Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
This coming Lord’s Day our sermon will come from Exodus 20:8-11. This section of the Decalogue sets out the Fourth Commandment regarding the observance of the “sabbath,” or “seventh day.” When we read that word “sabbath” we immediately think of the restriction the Commandment places upon work. According to the Lord, work is for the first “six days” of the week (v. 9). But on the “seventh day” there is to be no labor of any kind performed by anyone, even the cattle, the servants, and sojourners (v. 10).
Perhaps that’s about all we know concerning the Sabbath–the Israelites were commanded not to work on that holy day for some reason. But if that’s all we really understand about the Fourth Commandment, then we will struggle to comprehend how such a restriction applies now in the New Covenant era. Admittedly, believers in Christ have arrived at different answers to this question regarding the contemporary application of the Sabbath law. Some Churches and denominations rest and worship on Saturday, the actual seventh day of the week. Others, along more traditional lines, worship on Sunday, the first day of the week, while holding to the view that sees Sunday as kind of a ‘Christian Sabbath.’ And then there are others who interpret the Sabbath Commandment as unique among the ten, viewing it distinctly through the lens of creation and redemption, and the consummation of these themes in Christ’s earthly ministry as Redeemer and Lord.
Over the next several weeks, we are going to take a slow walk through this section of the Decalogue. To be sure, the issue of the interpretation and application of the Fourth Commandment is complex, and believers have arrived at different conclusions. Yet, however difficult it may be, it is my conviction that the ‘Sabbath theme,’ which spans the whole Bible from cover to cover, is one of the richest themes in all of the Word of God! And I am convinced that to the degree we understand and embrace it, our lives will be deeply enriched as disciples of the Lord Jesus!
As you pray and prepare for Lord’s Day worship, here are some other passages you might consider: Genesis 2:1-3; Exodus 16:22-30; Exodus 31:12-17.
A Little Church History and A Reason for Praise
The month of August will always be a special month for our Church family. It was exactly ten years ago next week that everything came together to officially establish Christ Presbyterian Church (this is why our cornerstone has the date ‘2005’ etched in it). As you remember, our Church began as a little Bible study in a home back in the fall of 2003. With the help and authorization of the Presbytery (then it was Evangel Presbytery), the small group of believers appealed for and was granted ‘mission status’ in the early part of 2004. By March of that year, the little flock moved into Hampton Cove Middle School and began Sunday morning services there in the auditorium. Then, by the late summer of 2005, the Presbytery granted us ‘particular Church’ status, meaning that we had finally arrived at the stage where we could stand alone as a fully functioning congregation of the PCA with duly ordained and commissioned Church Officers. On Sunday August 21, 2005, Dr. Frank Barker, Pastor Emeritus of Briarwood Presbyterian Church in Birmingham, came and preached at our special service of worship that officially ‘launched’ us out into “all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you” (Matthew 28:19-20).
What a decade it’s been! Not only have these ten years flown by so quickly, but we have also witnessed the amazing faithfulness of our God over and again. He has richly provided everything and everyone that we have ever needed! By the power of His Word and Spirit, He has done more among us than we could have possibly imagined. And the best part of all is that we are just getting started!! All praise and glory to our Blessed Lord!!
As we look back across the years, let us be encouraged that the Sovereign One who “began a good work” in us will surely bring that work to completion “until the day of Christ Jesus” (Philippians 1:6). Let us unite our hearts in fervent praise for our Father’s immeasurable blessings, and let us also diligently seek His face and pray that we shall always be faithful to the One whose Name we bear and whose blessed Gospel we proclaim!
I love you all more than I could ever express, and can’t wait to see you on Sunday!
Mike