Resting In The Provision of YHWH

[0:00] Well, my name is Irfan Shahid, and I'm so delighted to be with you this morning. It's been really great to meet with some of the folks last Sunday, and I'm looking forward to speak to you if I haven't spoken to you yet.

[0:19] I'm so thankful for Pastor Carl as well for giving me this opportunity, that I am a trainee at Cornhill, and giving me this opportunity to come and share the Word of God here this morning.

[0:31] So before we go into God's Word, I just wanted to share something about my life, about myself. I am originally from Pakistan. I was born and raised in Pakistan in a very religious family.

[0:45] There is one thing about Pakistan or India I was just sharing with Carl last Wednesday as well, that usually it is considered that when you are born in whatever religious background you have, whatever religious family you have, it is considered that you would follow the same religion.

[1:04] It happens. It's very rare that people would go on or they won't follow any religion or they would change to any other religion.

[1:15] So basically we have Islam, of course. This is the dominant religion in Pakistan. We have some, in some areas we have Hinduism, and Catholicism is very strong in Pakistan.

[1:29] So I was born in a Catholic family. As I said, it was a very religious family. I had very religious background in that sense as well, that growing up, following all the traditions of Catholicism, following all the sacraments and things like that.

[1:46] But when I got to the stage when I was in my high school, I started reading the Bible more seriously. I was just like reading the Bible on my own because in a Catholic church you are not encouraged to read the Bible.

[2:05] So it was my desire to learn and grow in God's Word. So that was the time when I started thinking about different questions because in a Catholic church we observe certain traditions.

[2:19] Those contradict the Word of God. For instance, following sacraments, believing that God will give you His grace based on how good you are in following those sacraments.

[2:33] But the Word of God teaches us that salvation is by grace alone, in faith alone, in Christ. So this was a question. And then during that time when I was thinking about these things, I was asking, I was searching, I was seeking God, and I was asking God for His wisdom and understanding about my faith.

[2:55] One of my friends invited me to his church. So it wasn't, of course, a Catholic church. It was a different church where he invited me. And there I had the opportunity to hear the gospel very first time in my life.

[3:09] Before that, probably I heard the gospel, but I didn't understand it. So during that time, I believed that this was God's timing. I believed this was God's way of helping me to understand the gospel.

[3:22] And during that message, the preacher preached on the subject of Christ died for our sins. And he used the scriptures.

[3:33] And I remember it was really something very different for me just because of my background, hearing that message in that church. So it really helped me to come closer to God, understanding God, understanding what salvation really is.

[3:50] And after that meeting, I met with the preacher a few times. I joined that church, and I was baptized there. I received Christ as my personal Savior and Lord in that church.

[4:03] And I joined the church. And later on, in 2005, I moved to England, and I met Kamal, my wife.

[4:14] She's here this morning as well. We got married. We have two children, two boys, Jeremiah and Josiah. And we lived in England, in London, until 2018.

[4:26] And during that time, we were thinking to move out from London because we just thought that it is too expensive to live in London, one of the reasons. And also, I think, as a family, we decided that if we want to, it's better if we move out, raising kids, it will be better from London.

[4:46] So we were praying. We were asking God's wisdom in that as well. And during that time at my workplace, one of my friends said to me, because we were considering maybe moving to Scotland, and he said to me that if you move to Scotland, you will find friendly people over there.

[5:03] So it was encouraging to know. And I'm 100% sure this was the right statement. And I have really felt that as well. Very warm welcome here in church.

[5:15] And I'm so glad to know you, to meet with you. And I'm thankful what God is doing here in this church, here in Balsill. And I'm part of Harper Church, but you will be in our prayers going forward as well.

[5:29] And God willing, we will continue this friendship. And I'm so glad to have this opportunity, as I said, to share God's word with you. So please, I say, I apologize for that.

[5:44] I still don't have the Scottish accent. I am working on it. So hopefully, at some stage, I will get there. So if we please go in our Bible in Exodus chapter 20.

