Tuesday, April 26, 2011

B-ATTRIBUTES OF A CHRISTIAN-2

B – ATTRIBUTES OF A CHRISTIAN – 2

Communication and fellowship with God has been shown to be an important attribute of a Christian for how can we be “of Christ” and be void of either one.  Our communication and also our fellowship with God requires both a life of prayer and also a life of hunger to know more of God’s Word.  Matt.5:6

The above are attributes of our private life as a Christian although fruit is born of both that should be visible in our lives.  Because of this insatiable desire within us, we want to be with those that have that same longing.  To be with Christians in church, which is the assembly of the “called out” and not a building, this desire is accomplished.  Christians being together is so important to our Christian life that it is commanded.  Heb.10:24,25   This “called-out assembly” is the church that Jesus established.  Matt.16:18  

Since the church is an “assembly”, a group of people (Christians) are involved.  Do you remember having assemblies in school?  Many classes came together.  This assembly for Christians is church.  Many examples are given in Scripture to illustrate the togetherness of Christians in church.  Ed Werner gives several of these examples in his book, On To Perfection as seen below.

Christ’s church is a family.  Heb.2:11 (brothers are of the same family); Gal.6:10(NIV)   We sing the song, “Family of God.”  Christ’s church is called a “flock.”  Acts 20:28; 1 Pet.5:2,3   An army is used to illustrate Christ’s Church.  Christians are soldiers in God’s army.  2 Tim.2:2-4   As soldiers we are given our armor.  Eph.6:11   The church is called a kingdom.  Jhn.3:5; Matt.9:35   Another illustration is the body.  Rom.12:4,5; 1 Cor.12:12,13

With the above “Jesus is the head of the family, the Chief Shepherd of the flock, the leader of the army, the King in the kingdom, and the head of the body.  Christians are to work together to help one another reach spiritual maturity so the work of Christ can be advanced.”

Two reasons are given for our assembling together in Heb.10:24,25.  The first is to stimulate one another to love and  good deeds.  Jhn.13:35   Our need of love for one another is evident; but “Hello” and “Have a good day” for one hour a week does not produce love.  Sometimes the above is without even knowing their name.  During that hour we take our seat, sing, pray, listen to a sermon.  We do not get to know one another in our hopes, dreams, problems, and victories of life.  Lives need to be shared with one another as brothers and sisters in Christ.  Rom.12:15   When we spend time with “friends”, is that time spent with those in Christ or those of the world.  It is true – we must make friends to win them to Christ but there is a difference.  1 Cor.15:33   In Acts 2:44  the Christians were together

As we join in the assembly, whenever Christians meet together we get to know one another in a closer way.  This is especially true if we arrive early enough to         visit and don’t rush out at the end.  We join in fellowship times.  We are             stimulated and energized to love one another as true friends in Christ.  As part of            the family of God, we are brothers and sisters in the faith.  1 Pet.1:22

Because of our love for one another and our knowledge of the needs of each other, we can not only pray for and with them, but we can help supply those needs that are within our power to do so.  None of us are an island to ourselves.  We all need help at times.  We leave our comfort zone for one another and count it joy to do so.  Eph.4:12

Not only are we stimulated to love and good deeds for each other, but for those outside of Christ.  One of our goals is to bring them into the fold or the church of believers.  As we are together, we become aware of needs in the community.  Do we have that spirit of compassion that Jesus showed so many times.  Mk.6:34; Col.3:12  Together we can become more aware of those needs and learn ways to offer our assistance.  Let it always be in the name of the Lord and His church and not ourselves personally for our own glory.

Do we ever have need of encouragement?  Our answers come as we meet together.  We need encouragement as we face problems and pain.  We need input as we face problems in relationships.  Heb.3:13  And, yes, we need encouragement to remain faithful as we see the day drawing near.  Some day each one of us will face the end of life in one way or another.  We encourage one another to be ready.  1 Jhn.1:7  We need that fellowship to encourage.

Do we have temptations?  Jesus did, so we could say that we all do.  Are we willing for others to approach in help when they see us falling.  We need to remain approachable to receive help.  1 Pet.5:8,9   It may be that we are the one to provide help.  Scripture tells us how.  Gal.6:1   Those who preach and teach the gospel are given responsibilities to be achieved.  Much of this happens as we come together.  2 Tim.4:2  Then, as we come together, we must be ready and willing to receive this through the Word.

