KEEPING THE SABBATH

KEEPING THE SABBATH

Remember the Sabbath Day by keeping it holy.....

Observe My Sabbaths.

This will be a sign between Me and you

for the generations to come,

so that you may know that I am the Lord,

Who makes you holy.

Ex. 20.8; 31.13

The Sabbath (seventh) Day was given to Israel and all who come to believe and trust in the Lord Jesus for two reasons:

1. "...so that you may know that I am the Lord...," and

2. "...so that you may...be holy in all that you do; for it is written:

'Be holy, because I am holy.'" (1 Peter 1.15-16)

The Sabbath Day was a unique provision of God for the Israelites to have time to invest in coming to know their God, Redeemer, and Lord.

It was a unique provision and a unique purpose, for that unique people.

We today are the unique people of God--1 Peter 2.9: "You are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light...you are the people of God..." (Cf. Exodus 19.6)

We also are given a unique provision of time to invest in coming to know the Lord Jesus as our God, Redeemer, and Lord.

Jesus calls us to make provision for time to "abide in Me and I in you." (John 15.1-5)

The results of this time of Sabbath-like abiding with Christ results in "much fruit..to My Father's glory...showing yourselves to be My disciples." (John 15.5,8)

The Israelites had one day uniquely set aside for this purpose.

We are to set unique time every day, "redeeming opportunity (time)...to grow (fruit) in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ." (Eph. 5.16; 2 Peter 3.18)

It would seem to be a minimum time commitment that we set ("number") a morning hour and an evening hour for abiding time. The initial focus for these times would be God's love and faithfulness, respectfully.

Psalm 90.12: "Teach me to number my days that I may gain a heart of wisdom."

Psalm 92.2: "It is good to praise the Lord

and make music to Your Name,

O Most High,

to proclaim Your love in the morning

and Your faithfulness at night."

(Cf. Psalm 36.5-6; 108.4)

REASON TO BE

THROUGH MY BEING WITH YOU

I will continue with all of you

for your progress and joy in the faith.

Through my being with you,

your joy in Christ Jesus will overflow.

Philippians 1.25-26

As we grow in grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior (2 Peter 3.18, by the process and steps of 1.2-11), we become strong in grace and are able to strengthen others, encouraging, building up, teaching others to obey the commands of Christ, walk in and be filled by the Holy Spirit. 1 Cor. 14.3; Matt. 28.20; Gal. 5.16; Eph. 5.18; John 15.1-8; Col 3.16.

Go stand in the temple courts...and tell the people the full message of this new life. Acts 5.20

The first disciples, led by the Apostles, were able to proclaim and teach this "full message...." As "disciples of Christ," we are to learn this same message, follow Christ as our Lord, and obey Him as the Spirit leads. As we learn and understand the way of the Lord, we become more and more able to tell others, witnessing to the power of God that is changing our heart, soul, mind and strength.

This "full message" is:

"God has made ... Jesus ... Lord and Christ....Therefore... Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit." Acts 2.36, 38

"Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord...You must listen to everything He tells you....Anyone who does not listen to Him will be completely cut off from among His people." Acts 3.19, 22-23

"Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved." Acts 4.12

If we follow these first instructions of the Apostle Peter's messages, our prayer will become the same as that of those first disciples, gathering together to seek God's leadership in sharing the wonder and glory of this "full message of this new life" that is as much ours today as it was in theat first day, the Day of Pentecost.

"Now, Lord,...enable your servants to speak Your Word

with great boldness."

Acts 4.29-32

So to remind ourselves and focus on becoming disciples who can proclaim and teach this life and bring love, joy, peace, strength, encouragement, comfort, knowledge, understanding, wisdom .......... and much more to one another (Ephesians 4.11-16), let us pray to learn from the Lord His own heart of love and desire for His people to minister in the grace, truth, and power of the Apostle Paul:

I will continue with all of you

for your progress and joy in the faith,

so that through my being with you again

your joy in Christ Jesus will overflow on account of me.

Philippians 1.25-26

This is my prayer:

that your love may abound more and more

in knowledge and depth of insight,

so that you may be able to discern what is best

and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ,

filled with the fruit of righteousness

that comes through Jesus Christ--

to the glory and praise of God.

Phil. 1.9-11

Our gospel came to you not simply with words,

but also with power, with the Holy Spirit,

and with deep conviction....

You turned to God from idols

to serve the living and true God.

1 Thes. 1. 4, 9