[5:55] Exodus chapter 20. This will be our text this morning. We will read it from verses 8 to 11. We know that Exodus chapter 20 is the Decalogue.

[6:18] It is the Ten Commandments of God. And we read from verse 8 to 11. Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy.

[6:32] Six days you shall labor and do all your work. But the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God.

[6:44] On it you shall not do any work. You are your sons. Or your daughter. Your male servant. Or your female servant.

[6:55] Or your livestock. Or the sojourner who is within your gates. For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea and all that is in them, and rested on the seventh day.

[7:14] Therefore, the Lord blessed the Sabbath, blessed the Sabbath day, and made it holy. Let's pray. Dear precious Heavenly Father, what awesome God you are.

[7:34] Dear Lord, we acknowledge the fact that you are the God, and you are the Lord of this universe, of this cosmos, and you are our God this morning.

[7:49] And Father Lord, as we turn to your word, I just pray that you may please hide me behind the cross. Help me, Father Lord, that the Holy Spirit of God may be our teacher.

[8:00] Father, help us dear Lord as we look into these verses, from Exodus 20, verses 8 to 11, that we may be able to find something that you are teaching us.

[8:12] Help us that we may have the clear understanding of your word, and we may have the clear message that is for us this morning, here at Bells Hill Baptist Church.

[8:23] Father Lord, please bless this message. It may be used for your honor, and for your glory, I ask. Amen. Amen. So, as we have been going through this series, I know Pastor Carl is preaching through Exodus chapter 20, and we have been learning the Ten Commandments of God.

[8:45] Last week, we look into do not take the name of the Lord in vain, and Carl shared some helpful things from that passage.

[8:57] So, today we will be looking on the subject of the Sabbath. I know there are so many different misunderstandings as well about this topic, about the Sabbath day.

[9:11] I know there are some people, there are some people, they would call themselves Christians. There are certain groups, they call themselves their Christians, and they believe that this is the, this is for us today as well.

[9:26] This is, they believe that this is a binding, binding covenant of God that was given to the nation of Israel, but this is for us as well today. So, we will try to look into this, that, with the help of different other scriptures, from the New Testament as well, and from the Old Testament, that what God is teaching, first of all, in, through this, through this law, through this commandment, first of all, what was taught to the nation of Israel, how they took it, whether they did understand or not, and what God is teaching us, through this, for us today.

[10:06] So, how it apply to us today. So, we will try to look into this. Before we do that, I would just like to share a couple of facts, about Ten Commandments.

[10:18] We know that we have been going through this, Ten Commandments, so I just wanted to share a few facts, about the Ten Commandments. First of all, we know that the Decalogue was revealed, directly from God.

[10:29] We read this, in the beginning of this chapter, in verse one, we read that, and God spoke all these words, saying, I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery.

[10:45] So, it was God's spoken word. We know, in the other instances, for example, when we talk about the word of God, we know that God used different preachers, different writers, that they wrote God's word, they received the revelation of God, and they wrote the revelation of God.

[11:06] But in this case, we understand that it was directly God's word. In fact, in Exodus chapter 31, verse 18, we read that, the scripture tells us, that the Ten Commandments were written, by the very finger of God, upon stone tablets.

[11:24] We also learn that, the number 10, in Hebrew, is often symbolizes, completeness. Meaning that, no addition was allowed, in the Ten Commandments, because it was the complete law of God, that was given to the nation of Israel.

[11:43] We also learn that these commands, were inscribed in stone, never to be erased. Those were written eternally.

[11:54] It shows that, Ten Commandments are eternally binding. They are eternal truth of God, for his people. It is also important to remember, that the Decalogue is not a mere list of laws, given in the abstract, but they reflect the manner, in which his people are to be holy.

[12:19] So, in other words, that God given these laws, not only that God just wanted, to give his people the law, but the main message, behind these laws, to show, first of all, God is holy, and we are not.

[12:36] And secondly, it was given to the nation of Israel, so they can understand, who God is, and who they are. So they can understand, their sin nature. They can understand, that how far they are, from God.

