What The Bible Says
“What The Bible Says - Vol. 4 / No. 19”
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What The Bible Says
Vol. V - No. 19 / February 26, 2023
"LORD, LORD"
Jesus, during the time of his ministry, was recognized as an astonishing teacher. Both Matthew and Mark account that the people were astonished at his teaching, and that he taught differently than their religious leaders, " ...for he taught as one having authority, and not as the scribes." These are recorded in Matthew 7:29 and Mark 1:22.
Jesus would, at times, teach by posing a question with the answer contained within it. One such occasion is recorded in Luke 6:46 - "But why do you call me 'Lord, Lord' and not do the things which I say?" I would argue that this question is still valid today. Do you profess with your lips that Jesus is your Lord (i.e. the Ruler and Master of your life) yet refuse to render obedience to him as Lord of Lords and King of Kings (Revelation 17:14)? Jesus would go on to teach in this same account (Luke 6:49) that one who hears his words and does not do them is like " ...a man who built a house on the earth with no foundation, against which the stream beat vehemently; and immediately it fell. And the ruin of that house was great." A great ruin awaits all those who render only lip service "obedience" to Christ and whose faith is without a foundation, as Jesus the master teacher warned. Now armed with the question Jesus posed and the answer he gave us, let us purpose to render to him all he deserves. Paul, guided by the Spirit, penned some very encouraging words with a warning in Romans 13:11 - "And do this, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed.” —Tim Davis
FACTS ABOUT THE SABBATH
In the Old Testament, under the law of Moses, God's people observed the "Sabbath". The Sabbath is first mentioned in Exodus 16 in connection with God miraculously giving manna for Israel to eat. However, in Exodus 16 the Sabbath is not given as a day to be kept holy! Those of the Seventh Day Adventist try to argue that the Sabbath was instituted in Genesis 2: 1-3 but, again, it is not given as a day to be kept holy. Genesis 2: 1- 3 is a statement of fact that God rested on the seventh day.
WHEN was the Sabbath commanded? In Exodus 20. This was after God delivered Israel from the bondage in Egypt. In fact, Deuteronomy 5:15 teaches the Sabbath was commanded for Israel to remember they were in bondage and God had given them rest. Nehemiah, the prophet, points back to Exodus 20 to show that this was when God gave Israel His law on Mount Sinai (Nehemiah 9:13,14).
In Numbers 15:32-36 we read of an incident where Moses had to inquire of God as to what to do with a man who had been caught picking up sticks on the Sabbath. This shows that the Jews were not accustomed to keeping the Sabbath for if they had been keeping the Sabbath for 2500 years, they would have known what to do with a man who had violated it.
The PURPOSE of the Sabbath was to cause the Israelites to remember that while they were in Egypt they had no rest, but now God had delivered them and given them a day of rest (Deut. 5:15).
To WHOM was the Sabbath given? According to Exodus 31:13-17, it was a sign between GOD and ISRAEL. The Sabbath was a part of the covenant between God and the children of Israel. This covenant was not given to the Gentiles but was a memorial to an event peculiar only to the Jews (Deut. 5:1-5). The Gentiles were never delivered from Egyptian bondage and , therefore, could not observe the Sabbath in memory of any such event.
To observe the Sabbath there was to be no work (Exodus 31:13-17), no food could be gathered (Ex. 16:23-26), no fire to be kindled (Ex. 35:1-3), could not pick up sticks (Num. 16:32-35), to bear no burden (Jeremiah 17:21,22), could not buy or sell (Nehemiah 13:15-21), could only travel a "Sabbath day journey" (a little over half a mile Matthew 24:20), and two lambs of the first year were to be sacrificed along with two tenths deals of flour mingled with oil (Numbers 28:9,10). Do you know of anyone who observes the Sabbath in this manner? I don't! Not even among those who teach that it is to be observed! This is really ironic!
However, the observance of the Sabbath was to CEASE. Some contend that the Sabbath was "a perpetual covenant" therefore it would not end. They quote Exodus 31:16 as their proof. Yet, the Sabbath was no more perpetual than INCENSE and ANIMAL SACRIFICES. For they, too, were "perpetual" (Exodus 30:8; Numbers 28:1-10). The Sabbath was a perpetual "sign" between God and Israel as His chosen people, but when Israel ceased to be God's chosen people, the Sabbath ceased. We can even read the prophecies which spoke of the Sabbath coming to an end (Hosea 2: 11; Amos 8:1-1O; and Zechariah 11:10-14). We can also read of these prophecies being fulfilled in Colossians 2:14-17; Matthew 27 :45,46; Luke 23:44,45; John 19:30; Matthew 26:14,15; and Matthew 27:3-7.
The first covenant (Old Testament) was fulfilled and taken out of the way. It is important to remember that the words of the covenant were on the tables of stone and that those words were the 1en commandments (Exodus 34:28). The Sabbath was the fourth of the ten. Paul said that this covenant was made old by a new testament (Hebrews 8:13). The "handwriting of ordinances" was nailed to the cross (Colossians 2:14). That which was written and engraven in stone was done away (2 Corinthians 3:7-13; Ephesians 2:13-16). Thus Christ came to fulfill the law (Matthew 5: 17). Christ finished the work which He came to do (John 17 :4). Hence, the law and the Sabbath was fulfilled and finished. For anyone to attempt to justify the keeping of the Sabbath is to result in being severed from Christ and fallen from grace (Galatians 5:4).
To mix the Sabbath, which was dedicated by animal blood that could not take away sin, with worship that we find authorized in the New Testament, which was dedicated with the blood of Christ, is in essence mixing the blood of animals with the precious blood of Jesus Christ. We are mixing blood that cannot take away sin with the blood of Christ that does take away sin. (Hebrews 9:16-23;10:4). —E.R. Hall, Jr.
***SENTENCE SERMONS***
Hell will be a truth that many will realize too late.
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Satan will use 99% truth (if necessary) to float one lie.
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It is a sad religion that is never strong except when its owner is sick.
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Always remember the future comes one day at a time.
"What The Bible Says” is e-mailed twice a month. If you know of others who might benefit from the articles contained in this bulletin, we would be glad to have you submit their e-mail addresses and we will include them in the next mailing. If you are receiving this bulletin and do not wish to continue to do so, please e-mail us with your desire to be removed from the mailing list and you will be removed promptly. Continue to the bottom of this page for further instructions as to how you may contact us.
--- E.R. Hall, Jr.
SCHEDULE OF SERVICES
For The East Albertville Church Of Christ
meeting at
4777 U.S. Highway 431
Albertville, AL 35950
Sunday
Bible Classes …………..….…………… 9:30 AM
Morning Worship ……..…….….……… 10:30 AM
Evening Worship …………………........ 5:00 PM
Wednesday
Bible Classes …………..………........... 7:00 PM
Radio Program
Sunday
WBSA 93.5 FM/1300 AM ………………………….. 8:30 AM
Monday - Saturday
WBSA 93.5 FM/1300 AM ………………………….. 11:15 AM
Website: www. EastAlbertville.org
