One Christian scholar imagines men from Mars parked in outer space observing the activities of earthmen. As they make their daily records, they have a very peculiar entry every seven days. By the millions, people on earth are seen to gather in groups small and large and all join in some kind of ceremony.
Yes, it would make a great impression that so many worship God each Sunday, studying, praying, singing praise to Him. Men from Mars would soon enough realize that Sunday is an important day for many millions.
This day of worship is now threatened as never before. It is urgent that we therefore ask and answer some important questions regarding the Sabbath day.
1. What Does the “Sabbath” Mean? It is from a Hebrew root meaning to cease or rest. Sabbath day is a day of rest, being named so at the creation of the world when God rested after six days of work in making everything.
2. Why Don’t We Observe Seventh Day? I do not think it is a matter of a specific block of moments and hours. Not all parts of the world are under the sun at one time. There is no universal Sabbath moment, then. The important thing is the cycle of one-in-seven and that we follow what our Lord directs. Christians from our Lord’s day and time worshipped on the first day of the week, Sunday. More about this later.
3. How Important Is It Really? Right there in Exodus 20 are the Ten Commandments. The fourth reads, “Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your male or female servant, nor your animals, nor any foreigner residing in your towns.”
More Scripture centers on this command than on any other in the Bible. Indeed, there is so much in the Old Testament, that the New Testament seems everywhere to assume that men have it clearly and will respect this divine order. All the early churches did.
As there are basic elements in chemistry, so there are seven days in man’s calendar. This one in seven is basic to all history. And we must say that the destiny of America is tied to this day. Debauch this day and you destroy the United States.
4. But How Can Observance of the Lord’s Day Be Enforced in a Democracy? Perhaps we may not force people to worship, but there remain two valid regulating principles:
1) The day has at least civil status as a holiday, even if not accepted by all as a holy day. As such, the law should protect the day. So it is that the Supreme Court of our nation has ruled that it is not unconstitutional for states to have Sunday closing laws.
Two dates in U.S. history are very important in the Lord’s Day issue. The first is 1791 when our constitution was amended to forbid Congress from making any law respecting the establishment of religion. (By some this is being wrongly interpreted as forbidding any protection to the Lord’s Day. And, those same authorities allow state funds to go for teaching sheer atheism, or as with URI extension courses, Satanism and the occult!)
The other date is May 29, 1961 when the Supreme Court handed down a decision upholding Sunday closing laws in three states. SUNDAY CLOSING LAWS ARE CONSTITUTIONAL. Do not be misled by wiley arguments of worldlings.
2) A second valid regulating principle is: Even though democracy may not make people worship on the first day, surely it ought not to stop them from it. Contemporary civil rights legislation guarantees each Christian the liberty to worship – and that without losing his job. One court, on an appeal by one who lost his job refusing to work Sundays, ordered the man restored to his position.
Now, here in Rhode Island gambling is in. Laws protecting Sunday have been thrown out. There are things which every Christian should do in order to protect his right to worship. For example, determine that you will personally observe the Lord’s Day. Cease from work or making it a catch-all day for restless activity. Center on rest and worship. Sunday is not for business, profit or pleasure. With thought and planning, it can be a day of family relaxation and fellowship and spiritual growth.
Turn to Mark 2 and study Jesus Christ’s suggestions for making Sunday a good day.
I. MAKE JESUS LORD OF HIS DAY
“So the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath,” Mark 2:28. He is Lord of every day Monday through Saturday and he is Lord of the first day, Sunday. Scripture calls it the Lord’s Day. As such, Jesus himself determines which 24-hour period is to be specially dedicated to him.
Early Christians began to worship on the Lord’s Day because that was the day Jesus burst from the grave. True, they were Jews and at first also went to temple or synagogue on the 7th day, but that gradually ended. Their day for distinctly Christian worship and communion was our Sunday.
Christians, then, begin their week with rest and look forward to that eternal day of sabbath rest promised by God himself.
Jesus is not held up as Lord of each Sunday when his professing followers are busy doing their “own pleasure” each weekend. Jesus must be honored as Lord. But keep in mind that this does not impose a list of tight regulations upon us. We simply make each Sunday a day that honors and pleases Jesus Christ.
To do this, you will surely give church worship priority. Then other activities scheduled that day will have a special reference to the Lord and his will for us.
II. MAKE SUNDAY A DAY FOR PERSONAL UPBUILDING
“The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath, ” Mark 2:27. Jesus is here saying that this day was planned by God for you. God has woven it into the very fiber of all creation. When you go against that you are going to pay — in your body, your mind and heart.
Then, how ought we to observe the Lord’s Day for the edification of our individual lives and upbuilding of our families?
First of all, it is going to mean stopping work. You who work on Sundays are disobeying an eternal command of God. Payday comes!
Now, I know how many are the exceptions argued for. “I am performing a needed task,” someone says. Even if that be true, there are plenty of unbelievers to go around! Enough to cover the day’s needs. “Let the dead bury the dead.”
If, however, you happen on an emergency, then offer help.
Stand for the Scriptural principles, don’t waste energy arguing for exceptions.
Next, it will mean not supporting other people in their Sunday employment.
“Yes, but so many are now shopping Sundays, what difference does my little trade make?” Decisions have to be made on the basis of what is right. Many are shoplifting these days, but surely you will not therefore do your bit!
“But I do my major shopping during the week….only little things on Sundays.” Read down the commandments in Exodus 20 and then say, “I only steal a little….” Or, “dishonor my parents on special occasions.” Does that sound right to you?
Of course, if the ox falls in the ditch on the Lord’s day, pull him out. Don’t leave the poor animal in there crying. But, as my Dad taught me years ago, don’t push him in! In fact, a little better Saturday planning makes for a clear schedule on Sunday.
Do not let the Lord’s day become a day of busy housework or a catch-all for odd jobs. Govern the TV schedule. Get travelling and visiting done before Sunday.
If you would not take time off from work to go and do a thing, then don’t take time off from worship.
How valuable it is to quiet your family on this day of rest and worship. I am glad that I was reared that way. Rain or snow, Sunday was for church, and we did not have a family car.
Sunday is not up for grabs. Decide once and for all that you will give it to God and He will return blessing upon you and yours. Our text makes that a promise.
A RUNNER WHO HONORED THE LORD’S DAY
It is told of Eric Liddell, who won the four hundred meters race at the Olympic games in Paris, that when he found his race was to be run on the Lord’s Day he refused to compete, saying, “I object to Sunday sports in toto,” and thus counted himself out. The sporting press of Europe derided him; he was gibed and criticized on all sides, even by the papers of his own country. But the stand taken by such a noted athlete had its effect, and the race was not run until later in the week. He says: “I remember that when I was about to run in the finals the trainer handed me a little note. I opened it and read the words, ‘Them that honor Me will I honor.’ It was God’s promise. He helped me, and I won.” And the public that had condemned him changed its opinion and gave him great applause.