God's appointed times, referred to as moed in Hebrew, signify specific moments set apart by Him for worship and commemoration. These appointments, detailed in Leviticus 23, include festivals and holy days that mark significant events in Israel's history and reveal His great plan of salvation for mankind. They encompass both spring and fall observances, such as Passover, the Feast of Unleavened Bread, Pentecost, Trumpets, Atonement, the Feast of Tabernacles, and the Last Great Day, each carrying profound meaning. These holy days are not merely historical; they hold prophetic significance, pointing to the works of our Lord Jesus Christ. The spring holy days reflect His death and resurrection, while the fall holy days anticipate His return and the establishment of His Kingdom. God dictates how we are to worship Him, establishing these specific times as His chosen appointments, not subject to human preference. The Hebrew calendar, a lunar-solar system, structures these appointments, aligning months with the phases of the moon and incorporating leap months to maintain seasonal harmony. This calendar marks God's appointed times as primary events, rather than seasonal shifts, ensuring that observances like Passover occur under specific celestial conditions, such as a full moon on the 14th day of the first month, Abib. The Sabbath, a weekly appointment, is blessed by God as a sign for all mankind to come before Him in adoration and worship. Rooted in the creation of the world, it was set apart by Him for holy use, embodying His presence and purpose. Historical events, such as the deliverance of Israel from Egypt and the sacrifice of Christ as the Passover Lamb, align with these appointed times, suggesting that God acts in history at His designated moments. From the creation account in Genesis, the term for seasons is translated as moed, indicating that divine appointments were established from the beginning. These special times, marked for significant events, are intended for all of humanity, reflecting God's eternal plan to meet with His people at His chosen moments.

The principle of ownership extends into a vital aspect of our relationship with God through the Sabbath, highlighting the question of whose day it truly is. The seventh day is declared as God's Sabbath, set apart by God Himself, as affirmed in sacred writings. Although it is God's time, we bear the responsibility to observe it properly, recognizing that it is not ours to claim. The reason for observing the Sabbath is rooted in God's act of redemption. God freed us from spiritual bondage, just as He delivered His people from physical slavery. Because of this redemption, the seventh day no longer belongs to us; it is a day dedicated to God. This observance reflects our acknowledgment of God's ownership and our commitment to His way of life. At the core of our relationship with God, the Sabbath holds a significant place among the commandments that govern our love toward Him. Failing to honor the Sabbath by prioritizing other matters above our relationship with God constitutes a form of idolatry. If anything becomes more important than God, we break the Sabbath and commit a grave error. The Sabbath was made for man's benefit, yet it remains God's day, shared with those whom He has called and sanctified. We are entrusted with the knowledge and significance of this day, bearing the responsibility to esteem it in our conduct, conversations, attitudes, and thoughts, as stewards of God's truth.

The Sabbath holds a vital place in the relationship God has invited us into, serving as a recurring appointment with the Deity. Each Sabbath is a designated time to connect with Him, encompassing the unique covenant relationship we share. This appointment is unparalleled, as no other belief system, aside from Judaism to some extent, possesses anything quite like it. The Sabbath is not merely a day of rest from physical labor but a profound opportunity to develop and build our relationship with God. The central purpose of this break from normal routine is to know Him, for knowing Him is the path to eternal life. It is a weekly, and sometimes annual, appointment of time devoted to Him, ensuring that the relationship is not lost amidst life's other activities. When observed properly, in fellowship with Him, the Sabbath provides true spiritual rest and refreshment. If our relationship with God is right, this day re-energizes us, not just through physical rest, but through the power that flows from being in His presence. God has a date with us every Sabbath, offering all the blessings we could ever hope to receive. True vitality and strength come from this relationship, as He restores health, gives energy, and fills us with confidence. The Sabbath is a day for liberating and refreshing activities that cannot be equally pursued on other days, for in fellowship with Him, we find true rest as our Deliverer and Liberator.

