Embracing the True Spirit of the Sabbath
Summary
### Summary
Good morning and welcome to Atkinson Congregational Church, the light on the hill. Today, we gather to worship, share communion, and support our local food pantry. We are reminded of the importance of the Sabbath, a day intended for rest, worship, and family. The Sabbath is not just a day of legalistic observance but a gift from God meant to rejuvenate our spirits and strengthen our relationships.
In our scripture readings, we see Jesus challenging the Pharisees' rigid interpretation of the Sabbath. He emphasizes that the Sabbath was made for humankind, not humankind for the Sabbath. Jesus demonstrates this by healing a man with a withered hand on the Sabbath, showing that doing good and saving lives is always lawful, even on a day of rest. This act of compassion underscores the true spirit of the Sabbath: a time for healing, helping, and restoring.
We are called to balance our lives between work and rest, ensuring that we take time to worship and rejuvenate. The Sabbath principle is not about strict rules but about grace and the opportunity to reconnect with God and our loved ones. As we navigate our busy lives, let us remember to set aside time for rest and worship, trusting that Jesus, the Lord of the Sabbath, will bless those who follow and trust Him.
### Key Takeaways
1. The Sabbath as a Gift: The Sabbath was created for humankind, not the other way around. It is a day meant to provide rest, rejuvenation, and a break from the busyness of life. This day is a divine gift that allows us to reconnect with God and our loved ones, offering a much-needed respite from our daily routines. [37:13]
2. Doing Good on the Sabbath: Jesus teaches that it is always lawful to do good, even on the Sabbath. Acts of kindness, healing, and helping others are in line with the true spirit of the Sabbath. This principle encourages us to prioritize compassion and mercy over rigid adherence to rules. [40:03]
3. Trust in Jesus: The story of the man with the withered hand illustrates the importance of trusting Jesus. When we stretch out our hands in faith, we open ourselves to His healing and blessings. Trusting in Jesus means recognizing His lordship and believing that He will guide and support us in all circumstances. [48:08]
4. Balancing Legalism and Grace: While it is important to observe the Sabbath, we must avoid falling into legalistic practices. The focus should be on grace and the spirit of the law rather than strict adherence to rules. This balance allows us to experience the true blessings of the Sabbath without becoming burdened by legalism. [42:39]
5. The Importance of Community: The story of the ember taken from the fire illustrates the importance of community. Just as the ember loses its glow when isolated, we too can lose our spiritual fervor when disconnected from our faith community. Regular participation in communal worship and fellowship helps keep our faith vibrant and strong. [45:03]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[02:53] - Communion and Food Pantry Sunday
[04:56] - Church Council Announcement
[06:42] - Call to Worship
[10:39] - Opening Prayer and Confession
[12:05] - Scripture Reading and Prayer
[19:15] - Thanksgiving for the Church
[20:55] - Prayers for Healing and Comfort
[23:30] - Offering and Food Pantry Support
[25:50] - Prayer of Gratitude
[29:15] - Second Scripture Reading
[30:59] - Sermon: Observing the Sabbath
[48:51] - Communion Service
[52:19] - Communion Liturgy
[55:57] - Breaking of Bread and Sharing the Cup
[58:12] - Prayer of Thanksgiving and Sending
[01:03:35] - Closing and Fellowship Invitation
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. Mark 2:23-28 (NRSV)
> One Sabbath he was going through the grain fields; and as they made their way, his disciples began to pluck heads of grain. The Pharisees said to him, "Look, why are they doing what is not lawful on the Sabbath?" And he said to them, "Have you never read what David did when he and his companions were hungry and in need of food? He entered the house of God, when Abiathar was high priest, and ate the bread of the Presence, which it is not lawful for any but the priests to eat, and he gave some to his companions." Then he said to them, "The Sabbath was made for humankind, and not humankind for the Sabbath; so the Son of Man is lord even of the Sabbath."
2. Mark 3:1-6 (NRSV)
> Again he entered the synagogue, and a man was there who had a withered hand. They watched him to see whether he would cure him on the Sabbath, so that they might accuse him. And he said to the man who had the withered hand, "Come forward." Then he said to them, "Is it lawful to do good or to do harm on the Sabbath, to save life or to kill?" But they were silent. He looked around at them with anger; he was grieved at their hardness of heart and said to the man, "Stretch out your hand." He stretched it out, and his hand was restored. The Pharisees went out and immediately conspired with the Herodians against him, how to destroy him.
