Lesson 5 - Emory church of Christ

“THE LORD’S DAY”
LESSON 5
INTRODUCTION:
	A.	Meeting on the “first day of the week,” as the day of worship, is definitely taught in the New Testament.
	B.	The Old Testament worshippers met on the Sabbath day; the 7th day.
	C.	In this lesson, we will see that the Bible teaches the ending of Sabbath day worship.

DISCUSSION:

I.	THE SABBATH
	A.	Why did God command the observance of the Sabbath?
		1.	Deuteronomy 5:12 — it was given by God after the deliverance of the children of Israel.
		2.	Deuteronomy 5:15 — it was a memorial to the deliverance.
		3.	The Sabbath was not observed from Adam to Moses.
		4.	Men will, today, say, “BUT IS NOT THAT THE DAY GOD RESTED FROM HIS LABORS?” To this we agree — God rested, NOT man! (Genesis 2:3).
	B.	Who observed the Sabbath?
		1.	The nation of Israel (Exodus 31:13-17).
		2.	It was a sign between God and Israel.
		3.	Deuteronomy 5:2-3; it was specific — “US HERE AND ALIVE THIS DAY.”
	C.	When did observing the Sabbath end?
		1.	Some use Exodus 31:16 to prove that it was to continue.
		2.	Many things were taught in these passages: burning incense and animal sacrifices (Exodus 30:8; Numbers 28:1-10).
		3.	All these, and other things, were “perpetual signs” between God and Israel but, when Israel ended, all these ended also (Amos 8:2-11).
		4.	Jesus taught the fulfillment of Amos’ prophecy (Matthew 27:45-46; Luke 23:44-46).
	D.	The end of the Sabbath was prophesied (Hosea 2:11).
		1.	Paul showed its fulfillment in Colossians 2:14-17.
		2.	A thing fulfilled is of no more value.
	E.	The covenant with Israel has ended, including the Ten Commandments (Jeremiah 31:31-34)
		1.	Fulfillment spoken of in Hebrews 8:6-13, Romans 17, and II Corinthians 3:1-13.
		2.	Matthew 5 contrasts the law and the gospel (Matthew 5:17-46).
	F.	Those who try to live under Christ and keep the Sabbath need to really study the consequences of this effort.
		1.	Galatians 5:4
		2.	Galatians 3: 24-25
	G.	Who took away the Sabbath?
		1.	Hebrews 10:9
		2.	Colossians 2:14
		3.	Colossians 2:16

II.	THE LORD’S DAY (THE FIRST DAY OF THE WEEK)
	A.	The significance of the Lord’s day.
		1.	Jesus was resurrected on this day.
			1)	Mark 16:1-9
			2)	Luke 24: 1, 13, 21, 46
		2.	On the first day of the week, Jesus was declared to be the Son of God with power (Romans 1:4).
		3.	Jesus met with His apostles on the first day of the week, preparing them for this new day of meeting (John 20:1, 19, 26).
		4.	The Holy Spirit was sent on the first day of the week (John 14:16, John 15:26, Acts 2:1-4).
		5.	This is the day upon which the church was established.
			1)	Leviticus 23:15-16 reveals that the Pentecost was always on the first day of the week.
			2)	Read Acts 2:1 and following verses.
		6.	The first gospel sermon was delivered on the first day of the week (Acts 2:22-41).
		7.	John called it the “Lord’s Day” (Revelation 1:10).
	B.	The observance of the Lord’s day.
		1.	The church assembled on this day (Acts 20:7; I Corinthians 16:1-2).
		2.	Meaning of Acts 20:7:
			1)	It is the first day of the week.
			2)	Does it mean “every” first day of the week?
			3)	It means, since no one specific first day was designated, ALL first days.
		3.	There are 52 weeks per year, therefore 52 first days are to be observed.
	C.	When God gave the command, “REMEMBER THE SABBATH…” which of those Sabbaths could be omitted and not violate the 4th commandment?

III.	CONCLUSION
	A.	The Sabbath Day was for the Jews only. It was their memorial.
	B.	God, through the death of Jesus, took it away.
	C.	Psalms 118:22-24
	D.	Do not be deceived. There are not two laws under which you live.


QUESTIONS FROM LESSON FIVE

		1.	What day is the Lord’s day?
		2.	Why did the Jews observe the seventh day?
		3.	Under which law was the Sabbath to be observed?
		4.	Do we still observe the Sabbath?
		5.	If not, why not?
		6.	Who took away the Sabbath?
		7.	What is the importance of the first day of the week?
		8.	Which of the first days of the week can we choose not to assemble and worship?

Emory church of Christ

Growing in the Grace of the Lord

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