Meeting together should never be drudgery.  May we say with David in Ps.122:1 I was glad when they said to me,” Let us go to the house of the Lord.”  If we were made to witness just five minutes of what some Christians in the past and even today go through to worship, we would forever be thankful and our hearts full of joy to have the great privilege we have to worship in Spirit and Truth (Jhn.4:24) with the freedom we enjoy.

Are we one hour a week Christians?  That means we spend 52 hours a year out of roughly 5,824 hours to worship together.  That is giving us 8 hours of sleep a night.  This does not help us grow nor does it help the church as a people to grow; consequently, we don’t win the world as Jesus commissioned us to do.  Matt.28:19,20  May we not forsake the assembly!

Generally, the world knows where we should be when the church meets.  If they notice that we are home or they see us out shopping during the times of church service or see us at a ballgame or golf course, what kind of influence does that bring?  In their mind we are no different in that aspect than they are.  Why should they become a Christian.  They are hunting for every excuse they can find as to why they are “just as good.”

Following are some astonishing statistics taken from Leadership magazine.  When Mom and Dad both attend church, 72% of the children will remain faithful.  If just Dad attends church, then 55% of the children will be found faithful.  When only Mom attends church, the percentage dwindles to 15% and if neither Dad nor Mom attend, the percentage drops further to only 6%.  Does our attendance make a difference?  Definitely—not only to us personally but to our children and to the world around us.

“I’ll Tell the World That I’m a Christian” by being faithful in our presence when the saints meet together.  This is an important attribute of a Christian.  As we come together, let us be thankful and with joy offer our sacrifice of praise   Heb.13:15   If we are doing our part, we should not be discouraged with a few in number.  Pray for those not present.  Matt.18:20   What is “our part”?  Matt.6:33






Tuesday, April 19, 2011

ATTRIBUTES OF A CHRISTIAN 1

A - ATTRIBUTES OF A CHRISTIAN 1

First, what is a Christian?  This name is used three times in the N.T.—Acts 11:26;  Acts 26:28; 1 Pet.4:16.  A Christian is a follower, a servant, a slave of Jesus Christ.  The slaves of Caesar were called Caesarians so the term “Christian” follows the pattern.  Chafer in his book, Systematic Theology, defines a Christian in the following way: “Is not one who does certain things for God but…one for whom God has done certain things; he is not so much one who conforms to a certain manner of life as he is one who has received the gift of eternal life, he is not one who depends upon a hopelessly imperfect state but rather one who has reached a perfect standing before God as being in Christ”.  We do not do for God as much as He does for us.

So what does an attribute mean?  An attribute is a characteristic quality of a person.  In this case—a Christian.  It would be a characteristic that is appropriate for a Christian.  It might even be a characteristic that would designate a person as a Christian to the public and cause them to be a testimony for their Lord. 

We realize that we must obey God and follow in Christ’s footsteps in the kind of life we live; however, God does so much more for us than what we do for Him.  God loves us with immeasurable love.  Rom.8:37-39   Our love of God cannot be stressed too much or too often.  Nothing else will matter if we don’t truly love God with our all.  Lk.10:27   Not only do we love God, but we love His Son—Jesus Christ.  1 Jhn.5:1   whoever loves the Father loves the child born of him.  God , Himself, gave His own testimony that Jesus was His Son .  Matt.3:17; Matt.17:5

Just talking about our love of the Lord is not sufficient; although we are to confess His name and He will confess us to the Father.  Matt.10:32   Occasionally there will be those that talk on and on with the idea that they are being a testimony when in reality, they love to hear themselves and are not accomplishing anything but taking up precious worship or study time.  A time of testimony is a blessing but not out of order or inappropriately.  Eccl.5:7; Eccl.6:11   After a time, people quit listening.  May we be profitable in our speech that we can be a glory to God and not a detriment.  Col.3:17  We must follow through with our life.  “Walk the talk”.