### Observation Questions
1. What did Jesus and his disciples do in the grain fields that the Pharisees considered unlawful on the Sabbath? (Mark 2:23-24)
2. How did Jesus respond to the Pharisees' accusation about his disciples' actions in the grain fields? (Mark 2:25-28)
3. What question did Jesus pose to the Pharisees when he encountered the man with the withered hand in the synagogue? (Mark 3:4)
4. How did the Pharisees react after Jesus healed the man with the withered hand? (Mark 3:6)
### Interpretation Questions
1. What does Jesus' statement, "The Sabbath was made for humankind, and not humankind for the Sabbath," imply about the purpose of the Sabbath? (Mark 2:27)
2. How does Jesus' healing of the man with the withered hand on the Sabbath challenge the Pharisees' understanding of Sabbath observance? (Mark 3:1-6)
3. In what ways does the story of David eating the bread of the Presence relate to Jesus' actions and teachings about the Sabbath? (Mark 2:25-26)
4. How does the concept of balancing legalism and grace apply to modern-day observance of religious practices? [42:39]
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your current work-life balance. How can you better incorporate Sabbath principles of rest and rejuvenation into your weekly routine? [39:00]
2. Think of a recent situation where you had the opportunity to do good but hesitated due to rules or norms. How can Jesus' example of healing on the Sabbath inspire you to prioritize compassion and mercy in similar situations? [40:03]
3. Jesus emphasized the importance of community and fellowship. How can you actively participate in your faith community to keep your spiritual fervor alive, similar to the ember in the fire story? [45:03]
4. Consider a time when you felt burdened by legalistic practices in your faith journey. How can you shift your focus to grace and the spirit of the law to experience the true blessings of your faith? [42:39]
5. Trusting in Jesus means recognizing His lordship and believing in His guidance. What steps can you take to deepen your trust in Jesus, especially in challenging circumstances? [48:08]
6. How can you make your Sabbath observance more meaningful by incorporating acts of kindness and service to others, as Jesus did? [40:03]
7. Identify one specific way you can support your local community, such as participating in food pantry drives or other acts of service. How can this be a part of your Sabbath practice? [23:30]
Devotional
Day 1: The Sabbath as a Divine Gift
The Sabbath is a day created by God for humankind, intended to provide rest, rejuvenation, and a break from the busyness of life. It is not about legalistic observance but about grace and the opportunity to reconnect with God and our loved ones. This day is a divine gift that allows us to step away from our daily routines and find spiritual and physical renewal. By setting aside time for rest and worship, we honor God's intention for the Sabbath and open ourselves to His blessings. [37:13]
Exodus 31:15-17 (ESV): "Six days shall work be done, but the seventh day is a Sabbath of solemn rest, holy to the Lord. Whoever does any work on the Sabbath day shall be put to death. Therefore the people of Israel shall keep the Sabbath, observing the Sabbath throughout their generations, as a covenant forever. It is a sign forever between me and the people of Israel that in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day he rested and was refreshed."
Reflection: How can you intentionally set aside time this week to rest and reconnect with God and your loved ones? What specific activities or practices will help you honor the Sabbath as a divine gift?
Day 2: Doing Good on the Sabbath
Jesus teaches that it is always lawful to do good, even on the Sabbath. Acts of kindness, healing, and helping others are in line with the true spirit of the Sabbath. This principle encourages us to prioritize compassion and mercy over rigid adherence to rules. By following Jesus' example, we can use the Sabbath as an opportunity to extend love and care to those in need, reflecting God's grace and compassion in our actions. [40:03]
Matthew 12:11-12 (ESV): "He said to them, 'Which one of you who has a sheep, if it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will not take hold of it and lift it out? Of how much more value is a man than a sheep! So it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath.'"
Reflection: Think of a specific way you can show kindness or help someone in need this Sabbath. How can you make this a regular practice in your observance of the Sabbath?
Day 3: Trust in Jesus
The story of the man with the withered hand illustrates the importance of trusting Jesus. When we stretch out our hands in faith, we open ourselves to His healing and blessings. Trusting in Jesus means recognizing His lordship and believing that He will guide and support us in all circumstances. By placing our trust in Him, we can experience His transformative power in our lives and witness His miracles. [48:08]
Mark 3:5 (ESV): "And he looked around at them with anger, grieved at their hardness of heart, and said to the man, 'Stretch out your hand.' He stretched it out, and his hand was restored."
Reflection: What area of your life do you need to trust Jesus with today? How can you actively demonstrate your faith and trust in Him in this situation?
Day 4: Balancing Legalism and Grace
While it is important to observe the Sabbath, we must avoid falling into legalistic practices. The focus should be on grace and the spirit of the law rather than strict adherence to rules. This balance allows us to experience the true blessings of the Sabbath without becoming burdened by legalism. By embracing grace, we can find freedom and joy in our observance of the Sabbath, aligning our hearts with God's intentions. [42:39]
Colossians 2:16-17 (ESV): "Therefore let no one pass judgment on you in questions of food and drink, or with regard to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath. These are a shadow of the things to come, but the substance belongs to Christ."
Reflection: Are there any legalistic practices you need to let go of in your observance of the Sabbath? How can you focus more on grace and the spirit of the law in your Sabbath practices?