[12:50] So, Ten Commandments are probably, the most widely, known portion, of the scriptures, in the Old Testament, apart from Psalm 23. You probably have, memorized Psalm 23, you probably have, less than other people, quoting Psalm 23, but it is also believed, that the Ten Commandments, are the portion of scripture, that more people, know about it, that they have an idea, about Ten Commandments.

[13:18] We learn that, only fourth, and fifth commandments, are positive, and other eight, are negative. For example, that we read, that all the other commandments, are started, in a negative note.

[13:32] You shall not, do this. You shall not, make this. You shall not, do this and that. But, in the case of, Psalm 4, and 5, we know that, it is started, on a positive note.

[13:44] For example, that we have just read, remember the Sabbath day. So, there is, no negative, connotation in that. We also, learn that, it is interesting, to notice that, all the other, nine commandments, are being, permanent, and binding.

[14:02] We are, to have, no other gods, we are, not to worship, idols, we are, not to take, the name of the Lord, in vain, etc. All these commands, are binding commands, between God, and his people.

[14:17] Those are all, moral mandates, and moral commands, with the exception, of the command, regarding, the Sabbath day. And we will talk about, about this more in detail, that, why this one, is different, from others as well.

[14:33] So, what is the Sabbath? If you are, new to the church, if you are, just started coming, and you are not familiar, with this, with this word, very much.

[14:44] So, here is a definition, for you. The Hebrew word, Sabbath, means, rest. It is, a weekly day, that God, had appointed, for human beings, to rest, from the labors, and activities, that fill out, the other six days, and devote, that day, to the worship, of God, and fellowship, with his people.

[15:10] So, Jews, observe the Sabbath day, they believe, that it starts, from the evening, of Friday, to Saturday evening, as a day, of rest, and worship.

[15:23] On the other hand, Christians observe, Sunday, as the day, of rest, and worship. There are, some groups, who believe, that, that, believe, if all the other, commands, are permanent, if, all the other, commands, are permanent, then, this command, is also permanent.

[15:43] For example, there is a group, called, Seventh Day Adventist, they believe, that, the writings, of, Ellen G. Ellen G. White, are inspired, by God, and can be put, alongside the Bible.

[15:56] So, we can see, that this is not true, because, God's word, is inspired, and this is, the whole revelation, for us today. We don't need, any further revelation, we don't need, any other book, that is, that has, the same importance, as God's word is.

[16:16] So, Ellen G., the people, of Seventh Day Adventist, they believe, that Ellen G. White, he was the founder, of this group, and they believe, that this, the book he has written, has the same importance, as God's word.

[16:28] And, they do believe, that this, this command, is not binding. So, it means that, so, it is binding, and it is for us, today as well.

[16:40] There is, another group, called, Seventh, Seventh Day Baptist. They interpret, that the commandment, is permanently binding, as well. There are, there is another group, called, Christian Sabbatarian, who also believe, that weekly holy day, should still be observed, on the Hebrew Sabbath, or, Saturday, rather than, on Sunday.

[17:04] However, the Puritans, many of Christian, Reformed theologians, treat Sunday, as the new, Sabbath day. And, the reason, they believe that, the Sabbath, before the resurrection, of Christ, commemorate, God's work, of creation.

[17:25] And, the Sabbath, after the resurrection, of Christ, commemorates, God's work, of new creation. I will read this again. Most of the theologians, and the Puritans, believe that, we are, we are to, worship God, on Sunday.

[17:41] And, the reason, that they believe, is, that, before, and, and the reason, they believe, that the Sabbath, before the resurrection, of Christ, commemorates, God's work, of, his creation.

[17:56] And, the Sabbath, after the resurrection, of Christ, commemorates, God's work, of, new creation. That, God, because of the death, the burial, and the resurrection, of Christ, those who believe, in him, those who trust, in him, as their personal savior, they are, new creation.

[18:15] So, that's why, we do not, worship, on Friday evening, or Saturday, we worship, on Sunday, because, this was the resurrection, day, of Jesus Christ, our Lord, first day, of the week.

