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Think You Observe The Sabbath?

Apr1

This post by Tim Challies concerning the Law verses Grace is very interesting.  We’ve had lots of discussion at our church recently concerning the Law, the Ten Commandments and believers today.  The sermon on Wednesday night was a very good understanding of how believers today should relate to the Sabbath.  This sums up my best understanding of how the Sabbath relates to believers today.  I always get tickled when someone says they observe a Biblical Sabbath and yet it looks nothing like a Biblical Sabbath.  Church, nap and Church does not a Sabbath make.  Although it does make for a nice day.  😉

What the Law-Keeper Cries to the Gospel-Lover by Tim Challies

…

Jewish law forbids work on the Sabbath, but the question that has always plagued law-keepers is this: what actually constitutes work? Many modern interpretations of the law state that using an electrical button on the Sabbath constitutes work. Pressing a button closes an electrical switch and the closing of the switch is interpreted as “building” a circuit. Any kind of building on the Sabbath is strictly forbidden by the law. For that reason, many of the apartment buildings in this area use a feature in their elevators known as “Shabbat [Sabbath] service.” Sabbath service removes the need to press buttons. When the service is engaged, the elevator will either stop at every floor on both the way up and the way down, or it will rise to the top and then stop at every floor on the way down. In either case, the sanctity of the Sabbath is maintained. (Wikipedia’s article on Shabbat service is fascinating in its explanation of the variations of interpretation)

…

Be sure to read the whole article, very much worth it.

Some might say that well these Jews have taken the OT Sabbath and become legalistic about it.  But if you study what was said in the OT concerning the Law you would see that nope, they aren’t being legalistic.  Remember the passage in Numbers 15:32-36?  That was taking the Sabbath pretty seriously!

But then if you were to read everything in the NT concerning the law you might be surprised at what the Bible actually says about our relationship with it today.

The Law of Christ by Charles Leiter is one of the best explanations about the Law and believers.  I highly recommend reading the book. 🙂

Oh, be thankful for Grace!

 

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The Glory That Surpasses

Feb13

2 Corinthians 3:4-11

4 Such is the confidence that we have through Christ toward God.
5 Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency is from God,
6 who has made us competent to be ministers of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit. For the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.
7 Now if the ministry of death, carved in letters on stone, came with such glory that the Israelites could not gaze at Moses‘ face because of its glory, which was being brought to an end,
8 will not the ministry of the Spirit have even more glory?
9 For if there was glory in the ministry of condemnation, the ministry of righteousness must far exceed it in glory.
10 Indeed, in this case, what once had glory has come to have no glory at all, because of the glory that surpasses it.
11 For if what was being brought to an end came with glory, much more will what is permanent have glory.

Paul is comparing and contrasting the New Covenant with the Law. Oh, how blessed we are to be under the New Covenant. Don’t ever desire to be back under the Law!


The Law (The Old Covenant)
The New Covenant
Of the Letter Of the Spirit
The Letter kills The Spirit gives life
Ministry of Death Ministry of Righteousness
Carved in letters on stone (no doubt the reference here) Ministry of the Spirit written on the heart (Hebrews 10:16)
Came with Glory such that the Israelites could not look upon Moses’ face Ministry of the Spirit has much more Glory
Was brought to an end Is permanent
Ministry of Condemnation Ministry of Righteousness
What once had Glory has come to have no Glory Far surpasses the letter in Glory
Was brought to an end though it came with Glory What is permanent will have Glory

Do you see what Paul is saying? How much more blessed are we to sit at the feet of Jesus on Mount Zion (Matthew 5-7) than to tremble at the foot of Mount Sinai (Exodus 19-20). While the Israelites trembled in fear and begged the Lord to speak no more to them, we can come before the Lord in confidence and boldness.

Israelites:

Exodus 20:

18 Now when all the people saw the thunder and the flashes of lightning and the sound of the trumpet and the mountain smoking, the people were afraid and trembled, and they stood far off
19 and said to Moses, “You speak to us, and we will listen; but do not let God speak to us, lest we die.”
20 Moses said to the people, “Do not fear, for God has come to test you, that the fear of him may be before you, that you may not sin.”
21 The people stood far off, while Moses drew near to the thick darkness where God was.

Believers:

Hebrews 4:16 Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

Ephesians 3:11-12

11 This was according to the eternal purpose that he has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord,
12 in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in him.

