observance

The Ten Commandments, Part XI – New Testament Sabbath Observance

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Paul gives his testimony in 11 Corinthians 5:17: “Therefore if any man [be] in Christ, [he is] a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” This is the work that has to be done in us before Jesus can come back again.

There are many Seventh-day Adventists who have given up the seventh-day Sabbath. There are multitudes more who are considering such action. Perhaps even now they are in the valley of decision as to whether they should continue to keep the Sabbath or whether they should give up the Sabbath. We know that before the end comes, the majority will give up the Sabbath. They have no regard for the plan and the purpose of what the Sabbath is all about or they would not even consider such a thing.

Yet, as the Sabbath is given up, and many start keeping Sunday, they think that everything still is all right between them and the Lord. They go to church and convince themselves that God does not really care on which day they worship. They are missing the whole concept of the Sabbath.

They see the Sabbath couched in the Ten Commandment Law that says, “Just do not do any work. Do not. Do not. Do not.” They have no concept of what the Sabbath is really designed to do and what God intended for the Sabbath, right from the very beginning of time.

Position of Authority

We, as Seventh-day Adventists, love to quote from Ezekiel 20, and I would like to share with you some things that are found there. We want to look at the context of what is being said, more than just the proof texts, because there is a flow that comes through it that we need to understand. It is, in fact, a heart cry of God on behalf of His people.

“Wherefore I caused them to go forth out of the land of Egypt, and brought them into the wilderness. And I gave them my statutes, and shewed them my judgments, which [if] a man do, he shall even live in them. Moreover also I gave them my sabbaths, to be a sign between me and them, that they might know that I [am] the Lord that sanctify them.” Verses 10–12.

Notice that there is a sanctifying process that takes place, as far as the Sabbath is concerned and the recognition of the God of the Sabbath.

“But the house of Israel rebelled against me in the wilderness: they walked not in my statutes, and they despised my judgments, which [if] a man do, he shall even live in them; and my sabbaths they greatly polluted: then I said, I would pour out my fury upon them in the wilderness, to consume them. But I wrought for my name’s sake, that it should not be polluted before the heathen, in whose sight I brought them out. Yet also I lifted up my hand unto them in the wilderness, that I would not bring them into the land which I had given [them], flowing with milk and honey, which [is] the glory of all lands; Because they despised my judgments, and walked not in my statutes, but polluted my sabbaths: for their heart went after their idols.” Verses 13–16.

Now, tell me who was in command of God’s children, according to verse 16?

Issue of Authority

“Thou shalt have no other gods before me.” Exodus 20:3. Any god that is recognized before Me is a god of authority, because I am to hold the highest position of authority over you. The Sabbath is a sign of that fact.

What was the thinking of the children of Israel at this juncture? They wanted to follow their idols. They wanted someone other than the God of heaven to have authority over them.

So what we see coming to pass in the passage of Ezekiel 20 is an issue of authority. “Nevertheless mine eye spared them from destroying them, neither did I make an end of them in the wilderness. But I said unto their children in the wilderness, Walk ye not in the statutes of your fathers, neither observe their judgments, nor defile yourselves with their idols.” Verses 17, 18. In other words, come back to Me; come back under My authority once again. “I [am] the Lord your God; walk in my statutes, and keep my judgments, and do them.” Verse 19. In verse 12, God is speaking to the first generation; in verse 20, He is speaking to the second generation.

“And hallow my sabbaths; and they shall be a sign between me and you, that ye may know that I [am] the Lord your God.” Verse 20. God is declaring that He is to have authority in your life. There is no other god that can do for you what the God of heaven can do for you.

Rebellion

“Notwithstanding,” Verse 21 says, “the children rebelled against me: they walked not in my statutes, neither kept my judgments to do them, which [if] a man do, he shall even live in them; they polluted my sabbaths: then I said, I would pour out my fury upon them, to accomplish my anger against them in the wilderness.”

Through all of recorded history, during the reign of sin, it has been a determined response of God’s children to be in rebellion against Him, even though they have believed that they were in harmony with Him. This is why Sabbath and Sunday become such a tremendous issue in the last days. It is a matter of who is going to rule in your life. There is nothing else of any consequence. Whether you accept Jesus Christ only as Saviour or as Lord and Saviour is really the issue.

Jesus loves it when we come to Him and accept Him as Saviour. But that is only half of the issue. The rest of the issue is, Who is going to rule your life? Whom are you going to serve?

The Sabbath points out all of this. This is why the Bible identifies the 144,000 as virgins. (Revelation 14:3, 4.) They have a pure faith. They recognize the authority of God in their lives. Jesus is the only One who has the authority to perform the type of work that is necessary to fit us for the kingdom of heaven.

Jesus’ Purpose

Jesus never caused trouble needlessly. He was always like oil on troubled waters. He was always very diplomatic. He never went out of His way to stir up trouble, even when He performed activities to bring attention to the Sabbath. He came to magnify the law and to make it honorable. He said, “Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy, but to fulfill.” Matthew 5:17.

In every Sabbath story, Jesus “got in the face” of those people whom He knew would be upset with what He was doing, yet He continued anyway. It was important for Him to show that the Sabbath—indeed all of the Ten Commandments—although written in stone, also needed to be written in the heart. “My son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments: write them upon the table of thine heart.” Proverbs 3:1, 3.

Establish Authority

Why did Jesus do these things on the Sabbath? He did not do them to aggravate or to upset; He did these things to establish His authority as the God of heaven.

Another Sabbath story is recorded in Mark 1:

“And they went into Capernaum; and straightway on the sabbath day he entered into the synagogue, and taught.” Mark 1:21.

Where was Jesus on the Sabbath day? He was in the synagogue. He was in church. Never do you read of Jesus staying at home on the Sabbath day because He was too tired to go to church. If anyone had a right to be tired, it was Jesus, but, interestingly, He was always in church on Sabbath.

“And they were astonished at his doctrine: for he taught them as one that had authority, and not as the scribes.” Verse 22. Jesus impressed His authority upon those with whom He came in contact.