[18:30] So, what is the significance, of this command, for us today? What are the truths, we can glean, from the Old Testament, command, that apply, for us, in this, 2024, here, in, Bell's Hill Baptist Church.

[18:49] We will unpack, these verses, under, three main headings. So, first of all, we will look into, the command, that we find, in verse 8. Secondly, we will look into, the specification, of the command, that is found, in verses 9, and 10.

[19:06] And, thirdly, we will see, the reason, for the command, that is, in verse 11. So, let's look at, with me, in verse 8, in your Bibles.

[19:18] Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. This is how, this command starts. Remember, in this command, God, wants the Israelites, to remember, to remember, the Sabbath day, and to keep it holy.

[19:38] It is important, to notice, that, this command, was not given, in the book of Genesis, when God, created, the universe. This command, was not given, to Adam or Eve.

[19:52] We also note, that, this command, was not given, to all the other, patriarchs, before, we get to Exodus. For example, the command, was not given, to Abraham.

[20:04] This was not given, to Isaac, Jacob, or Joseph. None of them, was given a command, to worship God, on the Sabbath day, as far as, we know, from the Bible.

[20:17] The first time, the Sabbath is mentioned, is in Exodus chapter 16. In verses 22, and 23, of this chapter, on the sixth day, people, people, gathered, twice, as much bread, and all the leaders, of the congregation, came to Moses, and see, the people, have been gathering, twice as much.

[20:42] If you know, your Bible well, you would know, that this was the episode, where God, gave manna, for his people, and God, said to them, that on Friday, God will give them, for much, in much, as that they don't need, for the next day, to gather all the manna.

[21:04] And, when the leaders, of the nation of Israel, when the leaders, they saw that people, were gathering more, than they were supposed to gather, they came to Moses, and they sort of, complained to Moses, that look at the people, what they are doing.

[21:19] Listen to Moses response, he said, tomorrow is a day, of solemn rest, a holy Sabbath, to the Lord. Bake what you will bake, and boil what you will boil, and all that is left over, lay aside, to be kept, till the morning.

[21:39] So, they get enough, for that day, and do not have to work, on the Sabbath day. Even, on their journey, to the promised land, the seventh day, was meant to be, a day of solemn rest.

[21:55] A holy Sabbath, to the Lord. And, this was the message, from Exodus 16, that Moses, spoke to his people. In Exodus 16, it was, a little preview, of what was coming, in Exodus 20.

[22:14] It was a preview, that what was God, going to establish, a covenant, between his people, and he was, giving them a preview, in chapter 16. We also learn, that Sabbath, serves, as a sign, of the covenant, between God, and his people.

[22:33] If you please, go to our Bibles, in Exodus chapter 31. Exodus chapter 31, and here we see, that it was established, as a covenant, between God, and his people.

[22:45] And we read this, in verse 13. I'll start reading, from verse 12. And the Lord, said to Moses, you are to speak, to the people of Israel, and say, above all, you shall keep, my Sabbath.

[23:01] For, this is a sign, between me, and you, throughout, your generations, that you may, know that, I, the Lord, sanctify you.

[23:13] So, we see this, that God, said to Moses, that this is going, to be a sign, between the nation, of Israel, and between God, and it is, the day, the Sabbath, and they are supposed, to keep the Sabbath day, and you shall, keep the Sabbath, because it is, holy, for you.

[23:35] And God, sanctify, through this day, to them. Many ancient, covenants, had, some sort of, a sign. We know that, God established, a sign, with Abraham.

[23:46] We know that, God established, a sign, with Noah. And here, in this case, through, following, of the Sabbath day, was a sign, between, God, and his people.

[24:00] Something, visible, that would, remind people, of the covenant. The Sabbath, functions, as such a sign, for the Sinai covenant. It, provided, a regular, weekly reminder, for the people, of Israel, as they, keep the Sabbath day.

[24:19] Stopping, their work, they were supposed, to do, in six days, and on the seventh day, they were stopped, and to worship, the God, worship God, and to, to spend time, with their Lord, to demonstrate, openly, that they are, keeping the covenant.

