Restoring the Sabbath: Faithfulness in a Minimalist Culture

 

Summary

In our discussion today, we delved into the critical issue of how the church has gradually lost its appreciation for the Sabbath and the broader implications of this trend. The temptation within American evangelical Christianity to pursue a minimalist approach to faith, focusing on the least required to be considered a Christian, has led to a significant departure from the Great Commission's call to teach and obey all of Christ's commands. This minimalist mindset has contributed to the abandonment of the Sabbath and the reduction of church services, which is detrimental to spiritual growth and community fellowship.

We also explored the example of Eric Liddell, who chose not to run on the Sabbath during the Olympics, highlighting the importance of prioritizing faithfulness over worldly success. This decision serves as a model of Christian commitment, reminding us that there are more important things than the accolades and recognition of the world.

Furthermore, we examined the cultural influences that have redefined the Lord's Day, such as the NFL and other distractions, which have shifted the focus away from worship and rest. The argument that family time is better spent outside of church is flawed, as true family unity is found in worshiping together.

In addition, we addressed theological questions about the nature of evil, the state of unbelievers after death, and the role of the Holy Spirit in the Old and New Testaments. These discussions emphasized the importance of maintaining a biblical worldview and understanding the sovereignty of God in all things.

Finally, we considered the church's response to cultural shifts, such as the legalization of same-sex marriage, and the need for a robust defense of the doctrine of creation. The church must remain steadfast in its commitment to biblical truth, equipping believers to withstand cultural pressures and proclaim the gospel with clarity and conviction.

Key Takeaways:

- The pursuit of minimalist Christianity undermines the Great Commission's call to teach and obey all of Christ's commands. This approach has led to the neglect of the Sabbath and reduced church engagement, which is detrimental to spiritual growth and community fellowship. [01:12]

- Eric Liddell's decision not to run on the Sabbath during the Olympics exemplifies the importance of prioritizing faithfulness over worldly success. His commitment serves as a model for Christians to value spiritual integrity above societal recognition. [03:13]

- Cultural influences, such as the NFL, have contributed to the redefinition of the Lord's Day, shifting focus away from worship and rest. True family unity is found in worshiping together, and the church must resist the temptation to conform to cultural norms. [04:24]

- The sovereignty of God is evident in the theological understanding that God ordains all things, yet is not the author of evil. This distinction is crucial for maintaining a biblical worldview and understanding the purpose of evil in demonstrating God's ultimate victory in Christ. [07:35]

- The church must remain steadfast in defending the doctrine of creation and addressing cultural shifts, such as the legalization of same-sex marriage. A robust commitment to biblical truth equips believers to withstand cultural pressures and proclaim the gospel with clarity and conviction. [25:18]

Youtube Chapters:

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:35] - Minimalist Christianity and the Great Commission
[01:55] - The Abandonment of the Sabbath
[02:34] - Eric Liddell's Faithfulness
[03:50] - Cultural Influences on the Lord's Day
[05:04] - Theological Questions: Death Before the Fall
[06:24] - Did God Create Evil?
[08:51] - God's Sovereignty and Ordination
[11:13] - The State of Unbelievers After Death
[14:35] - Responding to Imprecatory Psalms
[19:53] - The Holy Spirit in Old and New Testaments
[21:48] - Defending the Doctrine of Creation
[25:18] - Cultural Shifts and the Church's Response
[31:40] - The Church's Role Post-Supreme Court Decision
[35:16] - A Two-Pronged Approach to Cultural Engagement

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. Matthew 28:18-20 (The Great Commission)
2. Exodus 20:8-11 (The Sabbath Commandment)
3. Hebrews 11:24-26 (Faithfulness of Moses, similar to Eric Liddell's example)

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Observation Questions:

1. What does the Great Commission in Matthew 28:18-20 emphasize about the teachings of Jesus, and how does this relate to the sermon’s critique of minimalist Christianity? [01:12]

2. How does the commandment in Exodus 20:8-11 about the Sabbath reflect the importance of rest and worship, and what implications does this have for the church today? [01:55]

3. In what ways does the example of Eric Liddell, as discussed in the sermon, parallel the faithfulness of Moses described in Hebrews 11:24-26? [03:13]

4. How have cultural influences, such as the NFL, contributed to the redefinition of the Lord's Day according to the sermon? [04:24]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the pursuit of minimalist Christianity undermine the Great Commission's call to teach and obey all of Christ's commands, and what are the potential consequences for spiritual growth and community fellowship? [01:12]

