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God's Sabbath
Bible Study by Richard T. RitenbaughRemember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy, for from this command flows a stream of spiritual lessons about God, man, and our potential. The seventh-day Sabbath is more than a weekly day of rest; it is a day devoted totally to God, serving as a regulator and barometer of our relationship with Him. God made the Sabbath at Creation, as seen in Genesis 2:2-3, and it was made for all mankind, not just a specific group, according to Mark 2:27. On the seventh day of Creation, God rested after six days of labor, setting an example for us to follow, as noted in Genesis 2:2-3 and Exodus 20:8-11, making the Sabbath a memorial of Creation. God blessed the seventh day, sanctifying it as holy time, set apart for His use, as these same verses indicate. We are instructed to keep it holy by refraining from work, cooking, and carrying burdens, guided by principles of proper Sabbath behavior found in Leviticus 23:3, Exodus 16:23, and Jeremiah 17:21-22. The Sabbath is a sign identifying God's people, established as a perpetual covenant, as shown in Exodus 31:12-17 and Isaiah 56:1-7. Jesus, as its Creator, is Lord of the Sabbath, according to Mark 2:28. If kept properly, the Sabbath becomes a delight and a tremendous blessing each week, as expressed in Isaiah 58:13-14.
Did God Change the Sign From the Sabbath to the Holy Spirit?
Sermonette by David C. GrabbeA common idea is that the Sabbath is the sign of the Old Covenant, but the Holy Spirit is the sign of the New. Yet the seventh day has been holy since creation.
The Sabbath: Creation
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughThe Sabbath provides an opportunity for God's children to develop a relationship with Him, reflecting on the spiritual as well as the physical creation.
Polluted Sabbath?
Sermon by Bill OnisickPolluting and profaning God's Sabbath means to allow the distractions of the world to prevent us from calling the holy Sabbath a delight.
Sabbathkeeping (Part 2)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughIt is from the proper use of the Sabbath—in fellowshipping with Him and getting to know Him—that we derive true spiritual rest and refreshment.
The Fourth Commandment
Bible Study by Martin G. CollinsThe Sabbath is foundational to a healthy relationship with God. It is special, holy day of rest and time to reconnect with our Creator.
Holy Ground
Sermon by Ted E. BowlingEven though the term "holiness" appears 900 times in scripture, God's people struggle to understand it. The first time it appears in scripture is God's appearance at the burning bush (Exodus 3) when the ground became holy because of God's presence, just as when the Commander of God's Army met Joshua. The principle of sanctification applies to time as well as place, as God sanctified the seventh day Sabbath as a covenant sign between Him and His people (Ezekiel 20:12) as a "test commandment" of obedience. We keep the Sabbath when we cease from ordinary work, gather in holy convocation, rest, focus on God, and appreciate the day of delight (Isaiah 58:13-14) a day designed for rest, worship, and spiritual growth (Mark 2:27). Holiness demands both inner humility and outward reverence. As Moses removed his sandals, God's people must surrender pride, show respect, and walk in obedience, maintaining holiness in all their conduct (I Peter 1:15-16).
The Commandments (Part Five)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughThe Sabbath is a period of time God purposefully sanctified and set apart for the benefit of mankind, a time dedicated to God's spiritual creation.
It's Not Our Time
Article by David C. GrabbeWe live in a society that is increasingly concerned about ownership. Yet who owns the Sabbath? How does the answer to this question affect our keeping of it?
The Fourth Commandment: Idolatry
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughGod, not man, created, sanctified and memorialized the seventh day Sabbath from the time of creation, intending that man use this holy time to worship God.
The Fourth Commandment (Part One) (1997)
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughMost people think the fourth commandment is least important, but it may be one of the most important! It is a major facet of our relationship with God.
The Fourth Commandment
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughAt creation, God sanctified only one day, the seventh, as a day of rest. At Sinai, He again sanctified it as a holy day, tying it to creation and freedom.
The Fourth Commandment (Part 1)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe Sabbath is a special creation, a very specific period of holy time given to all of mankind, reminding us that God created and is continuing to create.
Leadership and Covenants (Part Five)
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughUniversal in scope, the Edenic Covenant introduces God to mankind as his Creator and establishes the way human beings are to relate to Him and the creation.
The Commandments (Part Six)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughGod gave the Sabbath to His people so they can know Him intimately. Idolatry, scattering, and captivity are the natural consequences of Sabbath-breaking.
The Commandments (Part Nine)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughBenign neglect of the Sabbath covenant can incrementally lead us into idolatry. We must treat this holy time as different from the other days of the week.
Did Christ's Resurrection Change the Day of Worship? (Part Two)
CGG Weekly by David C. GrabbeThe timing of Jesus Christ's resurrection has nothing to do with establishing which day God made holy, and everything to do with whether He is the Messiah.
Searching for Israel (Part Twelve): The Sign
Article by Charles WhitakerMost Israelites are blind to their origins, thinking that only Jews are Israelites. Here is why Israel has forgotten its identity.
The Commandments (Part Eight)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughIn our hectic culture, we commit far too little time to God, depriving ourselves of the Holy Spirit and attenuating the faith required to draw close to God.
The Covenants, Grace, and Law (Part Twenty-Nine)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughA summary of the Covenants, Grace, and Law series, reiterating the differences in the Covenants and the respective places of grace and law in God's purpose.