Our love of God is more than just an acknowledgment that He exists.  A person may know of someone by name but not really know them, have fellowship with them, become acquainted with their goals in life and know their struggles.  We have a God that really knows us.  In fact He knows everything about us.  To love God we must know Him—not just be acquainted or know that He exists.  Job 19:25; 2 Tim.1:12  

What better way to know the Lord than to study His Word.  2 Tim.2:15;  Heb.4:12   Sometimes there is a lonesomeness for family far away and we will read and reread their communication.  The Word is so important to us.  If we are honest as we study it, our soul will be laid bare with our attitudes and thoughts exposed.  God can see.  Heb.4:13   Can we?  Our longing for God’s Word should be so strong that our soul pants for it as a deer that has been running longs for a drink.  Ps.42:1

We need to read and study God’s Word so much that it is in our minds (Ps.119:11)   and ready to answer in temptation as Jesus did (Matt.4:4,6,10) or be ready to answer someone who asks us why we are a Christian.  1 Pet.3:15  

The very first Christians continually devoted themselves to the apostles teaching.  Acts 2:42   This was so important to them.  Today we are blessed to have the Bible available to us in many versions and languages.  Parts of the world cannot freely have Bibles and are even persecuted if found with a Bible. We have that freedom.  Is it so common that we forget to be thankful?  Do we even take the great advantage that we have, or are our Bibles picked up only when we go to church—if then.  If your Bible could write, what would be the diary of your Bible?

Have you ever attempted to become a friend of someone who would not talk to you?  It is discouraging and unsuccessful to say the least.  God speaks to us through the Scriptures; yet do we talk to God?  He wants our communication with Him.  How?  Prayer!  We thank Him.  We praise Him.  We confess and repent before Him.  We ask for guidance from Him.  We pray for others.  Eph.6:18   We can open our hearts before our Father.  Phil.4:6   We pray through His Son, Jesus.  Sometimes we are so overcome with needs that we can’t put them into words and the Holy Spirit helps us.  Rom.8:26

If God is on my mind, then praying without ceasing will come naturally.  1 Thess.5:17   This doesn’t mean we will have formal prayers going constantly.  Think of a couple in love.  The loved one is constantly on their mind when absent.  We love our Lord so He is on our mind constantly.  We want to please Him.  Col.1:10   We want to obey Him because we love Him.  1 Jhn.5:3   We want to serve Him.  1 Thess.1:9   We want to be a glory to His name.  1 Cor.10:31   This will cause us to talk to our Lord.  This is prayer.

A true Christian will have a time of private prayer.  This will include adoration of how great God is to you.  Thanksgiving will be an important part.  God has given us so much.  We will need to humbly ask forgiveness specifically as we realize what we have done to displease our Lord.  Yes, we can even ask God for blessings and definite needs with guidance from Him and making sure that what we ask is within His will.  1 Jhn.5:14   Intercessory prayer is important as we pray for others—maybe healing, conversion, guidance, comfort.  Whatever we pray, we pray in Jesus’ name.

Prayer is something so necessary for victory in our lives and victory for the church.  Prayer is something everyone can and should do.  Even those homebound can become prayer warriors.  When we tell someone we will pray for them, DO IT!  Don’t just say the words.  Maybe it needs to be done right them.  Make a list to be sure you do pray for them.

As Christians, we need to be devoted to prayer.  Col.4:2; Rom.12:12   Jesus was perfect and the Son of God and yet He spent much time in prayer.  Much more could be said of prayer.  Let your prayer life grow.  Jesus taught us to not give up in prayer.  Lk.18:1




Wednesday, April 13, 2011

PROPHECY


PROPHECY

From the beginning of time in the Garden, man has succumbed to the desires of Satan to compromise, add to, or take away from what God said.  John 17:17 Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.  Today, too many moral issues plainly taught in the Scripture are being sidestepped for political correctness Those not agreeing are perceived as being intolerant rather than speaking the Truth in love.  The apostle Paul had the same problem with the Judaizers.  Gal 2:5  We did not give in to them for a moment, so that the truth of the gospel might remain with you.  He stood firm in the Truth.

