1120. Remember the Sabbath to Keep it Holy – Fourth Commandment

Welcome to The Daily Platform from Bob Jones University in Greenville, South Carolina. The school was founded in 1927. The evangelist Dr. Bob Jones Senior's intent was to make a school where Christ would be the center of everything, so he established daily chapel services today. That tradition continues with fervent preaching from the University Chapel platform today on The Daily Platform were continuing a study series entitled. Oh how I love thy law, which is a study of the 10 Commandments. Today's message will be preached by Dr. Mark Minnick, pastor of Mount Calvary Baptist Church in Greenville, South Carolina. The commandment that we are turning our attention to the day is in the 20th chapter of Exodus and will look at it line by line. I have all the Scriptures appear this morning so you can pretty much keep your attention here. Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days shalt thou labor and do all my work, but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God in thou shall not do any work, thou art my son, nor thy daughter, my manservant, my maidservant, not even your animals not cattle on a stranger that is within thy gates. I notice this please notice that the next verse begins with the word for what we have here is a reason for in six days the Lord made heaven and earth.

See and all that is in them, and rested the seventh day, wherefore, that is, therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and hallowed it. What is that first reason for that Sabbath day commandment and summarize it this way. It's calling attention to the Lord's original week. His original rhythm for time. He evidently was calling the nation Israel to an imitation of that rhythm. Now, you know, of course, I'm sure it's been mention a number of times in the series that in Deuteronomy.

We have a second statement of these 10 Commandments and all I want to do is call your attention to the fact that in Deuteronomy, we have a second reason given. Remember that thou wast a servant in the land of Egypt, and that the Lord thy God brought the outlands and the look at the way this could in the 15th chapter Deuteronomy. The word redeemed is used.

He redeemed the through a mighty hand and by a stretched out arm. Therefore the Lord thy God commanded the keep the Sabbath day so there is a second reason. What is it it's this matter of redemption. Those of the two reasons that are given keep the Sabbath day in imitation of the original rhythm of the Lord himself and keep the Sabbath day in remembrance of his redemption. You out of Egypt is one of the Scripture initially that we need to pull together with this and that is from the 31st chapter of Exodus I will read all of that all I'd like for you to note is what is in the dark red and that is that in this passage, the Lord informs Israel that the Sabbath is a sign of their covenant relationship to him. So I comes to the Mosaic covenant has a sign just like the no eight covenant has assign the rainbow Abraham a covenant had a sign of circumcision. The Mosaic covenant has assign the keeping of the Sabbath. Now that's what makes this commandment the most controversy all today. Out of all 10 this is the line that really is a matter of debate among the Lord's people and I think that I can help us to understand that with this first of three major questions this morning is Sabbath observance. Then, in view of those reasons and the fact that it was a sign of the covenant between the Lord and that nation is Sabbath observance than a perpetual law for Lord for the Lord's people would say for New Testament Christians. Well, some people say emphatically yes. And there may be many folks in the room this morning who believe that was the reason for their thinking that well. Among other things and really foundational is that first reason the thinking of folks like this is Sabbath observance was something that is previous to the Mosaic law. Previous to that, therefore it's a timeless matter and just like it was observed. Previous to the Mosaic covenant so as to be observed after the Mosaic covenant as well. So in terms of working that out. You have some groups today and they continued to observe the seventh day of the week as a Sabbath, Seventh-day Adventists there are seventh Day Baptists, there is the church of God seventh day there people who literally observe the Sabbath. That way, but most people who answer this question, yes. Are people who flesh it out this way. They observed the first day of the week as a Sabbath, and particularly since the time of the Reformation.

This is characterized what are called reformed churches that would be Presbyterian churches. Many Congregationalists Dutch reformed people. They simply take the Sabbath principal and they observed on the first day of the week.

Now, on the other hand course you got some people who say no to that?

What's the question again is Sabbath observance a perpetual demand on the Lord's people. Many Christian people today say now one of the reasons for that. Well, at least 21 would be very significant fact that when you go to your New Testament. This is the only one of the 10 Commandments that is not repeated in some form. All the other nine are but in addition to that, and people will answer that question. No really feel strongly about this that is in your New Testament. You actually have a pro admission against imposing Sabbath's on the Lord's people is found in the book of Colossians reads this way, let no man judge you look at the end and respect the Sabbath days and have something similar to that in the 14th chapter of Romans. So these people to feel that they have very strong ground to stand on. Now that probably would be the position of most of us in the room this morning. If you were raised in an independent Baptist background of the Bible church background you probably have been raised in a dispensational theology which takes the position that the first day of the week is not necessarily not high demand to be observed as a Sabbath day you might do it but you not required to do now that leads to the second major question that I'm building a little bit here is what I would like to do is just ask this. Is there any weekly spiritual rhythm of time for the Lord's people today, and I'm asking that particularly of those of us who have been raised in an independent Baptist background Bible church background and it might be our position that we do not have any scriptural demand upon us that we have to observe a complete ceasing of all work on the first day of the week. Let's say that that's our position would say that your position question then is, is there any weekly spiritual rhythm of time for you today and you really have to begin answering that question by going back to the Old Testament were asking about ourselves today but you really do well to go back to the Old Testament and in this particular passage on picking this passage out of the Old Testament at random.

