The Fourth Commandment

EXODUS 20:8-11

TheFourthCommandment

The Fourth Commandment

We live in an increasing fast-paced world.


We live in an increasing fast-paced world.Fatigue has many negative effects.



Learning difficulties in children & cognitive and memory problems in adults.




At least 100,000 automobile accidents & 1,500 deaths are directly attributable to driver fatigue.




At least 100,000 automobile accidents & 1,500 deaths are directly attributable to driver fatigue.

God, as man’s Creator, fully understands the negative consequences of fatigue.

EXODUS 20:8-11


We normally mention—rightfully so—that the Sabbath is no longer binding on man today.


We normally mention—rightfully so—that the Sabbath is no longer binding on man today. Jesus “himself is our peace, who has made us both one

and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility” (Eph 2:14-16, ESV).


We normally mention—rightfully so—that the Sabbath is no longer binding on man today. Jesus “himself is our peace, who has made us both one

and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility” (Eph 2:14-16, ESV).

“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” (Col 2:16-17, ESV).


While the Sabbath command is not binding, we can learn important lessons from it.


While the Sabbath command is not binding, we can learn important lessons from it. This command originated with God, not man: “All

Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness” (2 Tm 3:16, ESV).




We can learn even from non-binding sections of Scripture.




We can learn even from non-binding sections of Scripture. “Now these things happened to them as an example, but

they were written down for our instruction, on whom the end of the ages has come” (1 Cor 10:11, ESV).




We can learn even from non-binding sections of Scripture. “Now these things happened to them as an example, but

they were written down for our instruction, on whom the end of the ages has come” (1 Cor 10:11, ESV).

In context, Paul writes about the destruction of thousands of Israelites because of idolatry.


While the Sabbath command is not binding, we can learn important lessons from it. This command originated with God, not man: “All Scripture

is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness” (2 Tm 3:16, ESV).

We can learn even from non-binding sections of Scripture. “Now these things happened to them as an example, but they

were written down for our instruction, on whom the end of the ages has come” (1 Cor 10:11, ESV).

In context, Paul writes about the destruction of thousands of Israelites because of idolatry.

Notice that Paul declares these events were recorded “for our instruction.”


Jesus gave direct commands that are NOT binding on us today.


Jesus gave direct commands that are NOT binding on us today. The Lord told two disciples to go into Bethphage, find a

donkey & her colt, and bring them to him (Mt 21:1-6).



donkey & her colt, and bring them to him (Mt 21:1-6). Jesus commanded a leper to tell no one of his healing (Mk

1:40-45).




1:40-45).The epistles contain commands that we cannot

obey.





obey. Timothy was to bring Mark to Paul (2 Tm 4:11).





obey. Timothy was to bring Mark to Paul (2 Tm 4:11). Timothy was to beware of Alexander the coppersmith (2

Tm 4:14-15).


The purpose in going through these non-binding commands is two-fold.


The purpose in going through these non-binding commands is two-fold. First, we must properly teach the Scriptures.



“Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth” (2 Tm 2:15, ESV).



“Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth” (2 Tm 2:15, ESV).

The word “rightly handling” means to cut in a straight line—metaphorically, it means to know how to use something.


The purpose in going through these non-binding commands is two-fold. First, we must properly teach the Scriptures. Second, we can learn important lessons as we properly

teach the Scriptures.



teach the Scriptures. Tonight, we want to teach properly about the Sabbath &

learn from it.



teach the Scriptures. Tonight, we want to teach properly about the Sabbath &

learn from it. A SENSE, A SWEAT, & A SLUMBER.

A SENSE

v 8


“Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy” (v 8, ESV).

WHY DID GOD SAY TO REMEMBER THE

SABBATH?


It’s possible that “remember” means “keep holy.”



But, I believe the Israelites are being told not to forget the Sabbath.



But, I believe the Israelites are being told not to forget the Sabbath. God had previously commanded the Sabbath in relation

to the gathering of manna (Ex 16:22-30).




to the gathering of manna (Ex 16:22-30). On Friday, the Israelites were to gather twice as much

manna, for there would be none on the Sabbath.





manna, for there would be none on the Sabbath. The Israelites who thought they’d wait to gather on the

Sabbath went out to gather manna, but they found none!





manna, for there would be none on the Sabbath. The Israelites who thought they’d wait to gather on the

Sabbath went out to gather manna, but they found none! The point could be to remember what happened when some

of you disobeyed the Sabbath—you went hungry!


The Israelites also needed to remember what day of the week it was so that they could honor the Sabbath.



The Israelites are also likely being commanded not to forget what the Sabbath represents.



The Israelites are also likely being commanded not to forget what the Sabbath represents. For them, the Sabbath was a representation of who God

is & what God had done.



The Israelites are also likely being commanded not to forget what the Sabbath represents. For them, the Sabbath was a representation of who God

is & what God had done. For us, the Lord’s Day is a representation of who God is

& what God has done.

THE POINT IS THAT WE NEED A SOLID

MEMORY.


We need to keep the Law of God in remembrance.


We need to keep the Law of God in remembrance. We need to remember God’s expectation about caring for

the needy—“In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive’” (Acts 20:35, ESV).


We need to keep the Law of God in remembrance. We need to remember God’s expectation about caring for

the needy—Acts 20:35. “This is now the second letter that I am writing to you,

beloved. In both of them I am stirring up your sincere mind by way of reminder, that you should remember the predictions of the holy prophets and the commandment of the Lord and Savior through your apostles” (2 Pt 3:1-3, ESV).

