Apostolic Friends Forum - need help..the sabbeth

This is one I recently taught our church:

Rest in the Rest
By: Thomas K. Burk

Psa 23
• He makes me lie down in green pastures – REST

o Strong’s: H7673 shâbath shaw-bath' – A primitive root; to repose, that is, desist from exertion; used in many implied relations (causatively, figuratively or specifically): - (cause to, let, make to) cease, celebrate, cause (make) to fail, keep (sabbath), suffer to be lacking, leave, put away (down), (make to) rest, rid, still, take away.

• He leads me beside still waters – REFLECTION

o Webster’s: The act of throwing back; as the reflection of light or colors. The angle of incidence and the angle of reflection are always equal.

• He restores my soul – RESTORATION

o Thayer’s: G600 apokathistēmi – (1) to restore to its former state (2) to be in its former state

First Account of Rest

Gen 2:1-3

Rest, reflection, and restoration are three essential elements of the Sabbath. If these are bypassed, the “easy” and “light” burdens become overwhelming and exhausting. When a person is out of harmony with their identity in Christ, they are equally out of harmony with their neighbor. Such discord leads to the loss of true peace, thus making a person violent toward both themselves and those around them.

God did not rest after the six days of creation because He was tired. Such creation was not tiring to the One who is Almighty! How tiring is it to simply speak the world into being (See Psa 33:6)? He only got His hands dirty when He made man of the dust of the ground. The rest that is mentioned is due to Him being finished. Once God created all He willed, He rested from creating anything more.

The Sabbath was Made for Man

That first Sabbath was separated to be a special day. In six days God had finished His creation. He had finished His creation of the first humans, Adam and Eve. Then on the seventh day He made it a day of rest. It was to be this day that mankind was to remember as a day of rest.

Often the Sabbath is thought of as a God-given day off. This comes from man thinking God needed such a day after His weeklong employment creating the world. However, God doesn’t get tired, which is why He never sleeps or slumbers (See Psa 121:4).

Jesus came to earth as God manifested in flesh (see John 1:13, 14). Part of His ministry was spent explaining the purpose of the Sabbath of rest.

Mark 2:23-28

The high point of God’s creation was not the Sabbath, but that He made a man and a woman! Therefore the Sabbath was made for them. It was His gift to their life. Every week the Sabbath was to remind them of their Father’s perfect and complete in creating them. Every week that day was to remind them that He created everything they know. After six days of work they were to rest from their work and enjoy God's.

The Sabbath in the Commandments

Exo 20:1-17

The Sabbath tells us that the center of religious life is the home.
• The home is considered a little sanctuary, and the table is considered an altar.
• On this day you were to spend time with your family, and all of you were to spend time with God.

o At the normal church, families separate at the door and go to their various seats, classes, and etc. But the biblical plan is for the family to come together as one to worship and praise their God. Such togetherness strengthens the individuals with their God, and brings strength, stability, structure, purpose, and peace to a home.

• The Passover Seder meal is a time when the dining table becomes an altar where the entire family gathers around to bless each other and to talk in unity about the things of God.
• Some say the Jews “keep Sabbath.” But really, the Sabbath kept the Jew.

There are absolutely no scriptures that say the Sabbath observance is ever required for a Gentile. Also, nowhere does the Bible say the festival should be kept after the Old Covenant was nullified by Jesus Christ. The New Testament only mentions nine of the 10 Commandments.
• To worship the Lord God only (1st Commandment): (53 times) Mat 2:2; 2:8; 2:11; 4:9; 4:10; 14:33; 15:9; 28:9; 28:17, Mark 7:7, Luke 4:7; 4:8; 24:52, John :20,21,22(x2),23,24(x2); 9:38; 12:20, Acts 7:43; 8:27; 16:14; 17:23(x2); 18:7; 18:13; 19:27; 24:11, Rom 1:25; 12:1, 1Co 14:25, Phi 3:3, Col 2:18, Heb 1:6; 9:1; 9:6; 10:2; 11:21, Rev 4:10; 5:14; 7:11; 9:20; 11:1; 11:16; 14:7; 15:4; 19:4; 19:10; 22:8; 22:9
• Idolatry (2nd Commandment): (20 times) Acts 15:20,29, Rom 1:25, 1Co 6:9; Chapter 8; 10:7,14; 12:2, 2Co 6:16, 1Th 1:9, Gal 5:20, Eph 5:5, Col 3:5, 1Pe 4:3, 1Jo 5:21, Rev 2:14, 20; 9:20; 21:8; 22:15
• Profanity (3rd Commandment): (4 times) Mat 12:36, Eph 5:4, Rom 2:24, Rev 16:9
• Honoring parents (5th Commandment): (6 times) Mat 15:5, Mat 19:19, Mark 7:10; 10:19, Luke 18:20, Eph 6:2
• Murder (6th Commandment): (7 times) Mat 5:21; 19:18, Mark 10:19, Luke 18:20, Rom 1:29; 13:9, Jam 2:11
• Adultery (7th Commandment): (12 times) Mat 5:27,28,32; 19:9,18, Mark 10:11,19, Luke 16:18; 18:20, Rom 13:9, Jam 2:11, 2Pe 2:14
• Theft (8th Commandment): (6 times) Mat 19:18, Mark 10:19, Luke 18:20, Rom 2:21; 13:9, Eph 4:28
• False Witness (9th Commandment): (4 times) Mat 15:9; 19:18, Mark 10:19, Luke 18:20
• Covetousness (10th Commandment): (9 times) Mark 7:22, Luke 12:15, Rom 1:29; 7:7; 13:9, Eph 5:3, Col 3:5, Heb 13:5, 2Pe 2:14
• Sabbath keeping (4th Command): not found even one time