God has set a specific time for an appointment with His people, a sacred moment to meet with Him on the Sabbath, a time distinct from all others. This appointment, as implied in Amos, suggests that two cannot walk together unless they have agreed to meet at a designated place and time. Applying this to the Sabbath, if one desires to be in God's presence in this unique way, no other day will suffice. God reveals the time He wishes to meet with us, and choosing a different time means He will not be there, for He has placed His presence in the time He has made holy. The Sabbath serves as a sign, a voluntary covenant between God and His people, identifying and uniting them. It sanctifies them, setting them apart from others, as it is a visible bond that distinguishes them from those who do not keep it. This appointment with God on the Sabbath is crucial for maintaining the relationship with Him, ensuring that His people are in the right frame of mind and equipped with the proper material to navigate their path to His Kingdom. Without keeping this appointment, as seen in Ezekiel 20, God's people miss the fellowship with Him, the sanctification that comes from being in His presence, and the instruction needed to remain free from spiritual slavery. The Sabbath is a deliberate time for God to educate His people in His way, preparing them for their witness to the world. Missing this appointment means squandering the opportunity to be part of His spiritual creation and to remain free from the enslavement of sin and the world.

Keeping an appointment with God is of utmost importance, far surpassing any earthly commitment. God's Sabbath and holy days are sacred times that cannot be rescheduled, as they are moments when God declares His presence and asks if we will join Him. These times are fixed, with only one opportunity to observe them as appointed. However, for the vital annual event of Passover, God provides a provision to observe it at a later time if it is unavoidably missed at the regular appointed time. The concept of a Second Passover emerges from historical and divine instructions. In the time of Hezekiah, the Passover could not be kept at the regular time in the first month due to insufficient sanctified priests and the people's failure to gather in Jerusalem. Consequently, it was agreed to observe the Passover in the second month, demonstrating a commitment to honor God's command despite the delay. This occasion also saw the observance of the Feast of Unleavened Bread in the second month, reflecting a broader dedication to revival and reform. Divine guidance for a Second Passover is further detailed in Numbers, where God specifies that the Passover should be kept on the fourteenth day of the first month at twilight, emphasizing the importance of the appointed time. Yet, God allows for exceptions when individuals are unclean due to contact with a dead body or are far away on a journey. In such unavoidable circumstances, they may keep the Passover on the fourteenth day of the second month at twilight, adhering to all the ordinances as in the first observance, with the only difference being the month. The reasons for taking a Second Passover are limited and specific, primarily relating to uncleanness, such as severe sickness requiring quarantine, or absence due to an emergency journey. God desires that we plan our lives to observe the first Passover at the proper time, and these exceptions are not to be used lightly or for minor inconveniences. The importance of this observance is underscored by the severe consequence for those who, without valid excuse, fail to keep the Passover at its appointed time, facing the risk of being cut off from the people. The Second Passover, therefore, is a rare but necessary provision, highlighting God's insistence on the significance of this observance. If unavoidable circumstances prevent keeping the first Passover, it is critical to meticulously plan for the Second Passover, ensuring nothing hinders participation in this sacred appointment with God.

Amid a culture where newcomers shop for churches the way they shop for plumbers or schools—seeking preferred programs, preaching styles, or service times—this message challenges that consumer mindset by returning to Scripture to answer a deeper question: What is the Church? Drawing from Jesus' first use of the term in Gospel of Matthew 16:18, it presents the Church not as a building or denomination, but as the "ekklesia"—a called-out assembly of believers built upon and led by Jesus Christ Himself, the true Rock and Head. From the congregation in the wilderness to the Spirit-empowered believers of Acts of the Apostles 2, the Church is shown to be God's divinely initiated work: individuals drawn by the Father, brought to repentance and baptism, receiving the Holy Spirit, and gathered into a covenant community that worships in spirit and truth. This assembly is not formed by human preference but by divine calling; its members are chosen, transformed, and trained to live by God's Word rather than cultural trends, putting off the old self and putting on the new. Ultimately, the Church exists as God's spiritual training ground—His teachers' college—preparing a royal priesthood to reflect His image, proclaim His truth, and participate in His unfolding plan, growing into the likeness of Christ as they await His Kingdom.