Sunday
<<the Lord’s day>>
In the OT, the Sabbath or seventh day (Saturday) was a work-free day, set apart for rest and the worship of God, for even He rested and reflected on His handiwork in creation. He decreed six days are for work, one for rest and worship (Gen 2:2,3; Ex 20:8-11).
In the NT Christ rose, victorious over death, on Easter Sunday and soon the first day of the week (Sunday) became known as the Lord’s Day, with Christians gathering together then to worship God, partake of communion and receive teaching (Mk 16:9; Act 20:7; 1 Cor 16:2). Generally this is on Sunday, yet the particular day is not really that significant (Rom 14:5,6; Col 2:14-17). We are to worship and rest in the Lord every day.
Due to modern, secular work habits in many Western cultures this traditional work-free day is being increasingly flouted – to our detriment. If we don’t come apart from the incessant demands of life we may just fall apart! We need to establish and maintain safeguards around our lives and those we care about, to protect from burnout, with its symptoms of total exhaustion, temptations to give up, and feelings of not coping or failure.
focus to life. The Lord is also honoured when we take time out of our cluttered agendas to concentrate and focus on Him (Isa 58:13,14). By coming into His presence to worship, we are strengthened and
How do I spend Sunday?
receive direction besides being equipped to minister the love of God as we live in obedience to Him. When believers stop meeting together on a regular basis for worship, instruction from the Word and fellowship they are the poorer (Heb 10:25).
“The Sabbath was made to benefit man, and not man the Sabbath” (Mk 2:27). Pastors need to allocate another day off because of their responsibilities on Sunday. ‘Barrenness’ will come on a busy life that focuses on work or pleasure while ignoring or minimising worship – both individual and corporate.
Of the Ten Commandments given to the Israelites in the OT, nine are repeated in the NT. The only one that isn't specifically is related to the Sabbath, although the principle is.