This is the passage that was quoted on the day of the triumphal entry when the people shouted pushing on the witches are word Hosanna hosting Hosanna save now those words occur immediately after a prophecy that I'm going to put appear on the projector this morning. The stone which the builders rejected is become the headstone of the corner. Do we know what that means. Next verse. This is the Lord's doing. It is marvelous in our eyes. Do we know what that means. The final verse. This is the day which the Lord hath made we will rejoice and be glad in it. We understand that verse well any time that were trying to understand and Old Testament prophecy. It is particularly helpful if the New Testament writers X closet that prophecy for us and in this case it does happen. Peter expounds this prophecy in his second great sermon in the book of acts found in the fourth chapter will look at it appear here's the New Testament fulfillment starting in acts four verse 10. He's preaching to the leaders of Israel, the nominee you all and all the people of Israel not just you, the leaders that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead.

Even like him that this man stand before you whole. Next verse.

This is the stone which was set at naught of you builders, which is become the head of the corner. Let's sort that out close. Let me ask you this put this in red. What is the stone wanting the previous verse is the stone it's clearly Jesus Christ of Nazareth.

What is this Saturday at naught of you builders what in the previous verse is the fulfillment of that clearly is this, whom you crucified, and finally which is become the head of the corner. One is that previous verse, whom God raised from the now we have the inspired interpretation of that prophecy and we really understand now how she gonna save now when he came in at the triumphal entry. Let's go back to the one other verse in that hundred 18 Psalm it's that 24 verse now thoughts.

Do we understand this line. This is the day which the Lord hath made. When I was a freshman student here. There was a day like this day very early in the semester when it rained, and one of my older roommates started the day by just saying rather cheerfully.

Well, this is the day that the Lord has made let us rejoice and be glad in it.

I don't know that I'd ever heard anyone quote that verse or that I never paid any attention to it, but I really accepted that is a great way to face bad days maybe was to be a bad day.

I repeat that to myself. Well, this is the day the Lord made let us rejoice and be glad there is no question but what, that's an acceptable application, but that isn't what this verse is talking this verse not talk about bad days.

It's actually doing what the best day ever is talking about the day of resurrection. The day when he was made the head of the corner by God's raising from the dead.

Now close look at that we will rejoice and be glad in it. What that does is clearly establish and Old Testament foundational passage that yes there is a real to the week and it's a rhythm. Of course that has to do with the resurrection which is exactly why man that you see the early church moving. They are meeting their gathering for worship another spiritual activity to the first day of the week from the salad. My question thirdly and lastly, this morning is what would it mean for us than to rejoice and be glad in this day were directed to do that ancient prophecy directs the Lord's people to do that. How can we rejoice and be glad in it. Well I want to take you to one other passage, and it will be finished with these only take you to an Old Testament parallel. It's found in the 50 chapter of Isaiah and it reads this way if you turn away your foot from the Sabbath. What's it mean turn your foot away from it. Let the expositor from doing your own pleasure on my holy day Sabbath is my holy day turn your foot away from doing your own pleasure.

Now I want to leave him for a moment New Testament parallel to that and it's Revelation 110, where the Holy Spirit directs the apostle John to write. I was in the spirit on a New Testament day that God himself refers to as his. It's called in the language of the Holy Spirit.

The Lords day. There's an exact correspondence here. The Sabbath, my holy day, the first day of the week. The Lords day and you go on and in this prophecy, it says if you'll turn your foot away from doing your pleasure on my holy day and call the Sabbath call this day of delight. The holy of the Lord and honorable, and shall honor him in the modern language translations of the same honor yet if you'll do that follow this not doing your own ways nor finding your own pleasure nor speaking your own words now know this.

Folks, this is dynamic, then you will delight in the Lord to wheatgrass the genius that what's really remarkable about this is that that is exactly with the nation Israel at least the vast majority of that is evidently what they missed. For all those centuries.

I don't mean that they were aware of those verses.

But I mean in their practice. They evidently miss the Old Testament, she active for the Sabbath day what they focused upon lies.

You can't work that wasn't complete and that was the means to the end.

The and wasn't nobody gets to work the and is then here are going to have the opportunity to really delight in the Lord and not working is the way of freeing you from your six days of burden and labor and sweat of the brow so you can enjoy the Lord that not working is the means to that end, Israel focused on the prohibition and either deeply resented and resisted at or on the other hand, so exaggerated, it became a great burden like the Pharisees did in the time of our Lord which you can see thoughts what the real objective of this is now follow me on this please. Nothing is changed every week still has seven days and the chief end of man is still exactly the same. If you learn the catechism growing up. You know what the chief end of man is the chief end of man is to glorify God and to do I say it with me if you know and to enjoy him forever. Let's all say that what is the chief in the mail is also the chief end of man is to glorify God and to nothing is changed.