This is why Paul cries out to the Galatians:

Galatians 3:1-3

1 O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? It was before your eyes that Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified.
2 Let me ask you only this: Did you receive the Spirit by works of the law or by hearing with faith?
3 Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh?

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It Is Finished – Pink

Apr15

“It Is Finished”

Arthur W. Pink

When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said,

It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.

John 19:30 (KJV)

How terribly have these blessed words of Christ been misunderstood, misappropriated and misapplied! How many seem to think that on the cross the Lord Jesus accomplished a work which rendered it unnecessary for the beneficiaries of it to live holy lives on earth. So many have been deluded into thinking that, so far as reaching heaven is concerned, it matters not how they walk provided they are “resting on the finished work of Christ.” They may be unfruitful, untruthful, disobedient, yet (though they may possibly miss some millennial crown) so long as they repudiate all righteousness of their own and have faith in Christ, they imagine they are “eternally secure.”

All around us are people who are worldly-minded, money-lovers, pleasure-seekers, Sabbath-breakers, yet who think all is well with them because they have “accepted Christ as their personal Saviour.” In their aspiration, conversation, and recreation, there is practically nothing to differentiate them from those who make no profession at all. Neither in their home-life nor social-life is there anything save empty pretensions to distinguish them from others. The fear of God is not upon them, the commands of God have no authority over them, the holiness of God has no attraction for them.

“It is finished.” How solemn to realize that these words of Christ must have been used to lull thousands into a false peace. Yet such is the case. We have come into close contact with many who have no private prayer-life, who are selfish, covetous, dishonest, but who suppose that a merciful God will overlook all such things provided they once put their trust in the Lord Jesus. What a horrible perversion of the truth! What a turning of God’s grace “into lasciviousness“! (Jude 4). Yes, those who now live the most self-seeking and flesh-pleasing lives, talk about their faith in the blood of the Lamb, and suppose they are safe. How the devil has deceived them!

“It is finished.” Do those blessed words signify that Christ so satisfied the requirement of God’s holiness that holiness no longer has any real and pressing claims upon us? Perish the thought. Even to the redeemed God says, “Be ye holy, for I am holy” (1 Pet. 1:16). Did Christ “magnify the law and make it honorable” (Isa. 42:21) that we might be lawless? Did He “fulfill all righteousness” (Matthew 3:15) to purchase for us an immunity from loving God with all our hearts and serving Him with all our faculties? Did Christ die in order to secure a divine indulgence that we might live to please self? Many seem to think so. No, the Lord Jesus has left His people an example that they should “follow (not ignore) His steps.”

“It is finished.” What was “finished? The need for sinners to repent? No indeed. The need for turning to God from idols? No indeed. The need for mortifying my members which are upon earth? No indeed. The need for being sanctified wholly, in spirit, and soul, and body? No indeed. Christ died not to make my sorrow for, hatred of, and striving against sin, useless. Christ died not to absolve me from the full discharge of my responsibilities unto God. Christ died not so that I might go on retaining the friendship and fellowship of the world. How passing strange that any should think that He did. Yet the actions of many show that this is their idea.

“It is finished.” What was “finished?” The sacrificial types were accomplished, the prophecies, of His sufferings were fulfilled, the work given Him by the Father had been perfectly done, a sure foundation had been laid on which a righteous God could pardon the vilest transgressor of the law who threw down the weapons of his warfare against Him. Christ had now performed all that was necessary in order for the Holy Spirit to come and work in the hearts of His people; convincing them of their rebellion, slaying their enmity against God, and producing in them a loving and obedient heart.

O, dear reader, make no mistake on this point. The “finished work of Christ” avails you nothing if your heart has never been broken through an agonizing consciousness of your sinfulness. The “finished work of Christ” avails you nothing unless you have been saved from the power and pollution of sin (Matthew 1:21). It avails you nothing if you still love the world (I John 2:15). It avails you nothing unless you are a “new creature” in Him (2 Cor. 5:17). If you value your soul, search the Scriptures to see for yourself; take no man’s word for it.


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Pyromaniacs – Antinomianism

Jul26

Pyromaniacs has a post about Antinomianism:

Antinomianism is one of those theological terms that is notoriously hard to pin down. It has an admittedly sinister sound, and when many people hear the term, they think it speaks of wantonly advocating sin (“Why not do evil that good may come?”—Romans 3:8). Indeed that kind of extreme antinomianism exists. It was the doctrine of Rasputin, for example.

