Infographic of this study
Click the image to view in full screen.
Discover the biblical principles for sanctifying the holy day
"Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work: But the seventh day is the sabbath of the Lord thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates: For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the Lord blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it."
— Exodus 20:8-11
Before we understand the practice, we need to understand the foundation and the gift that God gave us.
"And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it he had rested from all his work..." (Genesis 2:3)
The sabbath is not only for one people, but a memorial of creation for all humanity, instituted before sin.
"And he came to Nazareth... and, as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the sabbath day..." (Luke 4:16)
Jesus kept the sabbath and restored it as a day of freedom and healing, not of legalistic burdens.
In the original (Kadosh), holiness means being"separated for a sacred use". When God sanctified the sabbath, He set apart this time for a special purpose: to restore His image in us.
"Follow peace with all men, andholiness, without which no man shall see the Lord."
— Hebrews 12:14
God does not need the sabbath, but we do! He uses this set-apart time to transform us. By keeping the sabbath, we allow the Creator to mold us, cleanse us from selfishness and prepare us to live in His presence.The sabbath is God's tool to fulfill Hebrews 12:14 in our life.
An everlasting sign between God and His children (Ezekiel 20:12) to remind us who sanctifies us.
A rest that points to salvation in Christ, resting from our own works to trust in His.
The sabbath should be the "delight" (Isaiah 58:13), the day of greatest joy and spiritual connection of the week.
The commandment orders that on the sabbath we should not perform any work.
No work should be done by other people in our house and properties.
Exception: works that Christ did to relieve the suffering of people.
Jesus example: worship God and teach the biblical truths.
It begins at sunset on Friday and ends at sunset on Saturday.
There must be preparation in advance until Friday to keep the sabbath.
Summary: God orders to remember, rest, bless and sanctify the seventh day.
Summary: Jesus had the custom of gathering on the sabbath.
Summary: Honor the sabbath, avoiding your own ways and interests.
Summary: The sabbath is kept from one sunset to another.
Summary: Preparing on Friday avoids work on the sabbath.
Summary: The sabbath is a sign of the God who sanctifies us.
# Study 5 - How to keep the Sabbath, the Lord's day
- Objective
- Teach how to correctly keep the Sabbath, the Lord's day
- Purpose
- Relationship: A scheduled meeting with the Creator
- Real Rest: Rest for the soul in Christ
- Delight: The happiest day of the week (Isaiah 58:13)
- How to Keep in Practice
- The Spirit of the Sabbath (Do)
- Worship and Adoration (Luke 4:16)
- Family Fellowship (Genesis 2:1-3)
- Works of Love (Matthew 12:12)
- Contact with Nature
- Protecting the Time (Avoid)
- Secular Work (Exodus 20:10)
- Selfish Interests (Isaiah 58:13)
- Overload and Pending Matters (Exodus 16:23)
- Divine Commandment
- Exodus 20:8-11 — Remember and sanctify the sabbath
- Do not perform work on the sabbath
- Exceptions: works approved by Christ
- Read: https://www.bibliaonline.com.br/ara/ex/20
- Permitted Works
- Mark 2:23-28; 3:1-5 — Works of mercy; the sabbath for the good of man
- Relieve suffering
- Worship God and teach
- Read: https://www.bibliaonline.com.br/ara/mc/2
- Luke 4:16 — Custom of gathering
- Read: https://www.bibliaonline.com.br/ara/lc/4
- Prohibited Works
- Isaiah 58:13-14 — Abstain from your own ways and interests
- Avoid activities of personal interest
- Do not perform postponable tasks
- Read: https://www.bibliaonline.com.br/ara/is/58
- Time and Preparation
- Leviticus 23:32 — Sunset to sunset
- Read: https://www.bibliaonline.com.br/ara/lv/23
- Exodus 16:21 — Prior preparation
- Purchases and organization in advance
- Dismiss employees
- Read: https://www.bibliaonline.com.br/ara/ex/16
- Divine Promise
- Ezekiel 20:12 — Sign of the God who sanctifies
- Read: https://www.bibliaonline.com.br/ara/ez/20
- Ezekiel 20:20 — Sanctify and know the Lord
- Sanctification for the faithful
- Read: https://www.bibliaonline.com.br/ara/ez/20/20
- Appeal
- Commit to faithfully keeping the sabbath
- Hook for the Next Study
- Discover the present work of Jesus for us
So that the sabbath may be a day of peace, God instructed us to use Friday to resolve all concerns and secular tasks.
Make purchases and financial transactions. Leave the car tank full and the pantry stocked.
Prepare the main meals. The goal is only to warm up or serve ready-made dishes on the sabbath.
Clean and organize the house. Create an environment of peace and reverence to receive the sabbath.
Wash and iron the clothes. Take a bath and prepare yourself personally before sunset.
Try to finish all tasks at least 1 hour before sunset. This avoids the rush and stress at the beginning of the holy day.
If there are misunderstandings, seek reconciliation before the sabbath. Enter into God's rest with a heart at peace with everyone.
"The sabbath begins at Friday sunset. Starting the holy day with a brief family prayer meeting is an excellent way to welcome the Lord."
The first angelic message makes a solemn call:"Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth..."(Revelation 14:7). This language is a direct quotation from the 4th commandment (Exodus 20:11), indicating that the restoration of sabbath keeping is central to true worship in the last days.
A seal contains the name, title and territory of the lawgiver. The sabbath is the only commandment that contains these elements of God:the Lord thy God(Name),Creator(Title),Heaven and Earth(Territory). Keeping the sabbath is accepting the seal of authority of the Creator.
"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."
— Ezekiel 20:20
| Characteristic | World's Rest | God's Rest |
|---|---|---|
| Focus | Entertainment / Inactivity | Worship / Fellowship |
| Result | Temporary relief | Spiritual renewal |
| Activity | Selfish interests | Doing good (Mercy) |
| Meaning | Escaping the routine | Meeting the Author of life |
Jesus taught that "it is lawful to do well on the sabbath day" (Matthew 12:12). Doctors and nurses perform works of mercy. However, one should avoid bureaucratic or administrative shifts, focusing only on the direct relief of suffering.
Do it with love and meekness. Prepare everything in advance so as not to burden others. Use your time for silent prayer, reading and, if possible, gather with other brethren. Your example of peace will be the best testimony.
No. Jesus said: "The sabbath was made for man" (Mark 2:27) - humanity in general. Furthermore, it was instituted at Creation, 2,300 years before the first Jew (Abraham).
Do you want to prepare yourself to keep the Lord's holy sabbath starting next week and receive the blessing of sanctification that He promised?
Click the image to view in full screen.
Today we learned how God wants us to keep the sabbath. In the next study we will know where Jesus is now, and what He is doing for us. We will know how the promised blessings reach us.