Now here's our situation. Just like Israel's Lord has a great deal for us to do every week so Monday morning he sends us out.

We go out into the world.

We are in our food in our drink. We raise our families, we have our friendships with innocent pleasures and delights things that are allowed for us to do, but folks because were falling people and rent a fallen world.

We have to do all that by the sweat of our brow and so much of it becomes tremendously burdensome. Some if you can do this this morning.

I think a number of you can really relate to this. If you grew up. For instance, in a Christian home were your folks are reasonably dedicated people to the Lord what you just for a moment to bring into your mind's eye the way your father usually looks when he comes home at the end of the workday or just for a moment, remind yourself of the general atmosphere of your home in the evenings after everyone has really been out there taking it on the chin in the world all day long and you may not be completely able to relate to that right now because most of you are not married and you don't have your own homes so I can really tell you that when that day comes in your into your marriage a few years and have children and all the responsibilities life is very wearing swearing on you right now that it will be multiplied exponentially when you get out in the real life. So here's a list of the Lords given you to do and you're doing it that because of the nature of the circumstance and because of your own fallenness is very very difficult. And then when you add to that is a believer that urine you really are. You just engaged in a constant spiritual warfare you're trying to stay in touch with the Lord you're trying to maintain a sense of his presence all week long. You're desperate to even be able to find time for your devotional life. It just gets squeezed out my life.

This is what goes on six days a week and by the end of the week.

Most Christian people are really beaten-down if they have engaged in that warfare to the glory of God. They really are there worn out with it and then it's the first day of the week. The week ends on Saturday night. Sunday is not part of the weekend the week ended with the seventh day. Sunday is the first day. Monday is the second and what the Lord is given to us is this wonderful day.

First day every week and what we do as we assemble ourselves together their services and our local churches. Generally, this time in the afternoons. Time for some extra rest and time to give attention to what we so desperately wanted to be able to give more attention to all week long. There is time for the spiritual devotion to the Lord really entering into the secret place of fellowship with the Lord and enjoying the kinds of things that elevate my spirit toward him. It's there in France. It is that the Bible teaches a compartmentalization of things that words their lawful claim six days of the week are not lawful.

The seventh day it is that the first day of the week is there to set for the rest of the week when the Lord's day really is observed in the way were thinking about this morning. It has a tendency to really screw denies everything else and put everything else back in the perspective it's like you reset or read Maureen it's like six days of the week you're out of the woods so often you get off of the track.

The Lord's day comes. It's like taking out the compass and getting oriented again to where the Northstar really is and it has this great effect in your spirit so that Monday morning you're ready to get and go at it again for the glory of the Lord and trying to enjoy the Lord all week long. Folks, what's the biggest threat to that you realize that the biggest threat to that isn't ignorance of the Bible. It is an immaturity isn't even unconfessed sin because we come to the first day of the week and we use it as God intended. All those things get taken care of by really looking at the Lord. Here's the great threat. I grew up in Kansas, we very often had a bird dog. Some of you can relate to this is really enjoyable to train the younger bird dog with an older dog, and when you're trying to train a dog to hunt pheasant and quail. You know that one of the difficulties with the young dog is, and that the dog is young with the dogs ignorant or that the dog is slow to learn. The biggest difficulty is when something comes across the trail that has an irresistible sent.

Use a rabbit across the trail and even an older dog will go crazy, but you're hunting pheasant folks. The biggest threat to this is distraction in the biggest distractions are just exactly what that verse is saying look at them again our own ways our own pleasure, our own words, those those lines are not talking about since God is not saying you can see in the other six days of the week. Just undo it on the Sabbath day. He's talking about lawful things in joyful things things there are ways subjects we like to talk about but if you really will set aside those distractions this day. Then you'll really delight in the Lord and that will winnow everything and put all those other things in the right perspective so that they don't become those choking thorns of the Lord was talking about. In the parable of the soils learn to delight yourself in the Lord now this is not insignificant between now and September on this very day are seven months. One whole month will be Lords days if you're 18 this morning by the time you turn 25 that seven years the whole year of them will be Lords days if you live to be 7010 of those years will be Lords days. What you think the effect would be on the people of God. If they deliberately turned their feet away from everything else and learned to delight in the Lord.

Father, we are so grateful to you for your word and disperses we pray that by your grace that you would help us to know how to use the rhythm of the week and the way that most brings us the satisfying intimacy with you and will thank you for it. We pray in Christ.

Precious name amen you've been listening to a sermon preached at Bob Jones University by Dr. Mark Minnick join us again next week as we continue this series on the 10 Commandments here on The Daily Platform