Prophecy is spoken either for God or is of God. A prophet  comprehends things that are not in the normal human capacity.  The prophet may not understand the full meaning of the prophecy but recognizes it as a message from God.  False prophets have been in existence very early in time.  Jer.23:16 This is what the LORD Almighty says: "Do not listen to what the prophets are prophesying to you ;they fill you with false hopes. They speak visions from their own minds,not from the mouth of the LORD.

“How can we know?” was a question asked of old.  Deut 18:21,22-21 You may say to yourselves, "How can we know when a message has not been spoken by the LORD?" 22 If what a prophet proclaims in the name of the LORD does not take place or come true, that is a message the LORD has not spoken. That prophet has spoken presumptuously. Do not be afraid of him. None of Samuels’s words fell to the ground  1 Sam 3:19-20  19 The LORD was with Samuel as he grew up, and he let none of his words fall to the ground. 20 And all Israel from Dan to Beersheba recognized that Samuel was attested as a prophet of the LORD. 

False religions have false prophets.  Four hundred prophets of Baal came to nought as the prophets tried and tried to obtain a response.  Scripture warns us against believing every spirit.  1 John 4:1 Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.  A true prophecy can never contradict, add to, nor remove from the Word of God.

We note the progression of prophecy in the following verse.
Heb 1:1-2
1:1 In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, 2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe.

The O.T. had many prophets.  Now Jesus has come and the Bible has been written by inspiration of God.  It is complete without need of new prophets.  2 Tim.3:16,17

Deut 18:18-20
18 I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their brothers; I will put my words in his mouth, and he will tell them everything I command him. 19 If anyone does not listen to my words that the prophet speaks in my name, I myself will call him to account. 20 But a prophet who presumes to speak in my name anything I have not commanded him to say, or a prophet who speaks in the name of other gods, must be put to death."

John 3:31-33
31 "The one who comes from above is above all; the one who is from the earth belongs to the earth, and speaks as one from the earth. The one who comes from heaven is above all. 32 He testifies to what he has seen and heard, but no one accepts his testimony. 33 The man who has accepted it has certified that God is truthful.

John 1:1-2, 14
1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning.
14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

Matt 24:36-
36 "No one knows about that day or hour , not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.
Even Jesus as a human being on earth did not know when the 2nd coming would be.  How can so-called prophets of today know.


John the Baptist was called a prophet.  Luke 1:76   And you, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High; for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him,

Jesus was called a prophet.  Matt 21:11 The crowds answered, "This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee."

People in the church (spiritual gift of prophecy)  Acts 13:1 In the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen (who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch) and Saul 
Eph 3:5  which was not made known to men in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God's holy apostles and prophets.
Eph 4:11-12  11 It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, 12 to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up

These prophets gave messages of encouragement.  Acts 15:32  Judas and Silas, who themselves were prophets, said much to encourage and strengthen the brothers

They gave messages to edify. disciples.  1 Cor 14:3  But everyone who prophesies speaks to men for their strengthening, encouragement and comfort.

Some prophets would foretell future.  Acts 21:10-11
10After we had been there a number of days, a prophet named Agabus came down from Judea. 11 Coming over to us, he took Paul's belt, tied his own hands and feet with it and said, "The Holy Spirit says, 'In this way the Jews of Jerusalem will bind the owner of this belt and will hand him over to the Gentiles.'"

The words of the prophets were to be carefully weighed by the congregation.
1 Cor 14:29  Two or three prophets should speak, and the others should weigh carefully what is said

. There will always be false prophets. 
Matt 7:15-16  15 "Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. 16 By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles?
Matt 24:11 and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people.

Miraculous gifts were necessary to testify to the Truth of the gospel for no N.T. Scriptures had yet been written.  Now we have the Word of God which is complete in every way.
2 Tim 3:16-17  All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

Since these miraculous gifts were no longer necessary, they ceased.
1 Cor 13:8  Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away.

PROPHECY EXAMPLES

Great statue:  (Daniel 2)
            Head of Gold – Babylonian empire
            Breast & arms of silver – Medo-Persian under Cyrus
            Belly & thighs of brass – Greek empire
            Legs of iron – Roman empire
            Feet of iron and clay – Division
            Stone that smote the image and became huge mountain – Dashes it to pieces
                        Stone-Jesus and the church
All of this prophecy came to pass.

