Embracing the Lord's Day: Renewal and Worship

 

Summary

The discussion today centered on the Christian Sabbath, exploring its roots, significance, and how it is observed in the New Covenant. The conversation began by examining the relationship between the Old Testament Sabbath and the Lord's Day, highlighting the continuity and fulfillment found in Christ. The Sabbath, as a creation ordinance, continues into the New Covenant, emphasizing rest and worship. The shift from the seventh day to the first day of the week underscores the transformative impact of Christ's resurrection, marking a new beginning for believers.

The dialogue also delved into the terminology used for the Christian day of worship, with "The Lord's Day" being a biblical term that signifies a special day set apart for rest and worship. This challenges the notion that all days are alike in the New Covenant. The discussion emphasized the importance of observing the Lord's Day as a time for spiritual renewal, rest, and worship, reflecting on how this practice has evolved throughout church history.

The conversation highlighted the decline in Sabbath observance, particularly the loss of evening worship services, as a significant factor in the weakening of religious life. The panelists argued that the Sabbath is not just about one day but about how we live all seven days, encouraging believers to find rest and joy in the Lord's Day. They stressed the need for the church to help believers use the Lord's Day well, fostering a deeper hunger for God's Word and a commitment to worship.

Key Takeaways:

- The Sabbath as a Creation Ordinance: The Sabbath is rooted in creation, not just the Mosaic Law, indicating its ongoing relevance. It serves as a reminder of God's rest and a call to enter into His rest through Christ. This continuity from creation to the New Covenant highlights the Sabbath's role in spiritual renewal and worship. [02:17]

- Fulfillment in Christ: The Lord's Day represents the fulfillment of the Sabbath's significance, pointing to the rest and salvation found in Christ. This shift from the seventh to the first day of the week marks a new beginning, emphasizing the transformative power of Christ's resurrection. [03:37]

- The Importance of the Lord's Day: Observing the Lord's Day is crucial for spiritual growth, providing a time for rest, worship, and reflection. It challenges the notion that all days are alike, underscoring the need for a special day dedicated to God. [06:48]

- The Decline of Sabbath Observance: The loss of evening worship services and the trivialization of the Sabbath have contributed to a decline in religious life. Restoring a commitment to the Lord's Day can revitalize faith communities and deepen believers' spiritual lives. [14:33]

- A Call to Renewed Commitment: The church must help believers use the Lord's Day well, fostering a hunger for God's Word and a commitment to worship. This involves rethinking how we live all seven days, finding joy and rest in the Lord's Day, and recognizing its significance in our spiritual journey. [20:19]

Youtube Chapters:

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:19] - Introduction to the Christian Sabbath
[00:55] - Old Testament Sabbath vs. Lord's Day
[02:17] - Creation Ordinance and Continuity
[02:48] - Fulfillment in Christ
[06:15] - Terminology: Lord's Day vs. Sunday
[06:48] - Observing the Lord's Day
[08:27] - Scriptural Basis for the Lord's Day
[10:17] - The Sabbath and Daily Life
[12:46] - Theological Insights on the Sabbath
[14:33] - Decline in Sabbath Observance
[17:07] - Historical Perspectives on the Sabbath
[20:19] - Church's Role in Observing the Lord's Day
[23:03] - Evening Worship and Spiritual Life
[27:21] - Renewed Commitment to Worship
[29:36] - Recommended Resources for Further Study

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: The Christian Sabbath

Bible Reading:
1. Genesis 2:2-3 - "By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work. Then God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done."
2. Exodus 20:8-11 - "Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your male or female servant, nor your animals, nor any foreigner residing in your towns. For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy."
3. Revelation 1:10 - "On the Lord’s Day I was in the Spirit, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet."