But in normal theological discourse the term antinomianism usually refers to theoretical antinomianism. Theoretical antinomians don’t necessarily advocate extreme libertinism (or practical antinomianism). In fact, a great many theoretical antinomians are known for their advocacy of holiness. (And conversely, many who adhere to “Holiness doctrine” and various other perfectionist schemes are also theoretical antinomians.)

In totally non-technical terms, antinomianism is simply the view that Christians are not bound by any of the precepts of Moses’ law—moral, civil, ceremonial, or otherwise. … Continue reading.

I’m looking forward to more of the discussion.


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Weak and Useless Garments

Jul25

If you have boys you have probably found that they have a bad habit of developing holes in the knees of their pants.  I don’t know why but for some reason between the ages of 5 and 12 my boys have succeeded in wearing out the knees of most of their pants.  I have bought three times as many pants at that age than any other item of clothing.  I initially tried patching them but that never worked and they looked horrible.

Their pants were weak and worn from use just like in the verses discussing old garments (Matthew 9:16, Mark 2:21, Luke 5:36).  Old garments are typically well used.  They have served their purpose.  There comes a time for them to be put away.

There are several verses that refer to the Law as weak or useless.

Romans 8:3-4 (ESV)

3 For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh,
4 in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.

Hebrews 7:18-19 (ESV)

18 For on the one hand, a former commandment is set aside because of its weakness and uselessness
19 (for the law made nothing perfect); but on the other hand, a better hope is introduced, through which we draw near to God.

Now we know the Law didn’t start out weak and useless but the Law had served its purpose.  The Law worked its purpose but now there is a better law, a newer garment.  The new garment is imperishable just like the garments of the Israelites in the desert.

Nehemiah 9:21 (ESV) Forty years you sustained them in the wilderness, and they lacked nothing. Their clothes did not wear out and their feet did not swell.

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Be Clean

Jul9

Matthew 8:1-4 (ESV)
1 When he came down from the mountain, great crowds followed him.
2  And behold, a leper came to him and knelt before him, saying, “Lord, if you will, you can make me clean.”
3 And Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him, saying, “I will; be clean.” And immediately his leprosy was cleansed.
4 And Jesus said to him,  “See that you say nothing to anyone, but go, show yourself to the priest and offer the gift that Moses commanded, for a proof to them.”

Why does Jesus send the man to the Priest?  To fulfill the Law of Moses.

Leviticus 14:2 ff (ESV) “This shall be the law of the leprous person for the day of his cleansing. He shall be brought to the priest,

Leviticus 14:7 (ESV) … Then he shall pronounce him clean ….

Was not Jesus fully capable of declaring the man clean?  I mean He healed him.  He has cleansed all of His own.

John 13:6-11 (ESV)
6 He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, do you wash my feet?”
7  Jesus answered him, “What I am doing you do not understand now, but afterward you will understand.”
8  Peter said to him, “You shall never wash my feet.” Jesus answered him, “If I do not wash you, you have no share with me.”
9 Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head!”
10 Jesus said to him, “The one who has bathed does not need to wash, except for his feet, but is completely clean. And you are clean, but not every one of you.”
11  For he knew who was to betray him; that was why he said, “Not all of you are clean.”

1 Corinthians 6:11 (ESV) And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.

Ephesians 5:25-27 (ESV)
25  Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her,
26 that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word,
27 so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish.

Titus 3:4-7 (ESV)
4 But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared,
5 he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit,
6 whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior,
7 so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

Hebrews 10:21-22 (ESV)
21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God,
22 let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.

Was not Jesus fully a Priest?

Hebrews 4:15 (ESV) For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.

Hebrews 7:25-26 (ESV)
25 Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost  those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.
26 For it was indeed fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, innocent, unstained, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens.

The Law of Moses was still in effect because Jesus had not yet fulfilled the Law (Matthew 5:17) nor accomplished all (Matthew 5:18).

Jesus cleansed the Leper and followed all the Law of Moses.  Just as He told John the Baptist about His baptism He suffered it to be so for now.

Matthew 3:15 (KJV) And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness.



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Sabbath Quotes

Jul6

Here are two interesting quotes concerning the Sabbath.

