Gospel

The Gospel in the Sabbath

The Sabbath is memorial of the work of creation, and thus a sign of God's power and His love. It is a sign God's Redemptive work for those who choose Him. It Signifies the New Birth, Justification and Sanctification. It is the outward sign of the seal of God in the heart.

The Sabbath as a Memorial of The New Birth

Defined:
New birth - Also referred to as a New Heart. The action of the Holy Spirit on a willing believer in Christ. New thoughts, new feelings, new motives, are implanted. The mind is changed; the faculties are roused to action in new lines. Man is not endowed with new faculties, but the faculties he has are purified. The conscience is awakened. The selfish spirit is being cleansed from the soul.

Exo 20:8 "Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.
Exo 20:9 "Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work:"
Exo 20:10 "But the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates:"
Exo 20:11 "For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it."

The Sabbath is a memorial of Creation.
"And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made.
And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made." Gen 2:2,3

Evolution is Satan counterfeit to this memorial. Evolution = The creature improving by small steps without purposeful intervention.

Creation = Starting from dead stuff (Clay) or nothing and causing life. "And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul." Gen 2:7

As it is true in the natural world so in the spiritual

No human invention can find a remedy for the sinning soul. "The carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be." Rom. 8:7 "

The fountain of the heart must be purified before the streams can become pure. He who is trying to reach heaven by his own works in keeping the law is attempting an impossibility. There is no safety in "evolution" by human effort. The Christian's life is not a modification or improvement of the old, but a transformation of nature. There is a death to self and sin, and a new life altogether. Creation not evolution.

All things were created by the Son of God. "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God. . . . All things were made by Him; and without Him was not anything made that was made." John 1: 1-3.

And since the Sabbath is a memorial of the work of creation, it is a token of the love and power of Christ.

The promises are, "A new heart will I give you;" "I will put my Spirit within you."

The new birth consists in having new motives, new tastes, new tendencies. Those who are begotten unto a new life by the Holy Spirit, have become partakers of the divine nature, and in all their habits and practices they will give evidence of their relationship to Christ.

"A new heart will I give you." This is a work that no finite man can do. Men and women are to begin at the beginning, seeking God most earnestly for a true Christian experience. . They are to receive the new heart, that is kept soft and tender by the grace of heaven. The selfish spirit is to be cleansed from the soul.

How is this grace obtained? Go to a quiet place, and there alone plead with God: "Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me" (Ps. 51:10). Be in earnest, be sincere. Fervent prayer availeth much. Jacob like, wrestle in prayer. Agonize. Jesus, in the garden, sweat great drops of blood; you must make an effort. Do not leave until you feel strong in God..

One of the strongest evidences that the new birth has taken place is that the new-born soul is not self-centered

By looking constantly to Jesus, from morn till eve, with the eye of faith, we shall be strengthened. ...They feed upon His word, for it is spirit and life. This word kills the natural, earthly nature, and a new life in Christ Jesus is created. The Bible is like grass food kill weed and fertilizes grass

"As many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name: which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God" (John 1:12,13). This is the new birth.

New thoughts, new feelings, new motives, are implanted. A new standard of character is set up--the life of Christ. The mind is changed; the faculties are roused to action in new lines. Man is not endowed with new faculties, but the faculties he has are sanctified. The conscience is awakened. We are endowed with traits of character that enable us to do service for God.

New soft ware not new hard ware.

The software is in the word of God, nature, and God's providence in our lives. The Holy Spirit is the installer.

Satan is the Virus maker and we avoid this virus by not down loading program that have not been checked for virus. "... whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things." Phil 4:8

. When this mighty change has taken place in the sinner, he has passed from death unto life, from sin unto holiness, from transgression and rebellion to obedience and loyalty. The old life of alienation from God has ended; the new life of reconciliation, of faith and love, has begun.

Jesus has loved men, and has made every provision that the blood-bought soul shall have a new birth, a new life derived from His own life. . . . "He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life." Those who believe in Christ derive their motive power and the texture of their characters from Him in whom they believe.

There must be a new birth, a new mind through the operation of the Spirit of God, which purifies the life and ennobles the character. This connection with God fits man for the glorious kingdom of Heaven. No human invention can ever find a remedy for the sinning soul. Only by repentance and humiliation, a submission to the divine requirements, can the work of grace be performed. Iniquity is so offensive in the sight of God, whom the sinner has so long insulted and wronged, that a repentance commensurate with the character of the sins committed often produces an agony of spirit hard to bear.

This new birth looks mysterious to Nicodemus. He asks, "How can these things be?" Jesus, bidding him marvel not, uses the wind as an illustration of his meaning. It is heard among the branches of the trees, and rustling the leaves and flowers, yet it is invisible to the eye, and from whence it comes and whither it goeth, no man knoweth. So is the experience of every one who is born of the Spirit. The mind is an invisible agent of God to produce tangible results. Its influence is powerful, and governs the actions of men. If purified from all evil, it is the motive power of good. The regenerating Spirit of God, taking possession of the mind, transforms the life; wicked thoughts are put away, evil deeds are renounced, love, peace, and humility take the place of anger, envy, and strife. That power which no human eye can see, has created a new being in the image of God.

Jesus has loved men, and has made every provision that the blood-bought soul shall have a new birth, a new life derived from His own life. . . . "He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life." Those who believe in Christ derive their motive power and the texture of their characters from Him in whom they believe.

This spiritual rest and peace is a creative act of God accepted by faith. "This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them;" Heb 10:16

The Sabbath as a Memorial of Justification

Justification - Our title to heaven a free Gift. Includes forgiveness for sins past and the righteousness of Christ applied to are account in heaven. It is accepted by Faith. Faith is a gift of God. " ...God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith." Rom 12:3 When we accept this free gift we accept God's other gifts including the New Birth and a changed life. We become free from the power of sin.

