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The Sabbath
Introduction
The Sabbath invites careful study. God commanded Israel, “Remember
the Sabbath day, to keep it holy” (Exodus 20:8–11). Many confuse its
meaning and application. By returning to Scripture, we see whom God
bound by this command, how Christ fulfilled the law, and where
Christians find their promised rest.
The Meaning
of “Sabbath”
The Hebrew term behind Sabbath means “to cease” or “to rest.” God
“rested on the seventh day from all His work” (Genesis 2:2). The
word describes cessation, not mere idleness. In Israel’s calendar,
Sabbath meant ceasing labor as a sign of devotion, acknowledging the
Creator’s sovereignty and goodness in providing time, sustenance,
and order.
To Whom the
Sabbath Law Was Given
Scripture records no Sabbath observance among the Patriarchs before
Sinai. Moses told Israel, “The Lord did not make this covenant with
our fathers, but with us, those who are here today” (Deuteronomy
5:1–3, 12–15). God delivered the Ten Commandments to Israel (Exodus
20:8–11). He marked Sabbath as a sign between Himself and Israel
because He brought them out of Egypt (Ezekiel 20:10–12). Through
Moses, God made His statutes known to Israel, including Sabbath
obligations (Nehemiah 9:12–14). The Sabbath command thus belonged to
the covenant nation formed at Sinai.
The
Fulfillment and End of the Sabbath Law
The Law of Moses separated Jew and Gentile; Christ removed that
barrier in His flesh, creating one new humanity (Ephesians 2:11–15).
In Christ, we became dead to that law’s jurisdiction (Romans 7:4–7).
The moral standards Christians keep—such as refraining from
covetousness—now rest on the Law of Christ (Romans 13:9; Hebrews
10:1, 9). Seeking justification by the Mosaic code obligates a
person to its entirety and abandons grace (Galatians 5:2–3). The
cross ended the covenant that bound Sabbath-keeping to Israel and
inaugurated a better covenant under our risen Lord.
The
Assembly of Christians on the First Day
The New Testament shows disciples gathering on the first day of the
week. In Troas, they met to break bread (Acts 20:7). Congregations
planned their giving on the first day (1 Corinthians 16:2). The text
nowhere labels Sunday as “the Christian Sabbath,” nor does it
transfer the Sinai sign to the church. Rather, Christians gladly
assemble on the day of resurrection to worship, remember the Lord’s
death, and encourage one another as one people in Christ (Galatians
3:23–28).
The Promise
of God’s Rest
Sabbath shadows pointed to a greater reality. Hebrews declares a
rest that remains for the people of God. The faithful strive to
enter that rest by obedient faith, confident in Christ’s finished
work (Hebrews 4:1, 4–11). The weekly sign yielded to the substance:
enduring rest with God secured by our Great High Priest.
The Sabbath
Sermon Outline:
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Definition and Origin: Sabbath
means “to cease/rest”; God rested the seventh day (Genesis 2:2).
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Covenant Audience: Sabbath bound
to Israel at Sinai (Deuteronomy 5:1–3, 12–15; Exodus 20:8–11;
Ezekiel 20:10–12; Nehemiah 9:12–14).
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Covenant Fulfillment: Christ
removed the Mosaic barrier; Christians are dead to that law
(Ephesians 2:11–15; Romans 7:4–7; Hebrews 10:1, 9; Romans 13:9;
Galatians 5:2–3).
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Christian Assembly: First-day
gatherings for worship and giving (Acts 20:7; 1 Corinthians
16:2); no “Christian Sabbath” designation; one people in Christ
(Galatians 3:23–28).
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Future
Rest: The promise of eternal rest
motivates faithful obedience (Hebrews 4:1, 4–11).
Call to
Action
Set your hope on Christ, the Lord of the covenant and the giver of
true rest. Assemble with His people on the first day, persevere in
obedient faith, and seek the lasting rest God promises. Lay aside
confidence in old ordinances and walk joyfully under the Law of
Christ until you enter His rest.
Key
Takeaways
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Sabbath was
a covenant sign for Israel given at Sinai (Exodus 20:8–11;
Deuteronomy 5:12–15; Ezekiel 20:10–12).
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Christians
are reconciled in one body; the Mosaic barrier is removed
(Ephesians 2:11–15).
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We died to
the Law of Moses; we live under Christ’s law (Romans 7:4–7;
Romans 13:9).
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First-day
gatherings mark Christian worship (Acts 20:7; 1 Corinthians
16:2).
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A better,
final rest remains for the faithful (Hebrews 4:1, 4–11).
Scripture
Reference List
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Genesis
2:2 – God ceased from creation,
the pattern behind Sabbath rest.
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Exodus
20:8–11 – Sabbath command within
the Decalogue for Israel.
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Deuteronomy 5:1–3, 12–15 –
Covenant address to Israel “here today”; Sabbath rooted in
deliverance.
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Ezekiel
20:10–12 – Sabbath as a sign
between God and Israel.
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Nehemiah 9:12–14 – God made
statutes known to Israel through Moses.
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Ephesians 2:11–15 – Christ
removed the dividing law of commandments, creating one new man.
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Romans
7:4–7 – Christians are dead to
the law’s jurisdiction; example of coveting.
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Romans
13:9 – Moral commands now
gathered under love in Christ’s law.
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Hebrews
10:1, 9 – The law’s shadow yields
to Christ’s perfect will.
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Galatians 5:2–3 – Submitting to
Mosaic markers obligates the whole law and forfeits grace.
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Acts
20:7 – Disciples met on the first
day to break bread.
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1
Corinthians 16:2 – First-day
giving arranged by congregations.
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Galatians 3:23–28 – In Christ,
one people without ethnic partition.
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Hebrews
4:1, 4–11 – A promised rest
remains; strive to enter it.
Prepared by
Bobby Stafford of the church of Christ at Granby, MO
March 6, 2011
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The
church of Christ