…It was not, however, without a reason that the early Christians substituted what we call the Lord’s day for the Sabbath. The resurrection of our Lord being the end and accomplishment of that true rest which the ancient Sabbath signified, this day, by which types were abolished, serves to warn Christians against adhering to a shadowy ceremony. I do not cling to the number seven as to bring the Church under bondage to it, nor do I condemn churches for holding their meetings on other solemn days, provided they guard against superstition.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~

John Calvin

“If anywhere the day is made holy for the mere day’s sake—if anywhere anyone sets up its observance on a Jewish foundation, then I order you to work on it, to ride on it, to dance on it, to feast on it, to do anything that shall remove this encroachment on Christian liberty.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Martin Luther

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These Sayings (Words) of Mine – Matthew Chapter 7

Jul2

Judging

Matthew 7:1-2 (ESV)

1 “Judge not, that you be not judged.
2 For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you.

Giving dogs holy things

Matthew 7:6 (ESV) “Do not give dogs what is holy, and do not throw your pearls before pigs, lest they trample them underfoot and turn to attack you.

Ask, Seek, Knock

Matthew 7:7 (ESV) “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.

Matthew 7:8 (ESV) For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened.

Do unto others

Matthew 7:12 (ESV) “So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.

Enter the narrow gate

Matthew 7:13 (ESV) “Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many.

Matthew 7:14 (ESV) For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.

Beware of false prophets that look good

Matthew 7:15 (ESV) “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves.

Act upon the words of Jesus

Matthew 7:24 (ESV) “Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock.


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These Sayings (Words) of Mine – Matthew Chapter 6

Jul1

Now granted everyone will divide these chapters a little differently.  But the general ideas are still there.

Righteous “Acting” before others

Matthew 6:1 (ESV) “Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven.

Give in Secret

Matthew 6:4 (ESV) so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

Pray not like Hypocrites, Not with empty phrases, but like Jesus said

Matthew 6:5 (ESV) “And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward.

Matthew 6:7 (ESV) “And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words.

Matthew 6:9-13 (ESV)

9 Pray then like this: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.
10 Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
11 Give us this day our daily bread,
12 and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.
13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

Forgive others just as Christ forgave you

Matthew 6:14 (ESV) For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you,

Matthew 6:15 (ESV) but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

When you fast, don’t be so obvious about it

Matthew 6:16 (ESV) “And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward.

Your treasure is where your heart is

Matthew 6:19 (ESV) “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal,

Matthew 6:20 (ESV) but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.

Matthew 6:21 (ESV) For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Can’t serve two masters

Matthew 6:24 (ESV) “No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.

Don’t be anxious about earthly matters

Matthew 6:25 (ESV) “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?

Seek first the kingdom of God

Matthew 6:33 (ESV) But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.


Well, I’m just getting in much worse shape. 🙁


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What is the Sum of the Law and the Prophets?

Jun19

Previously we saw that the Law and the Prophets refer to the first five books of the Bible, the Law and the books of the prophets and poetry.  Now let’s look at what Jesus says sums up the Law and the Prophets.

Matthew 7:12 (ESV) “So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.

Matthew 22:37-40 (ESV)

37 And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.
38 This is the great and first commandment.
39 And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.
40 On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.” 

Galatians 5:14 (ESV) For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” 

This really isn’t a new Law to love our neighbor.  The New Covenant portion is that our neighbor has been expanded to include everyone even the most despised or our enemies.  See even in Leviticus the Israelites were told to love their neighbor but that was their own people.  Now we are to love all people as ourselves, not just those who are like us; not just our own people. 

Leviticus 19:18 (ESV)  You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against the sons of your own people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the Lord. 

In case there was any doubt Jesus explained this concept several times. 

Matthew 5:43-45 (ESV)

43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’
44 But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,
45 so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. 

Matthew 19:19 (ESV) Honor your father and mother, and, You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” 

Mark 12:29-31 (ESV)

29 Jesus answered, “The most important is, ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.
30 And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’
31 The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” 

Luke 10:27 (ESV) And he answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.” 

James is clear that fulfilling the royal law is “loving your neighbor as yourself”. 

James 2:8 (ESV) If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing well. 

See this takes you right back to Matthew 5:17 because Jesus fulfilled the Law not only by being the perfect, sinless law keeper, but by loving His neighbor as Himself to the end by giving up His life. 

Matthew 5:17 (ESV) “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.  

John 10:11 (ESV) I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 

John 15:13 (ESV) Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. 

Romans 5:7-8 (ESV)

7 For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die—
8 but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 

Ephesians 5:2 (ESV) And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. 

The sum of the Law and the Prophets is Love, as exemplified by Christ in giving up His life for us. 

We are called to do the same and then we have fullfilled the law. 

1 John 3:16 (ESV) By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers.

James 2:8 (ESV) If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing well. 


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