Youth Bible Study: The Ten Commandments

4th Commandment: Sabbath

Questions
Why do we have church on Sunday since the Jewish Sabbath is on Saturday?
Is it a sin to work on Sundays?
Many have the day off on Sunday but hasn’t it really just become like the rest of 6 days?
How is God honored with a day devoted to extended vacations, professional sports, and
shopping?

Views of the Sabbath

Not a Creation Ordinance
Ordinance-A law set forth, a decree given, a prescribed practice or ceremony
The Sabbath in OT (Full 24 Hours Devoted to God in Service and Rest) was not a rule to
carry to NT
Said to be the Lord’s Days because it is appropriate to worship Him on that day

We Have Eternal Rest, No Need for Day of Rest

God required Jews to rest 1 day in 7 to anticipate the GREAT REST that was coming
(Salvation)
Those saved now have rest in Christ...With reality; we no longer need a symbol of rest.
Not required to be on a specific day or even weekly…But seen as good wisdom.

Has A Purpose and Must Be Sunday

Both a ceremonial and moral element to 4th Commandment
Ceremonial Element is rest of the 7th day after creation
Moral Element-Certain day set aside for worship and Godly reflection

Not a Day of Worship, But Rest

Shabbat-To cease, desist, rest
In Scripture rest is far more prominent element of Sabbath celebration
When we rest from weekly labor, it is appropriate to worship God but call to rest comes first
Num 15:32-36; Matt 12:1-8 Not over Sabbath worship but work

On the Sabbath day, human beings are to rest from their own works, words and thoughts
about their worldly employments and recreations

Work and Rest

Rest is mainly to set aside other responsibilities in order to have time for worship. The
Sabbath rest is physical not merely a ceasing of one activity in order to perform another…
Sabbath for “refreshing” Ex 23:12
Sabbath is not for Daily Labors
Plowing and Harvesting Ex 34:21
Treading of Winepress Neh 13:15-18
Transportation of Goods for Sale Neh 10:31
Buying and Selling are Inappropriate Amos 8:4-6
Summary of Work Forbidden on Sabbath
(1) Daily Buisness, whether agricultural or commercial, and (2) hard labor at home, such
as heavy lifting or starting a new fire. It is also logical to presume that God FROWNS
on labor that limits attendance at worship, or activities that encourage or require
others to break the Sabbath.
 BUT…
All of these must be considered with the Bible’s teaching on “Works of Necessity”

Works of Necessity
An example of a work of necessity is given in Matthew 12:1, where Jesus’ disciples, on a
Sabbath, pick heads of grain to eat. Nothing in Scripture forbids eating on Sabbath (thank
goodness for Southern Baptist Sake) or preparing food to eat.
Priests Making Arrangements for Worship…Matt 12:5-6
War could take place on Sabbath…Joshua 6:12-20
Rescue of Person or Animal…Luke 14:5
Matter of life and Death…Hence physicians, nurses, police and firefighters

Works of Necessity are not just works that are necessary to keep us alive. They are works
that keep human life on an even keel.

We Use Power on Sundays, What about Power Plants?

Lots of families go out to eat on Sunday’s which is not work for them but work for those
serving and cooking? Are we forcing them to sin against the Sabbath?

Question For All Of You

Is it ever legitimate for a Christian to take a job that requires working on Sunday?
General Rule…It is forbidden
But…What if no other job can be found and no other way to support his family?

Seen as Bondage in Egypt

Should seek to be free (1 Cor 7:21) but while in bondage he should serve his master
faithfully