No Authority Over You

If you are going to church on Sunday—not on the seventh-day Sabbath—Jesus does not have authority over you. What He desires to take place in your life cannot occur if you are not meeting with Him on the Sabbath day.

The sanctifying process that the Sabbath is designed to do cannot reach its culmination in producing the 144,000 who are pure in their faith unless they are Sabbath keepers.

This is not to say that Sunday keepers will not be saved. Ellen White makes that very plain. “Many have died conscientiously observing the first day of the week as the Sabbath of the fourth commandment. These will not be condemned, because they followed the best light they had. They will not be held responsible for light which they never received.” Review and Herald, January 5, 1886. Those Sunday keepers will only be saved because they lived up to all the light they had. This is why it becomes so dangerous for a Seventh-day Adventist, a Sabbath keeper, to abandon the seventh-day Sabbath and begin keeping Sunday. They know better, and they will be held responsible for what they know.

An Unclean Spirit

Jesus was teaching the people, we are told in Mark 1, and the people were astonished at what He was saying, because He taught them as One having authority. And, then, “There was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit.” Verse 23. There was a man in church on the Sabbath who was possessed of demons!

According to Bible teaching, people who are possessed of demons may be in the church on the Sabbath.

So often we find ourselves making excuses for what the devil is doing. Often, especially in the present time, we learn about individuals who have gone berserk and killed people. We have read about the incident at Columbine High School in Littleton, Colorado, where two students shot and killed one teacher, twelve fellow students, and injured twenty-four others (April 20, 1999). Scott Peterson of Modesto, California, was found guilty of murdering his wife and unborn child (December 2002). Then you have perhaps heard about Andrea Yates of a Houston, Texas, suburb who drowned her five children in the bathtub, and then pleaded insanity (June 2001).

Inviting Demonic Possession

Then there was a teenage boy who slashed and stabbed his mother and then shot several of his classmates with a gun. He said that demons told him to do it. (Luke Woodham, Pearl, Mississippi, October 1997.) Interestingly, he tried to plead insanity at his trial. As a result, thousands of taxpayer dollars were spent in an effort to show that this young man was insane. Perhaps the more accurate picture was that he may have been responsible for his own insanity, because he invited demons to come in and take control of his life.

Do you realize that there are young people in our schools today who are going through just such experiences? Their attire is a sign of attracting demonic possession. It is called gothic dressing. They paint their lips and fingernails black; they dress in all kinds of weird clothing, and they tramp around school.

Such displays are pervading the school systems, yet people wonder why many young people are going berserk.

Devil Attacks

If you think for a moment that, because you are a Christian and have given your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ, you are free from the harassment and oppression of the devil, you are only fooling yourself. Some experiences in the life of Ellen White testify to just the opposite.

At the time of one experience, she was 82 years old. She had lived for the Lord the majority of her life and had settled the issue of her salvation decades before this instance took place.

“Since coming to this meeting [biennial session, Pacific Union Conference], I have passed through a strange experience. One day, after appearing before the conference to read some matter to you, the burden that was upon my soul continued to press upon me after I returned to my room. I was in distress of mind. That night I could not seem to lose myself in sleep. It seemed as if evil angels were right in the room where I was. And while I was suffering in mind, it seemed as if I was suffering great bodily pain. My right arm, which through the years has nearly always been preserved from disease and suffering, seemed powerless. I could not lift it. Then I had a most severe, excruciating pain in the ear; then most terrible suffering in the jaw. It seemed as if I must scream. But I kept saying, ‘Lord, You know all about it.’

“I was in perfect agony. It seemed that my brain and every part of my body was suffering. At times I would rise up, and think, ‘I will not lie here another moment.’ Then I would think, ‘You will only arouse those who are in the house, and they cannot do anything for you.’ And so I kept looking to the Lord, and saying, ‘Lord, You know all about this pain.’ The suffering continued, at times in the jaw, then in the brain, and then in other members of the body, until nearly daylight. Just before the break of day I fell asleep for about an hour.

“My arm is all right this morning. Legions of evil angels were in that room, and if I had not clung by faith to the Lord, I do not know what might have become of me. . . .

“I shall never be able to give you a description of the satanic forces that were at work in that room, . . . but since standing before you the next morning, I have had no suffering.

“Light has been coming to me that unless we have more evident movings of the Spirit of God, and greater manifestations of divine power working in our midst, many of God’s people will be overcome. Satanic agencies will come in, as they came to me. But we cannot afford to yield to the power of the enemy.— Manuscript 25, January 28, 1910, ‘An Address to the Workers Assembled at the Pacific Union Conference.’ ” This Day With God, 36.

Reading this makes the hair prickle on the back of my neck. If it does not have the same effect on you, it should, because it tells us that if we begin to even dabble with the devil and if we become lax in our Sabbath keeping and in our relationship to our Lord, the devil may come in and overwhelm us.

Ellen White was not dabbling in anything and yet the devil sent legions of angels to try to overwhelm her and overcome her so that her work would be stopped.

What do you suppose is happening in the church today? Who do you think it is that comes in and drives the Spirit of God out of the church? There have to be willing subjects in order for this to happen. Those subjects are not agonizing with the Lord for deliverance as Ellen White was.

Do not ever let anyone tell you that the devil does not have access to you, as a Christian. We must be on guard every moment. The devil is going to be after us constantly until we either die or are delivered by the voice of God.

Dealing with Demons

This instance in Mark is the first time we see Jesus confronted with demonic possession, and it takes place in the church on the Sabbath day. Just the presence there of Jesus caused this unclean spirit to cry out, saying, “Let [us] alone.” Apparently there was more than one demon involved.

“What have we to do with thee, thou Jesus of Nazareth? art thou come to destroy us? I know thee who thou art, the Holy One of God.” Mark 1:24. The interesting thing we learn from this portion of Scripture is that when demons are in the presence of God, they have to tell the truth!