PROPHECY FOLLOWED BY FULFILLMENT:

Isa 40:3
3 A voice of one calling:
"In the desert prepare
the way for the LORD ;
make straight in the wilderness
a highway for our God.  

            Mark 1:2-3  (John the Baptist)
            2 It is written in Isaiah the prophet:
                "I will send my messenger ahead of you,
                who will prepare your way"—
                3 "a voice of one calling in the desert,
                'Prepare the way for the Lord,
                make straight paths for him.'"  

Mic 5:2  (Jesus born in Bethlehem)
But you, Bethlehem Ephraph
though you are small among the clans of Judah,
out of you will come for me
one who will be ruler over Israel,
whose origins are from of old,
from ancient times."

            Matt 2:6
                6 "'But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
                are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;
                for out of you will come a ruler
                who will be the shepherd of my people Israel.'"

Jer 31:15
15 This is what the LORD says:
"A voice is heard in Ramah,
mourning and great weeping,
Rachel weeping for her children
and refusing to be comforted,
because her children are no more."

                Matt 2:16-17  (killing of babies)
                16 When Herod realized that he had been outwitted by the Magi, he was furious, and he gave        orders to kill all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and under, in            accordance with the time he had learned from the Magi. 17 Then what was said through the                prophet Jeremiah was fulfilled:

Isa 9:2-3
2 The people walking in darkness
have seen a great light;
on those living in the land of the shadow of death
a light has dawned.
3 You have enlarged the nation
and increased their joy;
they rejoice before you
as people rejoice at the harvest,
as men rejoice
when dividing the plunder.

                Matt 4:15-16  (Jesus began ministry in Capernaum)
                15 "Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali,
                the way to the sea, along the Jordan,
                Galilee of the Gentiles—
                16 the people living in darkness
                have seen a great light;
                on those living in the land of the shadow of death
                a light has dawned." 

Isa 61:1-2
The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me,
because the LORD has anointed me
to preach good news to the poor.
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim freedom for the captives
and release from darkness for the prisoners,   
2 to proclaim the year of the LORD's favor
and the day of vengeance of our God,
to comfort all who mourn,

                Luke 4:17,20,21  (Jesus reading. “I’m the one.”  Tried to throw him off cliff)
                17 The scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is                written: 20 Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of        everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him, 21 and he began by saying to them, "Today this        scripture is fulfilled in your hearing."

Isa 42:1-4
"Here is my servant, whom I uphold,
my chosen one in whom I delight;
I will put my Spirit on him
and he will bring justice to the nations.
2 He will not shout or cry out,
or raise his voice in the streets.
3 A bruised reed he will not break,
and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out.
In faithfulness he will bring forth justice;
4 he will not falter or be discouraged
till he establishes justice on earth.
In his law the islands will put their hope."

                Matt 12:15-21
                15 Aware of this, Jesus withdrew from that place. Many followed him, and he healed all their sick,               16warning them not to tell who he was. 17 This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet        Isaiah:
                18 "Here is my servant whom I have chosen,
                the one I love, in whom I delight;
                I will put my Spirit on him,
                and he will proclaim justice to the nations.
                19 He will not quarrel or cry out;
                no one will hear his voice in the streets.
                20 A bruised reed he will not break,
                and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out,
                till he leads justice to victory.
                21 In his name the nations will put their hope."   V

Read and consider the fulfillment of Isaiah 53:1-9

Some examples of false prophets can be seen in predictions about the end of the world or the “rapture”.  There have been 200 predictions that the end of the world was coming on a certain date.  They have all been wrong for no man knows the day or the hour.  Matt.24:36 

The 1st date was 44 A.D.  Many dates followed.  1000 A.D. seemed to be a significant date.  Many mathematical computations ensued.  1843/44 was given as one date as we come closer to our time.  That did not happen.  The solar system lined up in 1982 so that was to be the end.  It wasn’t.  1988 became an important date and again, it did not happen.  Many predicted the turn of the century in 2000 as the End.  We are still here.  This year a new date has been prophesied—May 21, 2011.  On Oct.21st the world will be destroyed by fire.  All of the proclamations have been made by so-called prophets. 