[24:38] covenant. We also, remember, that God, saved the nation, of Israel, from Egypt, and God, called them, that they are, going to be his people.

[24:49] God called them, that he is going to establish, the covenant, between them. So, they were supposed, to be, a light, to other nations, as well. So, this was one of the, ways, and one of the reasons, that God established, this covenant, of Sabbath, with them, that they can be, a light, to other nations, that they are, they are, having this day, holy for the Lord, that they are not, following, other gods, with the small g, of this world, they are following, Yahweh God.

[25:20] So, this was the covenant, established with them. It was a reminder, to the people of Israel, that they are, living under, a new covenant, with God. Furthermore, the scripture, also tells us, that Sabbath, was also, a reminder, for the Israelites, for the Israelites, for the nation of Israel, of God's, rescue, from the, from the Egyptians.

[25:44] And it was, a reminder, for them, that God, has saved them, God, has rescued them, from the bondage, of slavery, from Pharaoh.

[25:56] We read this, in Deuteronomy, chapter 5, verses 12, to 15, I will just read, verse 15 here. You shall remember, that you were a slave, in the land of Egypt, and the Lord, your God, brought you out, from there, with a mighty hand, and an up, and hand, sorry, and, and, out, outstretched arm.

[26:23] Therefore, the Lord, your God, commanded you, to keep the Sabbath. So, here, God, tells his people, that the Sabbath, is a day, to remember, that you were slave, in the land of Egypt, and the Lord, your God, brought you out, from there, with a mighty hand, and with his, outstretched arm.

[26:45] It was a day, to remember, the mighty work, of God, that he, redeemed his people, from, the bondage, of Egyptians. We know, that the Israelites, they witnessed, God's mighty hand, in the process, when God, was bringing them, out from the slavery, he was bringing them, to the promised land.

[27:06] They, witnessed that, they observed that, how God, did all those, mighty miracles, how God, saved them, from the mighty, army, of Pharaoh.

[27:18] They witnessed, God's protection, as God, went before them, by day, in a pillar, and of, and cloud, and by night, in a pillar, of fire.

[27:30] Yet, they were, prone to forget, the great work, of God, in creation, and redemption. They saw, what God was doing, it was, very recent, for some of the generations, but still, they managed, to forget, what God, has done.

[27:50] They always, complained to God, that we were, happy over there. They complained, that they were, getting cucumber, in Egypt. So, they were not happy, because, the reason, they were not happy, they forgot, what God, has done for them.

[28:07] Like the Israelites, I think, we are also, prone, to forget, the work of Christ, in saving us. Sometimes, we forget, what God, has done, in our lives, how he has, blessed us so much, how he knows us, by name.

[28:25] It's easier, for us as well, that like, sometimes, we think about, the Israelites, and we think that, how bad they were, but we don't, think about ourselves, that we are bad, as bad they were, because, in terms of, forgetting, what God, has done in our life, that God, has provided, the way of salvation, through Christ Jesus, what he has done, in our lives, sometimes, it's easier, to forget.

[28:52] The psalmist, writes in, Psalm 139, verse 18, how precious, to me, are your thoughts, O God. How vast, is the sum of them?

[29:03] If I would, count them, they are more, than the sand. And when we forget, we fail, to praise him. When we forget, God's thoughts, towards us, we fail, to praise, and worship God, as he deserves.

[29:21] The truth is, we are, like the Israelites, we easily forget, sometimes, that God's goodness, and his work, in our lives. God commanded, his people, in verse 8, that remember, the Sabbath day, and keep it holy.

[29:40] It was, a reminder, to give glory, to God, for his grace. By reminding, the Sabbath, the Israelites, were required, to act, in a certain way.

[29:52] They were, required, to keep the day, to keep the Sabbath day, holy. Keeping it holy, was the resulting, of, resulting effect, of remembering.

[30:03] So this is important, to understand, that when, they were asked, to remember, the Sabbath day, this is how, they would, they would remember, to keep it, keep the day holy.