“And Jesus rebuked him, saying, Hold thy peace, and come out of him. And when the unclean spirit had torn him, and cried with a loud voice, he came out of him.” Verses 25, 26.

Those who have never dealt with any kind of demonic presence may think it is just an ipso facto kind of experience. You just tell them to leave and they have to leave. It is all over and done with, and you go merrily on your way.

According to what we read in Mark 1, it was no ipso facto experience with Jesus. Verse 26 tells us that this demon left the man after it cried with a loud voice and tore him.

Authority Established

Verses 27 and 28 continue, “And they were all amazed, insomuch that they questioned among themselves, saying, What thing is this? what new doctrine [is] this? for with authority commandeth he even the unclean spirits, and they do obey him. And immediately his fame spread abroad throughout all the region round about Galilee.”

The authority of Jesus Christ comes through again concerning His Sabbath work. That which He has desired to establish with His people from the time of the Garden of Eden will happen as each one of us comes to the point in our lives where we say, “I want nothing more, nothing less, than for Jesus to have the authority in my life.” That will find its manifestation in the keeping of the Ten Commandments of God and the establishing of the faith of Jesus in our lives so that we can live for Him. In no other way can it happen.

Whether or not we are a part of that is up to us. But at some point Jesus is going to have enough authority in enough lives that it will become a reality, and purification will take place. Perfection will become a reality, and the Holy Spirit will be poured out without measure. Events will go like a whirlwind, and we will see Jesus come in the clouds of heaven.

—To be continued.

A retired minister of the gospel, Pastor Mike Baugher may be contacted by e-mail at: landmarks@stepstolife.org.

Bible Study Guides – The Sabbath After Eden

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October 8, 2006 – October 14, 2006

Key Text

“Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.” Exodus 20:8.

Study Help: Patriarchs and Prophets, 307, 308.

Introduction

“Before the Fall our first parents had kept the Sabbath, which was instituted in Eden; and after their expulsion from Paradise they continued its observance.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 80.

“A Psalm [or] Song for the sabbath day. [It is a] good [thing] to give thanks unto the Lord, and to sing praises unto thy name, O most High: To shew forth thy lovingkindness in the morning, and thy faithfulness every night, Upon an instrument of ten strings, and upon the psaltery; upon the harp with a solemn sound. For thou, Lord, hast made me glad through thy work: I will triumph in the works of thy hands. O Lord, how great are thy works! [and] thy thoughts are very deep. A brutish man knoweth not; neither doth a fool understand this. When the wicked spring as the grass, and when all the workers of iniquity do flourish; [it is] that they shall be destroyed for ever: But thou, Lord, [art most] high for evermore. For, lo, thine enemies, O Lord, for, lo, thine enemies shall perish; all the workers of iniquity shall be scattered. But my horn shalt thou exalt like [the horn of] an unicorn: I shall be anointed with fresh oil.” Psalm 92:1–10.

1 What did Adam and Eve obtain after they had disobeyed God? Genesis 3:5.

note: “In the Garden of Eden was the ‘tree of knowledge of good and evil. . . . And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat.’ Genesis 2:9–17. It was the will of God that Adam and Eve should not know evil. The knowledge of good had been freely given them; but the knowledge of evil,—of sin and its results, of wearing toil, of anxious care, of disappointment and grief, of pain and death,—this was in love withheld.” Education, 23.

“It was not the will of God that this sinless pair should have any knowledge of evil. He had freely given them the good, but withheld the evil. Eve . . . ate, and was delighted with the fruit. It seemed delicious to her taste, and she imagined that she realized in herself the wonderful effects of the fruit. She took the fruit and found her husband and related to him the words spoken by the serpent, and told him that by eating the fruit she had felt, instead of death, a pleasing influence. As soon as Eve had disobeyed, she became a powerful medium through which to occasion the fall of her husband.” Spiritual Gifts, vol. 3, 41, 42.

2 Did having the knowledge of sin then exclude Adam and Eve from observing the Sabbath? Exodus 31:16, 17.

note: “Before the Fall our first parents had kept the Sabbath, which was instituted in Eden; and after their expulsion from Paradise they continued its observance. They had tasted the bitter fruits of disobedience, and had learned what every one that tramples upon God’s commandments will sooner or later learn—that the divine precepts are sacred and immutable, and that the penalty of transgression will surely be inflicted. The Sabbath was honored by all the children of Adam that remained loyal to God. But Cain and his descendants did not respect the day upon which God had rested. They chose their own time for labor and for rest, regardless of Jehovah’s express command.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 80, 81.

3 How long has the ten-commandment law been in existence? Psalm 119:151, 152.

note: “The law of God existed before man was created. It was adapted to the condition of holy beings; even angels were governed by it. After the fall, the principles of righteousness were unchanged. Nothing was taken from the law; not one of its holy precepts could be improved. And as it has existed from the beginning, so will it continue to exist throughout the ceaseless ages of eternity. ‘Concerning thy testimonies,’ says the psalmist, ‘I have known of old that thou hast founded them forever.’ [Psalm 119:152.]” The Signs of the Times, April 15, 1886.

“The Sabbath of the fourth commandment was instituted in Eden. After God had made the world, and created man upon the earth, he made the Sabbath for man. After Adam’s sin and fall nothing was taken from the law of God. The principles of the ten commandments existed before the fall, and were of a character suited to the condition of a holy order of beings. After the fall, the principles of those precepts were not changed, but additional precepts were given to meet man in his fallen state.” Spiritual Gifts, vol. 3, 295.

4 Can God’s Law ever be changed? Malachi 3:6; Hebrews 13:8; James 1:17.

note: “The Father did not yield up his dearly beloved Son without a struggle, whether to let guilty man perish or to give his Son to die for the lost race. It was impossible for God to change his law, or give up the smallest part of its claims, in order to save man; therefore he suffered his Son to die for man’s transgression.” The Signs of the Times, January 30, 1879.

