Show Notes:

Matt: J.D., our next spiritual discipline is practicing the Sabbath. That’s something that I think a lot of people have varying views on – talk to us about how to “keep the Sabbath.”

J.D.: So look, Matt… I’m not very good at this. This may shock you, but I’m a very type-A “Achiever” kind of guy. My wife says I’m an Enneagram 8 to the max, the 8iest 8 who ever 8ted.

I do NOT like carving time out of my schedule where I’m not getting something done
It just doesn’t come naturally to me at all.

But like we’ve talked about, these are spiritual disciplines – they don’t come naturally to us. And in the case of “keeping the Sabbath,” they’re sometimes counter-cultural.

We live in a fast-paced world. Every bit of media tells you to utilize every minute of every day to accomplish as much as you can, so that you can obtain as much as you can. And practicing a Sabbath is completely contrary to that – Sabbath is stopping the work that you’d usually do, trusting that God is in control, and focusing on what he wants you to focus on. 

So, let’s dig in here. 

First, we believe that God has instituted into creation a 7-day rhythm or work and rest/worship.

Second, we believe regular corporate gathering on the Lord’s Day is an essential, non-negotiable element in the life of a disciple.

Verses such as Hebrews 10:24-25 tell us not to forsake the assembling of ourselves together.

Matt: J.D., let me stop you and ask Mackenzie’s question: “The Sabbath is commanded to the Israelites as part of the Old Testament law. So because we’re no longer bound by the OT law, do we still have to Sabbath?”

This is where the Sabbath gets confusing for people. It’s true that we’re no longer bound by the OT law… but the design reflected in those laws advises us to set aside a day every week for rest and worship. 
It’s built on a principle, the same principle as tithing: one day a week we stop and declare our dependence on God

BTW, no other society did this… they all felt they had to work to the max., especially in ancient Israel. Survival was often a day-to-day, season-to-season affair. Crops had to be harvested daily. Water had to be drawn daily. To cut your productivity by 1/7 could make the difference in life and death! 
By taking a Sabbath, they said,  God, I’m doing less than I’m able to do because you commanded me to, and so I’m depending on you to make up for what I'm missing here.”  
(Same principle as tithing)


The OT laws are fulfilled in Jesus, so we no longer are bound to the particulars, but the principle behind is the same.

We see this principle of flexibility reflected in the early church, who seem to use Sunday as their primary day of gathering. 



Matt: Speaking of, here’s a question from John: “What’s up with the sabbath being Saturday or Sunday? Your thoughts?”

Early church took the principle of 
But Paul says in Romans 14:5: “One person esteems one day as better than another, while another esteems all days alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind.” 

When the early church changed it from Sat to Sunday they were showing that it wasn’t a particular day that was essential.


When non-Sunday might be helpful: 

Some people work on weekends, including pastors and many people in ministry, so observing the Sabbath on Saturday makes sense in those cases. 
Dubai example
Churches with other service times… 


I think for most of you it should be Sunday--that is the “standard” set by early church, and practicing that is consistent with 2K years of church history, but what’s important is to set aside one day a week where ...