"If thou 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, honourable; and shalt honour him, not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking thine own words:
Then shalt thou delight thyself in the LORD; and I will cause thee to ride upon the high places of the earth, and feed thee with the heritage of Jacob thy father: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it." Isa 58:13-14

To "ride upon the high" places is a journey of safety. It is God promise of spiritual safety or Salvation. The heritage of Jacob is the Messiah (Jesus). This is a promise of Salvation and the Messiah. This is Justification by Grace thought Faith.

"Blessed is the man that doeth this, and the son of man that layeth hold on it; that keepeth the sabbath from polluting it, and keepeth his hand from doing any evil.
Neither let the son of the stranger, that hath joined himself to the LORD, speak, saying, The LORD hath utterly separated me from his people: neither let the eunuch say, Behold, I am a dry tree.
For thus saith the LORD unto the eunuchs that keep my sabbaths, and choose the things that please me, and take hold of my covenant;
Even unto them will I give in mine house and within my walls a place and a name better than of sons and of daughters: I will give them an everlasting name, that shall not be cut off.
Also the sons of the stranger, that join themselves to the LORD, to serve him, and to love the name of the LORD, to be his servants, every one that keepeth the sabbath from polluting it, and taketh hold of my covenant;" Isa 56:2-6

When we choose to follow Christ he give us a "place" and a "everlasting name". "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." John 3:16

Heb 4:4 For he spake in a certain place of the seventh day on this wise, And God did rest the seventh day from all his works.
Heb 4:5 And in this place again, If they shall enter into my rest.
Heb 4:6 Seeing therefore it remaineth that some must enter therein, and they to whom it was first preached entered not in because of unbelief: [We enter this rest by faith]
Heb 4:7 Again, he limiteth a certain day, saying in David, To day, after so long a time; as it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts.
Heb 4:8 For if Jesus had given them rest, then would he not afterward have spoken of another day.
Heb 4:9 There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God.
Heb 4:10 For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his. [Surrender to God]
Heb 4:11 Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.
Heb 4:12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

This "rest" is that spiritual rest which comes from a full surrender to Christ. It is the rest of Grace. To "ceased from his own works" is to rely totally on Christ's works for Salvation. Because of this "rest of Grace" we can now enter into a life of unselfish service. Sabbath is a weekly reminder of the continual spiritual rest God has given to us. "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." Mat 11:28 "Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them." Psa 119:165

The Sabbath as a Memorial of Sanctification

Sanctification - Our fitness for heaven. The ongoing work of restoration of our Character. This is the work of the Holy Spirit. Santification is received by faith. We must cooperate.

Exo 31:13 Speak thou also unto the children of Israel, saying, Verily my sabbaths ye shall keep: for it is a sign between me and you throughout your generations; that ye may know that I am the LORD that doth sanctify you.

Exo 31:16 Wherefore the children of Israel shall keep the sabbath, to observe the sabbath throughout their generations, for a perpetual covenant.

The Sabbath is therefore a sign of our connection with The Loving and Powerful God.

John 15:1 "I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman."
John 15:2 "Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit."
John 15:3 "Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you."
John 15:4 "Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me."
John 15:5 "I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing."
John 15:6 "If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned."
John 15:7 "If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you."
John 15:8 "Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples."
John 15:9 "As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love."
John 15:10 "If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love."

With this connection we have Live. Without this Connection we are Dead.

Which is dead the green beautiful vine freshly cut of the vine trunk or the dormant brown leafless vine still connected in Dec? The connected one.

"And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.
He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life." 1 John 5:11,12

It is through the Spirit that Christ dwells in us; and the Spirit of God, received into the heart by faith, is the beginning of the life eternal.

Gen 2:17 "But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die."

The day Adam and Eve sinned they became disconnected, as in the case of the vine pruned away.

An aimless life without Christ is a living death.

John 6:51 "I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world."
John 6:52 "The Jews therefore strove among themselves, saying, How can this man give us his flesh to eat?"
John 6:53 "Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you."
John 6:54 "Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day."

Having "no life in you", what are you? Dead

Many hold faith as an opinion. Saving faith is a transaction by which those who receive Christ join themselves in covenant relation with God. Genuine faith is life. A living faith means an increase of vigor, a confiding trust, by which the soul becomes a conquering power.

It is impossible for finite minds to comprehend the work of redemption. Its mystery exceeds human knowledge; yet he who passes from death to life realizes that it is a divine reality. The beginning of redemption we may know here through a personal experience. Its results reach through the eternal ages.

"Wherefore the children of Israel shall keep the sabbath, to observe the sabbath throughout their generations, for a perpetual covenant.
It is a sign between me and the children of Israel for ever: for in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day he rested, and was refreshed.
And he gave unto Moses, when he had made an end of communing with him upon mount Sinai, two tables of testimony, tables of stone, written with the finger of God." Exo 31:16-18

This spiritual rest and peace is a creative act of God accepted by faith. "This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them;" Heb 10:16

Faith is essential in order to the keeping of the law of God; for "without faith it is impossible to please him."[ HEB. 11:6] And "whatsoever is not of faith is sin."[; ROM. 14:23.]

Conclusion

The three phases of the Sabbath Seal in the mind of the believer can be summarized in the following statement.

His merit, his righteousness, are given to the believing soul, and the believer has inward peace and joy in the Holy Ghost.
Trusting in Christ, he dwells upon pleasant things of a spiritual character, and his great desire is to keep the heart right with God. Through this new motive [great desire is to keep the heart right with God] , he will by faith in Christ "keep the heart with all diligence," realizing that ...promises of God will furnish a continual feast to his soul, and by faith he looks up, exclaiming with joy, "The Lord, my righteousness."