“Through Jesus, God’s mercy was manifested to men; but mercy does not set aside justice. The law reveals the attributes of God’s character, and not a jot or tittle of it could be changed to meet man in his fallen condition. God did not change His law, but He sacrificed Himself, in Christ, for man’s redemption. ‘God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto Himself.’ 11 Corinthians 5:19.” The Desire of Ages, 762.

“Could the law have been changed, Christ need not have died. But it was impossible for God to change.” Review and Herald, September 24, 1901.

5 Where in the Bible do we find the Sabbath clearly explained to us? Exodus 20:8–11; Deuteronomy 5:12–15.

note: “In the third month they came to the desert of Sinai, and there the law was spoken from the mount in awful grandeur. During their stay in Egypt, Israel had so long heard and seen idolatry practised [sic] that to a large degree they had lost their knowledge of God and of his law, and their sense of the importance and sacredness of the Sabbath; the law was given a second time to call these things to their remembrance. In God’s statutes was defined practical religion for all mankind. Before Israel was placed the true standard of righteousness.” Review and Herald, August 30, 1898.

6 What is our duty with regards to all ten of the precepts of God’s Law? Deuteronomy 27:9, 10, 26; 1 John 3:4; Romans 6:23; Ecclesiastes 12:13.

note: “In their bondage the Israelites had to some extent lost the knowledge of God’s law, and they had departed from its precepts. The Sabbath had been generally disregarded, and the exactions of their taskmasters made its observance apparently impossible. But Moses had shown his people that obedience to God was the first condition of deliverance; and the efforts made to restore the observance of the Sabbath had come to the notice of their oppressors.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 258.

“John brings the commandments of God to view away down this side of the crucifixion of Christ, and shows their positive, binding claims upon men. Those who have taken the position that the commandments of God were done away when Christ hung upon the cross, are in harmony with the great deceiver. God has made his constitution and his laws, and he can encircle in his arms those who are obedient, and shield them from the powerful deceptions of Satan. When the foundations of the earth were laid, then was laid the foundation of the Sabbath, and the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy.” Review and Herald, July 15, 1890.

7 By the fourth commandment all are required to “remember” the One who created the heavens and the earth. How does the fourth commandment protect us from idolatry? Jeremiah 10:10–12 (cf. Exodus 20:3–6.)

note: “Every man in God’s world is under the laws of His government. God has placed the Sabbath in the bosom of the Decalogue, and has made it the criterion of obedience. Through it we may learn of His power, as displayed in His works and His Word. But today the world is following the example of those that lived before the flood. Now, as then, men choose to follow their own inclinations, rather than to obey the commandments of God. The inhabitants of the antediluvian world glorified themselves instead of commemorating the glorious works of creation. They did not obey the law of God; they did not honor the Sabbath. Had they done this, they would have recognized their duty to their Creator. This was the original and supreme object of the command, ‘Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy.’ [Exodus 20:8.]” Signs of the Times, March 31, 1898.

8 What is the role of the Sabbath among the Ten Commandments?

note: “Every man has been placed on trial, as were Adam and Eve in Eden. As the tree of knowledge was placed in the midst of the garden of Eden, so the Sabbath command is placed in the midst of the decalogue. In regard to the fruit of the tree of knowledge, the restriction was made, ‘Ye shall not eat of it, . . . lest ye die.’ [Genesis 3:3.] Of the Sabbath, God said, Ye shall not defile it, but keep it holy. ‘Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.’ [Exodus 20:8.] As the tree of knowledge was the test of Adam’s obedience, so the fourth command is the test that God has given to prove the loyalty of all his people.” Review and Herald, August 30, 1898.

9 How important is it that we come to know God? John 17:3.

10 Is there any danger that the people of God may forget Him? Deuteronomy 8:11.

11 What blessing is promised to the obedient? Isaiah 56:1, 2; 58:12–14.

note: “Here is our test which God has made, and He will fulfill His word, if human agents will show their love to God in keeping all His commandments. If they reverence the Sabbath, which is engraved on the first table of stone, they will keep the first three commandments, and the last six will reveal the duty of man to his fellow man; for the Sabbath sign is the covenant between God and man. It is the golden clasp which unites man to God in supreme obedience and reverence, and which unites man to his fellow man.” Manuscript Releases, vol. 5, 89.

“In these last days there is a call from Heaven inviting you to keep the statutes and ordinances of the Lord. The world has set at naught the law of Jehovah; but God will not be left without a witness to his righteousness, or without a people in the earth to proclaim his truth. The door of the heavenly sanctuary has been opened, and no man can shut it, and the light of the Holy of Holies is shining into the world. The people of God have had their attention called to the ark of the testimony, and the law within it has been revealed with its unalterable precepts. In holy vision, John saw the remnant church on the earth, in an age of lawlessness, and he points them out in unmistakable language: ‘Here is the patience of the saints; here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.’ [Revelation 14:12.] They are in harmony with that law that rests in the ark in the most holy place of the heavenly sanctuary. The whole duty of man is summed up in its sacred precepts. In the heart of the law is the commandment enjoining upon man the observance of the Sabbath of Jehovah, which the world and the church have trodden under their feet. For centuries men have walked in blindness concerning the true Sabbath, and the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now is the day of reformation, and he calls upon men everywhere to repent. When the light of God’s disregarded commandment shone upon the path of those who sincerely loved God, they delayed not to keep his statutes. They realized that they must come out from the world and be separate, and touch not the unclean, that they might claim the promise, ‘I will receive you, and will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.’ [11 Corinthians 6:17, last part, 18.] They became the repairers of the breach that has been made in the law of God, because they turned away their feet from the Sabbath, from doing their pleasure on God’s holy day, and called the Sabbath a delight, the holy of the Lord, honorable, and did honor him, not speaking their own words or finding their own pleasure.” The Signs of the Times, February 3, 1888.

Personal Review

A Test to Our Generation—“Now the question is, Will we ally ourselves with those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus? Will we cease to trample upon the Sabbath of the Lord our God? We want to be sure that we are the children of light; that we are following in the footsteps of our Redeemer and Example. The cross lies in our pathway, but shall we not take it up and bear it for his sake who bore the cross for us?” The Signs of the Times, February 3, 1888.

