Sabbath: Experiencing and Living the Character of God
Image © Pacific Press
Sabbath Afternoon
Read for This Week’s Study: Genesis 1:1-2:25; Exod: 16:14-29; Isa: 58:1-14; Matt: 12:1-13; Luke 13:10-17.
Memory Text: “And He said to them, ‘The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath. Therefore the Son of Man is also Lord of the Sabbath’” ( Mark 2.27-28, NKJV).
Jodie was the only Seventh-day Adventist in her graduate program, and her choice not to attend some social events on Sabbath made her beliefs very visible.
One day one of her friends, Gayle, called her. Gayle’s husband was going to be out of town for six weeks, and she asked Jodie if she wanted to spend the next six Friday nights with her, because she knew Jodie did “nothing” on those evenings, anyway.
For the next four Friday nights they ate together, played music, shared their Christian experiences, and generally enjoyed each other’s company. The fifth weekend, Gayle told Jodie that she had been downtown shopping and looked at her watch. Oh, good, she thought. Sabbath is very soon. She suddenly realized that over the four Friday nights she had experienced something new in her Christian experience. She had grown, learned more of her God, and deepened her faith. Sabbath had been an opportunity for education and personal development.
It’s an interesting story about how we can think of the Sabbath as, not just a day of rest, but as a means of education, as well.
Study this week’s lesson to prepare for Sabbath, December 19.
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One of the consequences of the COVID restrictions is that we have been unable to meet for formal church (until last week). A number of my Adventist friends and I have taken advantage of this to go out on the local bush tracks on Sabbath mornings to observe and photograph birds. We usually start around 6am and spend about 3 hours in the bush. It is a great time for sharing with one another and as we wait for the birds (they have their own timetable) we have wide ranging discussions about the lesson, church issue, world views, and so on.
We often meet other bird photographers on our walks and seeing I know most of them, or they know who I am, we have some great interchanges with them as well. For me, it has been an important time of sharing and experiencing the enjoyment of nature together. Not all our discussion is spiritual but it has been affirming and encouraging, providing an atmosphere where we look forward to seeing one another again.
The point that I want to make is that sometimes we as Seventh-day Adventists are very isolationist with regards to who we interact with on Sabbath, and what we do. Is it possible that we are missing the point of what the Sabbath is about? Maybe the COVIS restrictions have given us an opportunity to rethink about how we share our Sabbath experience with others.
Yes,bird watching has increased!
Regarding being isolationists: keep in mind how God instructed Israel to dwell in their land, and what they were to do with the nations within that land. I've seen the result of mingling with those who have no desire to know or do God's will, yet we are to be reaching out at every opportunity. We have included non-believers in our Sabbath activities, but are careful to guard our actions and conversation lest they become inappropriate and dishonor our Lord. We need even greater care when children are involved.
The 3 Hebrews were there on the plain with everyone else, but they would not follow the ungodly, even if it meant losing their lives(Rev 12:11). Even the stranger within the gates was to observe the Sabbath while there. Outside of those gates requires careful attention lest we become influenced against the will of God(Proverbs 13:20).
How do I experience and live like God when I am a sinner? To experience God, we need to spend time with Him in order to know Him. When we experience Him, we will tell others about Him. Do you remember the story of the Samaritan's woman? In John 4: 39 "Many Samaritans from the village believed in Jesus because the woman had said, "He told me everything I ever did." (NLT)"
As we are experiencing Jesus, we have to invite other people to do the same. We need to come out of our shelves. Most of our friends are SDAs. We need to expend our circle like Jesus did. He mingled with people with bad lifestyles. I really liked when one Florida Church (sda) opened their doors to do the funerals of people who died in a gay club a couple of years ago. When we experience Jesus, we will bring people to Him and HE will change them the if they let Him.
To conclude, we need more Adventist Christians. Sometimes we have pushed people away from the church by the way we treat them. My prayers is that God can change us so we can be a witness for Him. I hope that when we get to heaven, someone will say that they are there because of our lifestyles. Happy Sabbath and Amen.
My Brother, the act of the church to do the funerals of the people from the gay club has nothing to do with their salvation because they already died. It was simply, in my personal view an act of kindness.
Blessings,
the church did that funerals for evangerit for those who are alive.
Thanks be to Jesus. A church doing a funeral for gays(LBGTQIA) is a great thing. The service is not for the dead, the dead knows nothing but only the living. That probably the closest some can get to those people to tell them about the love of Jesus.
By this shall all men know they you are my disciples if you have love one for another. Love people- hate sins. Sin is sin big or small. Bible mentioned the sins that will keep us out of heaven. Romans 1:21-32; Rev 21:7-8.
