God’s Sign of Loyalty Lesson 9

The society in which we live is becoming increasingly lawless and rebellious, which is reﬂected in the overcrowded jails and the building of new ones. The disregard for the law has become an epidemic. The tragedy is that some Christian groups are telling us that even God’s Law is not valid any longer. The Bible says that the Law of God is unchanging and therefore eternal. The Law is perfect, holy, just, and good. It is not the Law that needs changing, but us humans. God’s purpose in giving us the Ten Commandment Law was to expose our sinfulness so we will see our need of the saving grace of Christ and not continue on the path to self-destruction. It is His saving grace that empowers and enables us to be obedient to His great moral standard. How unfortunate that some religious groups contribute to lawlessness by teaching the discarding of the Law that gives freedom (James 2:12). Little wonder that people also feel the laws of the land are equally dispensable.

In Lesson 8 we learned that God put His Law, the Ten Commandments, in written form at Mt. Sinai to show His people how to live. He revealed Himself as Creator of heaven and earth, and set aside a special time each week for us to reﬂect on His love and creative power, and He began the fourth commandment with the words, “Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy…”

Questions

Click on the question to reveal the answer:

1. How does God regard those who honor His Law? Matthew 5:19

The Bible answer is: He calls them “great”

It is our loving obedience to His Law that brings honor and praise to Him. This is where good works ﬁt in. They do not save us, because we already have the gift of salvation. But they attract people to God and lead them to glorify Him (Matthew 5:16).
2. Why should we want to bring honor and glory to God? Revelation 4:11
3. What did God do to remind us of His creative power? Genesis 2:1-3

The Bible answer is: He gave us the Sabbath

As soon as Jesus ﬁnished creating the world (Colossians 1:16), He set aside a special time to memorialize His creative works – the seventh day. He Himself rested on this day. He blessed it, sanctiﬁed it, and called it the Sabbath, which means “rest”.
4. For whom did Jesus make the Sabbath? Mark 2:27, 28

The Bible answer is: He made it for man

“Christ’s twofold role as Creator and Redeemer makes it obvious why He claimed that, as the Son of Man, He ‘is also Lord of the Sabbath’ (Mark 2:28). With such authority, He could have disposed of the Sabbath if He had wanted to, but He did not. On the contrary, He applied it to all human beings, saying, ‘The Sabbath was made for man’ (verse 27). Throughout His earthly ministry, Christ exempliﬁed for us faithful Sabbath-keeping. It was ‘His custom to worship on the Sabbath’ (Luke 4:16). His participation in the Sabbath Services reveals that He endorsed it as a day of worship.” (A Biblical Exposition of Fundamental Doctrines, p. 253)
5. How are we to relate to the Sabbath? Exodus 20:8-11
6. How is the Sabbath to be celebrated? Luke 4:16

The Bible answer is: By going to church

One of the most important ways of celebrating the Sabbath is to join in corporate worship at an appointed place of worship, as Jesus’ custom led Him to do. The study of the Bible is always appropriate, as is the study of and involvement in nature, which is especially fascinating to children. Good Sabbath activities include ministry to the sick, discouraged, and shut-ins, and time with the family (Mark 3:4).
7. Is the Sabbath to continue as a holy day after Jesus’ death? Matthew 24:20

The Bible answer is: Yes – as Jesus clearly stated

Although Jesus warned His disciples about the coming destruction of Jerusalem (Matthew 24:1, 2), which happened 40 years later, He said nothing about a change in the Sabbath. He only encouraged them to respect the sanctity of the Sabbath.
8. Why is Sunday often called “The Lord’s Day?”
9. Which day is “The Lord’s Day” according to the Bible? Matthew 12:8

Response questions:

Can you see that the only day God made holy is the seventh day, which is Saturday?

Is it your desire to honor God by obeying Him and keeping the Sabbath holy?