“The sign of obedience is the observance of the Sabbath of the fourth commandment.

“The Sabbath is a test to this generation. In obeying the fourth commandment in spirit and truth, men will obey all the precepts of the Decalogue. To fulfill this commandment one must love God supremely, and exercise love toward all the creatures that He has made.

“The time is coming when God’s people will feel the hand of persecution because they keep holy the seventh day. . . . The man of sin, who thought to change times and laws, and who has always oppressed the people of God, will cause laws to be made enforcing the observance of the first day of the week. But God’s people are to stand firm for Him.” The Faith I Live By, 291.

Unflinching Testimony—“Let no one yield to temptation and become less fervent in his attachment to God’s law because of the contempt placed upon it; for that is the very thing that should make us pray with all our heart, and soul, and voice, ‘It is time for thee, Lord, to work: for they have made void thy law.’ Psalm 119:126. Therefore, because of the universal contempt, I will not turn traitor when God will be most glorified and most honored by my loyalty. . . .

“Shall Seventh-day Adventists relax their devotedness when all their capabilities and powers should be placed on the Lord’s side; when an unflinching testimony, noble and uplifting, should come from their lips? ‘Therefore I love thy commandments above gold; yea, above fine gold.’ Psalm 119:127. When the law of God is most derided and brought into the most contempt, then it is time for every true follower of Christ . . . to stand unflinchingly for the faith once delivered to the saints.” Ibid.

Reprinted with permission, Reformation Herald Publishing Association, Roanoke, Virginia, 2003.

Bible Study Guides – Practical Sabbathkeeping

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December 24, 2006 – December 30, 2006

Key Text

“And he saith unto them, Is it lawful to do good on the sabbath days, or to do evil? to save life, or to kill? But they held their peace.” Mark 3:4.

Study Help: Testimonies, vol. 6, 356–360; Education, 250–252; Medical Ministry, 214–216.

Introduction

“The Saviour by His example has shown us that it is right to relieve suffering on the Sabbath.” Counsels on Health, 236.

“God has given us the whole of six days in which to do our work, and has reserved only one to Himself. This should be a day of blessing to us—a day when we should lay aside all our secular matters and center our thoughts upon God and heaven.

“All heaven is keeping the Sabbath, but not in a listless, do-nothing way. On this day every energy of the soul should be awake, for are we not to meet with God and with Christ our Saviour? We may behold Him by faith. He is longing to refresh and bless every soul.

“On Sabbath morning the family should be astir early. If they rise late, there is confusion and bustle in preparing for breakfast and Sabbath school. There is hurrying, jostling, and impatience. Thus unholy feelings come into the home. The Sabbath, thus desecrated, becomes a weariness, and its coming is dreaded rather than loved.

“The Sabbath is God’s time. He sanctified and hallowed the seventh day. He set it apart for man to keep as a day of worship.” The Faith I Live By, 35.

1 What types of “work” are permitted by God on the Sabbath day? Mark 3:4; Luke 6:9; 13:11–16.

note: “Often physicians and nurses are called upon during the Sabbath to minister to the sick, and sometimes it is impossible for them to take time for rest and for attending devotional services. The needs of suffering humanity are never to be neglected. The Saviour by His example has shown us that it is right to relieve suffering on the Sabbath. But unnecessary work, such as ordinary treatments and operations that can be postponed, should be deferred. Let the patients understand that physicians and helpers should have one day for rest. Let them understand that the workers fear God and desire to keep holy the day that He has set apart for His followers to observe as a sign between Him and them.” Counsels on Health, 236.

“There will always be duties which have to be performed on the Sabbath for the relief of suffering humanity. This is right, and in accordance with the law of Him who says, ‘I will have mercy, and not sacrifice.’ [Matthew 9:13.] But there is danger of falling into carelessness on this point, and of doing that which it is not positively essential to do on the Sabbath.” Medical Ministry, 50.

2 The Sabbath is a day of rest, but does this mean we should sleep more on this day than on other days? Romans 13:11; Psalm 132:4, 5; Proverbs 20:13; 1 Thessalonians 5:6.

note: “None should feel at liberty to spend sanctified time in an unprofitable manner. It is displeasing to God for Sabbathkeepers to sleep during much of the Sabbath. They dishonor their Creator in so doing, and, by their example, say that the six days are too precious for them to spend in resting. They must make money, although it be by robbing themselves of needed sleep, which they make up by sleeping away holy time. They then excuse themselves by saying: ‘The Sabbath was given for a day of rest. I will not deprive myself of rest to attend meeting, for I need rest.’ Such make a wrong use of the sanctified day. They should, upon that day especially, interest their families in its observance and assemble at the house of prayer with the few or with the many, as the case may be. They should devote their time and energies to spiritual exercises, that the divine influence resting upon the Sabbath may attend them through the week. Of all the days in the week, none are so favorable for devotional thoughts and feelings as the Sabbath.” Testimonies, vol. 2, 704.

3 List some of the “small” things that should be completed before the Sabbath.

note: “In many families [on Sabbath] boots and shoes are blacked and brushed, and stitches are taken, all because these little odds and ends were not done on Friday. They did not ‘remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy.’ [Exodus 20:8.] . . .

“On Friday the clothing of the children is to be looked after. During the week they should be all laid out by their own hands under the direction of the mother, so that they can dress quietly, without any confusion or rushing about and hasty speeches.

“There is another work that should receive attention on the preparation day. On this day all differences between brethren, whether in the family or in the church, should be put away.” Child Guidance, 528, 529.

“The violation of the fourth commandment is not confined to the preparation of food. Many carelessly put off blacking their boots, and shaving, until after the beginning of the Sabbath. This should not be. If any neglect to do such work on a working day, they should have respect enough for God’s holy time to let their beards remain unshaven, their boots rough and brown, until the Sabbath is past. This might help their memory, and make them more careful to do their own work on the six working days.” The Signs of the Times, May 25, 1882.