Anniversaries are special days to stop and remember special occasions. Tomorrow I am turning 70 years, I praise the LORD for all His blessings! And my family are celebrating via Zoom with me even though they are spread all over the world!
The children of Israel as a group had three special annual festivals, Passover, Pentecost & Tabernacles as well as the weekly Sabbaths.
As individuals how do we remember how the LORD has delivered us from evil and provided for our needs?
For me it is daily meditation and prayer plus weekly celebration of a day of rest and gladness, what about you?
The LORD's prayer is a good example (Mt 6:9-13):
Happy Birthday Shirley! Hope you have a joyous day! Tammy
Birthday blessings Shirley!
I use my prayer journal as a way to remember what the Lord has done for me. I like to read back once in a while, especially when I feel like life is difficult, and see the evidence of God's loving care over my life.
Wishing you so many more very happy birthdays Sis Shirley🎉🎊💕🎁🎈🎂 God Bless!! https://www.birthdaywishes.expert/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Birthday-prayer-asking-for-strength-and-Gods-mercy-on-cute-background.jpg
Happy birthday Sis. Shirley! We celebrate not as others, but we celebrate with you another milestone of life that God has granted you. I hope you have a well-spent day basking even more in God's goodness and mercies! I wish you added years, I God will anoint you daily with power, knowledge, wisdom, and understanding as you continue to work for Him daily!🤗🤗 Blessings!
Happy birthday Shirley 🍰
Happy Birthday Shirley, Blessings upon Blessings on you and your entire generations.
Happy birthday
Happy birthday to you Shirley- threescore and ten is appointed to man and you have come to that age. To him be all the glory, praise and honor, now and forever throughout eternity. Have a sabbath filled day. Psalm 90:1-17
Blessings on your new milestone, Shirley! Enjoy your special day and wishing you many more. However, I am of the idea that this year we should subtract it from our age since we haven't quite lived normally!
Verily, verily, I say unto you, If a man keep my saying, he shall never see death. John 8:51
Experiencing and Living the Character of God
I look forward to the Sabbath after working very hard during the week. In these times I am very thankful for my jobs so I can be a blessing to others. My jobs although I am dealing with some bookwork/computers can become very hectic. But the greater part is dealing with humans. Bible says in the last days human will become unthankful etc.
During the week my manager was asking for people to come in to work on Saturday. I did not answered. Someone asked a question, her reply was, oh she does not work on Saturdays. For sure, she knows. Why should I choose to work seven days a week when the bible stated what I ought to do. Many work on Sabbath because of choice.
The bible gave us clear instructions how we ought to celebrate the day, the day doesn't belong to us. Many families/friends refuses to acknowledge The Godhead and trample on the sabbath then tries to pull us into their net. Bible says about turning away from the Lord Sabbath in Isa 58:13-14.
Ex 20:8-11.
God has given men six days wherein to labor, and He requires that their own work be done in the six working days. Acts of necessity and mercy are permitted on the Sabbath, the sick and suffering are at all times to be cared for; but unnecessary labor is to be strictly avoided. “Turn away thy foot from the Sabbath, from doing thy pleasure on My holy day; and call the Sabbath a delight, the holy of the Lord, honorable; and ... honor Him, not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure.” Isaiah 58:13. Nor does the prohibition end here. “Nor speaking thine own words,” says the prophet. Those who discuss business matters or lay plans on the Sabbath are regarded by God as though engaged in the actual transaction of business. To keep the Sabbath holy, we should not even allow our minds to dwell upon things of a worldly character. And the commandment includes all within our gates. The inmates of the house are to lay aside their worldly business during the sacred hours. All should unite to honor God by willing service upon His holy day. {PP 307.3}
Jesus did good on the sabbath. Is Jesus doing good our doing good on the Sabbath? He healed the sick, is the good we are doing unable to wait another day, or could have done during the week. If we spend six days with families and friends, cant one day be put aside to spend with out best friend Jesus?
My solution to honor God- We as SDA have to be the leaders in letting humans know about what the Lord expects of us on the sabbath. Friday sunset to Saturday sunset.
What I have done- 1. I tried not to call anyone on the Sabbath day if I have one inkling that the conversation will go another way from honoring Jesus.
2. If a family member wants to visit me on the weekend/spend time by us, we let them know about the sabbath and it is expected of them to go to church and no; washing/cooking/cleaning/marketing is done from our home. One family said to me once that when we go to church, they can go out for the entire day and they don't have to bother us with our sabbath. I tried explaining the sabbath command to her, she stopped communicating with me.