2. What does Eric Liddell's decision not to run on the Sabbath teach us about prioritizing faithfulness over worldly success, and how can this be applied to modern Christian life? [03:13]

3. How do cultural shifts, such as the legalization of same-sex marriage, challenge the church's commitment to biblical truth, and what role does the doctrine of creation play in addressing these challenges? [25:18]

4. In what ways does the sermon suggest that the sovereignty of God is evident in the theological understanding of evil, and how does this understanding help maintain a biblical worldview? [07:35]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on your own approach to faith. Are there areas where you might be adopting a minimalist mindset? How can you commit to a more comprehensive obedience to Christ's commands this week? [01:12]

2. Consider your Sunday routine. Are there activities that distract you from worship and rest? What changes can you make to prioritize the Sabbath as a day of spiritual renewal and family unity? [04:24]

3. Think about a situation where you might be tempted to prioritize worldly success over faithfulness. How can Eric Liddell's example inspire you to make a different choice? [03:13]

4. How can you and your family resist cultural pressures that redefine the Lord's Day? What specific steps can you take to ensure that worship and rest remain central to your Sundays? [04:24]

5. In light of the sermon, how can you better equip yourself to defend the doctrine of creation and other biblical truths in conversations with others? [25:18]

6. Identify a cultural shift that challenges your faith. How can you prepare yourself to respond with clarity and conviction, grounded in biblical truth? [25:18]

7. Reflect on the role of the Holy Spirit in your life. How can you seek a deeper understanding of His work in both the Old and New Testaments to strengthen your faith? [19:53]

Devotional

Day 1: The Dangers of Minimalist Christianity
The pursuit of minimalist Christianity, where believers focus on the least required to be considered a Christian, undermines the Great Commission's call to teach and obey all of Christ's commands. This approach has led to the neglect of the Sabbath and reduced church engagement, which is detrimental to spiritual growth and community fellowship. By prioritizing convenience and personal preference over commitment and obedience, believers risk missing out on the fullness of a life devoted to Christ. The call to discipleship is not about doing the bare minimum but about wholeheartedly following Jesus and embracing all His teachings. [01:12]

"For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul?" (Matthew 16:25-26, ESV)

Reflection: In what ways have you adopted a minimalist approach to your faith, and how can you begin to fully embrace the teachings of Christ in your daily life?


Day 2: Faithfulness Over Worldly Success
Eric Liddell's decision not to run on the Sabbath during the Olympics exemplifies the importance of prioritizing faithfulness over worldly success. His commitment serves as a model for Christians to value spiritual integrity above societal recognition. In a world that often measures success by accolades and achievements, Liddell's story reminds us that true success is found in obedience to God and faithfulness to His commands. By choosing to honor the Sabbath, Liddell demonstrated that his identity and worth were rooted in his relationship with God, not in the fleeting praise of the world. [03:13]

"Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues with injustice." (Proverbs 16:8, ESV)

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you are tempted to prioritize worldly success over faithfulness to God, and how can you realign your priorities today?


Day 3: Resisting Cultural Redefinitions of the Lord's Day
Cultural influences, such as the NFL, have contributed to the redefinition of the Lord's Day, shifting focus away from worship and rest. True family unity is found in worshiping together, and the church must resist the temptation to conform to cultural norms. The Lord's Day is a gift meant for rest, reflection, and renewal in God's presence. By allowing cultural distractions to take precedence, believers miss the opportunity to experience the fullness of God's design for Sabbath rest. It is essential to reclaim the Lord's Day as a time set apart for worship and community, resisting the pressures to conform to societal expectations. [04:24]

"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: How can you intentionally set apart the Lord's Day for worship and rest, resisting cultural distractions that compete for your attention?


Day 4: Understanding God's Sovereignty and the Nature of Evil
The sovereignty of God is evident in the theological understanding that God ordains all things, yet is not the author of evil. This distinction is crucial for maintaining a biblical worldview and understanding the purpose of evil in demonstrating God's ultimate victory in Christ. By recognizing God's sovereignty, believers can find comfort in knowing that He is in control, even in the midst of suffering and evil. This understanding allows Christians to trust in God's plan and purpose, knowing that He works all things for His glory and our good. [07:35]

"As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today." (Genesis 50:20, ESV)

Reflection: How does understanding God's sovereignty over evil change your perspective on the challenges and suffering you face in your life?