Observation Questions:
1. What is the significance of the Sabbath being described as a creation ordinance in Genesis 2:2-3? How does this relate to its continuity into the New Covenant? [02:17]
2. How does the shift from the seventh day to the first day of the week reflect the transformative impact of Christ's resurrection? [07:46]
3. According to the sermon, what are some reasons for the decline in Sabbath observance, particularly the loss of evening worship services? [14:33]
4. What does the term "The Lord's Day" signify, and how does it challenge the notion that all days are alike in the New Covenant? [06:48]

Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the concept of the Sabbath as a creation ordinance influence the way Christians should view the Lord's Day today? [02:17]
2. In what ways does the fulfillment of the Sabbath's significance in Christ change the way believers approach rest and worship? [03:37]
3. How might the decline in Sabbath observance impact the spiritual vitality of a church community? [14:33]
4. What role does the church play in helping believers use the Lord's Day well, and how can this foster a deeper hunger for God's Word? [20:19]

Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your current practice of observing the Lord's Day. Are there specific changes you feel called to make to align more closely with the biblical understanding of rest and worship? [06:48]
2. Consider the shift from the seventh day to the first day of the week. How does this new beginning in Christ inspire you to approach your week differently? [07:46]
3. How can you personally contribute to revitalizing Sabbath observance in your church community, especially regarding evening worship services? [14:33]
4. Identify one way you can find joy and rest in the Lord's Day this week. What practical steps will you take to make this a reality? [10:57]
5. How can you encourage others in your church to see the value of the Lord's Day as a time for spiritual renewal and commitment to worship? [20:19]
6. Think about your weekly schedule. Are there activities or commitments that prevent you from fully observing the Lord's Day? How can you adjust your schedule to prioritize rest and worship? [10:36]
7. What specific actions can you take to foster a deeper hunger for God's Word in your life and the lives of those around you? [22:29]

Devotional

Day 1: The Sabbath as a Creation Ordinance
The Sabbath is not merely a relic of the Mosaic Law but is deeply rooted in the creation narrative itself. It serves as a reminder of God's rest after creation and invites believers to enter into His rest through Christ. This continuity from creation to the New Covenant underscores the Sabbath's ongoing relevance in spiritual renewal and worship. Observing the Sabbath is a call to pause from the busyness of life and to focus on spiritual rejuvenation, aligning oneself with God's rhythm of rest and worship. [02:17]

"For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested on the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy." (Exodus 20:11, ESV)

Reflection: How can you incorporate a rhythm of rest and worship into your weekly routine to align with God's design for the Sabbath?


Day 2: Fulfillment in Christ
The shift from the seventh day to the first day of the week marks a new beginning for believers, emphasizing the transformative power of Christ's resurrection. The Lord's Day represents the fulfillment of the Sabbath's significance, pointing to the rest and salvation found in Christ. This transformation invites believers to experience a new kind of rest, one that is rooted in the victory and hope of the resurrection. Observing the Lord's Day is a celebration of this new life and a reminder of the eternal rest promised in Christ. [03:37]

"So then, there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God, for whoever has entered God's rest has also rested from his works as God did from his." (Hebrews 4:9-10, ESV)

Reflection: In what ways can you celebrate the resurrection of Christ in your life today, and how does this shape your understanding of rest and renewal?


Day 3: The Importance of the Lord's Day
Observing the Lord's Day is crucial for spiritual growth, providing a dedicated time for rest, worship, and reflection. It challenges the notion that all days are alike, underscoring the need for a special day set apart for God. This day serves as a spiritual anchor, offering believers a chance to refocus their hearts and minds on God's presence and purpose. By setting aside this time, believers can cultivate a deeper relationship with God and foster a community centered on worship and spiritual renewal. [06:48]

"On the first day of the week, when we were gathered together to break bread, Paul talked with them, intending to depart on the next day, and he prolonged his speech until midnight." (Acts 20:7, ESV)

Reflection: How can you intentionally set apart the Lord's Day for worship and reflection, and what changes might you need to make to prioritize this time?


Day 4: The Decline of Sabbath Observance
The decline in Sabbath observance, particularly the loss of evening worship services, has contributed to a weakening of religious life. This trend reflects a broader cultural shift away from communal worship and spiritual discipline. Restoring a commitment to the Lord's Day can revitalize faith communities and deepen believers' spiritual lives. By reclaiming the significance of the Sabbath, believers can foster a renewed sense of purpose and connection with God and one another. [14:33]

"Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor, and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God." (Exodus 20:8-10a, ESV)

Reflection: What steps can you take to restore the significance of the Lord's Day in your life and community, and how can you encourage others to join you in this commitment?


Day 5: A Call to Renewed Commitment
The church must help believers use the Lord's Day well, fostering a hunger for God's Word and a commitment to worship. This involves rethinking how we live all seven days, finding joy and rest in the Lord's Day, and recognizing its significance in our spiritual journey. By embracing this call to renewed commitment, believers can experience a deeper hunger for God's presence and a more vibrant spiritual life. [20:19]

"And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near." (Hebrews 10:24-25, ESV)

Reflection: How can you actively participate in your church community to encourage a renewed commitment to the Lord's Day, and what role can you play in fostering a culture of worship and spiritual growth?