4 What should we consider when traveling on the Sabbath? Should we eliminate unnecessary travel? What travel is acceptable to God? Acts 1:12.

note: “If we desire the blessing promised to the obedient, we must observe the Sabbath more strictly. I fear that we often travel on this day when it might be avoided. In harmony with the light which the Lord has given in regard to the observance of the Sabbath, we should be more careful about traveling on the boats or cars on this day. In these matters we should set a right example before our children and youth. In order to reach the churches that need our help, and to give them the message that God desires them to hear, it may be necessary for us to travel on the Sabbath; but so far as possible we should secure our tickets and make all necessary arrangements on some other day. When starting on a journey we should make every possible effort to plan so as to avoid reaching our destination on the Sabbath.” Testimonies, vol. 6, 359, 360.

5 Since the Sabbath commandment extends to ourselves as well as to our families, what example should we exhibit to our children in regard to it? Proverbs 22:6; Deuteronomy 6:6–9.

note: “I counsel you, my brethren and sisters: ‘Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.’ [Exodus 20:8.] If you desire your children to observe the Sabbath according to the commandment, you must teach them by both precept and example. The deep engraving of truth in the heart is never wholly effaced. It may be obscured, but can never be obliterated. The impressions made in early life will be seen in afteryears. Circumstances may occur to separate the children from their parents and their home, but as long as they live the instruction given in childhood and youth will be a blessing.” Testimonies, vol. 6, 359.

“We are not to teach our children that they must not be happy on the Sabbath, that it is wrong to walk out-of-doors. Oh, no. Christ led His disciples out by the lakeside on the Sabbath day and taught them. His sermons on the Sabbath were not always preached within enclosed walls.

“Teach the children to see Christ in nature. Take them out into the open air, under the noble trees, into the garden; and in all the wonderful works of creation teach them to see an expression of His love.” Child Guidance, 533, 534.

6 What kinds of activities should we provide for our children on the Sabbath day? Romans 1:20.

note: “The parents may take their children outdoors to view God in nature. They can be pointed to the blooming flowers and the opening buds, the lofty trees and beautiful spires of grass, and taught that God made all these in six days and rested on the seventh day and hallowed it. Thus the parents may bind up their lessons of instruction to their children, so that when these children look upon the things of nature, they will call to mind the great Creator of them all. Their thoughts will be carried up to nature’s God—back to the creation of our world, when the foundation of the Sabbath was laid, and all the sons of God shouted for joy. Such are the lessons to be impressed on the minds of our children.” Child Guidance, 533.

7 What is God’s desire for us especially on the Sabbath? John 17:19–23.

note: “The Sabbath calls our thoughts to nature, and brings us into communion with the Creator. In the song of the bird, the sighing of the trees, and the music of the sea, we still may hear His voice who talked with Adam in Eden in the cool of the day. And as we behold His power in nature we find comfort, for the word that created all things is that which speaks life to the soul. He ‘who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.’ 11 Corinthians 4:6.” The Desire of Ages, 281, 282.

8 What work must be done in our hearts before we can really commune with Him? Matthew 5:23, 24.

note: “There is another work that should receive attention on the preparation day. On this day all differences between brethren, whether in the family or in the church, should be put away. Let all bitterness and wrath and malice be expelled from the soul. In a humble spirit, ‘confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed.’ James 5:16.” Testimonies, vol. 6, 356.

“The Saviour goes farther than this. He says, ‘If thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath aught against thee; leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.’ [Matthew 5:24.] Many are zealous in religious services, while between them and their brethren are unhappy differences which they might reconcile. God requires them to do all in their power to restore harmony. Until they do this, He cannot accept their services. The Christian’s duty in this matter is clearly pointed out.

“God pours His blessings upon all. ‘He maketh His sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.’ [Matthew 5:45.] He is ‘kind unto the unthankful and to the evil.’ Luke 6:35. He bids us to be like Him. ‘Bless them that curse you,’ said Jesus; ‘do good to them that hate you, . . . that ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven.’ [Matthew 5:44, 45.] These are the principles of the law, and they are the wellsprings of life.” The Desire of Ages, 310, 311.

9 As the end of the Sabbath approaches, what temptation presents itself? Amos 8:5; Matthew 15:8.

note: “I saw that through the past summer the prevailing spirit has been to grasp as much of this world as possible. The commandments of God have not been kept. With the mind we serve the law of God; but the minds of many have been serving the world. And while their minds were all occupied with things of earth and serving themselves, they could not serve the law of God. The Sabbath has not been kept. By some the work of six days has been carried into the seventh. One hour, and even more, has often been taken from the commencement and close of the Sabbath.” Testimonies, vol. 1, 150.

10 What should be our attitude even beyond the Sabbath hours? John 15:5.

note: “As the sun goes down, let the voice of prayer and the hymn of praise mark the close of the sacred hours and invite God’s presence through the cares of the week of labor.” Testimonies, vol. 6, 359.

“Let the members of every family bear in mind that they are closely allied to heaven. The Lord has a special interest in the families of His children here below. Angels offer the smoke of the fragrant incense for the praying saints. Then in every family let prayer ascend to heaven both in the morning and at the cool sunset hour, in our behalf presenting before God the Saviour’s merits. Morning and evening the heavenly universe take notice of every praying household.” Child Guidance, 519.

11 Will there be a time at all when those who love God will ever stop looking forward to His blessed day of rest? Isaiah 66:22.

note: “God teaches that we should assemble in His house to cultivate the attributes of perfect love. This will fit the dwellers of earth for the mansions that Christ has gone to prepare for all who love Him. There they will assemble in the sanctuary from Sabbath to Sabbath, from one new moon to another, to unite in loftiest strains of song, in praise and thanksgiving to Him who sits upon the throne, and to the Lamb forever and ever.” The Faith I Live By, 37.