[30:15] So, one writer says, that keeping it, holy, was the resulting effect, of their, remembering, that they remember, what God has done, in their lives. In other words, God commanded them, to treat, the Sabbath day, as separate, from all, other six days, of the week.

[30:35] But, how should, this remembering, and hollowing, of the day, be done? This is, we find, in verses, nine and ten. And this is, our second point, the specification, of the command.

[30:48] The specification, of the command. Look at, with me, in verses nine and ten. God's word says, six days, you shall labor, and do all your work.

[31:00] But, the seventh day, is a Sabbath. to the Lord, your God. It is important, to read this. It was, for the Lord, your God.

[31:11] On it, you shall not, do any work. You are, or your son, or your daughter, your male servant, or your female servant, or your livestock, or, the sojourner, who is, within, your gates.

[31:31] In these verses, God, God, begins, by telling the Israelites, what he wants them to do. With the rest of their week, God says, six days, you shall labor, and do all your work.

[31:46] Six days, you shall labor, and do all your work. Although, this part, of the fourth commandment, is often, overlooked, in our society, there is, more, there is, more emphasis, on the seventh day, or, obeying, or following, the Sabbath day.

[32:06] But, there is less emphasis, on, God's first part, of the command, that, that, that, do your work, on the six days, first six days, of the week.

[32:18] It is, our duty, to work. It does not mean, that, we have to work, all day, of, all, day, of six, six days, in a week.

[32:29] It doesn't mean, that we have to, we have to do this, but it does mean, that God, governs, our work, as well, as our rest.

[32:40] It means, that God, emphasized, on doing work, as well. It is, it is initiated, for us. There is, a general, conception, that, that, the work, is because of, work is because of, the sin, of Adam and Eve, that, that's why, we have to work, because, God, punished them, because God, punished, Adam, that's why, we have to work today.

[33:07] But the truth, of the matter is, that God, already, when he, completed the creation, and he gave, Adam and Eve, he gave them, the responsibility, to go, and take care, of the garden.

[33:20] So, the work, was already, instituted, before, even the sin. We were made, to work, but unfortunately, our work, has been, cursed, because of sin.

[33:33] Our work, has been, cursed, because of sin. The fourth commandment, also reminds us, to honor God, by honestly, doing our job, honestly, doing the work, that God, has called us to do.

[33:47] According to the, Puritan, Puritan, Thomas Watson, writes, that having, six days to work, is a divine, concession, and thus, a sign, of God's favor.

[34:00] God would have, been well, within his rights, to make, every day, a sabbat. Instead, he has, given us, six days, to do all, our work, and one day, for him.

[34:15] Watson is right, six days, are for work, but the seventh day, is for worship. In verse 10, we read that, but the seventh day, is a sabbat, to the Lord, your God.

[34:30] God, who is our creator, who is our sustainer, he gave us, six days to work, and he commanded us, to give, one day, to him.

[34:41] The heart, of this command, was to keep, the sabbat, stay holy, and honor, your God. However, the religious leaders, and the people, in Israel, observed the sabbat, outwardly, without, a heart, of love, and devotion, to God.

[35:01] They observed it, for the sake, of observing, their religious duty. Without, the change, of their heart, they wanted to, observe the laws, that God gave.

[35:13] They were so strict, on the laws, and, in this, in this case as well, about sabbat day, but they did not, understand, the heart, of this command.

[35:24] We read, in the book of Isaiah, chapter 1, verse 13, the word of God, tells us, bring, no more vain offerings, incense, incense, and abomination, to me.

[35:38] New moon, and sabbat, and the calling, of convocations. We also read, in the New Testament, the religious leaders, added, endless restrictions, and, unbearable burden, on the people, because, they failed, to understand, the heart, of this commandment.

[35:59] We read, in, in gospel of Luke, chapter 14, verses 1 to 6, that, one, and, in this, in this, chapter here, we see, that, the Pharisees, they were looking, to, they were looking, to, to call Jesus, that he is doing, something wrong, when he was, if he was healing, people on the Sabbath day, that they just wanted, to criticize Christ, for his work.

