What Does The Bible Say About The 4th Commandment?

1. God instituted the rhythm of weekly sabbath (“rest”) at creation.

   Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them. 2 And on the seventh day God finished his work that he had done, and he rested on the seventh day from all his work that he had done. 3 So God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it God rested from all his work that he had done in creation. —Genesis 2:1
   a. The Sabbath is about GOD.
   b. The Sabbath is for US.

2. The Jewish Sabbath was given to help God’s people TRUST and REST in Him..

   “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. 9 Six days you shall labor, and do all your work, 10 but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God. On it you shall not do any work, you, or your son, or your daughter, your male servant, or your female servant, or your livestock, or the sojourner who is within your gates. 11 For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested on the seventh day. Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy. —Exodus 20:8

3. Jesus fulfilled the Sabbath.

   One Sabbath he was going through the grainfields, and as they made their way, his disciples began to pluck heads of grain. 24 And the Pharisees were saying to him, “Look, why are they doing what is not lawful on the Sabbath?” 25 And he said to them, “Have you never read what David did, when he was in need and was hungry, he and those who were with him:26 how he entered the house of God, in the time of Abiathar the high priest, and ate the bread of the Presence, which it is not lawful for any but the priests to eat, and also gave it to those who were with him?” 27 And he said to them, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. 28 So the Son of Man is lord even of the Sabbath.” —Mark 2:23
   Come to me, all 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. —Matthew 11:28
   So then, there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God, 10 for whoever has entered God’s rest has also rested from his works as God did from his. —Hebrews 4:9
   Therefore let no one pass judgment on you in questions of food and drink, or with regard to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath. 17 These are a shadow of the things to come, but the substance belongs to Christ. —Colossians 2:16
   a. A relationship with Jesus brings “Sabbath rest” every day.

4. The early Church instituted the “Lord’s Day” on Sunday.

   Acts 20:7 On the first day of the week, when we were gathered together to break bread, Paul talked with them, intending to depart on the next day, and he prolonged his speech until midnight. —Colossians 2:16
   Now concerning the collection for the saints: as I directed the churches of Galatia, > so you also are to do. 2 On the first day of every week, each of you is to put something aside and store it up, as he may prosper, so that there will be no collecting when I come. —1 Corinthians 16:1
   I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day… —Revelation 1:10
   a. The Lord’s Day is not a “Christian Sabbath.”
   b. The Lord’s Day celebrates all that Christ’s resurrection inaugurated for us.

5. The Lord’s Day IS important!

   And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some… —Hebrews 10:24
   a. Like the Sabbath, the Lord’s Day is about GOD and for US.
   b. Like the Sabbath, the Lord’s Day is meant to help us TRUST and REST in Him.

How Does The 4th Commandment Apply To Us?
1. In Christ, we are free from the requirements of the Mosaic Sabbath Day.
2. In Christ, we can experience “sabbath” every day.
3. In Christ, we should maximize our celebration of the Lord’s Day!

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Pastor’s Challenge: How can you use the Lord’s Day to increase your trust and rest in God?