DO WE REMEMBER THE WILL OF GOD?

A SWEAT

v 9


“Six days you shall labor, and do all your work” (v 9, ESV).



God expects his people to work.



God expects his people to work. God himself works: “In six days the Lord made heaven

and earth, the sea, and all that is in them” (v 11, ESV).




and earth, the sea, and all that is in them” (v 11, ESV). Man was created for work.





God put man in the Garden to tend & care for it (Gn 2:15).





God put man in the Garden to tend & care for it (Gn 2:15). Poverty comes to those who will not work–“A little sleep, a

little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest, and poverty will come upon you like a robber, and want like an armed man” (Prov 6:10-11, ESV).

http://www.esvstudybible.org/search?q=Prov+6:10,Eccles+4:5





God put man in the Garden to tend & care for it (Gn 2:15). Poverty comes to those who will not work (Prov 6:10-11). We are to work in order to share with those in need (Eph

4:28).





God put man in the Garden to tend & care for it (Gn 2:15). Poverty comes to those who will not work (Prov 6:10-11). We are to work in order to share with those in need (Eph

4:28). The Thessalonians were to work with their own hands & be

dependent on no one (1 Thess 4:11-12).



God expects his people to work.Scripture provides several guidelines for our

work.




work. We need to work with our strength: “Whatever your hand

finds to do, do it with your might, for there is no work or thought or knowledge or wisdom in Sheol, to which you are going” (Eccl 9:10, ESV).




work. We need to work with our strength (Eccl 9:10). We need to work as to the Lord & not to men:

“Slaves, obey your earthly masters with fear and trembling, with a sincere heart, as you would Christ, not by the way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but as servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, rendering service with a good will as to the Lord and not to man” (Eph 6:5-7, ESV).


Scripture even provides guidelines for financial times such as these.


Scripture even provides guidelines for financial times such as these. Our trust—even in the worst of times—must be firmly in

God.



God. We can trust God because he is faithful: “I have been young,

and now am old, yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken or his children begging for bread” (Ps 37:25, ESV).



God. We can trust God because he is faithful (Ps 37:25). If we rely on God, he will provide for our needs: “Do not be

anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you” (Mt 6:31-33, ESV).



God. We also need to prepare for days when we may not be

working.




working. “Go to the ant, O sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise.

Without having any chief, 0fficer, or ruler, she prepares her bread in summerand gathers her food in harvest” (Prov 6:6-8, ESV).




working. “Go to the ant, O sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise.

Without having any chief, 0fficer, or ruler, she prepares her bread in summerand gathers her food in harvest” (Prov 6:6-8, ESV).

God commanded Joseph to store up grain for the famine (Gn 41:35-36).

DO WE WORK ACCORDING TO

BIBLICAL PRINCIPLES?

A SLUMBER

vv 10-11


“The seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God. On it you shall not do any work, you, or your son, or your daughter, your male servant, or your female servant, 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. Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy” (vv 10-11, ESV).


The 7th day was to be a Sabbath to the LORD.


The 7th day was to be a Sabbath to the LORD. In Hebrew, “Sabbath” means to “cease.”


The 7th day was to be a Sabbath to the LORD. In Hebrew, “Sabbath” means to “cease.” The 7th day was a Sabbath, for God himself rested on the

7th day.



7th day. It seems odd that God would need to rest.




God “does not faint or grow weary” (Is 40:28, ESV).




God “does not faint or grow weary” (Is 40:28, ESV). The Hebrew pictures God ceasing from work more than

resting.





resting.• In Gn 2:3, the term “rest” means to cease or to stop.





resting.• In Gn 2:3, the term “rest” means to cease or to stop.• The term used in Ex 20 means to “be quiet” or to “depart

from.”


On the 7th day, the Israelites, their animals, & foreigners within their borders were to do no work.


On the 7th day, the Israelites, their animals, & foreigners within their borders were to do no work. Working too much has severe consequences—decreased

work performance, coronary artery disease, depression, etc.




Japan, where people have traditionally worked close to 85 hours a week, has seen an increase in people dying suddenly.




Japan, where people have traditionally worked close to 85 hours a week, has seen an increase in people dying suddenly. The Japanese refer to this as “Karōshi”—death from overwork.


Rest is important.


Rest is important. Jesus commanded his disciples to rest (Mk 6:31).


Rest is important. Jesus commanded his disciples to rest (Mk 6:31). Ceasing from the hustle & bustle of life helps us to know

God better: “Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” (Ps 46:10, ESV).


Rest is important. Jesus commanded his disciples to rest (Mk 6:31). Ceasing from the hustle & bustle of life helps us to know

God better: “Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” (Ps 46:10, ESV).

While it is important to rest, Scripture no longer required a weekly rest for the people of God.


Our “Sabbath” is still to come.


Our “Sabbath” is still to come. “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” (Heb 4:9-10, ESV).


Our “Sabbath” is still to come. “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” (Heb 4:9-10, ESV).

“I heard a voice from heaven saying, ‘Write this: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.’ ‘Blessed indeed,’ says the Spirit, ‘that they may rest from their labors, for their deeds follow them!’” (Rv 14:13, ESV).

Are you prepared to enter the future Sabbath rest?

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The Fourth Commandment

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