Dear Brothers and Sisters in the Lord,
This Lord’s Day our series of messages on ‘Great Events In The History of Redemption’ will continue as we consider Exodus 16:22-30. In this passage we find the very first use of the word “sabbath” in the Bible, and the record of the Lord’s initial commands regarding the seventh day of the week. What is clear from this passage is that the seventh day was to be one of rest–a holyday, set apart from the others, and dedicated to God for the purpose of renewal and celebration.
Of course, the Lord’s will for the seventh day is codified later in Exodus 20 where we discover the Ten Commandments. The fourth commandment (and later repetitions and expansions of it) specifies in more detail how the day is to be sanctified and used for the glory of God and the good of His Covenant people (Exodus 20:8-11). Then, in Exodus 31:12-17 we learn that the “sabbaths” (note the plural, referring to the weekly sabbath day as well as the seventh year sabbath and fiftieth year sabbath) are a “sign” (v. 13) of the Covenant between Israel and Yahweh, and the penalty for violation is death (v. 15).
Now, what we want to know is, what does the giving of the sabbath (and sabbaths) have to do with God’s plan of redemption and with us as the New Covenant people of God? We are prompted to raise this question in view of something that Jesus Himself claimed. In Matthew 12:8 He said, “For the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath.” What does this mean? What does the sabbath have to do with Jesus?
As you pray and prepare your heart for worship, spend some time reflecting upon these passages along with Hebrews 4:1-10.
Sunday is the Final Day of Sunday School for the Summer
Our spring semester of Sunday School ends this Lord’s Day. As you know, we take a break from late May until early August. Beginning on May 24th, our Sunday schedule will be Fellowship at10:00 AM and then Worship at 10:30 AM.
Sunday School for the fall will resume on August 9th. Watch for announcements regarding our course offerings.
Sunday School Class Resources–A Biblical Theology of Sexuality
For the last several weeks, our adults have been engaged in a study of what the Bible teaches us about sexuality. Our final lesson this Sunday will be on the subject of homosexuality. Below you will find several helpful resources that we have used in our study as well as some that address the issue of homosexuality and same sex marriage. Links are also provided for free access to some of these resources.
Textbooks:
- Denny Burk, What Is The Meaning of Sex? (Crossway, 2013).
- Daniel Heimbach, True Sexual Morality: Recovering Biblical Standards for a Culture In Crisis (Crossway, 2004).
Other Resources:
- Robert A. J. Gagnon, The Bible and Homosexual Practice: Texts and Hermeneutics (Abingdon, 2001).
- Albert Mohler, ed., God and the Gay Christian? A Response to Matthew Vines.
- Kevin DeYoung, (video Lecture): What Does the Bible Really Teach About Homosexuality?
- Kevin DeYoung, Why Not Gay Marriage?
http://theaquilareport.com/
- Ken Gentry, Jesus On Homosexuality.
http://theaquilareport.com/
- Robert Gagnon, Does Leviticus Only Condemn Idolatrous Homosexual Practice? – An Open Letter from Robert Gagnon.
I love you all, and see you Sunday!
Mike