Day 5: The Importance of Community
The story of the ember taken from the fire illustrates the importance of community. Just as the ember loses its glow when isolated, we too can lose our spiritual fervor when disconnected from our faith community. Regular participation in communal worship and fellowship helps keep our faith vibrant and strong. By staying connected with our faith community, we can support one another, grow together, and maintain our spiritual vitality. [45:03]
Hebrews 10:24-25 (ESV): "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."
Reflection: How can you actively engage with your faith community this week? What steps can you take to ensure you remain connected and supportive of one another?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "God intended the Sabbath as a blessing for people. God intended the Sabbath to give people a restful day. A recent survey found that 9 out of 10 Americans wished there was less negativity in the news and social media and that 80% of Americans are exhausted by the anger and negativity in our current discourse. I would suspect that most of you can identify with that. And while email and text messages has blessed us in many ways, it's also broken down the barrier between workplace and home. For many people, it's like they never leave work." [37:13]
2. "The Sabbath was made for humankind, not humankind for the Sabbath. God intended the Sabbath to be a blessing. The God who created us knows that we need rest. We need time with our families. We need the Sabbath time can help make that need. The Sabbath encourages us, expects us to set limits on our work time to enforce restful time and family time. And doing that, studies show, reduced the number of heart attacks and divorces." [39:00]
3. "The Sabbath is not one day given to God while we are permitted to keep the other six for ourselves. It's rather a peculiar sign and symbol of the deepest things in our life. The Sabbath principle reminds us that there must be a time in our week when we stop and rest and take note of God. It's a sin to let ourselves become so rushed, so full of busyness, that we fail to take care of two vital human needs, our rest and our worship." [46:15]
4. "So what do the stories mean to us today? For one thing, these stories tell us that God created a Sabbath for us to give us a restful day, a family day. God knew that we needed rest and that our families need us to be present. And that's a pretty good takeaway from these stories. And another thing is, we need to pay attention when Jesus says, is it lawful on the Sabbath day to do good or do harm, to save a life or to kill? Because in God's economy, it's always the right time to do good, to help someone in need, to rescue someone in danger. It's always lawful to save a life. It's always lawful to help." [47:27]
5. "And so my friends, may you learn to trust Jesus. May you take some regular Sabbath time every week. May you set aside time for rest and worship. And may you receive the blessings that Jesus gives to those who follow and trust him." [48:51]
### Quotes for Members
1. "Jesus concludes that story by saying to the Pharisees, the Sabbath was made for humankind, not humankind for the Sabbath. The Pharisees had no answer to that, so if you're keeping score, that's Jesus one, Pharisees zero. It's an interesting take on the Sabbath, though. The Sabbath was made for humankind, not humankind for the Sabbath. God intended the Sabbath as a blessing for people. God intended the Sabbath to give people a restful day." [37:13]
2. "Then Jesus goes to the synagogue where he encounters a man with a withered hand. The Pharisees, who have already been embarrassed once by Jesus that day, were eager to give it another go. So they watched to see if Jesus would heal the man's hand on the Sabbath, because then they could accuse him of violating another of the Sabbath laws. So Jesus gives them another chance. He told the man to stand up, and then he asked the Pharisees, is it lawful on the Sabbath day to do good or do harm? To save a life or to kill?" [40:03]
3. "Jesus, as you might guess, felt differently. And presumably, the man with the withered hand felt differently too, because when Jesus told him to stretch out his hand, he did so. And it probably wasn't easy for someone who had been trying to hide that withered hand for all of his life. He didn't, you know, he wasn't helpful to have a disability that showed in public. Everyone was watching, and for once, he's the center of attention which he's been trying to avoid forever. But he'd heard about Jesus. He was willing to take a risk so that he might have a chance to be healed, and so he stretches out his hand. And the Bible says that his hand was restored as healthy as the other." [40:52]
4. "The Sabbath principle reminds us that there must be a time in our week when we stop and rest and take note of God. It's a sin to let ourselves become so rushed, so full of busyness, that we fail to take care of two vital human needs, our rest and our worship. As the early Christians knew, the particular day of the week isn't really that important. You can rest and worship on Saturday or Sunday, and some people work on Sundays and maybe their day off is Monday and Tuesday. My Sabbath day is usually on Friday. You can still accomplish the purposes of the Sabbath on whatever day of the week it is that you can do it. The Sabbath is just a reminder to take time to rest and stop being so busy and worship." [46:55]
5. "And another thing is, we need to pay attention when Jesus says, is it lawful on the Sabbath day to do good or do harm, to save a life or to kill? Because in God's economy, it's always the right time to do good, to help someone in need, to rescue someone in danger. It's always lawful to save a life. It's always lawful to help. And the third takeaway too, I think, that Jesus is Lord and will bless those who trust him. As the man with the withered hand trusted Jesus when he stretched out his hand. It doesn't mean that Jesus will do everything that we want. He's not a cosmic butler. But it does mean that Jesus is in command and blesses those who trust him." [47:27]
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