Personal Review

Creative Power—“ Since the Sabbath is the memorial of creative power, it is the day above all others when we should acquaint ourselves with God through His works. In the minds of the children the very thought of the Sabbath should be bound up with the beauty of natural things. Happy is the family who can go to the place of worship on the Sabbath as Jesus and His disciples went to the synagogue—across the fields, along the shores of the lake, or through the groves. Happy the father and mother who can teach their children God’s written word with illustrations from the open pages of the book of nature; who can gather under the green trees, in the fresh, pure air, to study the word and to sing the praise of the Father above.” Education, 251.

“Parents should have a thorough understanding with their family that the sacred hours of the Sabbath are to be spent to God’s glory. They should be up with the sun, and have plenty of time to prepare for Sabbath school without getting into a rush, and perhaps losing self-control. If the proper preparations have been made the previous day, there will be abundance of time to review the lesson studied during the week; and both parents and children can go to the school with the assurance that they have the lessons well learned.” Counsels on Sabbath School Work, 54.

“Let not the precious hours of the Sabbath be wasted in bed. On Sabbath morning the family should be astir early. If they rise late, there is confusion and bustle in preparing for breakfast and Sabbath school. There is hurrying, jostling, and impatience. Thus unholy feelings come into the home. The Sabbath, thus desecrated, becomes a weariness, and its coming is dreaded rather than loved.” Child Guidance, 530.

Reprinted with permission, Reformation Herald Publishing Association, Roanoke Virginia, 2003.

Bible Study Guides – True Sabbath Observance

by

December 10, 2006 – December 16, 2006

Key Text

“And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and [so] that day come upon you unawares.” Luke 21:34.

Study Help: Testimonies, vol. 6, 360–368; vol. 2, 703, 704.

Introduction

“All who love God should do what they can to make the Sabbath a delight, holy and honorable.” Child Guidance, 536.

“To the chief Musician for the sons of Korah, A Song upon Alamoth. God [is] our refuge a nd strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; [Though] the waters thereof roar [and] be troubled, [though] the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah. [There is] a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy [place] of the tabernacles of the most High. God [is] in the midst of her; she shall not be moved: God shall help her, [and that] right early. . . . Come, behold the works of the Lord, what desolations he hath made in the earth. He maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth; he breaketh the bow, and cutteth the spear in sunder; he burneth the chariot in the fire. Be still, and know that I [am] God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth. The Lord of hosts [is] with us; the God of Jacob [is] our refuge.” Psalm 46:1–5, 8–11.

1 From what physical things are we to rest on the Sabbath day? Exodus 20:9, 10; 31:15; Jeremiah 17:22.

note: “All ordinary labor for a livelihood or for worldly profit was forbidden upon the seventh day. According to the fourth commandment the Sabbath was dedicated to rest and religious worship. All secular employment was to be suspended; but works of mercy and benevolence were in accordance with the purpose of the Lord. They were not to be limited by time nor place. To relieve the afflicted, to comfort the sorrowing is a labor of love that does honor to God’s holy day.” The Spirit of Prophecy, vol. 2, 193, 194.

“Servile work for a livelihood, or common business transactions upon the Sabbath, constitute those who take part in them transgressors. All labor necessary to provide for the sustenance of the body is to be done in the six working days.” Review and Herald, September 6, 1898.

“God has given man six days in which to work for himself, but He has reserved one day in which He is to be specially honored. He is to be glorified, His authority respected. And yet man will rob God by stealing a little of the time which the Creator has reserved for Himself. God reserved the seventh day as a period of rest for man, for the good of man as well as for His own glory.” Testimonies, vol. 1, 532.

2 Why is it necessary to have this rest? Psalm 46:10; Luke 8:14; 21:34.

note: “God saw that a Sabbath was essential for man, even in Paradise. He needed to lay aside his own interests and pursuits for one day of the seven, that he might more fully contemplate the works of God and meditate upon His power and goodness. He needed a Sabbath to remind him more vividly of God and to awaken gratitude because all that he enjoyed and possessed came from the beneficent hand of the Creator.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 48.

3 Besides rest from our labor, what other precious privelege do we have on the Sabbath day? Psalms 92:1; 100:1–5.

note: “God teaches that we should assemble in His house to cultivate the attributes of perfect love. This will fit the dwellers of earth for the mansions that Christ has gone to prepare for all who love Him. There they will assemble in the sanctuary from Sabbath to Sabbath, from one new moon to another, to unite in loftiest strains of song, in praise and thanksgiving to Him who sits upon the throne, and to the Lamb for ever and ever.” Testimonies, vol. 6, 368.

4 If we are devoted to God, where will we be found on the Sabbath? Hebrews 10:23–25; Matthew 11:28–30.

note: “None should permit themselves, through the week, to become so absorbed in their temporal interests, and so exhausted by their efforts for worldly gain, that on the Sabbath they have no strength or energy to give to the service of God. We are robbing the Lord, when we unfit ourselves to worship him upon his holy day. And we are robbing ourselves as well; for we need the warmth and glow of association, as well as the strength to be gained from the wisdom and experience of other Christians.” Review and Herald, June 13, 1882.

“Fathers and mothers should make it a rule that their children attend public worship on the Sabbath, and should enforce the rule by their own example. It is our duty to command our children and our household after us, as did Abraham. By example as well as precept we should impress upon them the importance of religious teaching. All who have taken the baptismal vow have solemnly consecrated themselves to the service of God; they are under covenant obligation to place themselves and their children where they may obtain all possible incentives and encouragement in the Christian life.” Child Guidance, 530, 531.

“Never entertain the thought that you can be Christians and yet withdraw within yourselves. Each one is a part of the great web of humanity, and the nature and quality of your experience will be largely determined by the experiences of those with whom you associate. Jesus says: ‘Where two or three are gathered together in My name, there am I in the midst.’ Matthew 18:20. Then let us not forsake the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhort one another; and so much the more, as we see the day approaching.” Testimonies, vol. 7, 190.