[36:25] And we read this, on one Sabbath, when he went, to dine, at the house, of a ruler, of the Pharisee, they were watching him, carefully, and behold, there was a man, before him, who had dropsy.

[36:41] And Jesus, responded to the lawyers, and Pharisees, saying, is it lawful, to heal, on the Sabbath, or not? But they, but they remained silent.

[36:53] Then he took him, and healed him, and sent him away. And he said to them, which of you, having a son, or an ox, that has fallen, into a well, on Sabbath day, will not, immediately, pull him off, pull him out.

[37:11] And they, could not, reply, of these things. The Pharisees, thought, healing someone, was a violation, of God's law, of the, fourth commandment.

[37:24] They thought, that Jesus, was doing, something wrong. He was breaking, God's law. But that, was not true. Jesus, reminded them, with a question, that there was, no command, against healing, on the Sabbath day.

[37:40] In fact, this was not, not a command, of healing, that you cannot heal, on the Sabbath day. So, this was, a man-made command, from the Pharisees.

[37:52] God, designed, the Sabbath, to be a blessing. To bring, rest, to bring, a day, in the week, when his people, could thank God, and glorify him, for his creation.

[38:06] It was, a day, to show gratitude, to God, for the creation, and a day, to repent, and seek, forgiveness. It takes us, to our, third point, where we, will be looking, on verse 11, and it tells us, the reason, for the command.

[38:26] The reason, for the command. For, in six days, the Lord, made heaven, and earth, the sea, and all that is, in them, and rested, on the seventh day.

[38:38] Therefore, the Lord, blessed the Sabbath day, and made it holy. The Sabbath, reflects, God's, pattern, of creation.

[38:49] It reflects, how God, carried on, with his work, for creation. God's, work of creation, was completed, in six days. It did not, go on, for thousands, or millions, or billions, of years.

[39:04] After six days, it was finished. It was, completed. It was, a special day, because, God's, entire creation, was finished, on the sixth day.

[39:17] Secondly, God, rested, after finishing, his work, of creation. We read this, in Genesis chapter 2. It does not, imply, that God, God was, tired, and he was, he needed some, rest, in terms of, for his, for, for, for, refreshing, or, for, for, getting rest, from, because he was, tired, after working, for six days.

[39:43] It does not, imply, the weariness, because we know, that the Lord, does not grow, weary. The psalmist, writes, that he does not, slumber.

[39:54] He rested, only in the sense, that he ceased, from work. He rested, only in a sense, that he, completed his work, that he, was so happy, about it.

[40:09] He was, he was glad, about it, the work, he completed. We read this, in Genesis chapter 1, verse 31, and God, saw everything, that he had made, and behold, it was, very good.

[40:25] God, was satisfied, with his work. God, seized work, and he, blessed the Sabbath day, and made it holy. So, the question is, is the Sabbath day, is, is it something, that Christians, should observe today?

[40:44] The answer is, yes, the Christians, should observe the Sabbath, or some would call it, the Lord's day. As the Sabbath, before the resurrection, of Christ, commemorates, God's work, of creation, the Sabbath, after the resurrection, of Christ, commemorates, God's work, of new creation.

[41:05] The New Testament, teaches us, an important change, that Sabbath, observance, has undergone, in the light, of the death, and the resurrection, of Christ. In the Old Testament, Israel, gathered to worship God, on the seventh day, of the week.

[41:22] In the New Testament, we, we see the church, as God's people, gathered to worship, on the first day, of the week. We meet, on the first day, of the week, because, Jesus Christ, rose from the dead, on the first day, of the week.

[41:39] It is, a new, it is the beginning, of the new creation. The main reason, that has changed, is, that we have, received a new, and we have, received a new, and greater, deliverance, that the nation, of Israel, received from God, when God brought them, out from Egypt.

[41:59] We look, to Jesus Christ, who accomplished, a greater exodus, by dying, for our sins, and rising, again, on the third day. Jesus Christ, is the fulfillment, of the fourth commandment, as he is, the fulfillment, of all, other commandments.