We can see the truthfulness in God’s Word.  No man knows.  Many false prophets will arise.  The Bible is complete.  We don’t need prophets, conventions, conferences, bishops over many congregations, etc.  Decisions are made from Scripture alone..  The most important thing we can do – BE READY whether tonight or 100 or 1000 years away.

So many more Scriptures could be cited and more said on this topic. This addresses a current problem.  Every cult has a prophet of “today” and most with writings provided.  Let us not be deceived as we are warned.

Friday, April 1, 2011

SABBATH - LORD'S DAY STUDY

SABBATH – LORD’S DAY STUDY

Hopefully, this lesson will help us understand the glorious celebration that we enjoy every Lord’s Day.

God created everything in six days and then rested on the seventh day.  Gen 2:2-3
2 By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work. 3 And God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done.   As we know, the Sabbath became a time of celebrating God’s day of rest after creation.  It involved not only the Sabbath Day but also the Sabbath Year (Ex.23:10,11 And six years thou shalt sow thy land, and shalt gather in the fruits thereof:11 But the seventh year thou shalt let it rest and lie still; that the poor of thy people may eat: and what they leave the beasts of the field shall eat. In like manner thou shalt deal with thy vineyard, and with thy oliveyard.The Sabbatical Year was a time of the suspension of land use to let the land rest and also the suspension of debt was possible.. 

The Year of Jubilee was every fiftieth year.  Land sold would return to original owner and those who gave themselves as slaves for a debt would be released.  Lev.25:10,11 And ye shall hallow the fiftieth year, and proclaim liberty throughout all the land unto all the inhabitants thereof: it shall be a jubile unto you; and ye shall return every man unto his possession, and ye shall return every man unto his family.11 A jubile shall that fiftieth year be unto you: ye shall not sow, neither reap that which groweth of itself in it, nor gather the grapes in it of thy vine undressed. Lev.25:39,40 39' If a countryman of yours becomes so poor with regard to you that he sells himself to you, you shall not subject him to a slave's service. 40'He shall be with you as a hired man, as if he were a sojourner; he shall serve with you until the year of jubilee.
  All of these laws were in celebration of God’s creation; everything belongs to God; celebrating God’s rest.

Jesus was a Jew so He lived by the Old Covenant.  A “will” can not be in force until the testator dies just as our wills don’t take effect until we die.  Heb.9:16,17  For where a covenant is, there must of necessity be the death of the one who made it. 17 For a covenant is valid only when men are dead, for it is never in force while the one who made it lives.  Even the apostles went to the synagogue or temple on the Sabbath.  That’s where the Jews were.  The gospel was preached first to the Jews.  Rom.1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek

Then Jesus was crucified for us that we might have the forgiveness of sins.  He took upon Him our sin.  We celebrate the remembrance of His death by our partaking of communion.  That did not overcome death.  Death was overcome by Jesus’ resurrection. 
1 Cor.15:19 If we have hoped in Christ in this life only, we are of all men most to be pitied. Our hope of heaven rests in Jesus coming forth from the grave.  This is what every Christian in the world celebrates EVERY Lord’s Day.  The celebration of the resurrection should overflow our hearts with joy and thanksgiving that we have that hope of heaven where we will rest from sorrow, from pain, from tears, from the stress of this life as we celebrate with Jesus for eternity.  Never let it become mundane – either the celebration of His death in communion or the celebration of His resurrection on the Lord’s Day.  Praise His Name!

                                                                    SABBATH

God established the Sabbath at the end of His creation.  God’s creation was finished.  He did not rest a day and then start creating more the next day.  Creation was finished.  Heb.4:3 

Under the Old Covenant given at Sinai the Jews were required to set aside the Sabbath day as a special day.  Remember the Sabbath Day to keep it holy.  Ex. 20:8   The first reference of a Sabbath observance was after the exodus from Egypt and before Sinai.  It was in connection of the gift of manna.  Ex.16:22-30   The purpose of keeping the Sabbath was to honor God for redeeming Israel from Egyptian slavery.  You shall remember that you were a slave in the land of Egypt, and the Lord your God brought you out of there by a mighty hand and by an outstretched arm, therefore the Lord your God commanded you to observe the Sabbath day.”  Deut.5:15   Sabbath  Day for the Jews was rest and a cessation from labor.  Ex.20:8-11; 31:12-17   This did not include any requirement to assemble together.  The Jews honored God by ceasing from their labor and resting as God did after creation.  Ex.31:17 explains that this day was a sign between Himself and Israel.

