "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you [i.e. "Become My disciple"] and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls" (Matthew 11:28). Have you found rest for your soul in Jesus Christ? | ||
| Doug222 |
JTree, You said: "The fact that Christians today are not required to observe the seventh-day sabbath (see e.g. Colossians 2:16; Romans 14:5) does not negate the need for days of physical rest." This does not sit well with me. I understand what you are saying, however, this is the argument may used for Sunday sacredness or the labeling of Sunday as "the Lord's Day." Those of us who understand the Sabbath (and I think most of Christiandom does not), should be very careful not to mix Sabbath rest in Jesus with the spiritual discipline of dedicating time to spiritual/physical renewal. When I came to understand the concept of finding my Sabbath Rest in Jesus, I realized that SDA's (perhaps more than anyone else) are sitting on a gold mine. They rightly elevate the Sabbath to an exalted position, but for the wrong reasons. If only the attention were taken off the binding nature of "keeping the day" and placed on the benefits of "accepting the gift." Since, SDA's have failed in their privilege to share this message, those of us who have had the veil removed in Jesus have an obligation to avoid adding confusion to a higly misunderstood topic by adding "requirements" that (although highly beneficial)are not mandated in scripture. This is just my humble opinion, and certainly not meant to criticize your view. In His Grace Doug | ||
| Colleentinker |
I agree with you, Doug. Whatever people do to set aside personal time for worship should not be mandated and should not be linked in any way to the Sabbath command of the Old Testament. Rest in Christ truly is ALWAYS! Most of Christendom is still confusing the fourth commandment with a "should" to devote a day to God, even if it's not Saturday. As Paul admonished, whatever we do, do it as to the Lord, and be fully convinced in YOUR OWN mind. The Sabbath truly was merely a shadow of the inangible reality of Christ's rest. Remember in Hebrews 12 it says we have not come to a mountain which can be touched? Rather, we have come to the New Jerusalem, the city of God, and to God, the righteous judge. The Old Covenant was about tangible observances--days to keep, food to eat and not eat, behavior to perform and not perform--and they were all shadows of intangible realities that are much bigger and more profound than any of the tangible ceremonies and observances were. Worship God, yes! Remember, though, we haven't come to a mountain that can be touched! Praise God! Colleen | ||
| Jtree |
Greetings Colleen, I have an excellent online video (REALPLAYER) sermon that I found that echo's pretty much what were saying. Matter of fact, he echo's the theme of this great forum. Pretty neat I think. http://sovereign-grace.net/dfvs007.ram In His Love, Joshua | ||
| Sabra |
Still corresponding with Dr. Samuele Bacchiocchi (hope I spelled that right) we are covering some ground here and he is much less condemning than at first. Everyone keep praying!!! This is so much fun! :) Sabra | ||
| Nate |
Great, Sabra! Blessings to the FAF family! We are praying for him pretty much every day. He wrote me a pretty nasty note about two weeks ago. He sent it to us personally with his first issue in which he made some unkind statements about Paula and Me. (This was the first contact we had ever had from him) About two weeks after he sent itout to the world, he sent us a copy by email with a lecturing kind of letter about how unethical it was for us to send out our letter to family and friends since there were so many people who would be hurt or damaged by it. We wrote him back in a kind letter in which we explained how we had not handed it out indescriminately, but just to a few people like our elders and some who had asked us specific questions in our church. But the SDA grapevine had carried it far and wide. After that time, we posted it on some web sites. It was easier than trying to mail each letter. We reminded him that he was using the net for his materials that many might think just as controversial. We then told him that we were merely following our convictions and that we would not be fighting him in any way. Our paper was our testimony and it would speak for itself. We told him that We did not have his credentials, but had a deep love for Jesus and a willingness to follow our convictions at great personal risk and cost. We then challenged him to examine his own motives and see whether he would be willing to do the same if called upon by the Lord. We told him we were praying for him and for God's blessings for him. He did not respond to us directly, but in his next issue he was much more gracious in our opinion. While we do not at all agree with his assessment of the texts he discusses, (we believe He does injustice to the context just as he thinks we are doing) We are glad that the subject is getting out there for the SDA community to look at and study for themselves. God's word will not return to Him empty. Truth will ultimately prevail. Thanks to all of you for your prayers for us. We have been talking with several churches. God has provided for our needs in miraculous ways. We would not trade the faith journey for anything. Your prayers and kind notes have sustained us and blessed us more than we can know. Please take a moment to pray for a friend of ours. He will probably be making an announcement soon as he exits Adventism. There will be quite a ripple effect whthin the SDA church when this happens. Love to all of you! In Christ, Greg | ||
| In_his_service |
Not being "privy" to Adventist news, please let us know of his victory in Jesus. Thanks! | ||
| Sabra |
Greg, I may have spoken too soon. He got quite nasty with me last night to the point of calling me ignorant and arrogant. Now if that aint the pot calling the kettle black! I won't bother him anymore since he said he didn't have time for my lengthy responses (I sent a page, maybe, he sent me 4 chapters of a book and a page of condemnation) I really wasn't arrogant, I was quite neutral and mostly just quoted scripture. I thought I was quite gracious actually. Further confirmation for me that the love of Christ is not in that church, or it's people. 2 Thess 2:11 because they did not receive the love that they might be saved, for this reason God will send a strong dillusion on them that they would believe the lie. I think that fits. On to the gentiles! ;) So happy for you and Paula, you have shown that you have a strong conviction for the truth in your stepping out of faith. You are wonderful examples. Will pray for your friend, let us know what happens! God Bless, Sabra | ||
| Colleentinker |
Greg, thank you for updating us. We also continue to pray for you and Paula, and we're eager to hear updates re: your employment and also your friend. What wonderful news! In Jesus, Colleen |