Quotes


If it's grounded in creation, we should not be surprised that it would continue into the new covenant. If it's simply given to Moses, it may well have passed away with lots of the religious activity of the Mosaic economy. So, that's one of the issues I try to talk about, and as a good Reformed person I argue that it's grounded in creation, and so there is continuity. [00:02:10]

The Christian celebrates a creation day that was given a particular shape in the Mosaic ordinances, now in the consciousness that the Mosaic ordinances have been fulfilled in Christ. So, there is a sense of the fullness of what this day is about on the one hand, and on the other hand there is a recognition of the element that continues from creation into the Mosaic ordinances which were given, in a sense, to teach the people what the creation ordinance was originally for. [00:03:00]

The phrase, "The Lord's Day" is itself a biblical phrase and itself and by itself should challenge those who insist in the new covenant all days are alike. If all days are absolutely alike in the new covenant, how can there be a Lord's Day which is different from other days? So, the very language of the Lord's Day is very important to this whole question of, "Does the new covenant itself have a special day within it in which we're still to rest and to worship?" [00:06:49]

If the Sabbath day is a creation ordinance, then re-creation in Christ restores that. And it's a good thing. I also sometimes think, I mean I need to write things out in order to be clear in my head about them. But it's sometimes recently, I don't know why it struck me, isn't it interesting that the Sabbath was in a sense, Adam's first full day? That wasn't the last day of the week for him. [00:09:05]

The Sabbath commandment is not just about one day, and I think that's a huge key in people's lives. It's about seven days. "Six days you should labor and do all your work and the seventh is a Sabbath to the Lord your God." So it's not a regulation about one day without being a regulation about every day. [00:10:01]

We increasingly live in a religious world in America where people are relatively ignorant of the Bible, relatively ignorant of theology, don't have time to worship twice on the Lord's Day. Very often when they come to worship, it's not a very profound and serious experience. And, I think we have allowed our religion to be trivialized, and I think a real beginning of that was a departure from keeping the Sabbath day as a whole holy. [00:14:26]

And the way I sometimes think about it is that the way the Mosaic ordinances worked out the creation principles enshrined in the Ten Commandments was, to use Paul's language, God teaching people under age what people who had reached fullness of age would experience in Jesus Christ. So, I do remember, I don't suppose this happens any longer, but I remember when I was a little boy I did not get the big book all word versions of the great classics of English literature. [00:04:32]

And, I think, purely from a historical point of view, you could say if you look at what serious-minded Protestant churches became in the seventeenth, eighteenth, nineteenth, twentieth century, it can be closely linked to the observance of the Sabbath day as a day of worship and of rest and of fellowship with God's people and of learning and of holy reading and watching good Ligonier videos. [00:16:48]

And we think we are living the normal Christian life on a ministry of the Word diet of about maybe 20% of what past generations lived the Christian life on, and that we don't see that that would make a difference is perhaps the most serious symptom of all. So, we really, badly need the church to help us to use the Lord’s Day well. [00:20:14]

And I think the real heart of the issue is, "Do we hunger for the Word of God? Do we believe the Word of God? Do we believe that we meet God and hear God in His Word?" And I think to the extent we help people see the necessity of the Word and the beauty of the Word and the value of the Word, then maybe we will restore some of the desire to be able to participate more, rather than less in the serious life of the church. [00:22:09]

The fact is the morning service cleans you up a little, so that you can taste the delights of the evening service. And when the church has functioned in a better condition than I think it is probably functioning today, that has always actually been the case that the evening service has been the real highlight. The evening service often has been what has really brought the youngsters into the liveliness of church life, because there ain't no chicken in the oven; you know, mother wondering if it's burnt and there has not been the hassle to get to church, and so on. [00:28:40]

I think all of our churches ought to ask, "Do we work as hard to ensure that the preaching Sunday evening is as good as the preaching Sunday morning?" Because if we don't, then we are really responsible for the weakening of the Sabbath and the life of the church. So, yeah, the evening service in a lot of ways is the test of our commitment to worship and to Sabbath. [00:27:03]

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Transcript
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