5 In resting from our labors on the Sabbath day, of what must we be careful? Isaiah 58:13; 11 Timothy 3:2–5.

note: All who love God should do what they can to make the Sabbath a delight, holy and honorable. They cannot do this by seeking their own pleasure in sinful, forbidden amusements. Yet they can do much to exalt the Sabbath in their families and make it the most interesting day of the week. We should devote time to interesting our children. A change will have a happy influence upon them. We can walk out with them in the open air; we can sit with them in the groves and in the bright sunshine, and give their restless minds something to feed upon by conversing with them upon the works of God, and can inspire them with love and reverence by calling their attention to the beautiful objects in nature.” Child Guidance, 536.

6 Does this mean we will find no joy in the Sabbath? 111 John 4; Philippians 2:13; Psalm 5:11.

note: “And the Lord says, ‘If thou turn away thy foot from the Sabbath, from doing thy pleasure on My holy day; and call the Sabbath a delight, the holy of the Lord, honorable; . . . then shalt thou delight thyself in the Lord.’ Isaiah 58:13, 14. To all who receive the Sabbath as a sign of Christ’s creative and redeeming power, it will be a delight. Seeing Christ in it, they delight themselves in Him. The Sabbath points them to the works of creation as an evidence of His mighty power in redemption. While it calls to mind the lost peace of Eden, it tells of peace restored through the Saviour. And every object in nature repeats His invitation, ‘Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.’ Matthew 11:28.” The Desire of Ages, 289.

7 Where do we find the most joy? Psalm 16:11; Proverbs 21:15; Matthew 25:21; John 15:10, 11.

8 Not only are we to cease from the actual labor on the Sabbath day, but from what else should we cease? James 3:5, 6.

note: “Those who discuss business matters or lay plans on the Sabbath are regarded by God as though engaged in the actual transaction of business. To keep the Sabbath holy, we should not even allow our minds to dwell upon things of a worldly character. And the commandment includes all within our gates. The inmates of the house are to lay aside their worldly business during the sacred hours. All should unite to honor God by willing service upon His holy day.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 307, 308.

“God requires not only that we refrain from physical labor upon the Sabbath, but that the mind be disciplined to dwell upon sacred themes. The Fourth Commandment is virtually transgressed by conversing upon worldly things or by engaging in light and trifling conversation. Talking upon anything or everything which may come into the mind is speaking our own words. Every deviation from right brings us into bondage and condemnation.” Child Guidance, 529, 530.

9 Why has God given this instruction? Matthew 15:18; Job 6:24, 25.

note: “Those who are not fully converted to the truth frequently let their minds run freely upon worldly business, and, although they may rest from physical toil upon the Sabbath, their tongues speak out what is in their minds; hence these words concerning cattle, crops, losses, and gains. All this is Sabbath breaking. If the mind is running upon worldly matters, the tongue will reveal it, for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.” Testimonies, vol. 2, 703.

“When you are speaking of your hope in God, of Jesus and of his soon coming, and of the beauties of the New Earth, you are not speaking your own words. Of these things you may freely speak on the Sabbath. On six days you may talk of business matters, and lay plans that are necessary; but the Sabbath is holy time, and all worldly thoughts must, on that day, be dismissed from the mind. The blessing of God will then rest upon you, and you will have the sweet consolations of his Spirit, and you will also have confidence when you approach the throne of grace.” The Youth’s Instructor, February 1, 1853.

10 What is our responsibility concerning those who dwell in our homes on the Sabbath? Exodus 20:11; Genesis 18:19.

note: “Parents, above everything take care of your children upon the Sabbath. Do not suffer them to violate God’s holy day by playing in the house or out-of-doors. You may just as well break the Sabbath yourselves as to let your children do it, and when you suffer your children to wander about and suffer them to play upon the Sabbath, God looks upon you as Sabbathbreakers.” Child Guidance, 533.

“Make your children feel that you love them, and desire to do them good. Encourage every effort to do right. Show them that you have confidence in them. Remember that your example will be the most impressive lesson which you can give. Your courtesy and self-control will have greater influence upon the characters of your children than mere words could have.” Review and Herald, June 13, 1882.

11 How far does our responsibility connected with the Sabbath commandment extend beyond our homes? Deuteronomy 5:14; Nehemiah 13:19–22; 11 Corinthians 6:14–18.

note: “Some who claim to be giving allegiance to the law of Jehovah have even gone so far in Sabbath desecration as to unite in partnership with those who have no respect for the Sabbath. The professed Sabbath-keeper may cease his own labors on the Sabbath, but his partner continues the work. How must angels look upon this partnership, as the Sabbath observer kneels reverently before God in the house of worship, while those with whom he is united in business continue their labor just the same as on any other day! How does Heaven look upon the noise and confusion, the sound of the mechanic’s ax and hammer, which ascends instead of thanksgiving, as if in defiance of his injunctions! Can the Lord regard as guiltless the man who thus unites with transgressors?” Review and Herald, November 13, 1888.

Personal Review

The Church Triumphant—“The children of God will be triumphant. They will come off conquerors and more than conquerors over all the opposing, persecuting elements. Fear not. By the power of Bible truth and love exemplified in the cross, and set home by the Holy Spirit, we shall have the victory. The whole battle before us hinges upon the observance of the true Sabbath of Jehovah.” Selected Messages, Book 3, 319.

The Path of Transgression—“Faith in God’s love and overruling providence lightens the burdens of anxiety and care. It fills the heart with joy and contentment in the highest or the lowliest lot. Religion tends directly to promote health, to lengthen life, and to heighten our enjoyment of all its blessings. It opens to the soul a never-failing fountain of happiness. Would that all who have not chosen Christ might realize that he has something vastly better to offer them thaSn they are seeking for themselves. Man is doing the greatest injury and injustice to his own soul when he thinks and acts contrary to the will of God. No real joy can be found in the path forbidden by him who knows what is best, and who plans for the good of his creatures. The path of transgression leads to misery and destruction; but wisdom’s ‘ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace.’ [Proverbs 3:17.]” Christian Education, 68.

Reprinted with permission, Reformation Herald Publishing Association, Roanoke Virginia, 2003.