Day 5: Defending Biblical Truth Amidst Cultural Shifts
The church must remain steadfast in defending the doctrine of creation and addressing cultural shifts, such as the legalization of same-sex marriage. A robust commitment to biblical truth equips believers to withstand cultural pressures and proclaim the gospel with clarity and conviction. In a rapidly changing world, it is essential for the church to hold fast to the truth of Scripture, providing a clear and unwavering witness to the gospel. By grounding their beliefs in the Word of God, Christians can confidently engage with the culture, offering hope and truth in the midst of confusion and compromise. [25:18]

"Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect." (Romans 12:2, ESV)

Reflection: What steps can you take to deepen your understanding of biblical truth, so you can confidently engage with cultural issues and share the gospel with clarity?

Quotes

"One of the temptations of American evangelical Christianity, borne out of something fundamentally good (namely our desire to see the church revived, our desire to see the church involved in evangelism and missions) has gotten persuaded, in our time particularly, that the way to advance evangelism is to pursue minimalist Christianity. You know, what is the absolute least we need to know and believe and and require of people to make them Christians." [00:00:25]

"The Great Commission was not 'figure out the minimum number of things you can say about me and get people to believe those.' The Great Commission was 'command them to obey all things I have commanded you.' There's a maximalism to to the Great Commission, and I think part of the church's abandonment of the Sabbath was to make life easier for evangelism." [00:01:12]

"Can it really be good for Christians to go to church half the time? Can it really be good to hear half the number of sermons that you used to hear? Now, I have heard sermons where I'd thought to myself, 'I wish I could hear half of that,' but in principle, to think that we are better off with less time in fellowship with the people of God, less time in prayer, less time in study, less time in listening to the Word of God, just is so self-evidently wrong that it makes me mad." [00:02:06]

"If Eric Liddell had only run on the Sabbath day and gotten that gold medal, think what an influence he would have been. Think how many more people would have listened to him. He'd have been a celebrity. There's nothing better in life than to be a Christian celebrity! Well, actually there are better things in life. And, you know, I think he's a model of Christian faithfulness." [00:03:13]

"It demonstrates how acculturated we are, without massive intentionality, not to allow the culture to dominate because I think if we actually took time to do an analysis of exactly why the Lord's Day's been so redefined, it wouldn't begin with a theological -- I disagree with Bob only in that I really don't think it began with much missiology. I began, it began with the NFL." [00:04:03]

"The Bible says God's not the author of evil which means God says He's not the author of evil. And over and over again in Scripture, in both negative and positive assertions, the Scripture makes clear that God is not the author of evil. The Scripture also makes very clear that God is sovereign over all." [00:06:49]

"God not only permits, as if He's some passive observer, the biblical metanarrative tells us that God willed to triumph over evil in Christ in such a way that He ordained that evil should exist though He is by no means the author of it. And so, this is a crucial category." [00:07:17]

"The gospel is not plan B because God's plan A didn't work. It instead is the ultimate, eternal display of His glory, in such a way that He ordains everything, the beginning, the middle, and to the end in His sovereign, eternal omnipotence. So God is not the author of evil." [00:08:13]

"We need to defend the doctrine of creation where it's under attack. And we need to do that vigorously and unashamedly. But, as I also tried to say in the lecture, we mustn't allow the controversy to determine all that we say about creation. And the teaching of the Scripture on creation is so full, so positive, so joyous, such a blessing." [00:21:48]

"The purpose for which the world was created was to display the glory of God and the drama of redemption. So you actually can't talk about the -- it's kind of like trying to completely severe the discussion between the person and the work of Christ. You can't -- you can't make -- that's a logical distinction, a distinction of systematic theology, but it's not a distinction when you tell someone about Christ." [00:24:03]

"I think there is an awareness that we're going to have to be ready now -- and, again, very Augustinian, I hope and pray. We're going to have to be ready for a very long faithfulness, a very long obedience that's going to be very costly, and is also an incredible opportunity to point to the city of God, to point to the gospel while everything is falling apart around us." [00:31:40]

"I'm not mostly concerned about the church surrendering to the larger culture in terms of political, cultural, other fronts. I'm more concerned that the church will abdicate its responsibility inside the church. And that would be at far greater cost and of far greater unfaithfulness." [00:34:40]

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Transcript
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