[42:17] We can see, that the Old Testament, Sabbath, pointed to the final, rest, that God, can only, that we can only, find, in Jesus. The Sabbath, reminds us, the creation of God.

[42:31] It reminds us, the redemption, of God, as well. The Sabbath, reminds us, who God is. It also, reminds us, who we are, and where, we are going.

[42:44] Believers, must honor God, by keeping, the Sabbath's day, consecrated. We must be prepared, to start our week, by glorifying, his holy name, and thanking God, for his creation, and redemption plan, through Christ.

[43:01] We must be prepared, to set down, certain things, that God would, have us, set down. We must be prepared, to refrain, from the activities, that fill, fill up, Monday, to Saturday.

[43:16] Of course, Jesus Christ, recognized, that there are, certain kinds of work, that are, unavoidable, on Sunday. If, you are a doctor, if you are a nurse, if you are a policeman, and you are asked, to work on Sunday, let it be.

[43:34] If you are, if there is, your child, is sick, on a Sunday, and you are not, able to come to church, because of that, let it be. We must have, a right attitude, and understanding, of what the Sabbath is, then we can make, the right decisions, with the pure heart.

[43:55] We must have, a right attitude, and the right understanding, of what the Sabbath is, then we can make, the right decisions, with the pure heart.

[44:07] We learned, that the Pharisees, were strict, Sabbath keepers, they were, strict religious people, they followed, the old covenant, religiously, but still, they missed, the whole point, of the Sabbath.

[44:23] They found, no rest, from their works, of efforts, to earn, their salvation. Let's be not, like the Pharisees. Let's not, find rest, in our works, and efforts, to earn, our salvation.

[44:40] When Jesus came, he brought the rest. We can find rest, in his resurrection. If you have found, rest in Christ, if he is your savior, and your Lord, then keeping, the Sabbath day, holy, must be, a delight to you.

[44:59] It must be, a joy to celebrate, and reflect, on the six days, of creation, and of God's work, and God, and the truth, that you are, a new creation, in him, today.

[45:14] Let's pray. Dear precious Father, thank you so much, for this reminder, to understand, to understand, the heart, of this law, to understand, the heart, of the Ten Commandments.

[45:37] And Father Lord, as we, looked into this, this law, and we have, looked into some other scriptures, as well, help us, that we may, be encouraged, that we may be, delighted, to worship you, on the Sabbath day, on the Lord's day, Father Lord, give us a heart, that we may remember, the creation, that you created, this wonderful universe, for, for us to enjoy.

[46:06] But we may also, remember, the new creation, that you have provided, through Christ Jesus, our Lord, and our Savior. That we may rejoice, in that. We may be, we may glorify, your name, for what you have done, to Christ, on the cross.

[46:22] And help us, dear Lord, that it may be, not a burden, some for us, that we have, to go to church, on Sunday, we have to worship you. But it may be, a delight, that we may, look forward, to meet our Savior, our God, and we may, worship him, with joy, with heart, of, to glorify him.

[46:42] And we may, love to see, our brother and sisters, we may love to, spend time with them, to get to know them more, and be a blessing, and encouragement, and encouragement, to them. Father Lord, we are so thankful, for this church, for this place, and we are thankful, for Pastor Carl, that you have called him here.

[47:02] And we just pray, that this may be a place, the beacon of light, in this community, that people may rejoice, coming here, and worshiping you. They may be, connected to you, through this place, through this church, Father Lord.

[47:16] And I pray, for lovely people here, Father Lord, for the warm heart, they have. That they may rejoice, to come and worship, you here, Father Lord.

[47:26] They may also, come here, to meet with other, brother and sisters, and be a blessing, to others as well. Dear Lord, thank you so much, for this reminder, and help us, that we may not, we may not forget, what you have done, for us.

[47:40] And we may rejoice, we may continue, in rejoicing, in your work, on the cross. We ask, all this, in Jesus mighty, and strong name.

[47:50] Amen.