Understanding the Sabbath

"REMEMBER THE SABBATH DAY TO KEEP IT HOLY." Ex. 20:8

Saturday is the Sabbath, so why do the majority of believers around the world gather to worship on Sunday? Has God changed the day of worship or are believers in violation of His command? The following passage is just one of over 100 describing various aspects of the Sabbath: Ex 20:8-11 reads, “Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. 9 Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work: 10 But the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work…11 For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it.”

The Hebrew word for sabbath is shabbat and literally means “rest.” The Bible speaks of three rest days. First, God rested after He finished creating the world (Gen 2:1-3). This is known as “creation rest.” The second day of rest was given by God to the nation of Israel as a sign of His covenant with them (Ex 31:13, 16-17). This “covenant rest” was to be observed on the seventh day of the week and, if violated, resulted in death (Ex 31:15). The third rest day is portrayed by Jesus resting at the right hand of His Father after He completed the work of redemption (Heb 10:12). The Bible states that the Old Testament Sabbath was merely a shadow of this third rest day, known as “Calvary rest” (Col 2:16-17). Because of “Calvary rest,” Christ can now offer the ultimate rest described in Matt 11:28, “Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”

By realizing that the O.T. Sabbath day was merely a shadow which pointed at things to come, we realize that like any other shadow, it was only temporary and would pass. After Jesus died on the cross and was buried, He rose on the first day of the week – Sunday! Thus, a new day had dawned and that new day was called the Lord’s Day (Rev 1:10).

Dr. Adrian Rogers listed the following eight biblical reasons for celebrating the Lord’s Day: 1) Jesus rose from the dead on the first day of the week [Mark 16:9]. 2. Jesus met with His disciples after His resurrection on the first day of the week [Jn 20:19, 26]. 3) The disciples were commissioned to preach the Gospel on the first day of the week – at that meeting on resurrection day [Jn 20:21]. 4) The Holy Spirit was also imparted to the apostles on the first day of the week [Jn 20:22]. 5) The Church was born on the first day of the week, because the Day of Pentecost was on a Sunday [Acts 2:1]. 6) The book of Revelation was given on the first day of the week [Rev 1:10]. 7) The early church regularly met for worship on the first day of the week [Acts 20:7]. 8) The Church collected its offerings on the first day of the week as they came together [1 Cor 16:2].

This list gives us just a few biblical reasons as to why believers around the world meet for worship on Sunday, rather than Saturday. Remember, Sunday is not the last day of the weekend - it is the first day of the week!

So much emphasis has been placed on which “day” to worship, that some believers have been misguided into worshiping the day itself. Like the ancient Jews, they argue over what they can and cannot do on the Sabbath. Jesus clarified the matter for us in Mark 2:27, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.”

Although New Testament Christians no longer observe Saturday as the Sabbath, every believer should have a day of rest. The days may vary, but the meaning does not. The Sabbath is a day to relax and reflect on God’s goodness and His grace. With today’s hectic lifestyles, it is often difficult to find down time; but God has designed us to function that way. Why not try it this Sunday? Worship in a local church then enjoy a Sunday afternoon nap. You’ll be amazed at how refreshed you feel. If you can’t rest on Sunday, find another rest day and spend some time with God and with your family. It could be just what the Great Physician ordered!

The Debate Over Illegal Immigrants

On Monday, May 1, 2006 millions of illegal immigrants across the United States of America protested to show the impact they could have on work, school, retailers, etc. While many took to the streets and their businesses closed, it seems the only ones they effected were themselves. In our little town of Hartsville, a favorite spot is the Rancho Grande Mexican Restaurant. They too closed in support of the boycott, which simply meant that patrons (including myself) just went to another restaurant and they were the ones that lost money and potentially business. I've already heard several people stating that if they aren't legal, then they were not going to eat there.

While America is made up of immigrants from all over the world, the majority of us are "legal." Our ancestors came through Ellis Island or other ports and did what was necessary to become citizens. All immigrants should still have that same right, because that freedom is what makes people around the world dream of coming to America; but everyone should follow the proper channels and become legal citizens.

We are certainly feeling some of the economic impacts. We pay high insurance premiums for our medical coverage, because hospitals are required to treat those without insurance. We are forced to carry uninsured motorist coverage, because we may end up in an automobile accident with an illegal alien that has no insurance. Our unemployment rate is rising, because companies are hiring illegals so they can pay them less, avoid paying payroll taxes, and avoid paying medical coverage. We continue to go deeper into despair regarding Social Security, because illegal immigrants aren't paying into the system and they have replaced the workers who did.

Now, the icing on the cake is some immigrant having the audacity to change the language and the words to our National Anthem. The recent boycott, the new anthem, the rising unemployment rate, etc. are all reasons why the awareness that illegal immigrants are trying to raise is back-firing on them. Many Congressmen have already voiced their opinion of Monday's antics which caused them to dig their heels in even deeper for immigration reform. The Minutemen are gaining strength and popularity at the Mexican border. Monday's display has done nothing but fuel the fire against illegal immigrants -- it back-fired!

The debate regarding how to deal with these illegal immigrants will rage on; but one thing is certain -- immigrants will continue to flood into this country, because -- America is still the greatest nation in the world! As believers, we must also concern ourselves with how to help these immigrants become citizens of heaven. We must guard ourselves against predjudices and realize that "God so loved the WORLD that He gave His only begotten Son, that WHOSOEVER believeth in Him, should not perish, but have everlasting life!"