A women's group of 6 of us are meeting every Friday from 2-4 to study the Book of Esther and pray. It's been a gift and a time to look forward to. This week one of the members said "it gives a new meaning to TGIF". Wouldn't it be wonderful if we could meet every day with our Faith Family as the early church did!
That is what we are doing on this blog! Thank you for the kind thoughts on my birthday.
It took a little reflection-time before I was able to understand what the lesson topic focused on. If I understand it correctly, we attempt to study: ‘Experiencing and living the Character of God on Sabbath’; but not only on Sabbath - it could also imply that if we do this right, we will 'delight ourselves in the LORD' and live the principles of Sabbath throughout the week until we reach the Sabbath when we can fully engage in the *Rest of the Sabbath - a Fast*.
Before I became familiar with the meaning of Sabbath, I worshiped on Sunday. In the morning and evening, it was a day set aside for gathering together to study and worship with fellow believers, but now I have a better understanding of the reasons behind the Sabbath and its purpose.
Western civilization offers two days of rest per week and offers many organized activities on Sabbath and Sunday. Our son played football in High school and College with games usually conducted on Saturday; Sunday afternoon was definitely a time for dad and son to watch the NFL ‘big boys’ play their national games; the rest of the family was participating in the sport directly or indirectly.
Joining the family of Adventists changed my Saturday into Sabbath; I was to only one in my family to do so. I believe that only the Christian aware of the true meaning of Sabbath - it is a FAST -, is in the position to rightly observe God's Sabbath and worship Him; '*fasting*' from doing *our pleasures*, engaging in *our own works* on that day.
It is so interesting how the Spirit of God always cuts to the quick, exposing the deceptions man's mind suffers under and, if not remedied, keep him from having fellowship with the Father.
I found this understanding when I looked closer into what Isaiah 58:1-14 is telling me.
Verses 1 through 6 speak to the spiritual blindness and inability for the unregenerate mind to know the true meaning of fasting - expressing godly conduct by ‘abstaining’ from satisfying appetites of the flesh -; even though man might think he is *fasting* rightly, if his conduct does not express the character of God, he is still engaged in gratifying his self-righteous appetites.
Verses 6 through 14 speak to the meaning of the true FAST and the blessings associated with it.
Verse 13-14 says: 'If you turn away(eliminate) your (own) foot(print) from the Sabbath, (and stop) doing your pleasure on My holy day, and (instead) call the SABBATH a delight, the holy day of the LORD honorable, and shall honor Him, not doing your own ways, nor finding your own pleasure, nor speaking your own words, then you shall delight yourself in the LORD; And I will cause you to ride on the high hills of the earth, and feed you with the heritage of Jacob your father.
The mouth of the LORD has spoken.
Feliz cumpleanos! Hermana Shirley. And many more!
Sabbath in my home was a delight. My best memory of Sabbath before five is the Sabbath afternoon walks with my father and oldest sibs.He pointed out the various birds and flowers and how God had made so many each different from the other. My oldest nephew says that the best times he had why his grandpa was those Sabbath afternoon walks. His were almost 40! years after mine. In my teens as MVs we would bring cheer to the aged in nursing home many Sabbath evenings. What a delight Sabbath is. Covid has shut my church since March and we meet via zoom. A few years ago I was awestruck as I drove the last 5 blocks to church. The street was pure gold. Golden leaves!! I told my class that God had shown me streets of gold now but has much better I store for the faith ful. Monday will mean 82 years of God’s blessings, please pray that I draw ever closer to my Redeemer. Maurice. Thanks for those pictures of God’s creation.
The Sabbath is a wonderful blessing, set aside as a day of “rest”. What does this mean? Rest is not really the best word unless we understand what we are resting from. Shabath (Heb, Gen 2:1) means to cease, desist, rest. Nuwach (Heb, Ex 20:11) means to put aside, rest. So we see the commandment describes that which on this day is not to be done, rather than telling us to do nothing.
In my early years growing up, Sabbath was never a boring day of doing nothing, and I always looked forward to it. Living in Southern California back in the 60's, there were still areas to go observe nature and we learned to identify the flora and fauna of that region, which includes desert, mountains, the coast, and some beautiful parks where we often had potluck with other families. It was never a boring day and our family spent most of the day together until going away to boarding school. The day was busy with appropriate activities, while "resting" from the cares of the 6 previous days, including no homework or chores! Mom always served the best meals on Sabbath.
Sabbath was/is a very educational experience.
What does this topic tell us about God and what is this study calling us to do