Notice that the command to keep the Sabbath rest is sandwiched between the commands on how we relate to God and how we relate to man. Of course these issues are important, so why in the New Testament is the 4th Command missing? Or is it missing at all?

Rest Only in Christ

Heb 4:3-11

In accordance with this question; the “rest” mentioned in this verse is the Greek word “sabbatismos.” Sabbatismos means “a Sabbath rest.” Hebrews 4:9 is the only place in the New Testament where sabbatismos is found. When referring to the day of Sabbath, or to the observance of Sabbath, the common Greek word used is “sabbaton.” Sabbaton means “to keep the Sabbath.”

In context, Hebrews 4:9 is not talking about a day to rest, but instead the source of true rest. The writer of Hebrews said that Joshua did not lead the children of Israel into the promised “rest.” He indicated that there yet remained a rest for them to inherit. The land in which they were to find this “rest” was the Promised Land of Israel. The Bible states Jesus is the true Israel of God, and consequently, He is this promised rest. Remember, Jesus said, “Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Mat 11:28).

Nowhere do we see ‘it is man’s duty to keep the Sabbath’ mentioned in the New Testament. This lack of scriptural evidence applies to all New Covenant Jews, Samaritans, and Gentiles, alike. The only mention of this type rest in the New Testament proclaims Jesus to be mankind’s rest.
• Mat 11:28-30
• 2Co 12:9
• Rev 14:13

God’s true rest is not about resting from physical work or even from mental or emotional strains; when Jesus said, "I will give you rest" (Mat 11:28), He also said, "You will find rest for your souls" (Mat 11:29). This rest spoke of the true rest which involves mankind resting from his efforts to ‘save himself,’ and instead entering into the rest found in the finished work of Jesus Christ.

Story: While in prayer I saw a farmer plowing his field with ox pulled plow. He then walked this field broadcasting his seeds. Afterward he walked to the edge and turned facing the field. He has a complete look of calm expectation. Jesus then asked me, “Do you know what the farmer is doing?” I answered, “No Lord.” “He is resting in the rest,” was the Lord’s answer. “I don’t understand,” said I. “What do you mean?” The Lord then told me: “The farmer is resting in the fact that because he has done his part, I will do the rest. Therefore, ‘rest in the rest.’”

Jesus fulfilled everything necessary to save us. He paid the penalty for our sins. His blood purchased for us His righteousness. His finished work gives us rest and allows us to experience life where Jesus’ righteousness rules and reigns in our mortal bodies. Christ began the work. We allow Him to finish it by maturing into His image. This is what ‘living saved’ is all about. The Sabbath rest is a relevant type and shadow of the promised finished work of the Messiah, Jesus. Because of Jesus, we do not look for a physical day of rest, but instead the promised spiritual eternal rest in Christ. Man looks for rest for his troubled life. True rest only comes by seeking first the kingdom and the righteousness of Jesus Christ!

The Bible states that there are neither Jews nor Greeks today. The Holy Ghost is said to be for Jew, Samaritan, and the Greek. This means that the same rest for one applies to all. Jesus is no respecter of persons. He invited all men to come unto Him for rest. Such an invite could never be applied to a day or ordinance; it can only be fulfilled through Jesus, Himself. Remember, Jesus said to search the scriptures, for in them YOU THINK you have everlasting life, but these are they that TESTIFY of ME.” The whole Bible is all about Jesus; this includes the true Sabbath rest as well.

Thomas K. Burk ministers at In Christ Fellowship, Manitowoc, Wisconsin, USA. Contact him by email: tkburk@gmail.com. Read more studies at: www.inchristjournal.com and www.ontimejournal.com.