In Col.2:16 (Gr. Plural) Paul, the apostle, explains that the days designated by Mosaic law are not binding on Christians today.  This includes the Sabbath.  Therefore no one is to act as your judge in regard to food or drink or in respect to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath day.  Rom.14:5  Whatever you observe, observe to the Lord.  Many Jews were trying to force Judaism upon Christians.  We have the council at Jerusalem where inspired apostles resided. They determined 4 things to require of Christians:  They were to abstain from things contaminated by idols, from fornication, from what is strangled, and from blood.  Acts 15:20   The Sabbath day was not mentioned.

SABBATH KEEPING

Ex.20:10            cessation from labor

Ex.35:3              no kindling of fire for cooking

Num.15:32-36    no gathering of wood

Jer.17:21-27      no burden-bearing

Ex.16:27-30       traveling forbidden  (Josh.3:4; Num.35:5)
                           Acts 1:12 – a Sabbath day’s journey

Amos 8:5           trading forbidden


LORD’S DAY

We learn in 3 ways from the Scriptures:  COMMAND, EXAMPLE, PRINCIPLE.

Let us look at example first.  Christians met together to break bread.  This was the Lord’s Supper or Communion as some call it.  This was the purpose of their coming together—to remember what the Lord had done for them.  It was on the first day of the week. 
Acts 20:7   Paul was there and so took the opportunity to preach.  In Corinth since they met together on the first day of the week, they were to bring whatever they were able to bring to help the poor Christians in Jerusalem.  1 Cor. 16:1,2   The apostle John received his vision of Revelation on the Lord’s Day.  Rev.1:10.

From church history the writings from 100 A.D. on through history indicates that the Lord’s Day (first day of the week) became the day of gathering together for the breaking of bread and worship. 

Christ arose from the dead on the first day of the week.  This was the beginning of a new creation.  2 Cor.5:17   This monumental event of the resurrection happened on the first day of the week.  This is just like the beginning of God’s New Covenant people, the church, began on Pentecost which is the first day of the week.  This is truly the Lord’s Day. 

We celebrate His resurrection and the beginning of His church.  We are enjoined to gather together on this day—even not to forsake the gathering of the saints together.  Heb.10:24,25   This is the time we encourage one another, we stimulate one another to love and good works.  We become a testimony that we are of the New Covenant and not the Old Covenant. 

The Old Covenant prepared the way for the Messiah.  Jer.31:31-33   This New Covenant was prophesied.  Now the Messiah has come.  Jesus is the Mediator of a New Covenant.  Heb.8:13   As Jesus established the Lord’s Supper, He mentions the New Covenant.  Lk.22:20; I Cor.11:25  

The Old Covenant was exclusive.  It was designed for the Jews to the exclusion of other nations except in occasions of foreigners believing.  The New Covenant is inclusive for it reaches out to all—to the uttermost parts of the world.  Matt.28:19

The Old Covenant was a schoolmaster, a teacher, a tutor.  Gal.3:24,25   The Old Covenant was also explained as a shadow of things to come.  Heb.10:1   The Law, the Old Covenant was very necessary and important to us. 

Jesus is now our High Priest and is the guarantee of a better covenant.  Heb.8:6;  Heb.12:24   Jesus abolished the enmity between the Old and New.  Eph.2:15; Eph.2:14-16

                                                                        REST

In the Old Testament , God gives His people rest as a temporary and earthly type foreshadowing the believer’s final heavenly rest.  Heb.3:7-4:13

            In Revelation those in heaven never “stop” worshiping.  Rev.4:8   Those in hell will never rest in their torment.  Rev.14:11   The saints are called to “rest a little longer.”  That is, wait for Christ’s return for their vindication.  Rev.6:11   Those who die in the Lord will rest from their labors.  Rev.14:13