THERE ARE CONTINUING PROBLEMS REGARDING THE MATTER OF SABBATH OBSERVANCE AND LEGALISM

1. Some are shocked to learn that Saturday is the Sabbath, that Sunday is not the Sabbath
2. There are 7th Day Adventists, Baptists, Methodists, Mennonites- & many zealous to proselyte
3. We need to study the Bible carefully to form a healthy attitude toward this matter-

And we need to be careful not to secularize every day trying to rid ourselves of sacrament

I.- THE SABBATH AND THE MINISTRY OF JESUS Luke 13:10-21

There is no way we can study the life of our Lord without observing growing opposition to Him-

A.- JESUS OBSERVED THE SABBATH DAY BY TEACHING AND PREACHING IN TEMPLE OR SYNAGOGUE

1. Some would stay away from Church- but Jesus was present every Sabbath day I can find-
2. He was often the guest of honor in a synagogue- the visiting teacher of the Word of God-
3. But after teaching- He ministered to the needs of people- sometimes healing those sick

B.-JESUS WAS UNDER FIRE FOR HEALING ON THE SABBATH, AND THE HATRED GREW AS HE MINISTERED .-v.14

1. In Mark 2:23 His disciples ate wheat in the fields while walking on Sabbath- & were rebuked
2. But even more criticism grew over His healing - Mark 3:2 - and they often watched to trap Him
3. in Jerusalem a man was excommunicated - John 9:14 - because he was given sight on Sabbath day

C.- JESUS DEFENDED HIS ACTIONS ON THE SABBATH DAY IN THREE DIFFERENT WAYS, LISTEN CAREFULLY

1. He stressed that deeds of mercy and kindness to animals was OK- why not to humans? Luke 13:15
2. He pointed out that the Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath- Mark 2:27
3. He stated that the Son of Man is Lord also of the Sabbath- Mark 2:28 Any day with Jesus OK

If you love the Lord, you will want to walk in His Footsteps- observe & copy Him!

II.- THE SABBATH ΙΝ THE OLD TESTAMENT

We need to look into the ancient past- in the Bible and secular history as well- what is Sabbath?

A.- THE PRINCIPLE OF RESTING ON THE 7th DAY CAME FROM GOD'S CREATIVE ACTS, Gen 2:2

1. The creative acts of God were finished in 6 days, and on the 7th He rested- What is He saying?
2. He Sanctified the 7th Day- made it Holy- Sanctified means set apart for service of God
3. The principle involved is a day of rest from our normal labors- special service for God

B.- THE TEN COMMANDMENTS NEXT MENTIONED THE SABBATH DAY, AND SET IT APART AS HOLY - Exo 20:11

1. "Remember the Sabbath day, keep it holy" - in Egypt they had forgotten to worship God-
2. Special lesson on gathering manna- never on Sabbath & a man gathering sticks was executed
3. But this is the only one of the Ten Commandments not repeated by God, Christ or Disciples in NT

C.- THIS SIGN OF THE SABBATH WAS A SPECIAL SIGN BETWEEN GOD AND THE NATION OF ISRAEL -Exo 31:17

1. We are not Israel! - But the Nation was specially led of God, and to be a peculiar nation
2. Two signs given to distinguish Israel- Circumcision- and Sabbath -Exo 31:13,17, Ezek 20:3,12,20
3. But Israel violated God's Sabbaths with mocking Him- hypocritical worship- rituals,-

But the special Feast days- other than on the 7th day were also called Sabbaths-

III.- THE SABBATH AND THE NEW TESTAMENT

We want to believe and practice the entire Bible- using sound judgement- comparing all

A.- THE FIRST DAY OF THE WEEK BECAME THE LORD'S DAY AS THE RESULT OF THE SPECIAL WORK OF CHRIST

1. He was dead and buried on the Sabbath- but came alive on Sunday morning!- John 20:1 - glory
2. His every recorded appearance in resurrection form- was on Sunday - John 20:26 check & see
3. To me it is the symbol of a new life- new covenant- and passing away of old one-

B.- THE EARLY CHURCH USED THE FIRST DAY OF THE WEEK AS THEIR DAY OF SPECIAL WORSHIP & SERVICE

1. The pattern of the Lord's supper and worship on 1st day, Acts 20:7, was apostolic
2. They took up the church offerings on the 1st day- I Cor 16:2 - as the church met –
3. And in Acts 15:28,29 in Emancipation Proclamation of the Church- no mention of Sabbaths

C.- THE APOSTLE PAUL - THE APOSTLE TO THE GENTILES - ESPECIALLY DECLARED US FREE FROM THE LAW

1. We are free from the law- Gal 5:1-4 - Circumcision obligates us as Jews- what of Sabbath?
2. There he was arguing in the church regarding special days- Cf. Rom 14:5,6- all days- Lord
3. Sunday is specially the day for churchgoing- but every day for the Lord- Col 3:17

But remember, your neighbors will watch how you treat Sunday- if you Love the you love the Lord- it shows

IF YOU ARE A CHRISTIAN YOU HAVE A GREAT DEAL OF SPECIAL LIBERTY, BUT USE FREEDOM FOR SOULS

1. Make sure you are saved- you can keep all the laws and still be lost & hell bound!
2. Do not use your liberty from Sabbath slavery as a license - Use Lord's day for Him-special
3. Glorify God on every day- and let your life shine for the Lord.-