The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1929-03-14
Lesson for March IL
THE CHRISTIANS SABBATH

LESSON TEXT-Exodus 2O:S-11;
Matthew 12:1-S.
GOLDEN TEXT-For the Son of man
is Lord even of the Sabbath Day.
PRIMARY TOPIC-God's Day. Sun
day.
JUNIOR TOPIC-God's Day, Sunday
INTERMEDIATE AND SENIOR TOP
IC-Keeping the Lords Day.
YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT TOP
IC-The Lords Day in Modern Life
The designation "Christians Sab.
bath" is a misnomer. The word Sab
bath" has q definite meaning. 1t sig
nifes rest, cessation from action.
When God had finished the heavens
and earth, He desisted from creative
action (Gen. 2:1-3). Since Gods Gre
alive work was completed in six days,
He ceased from action on the seventh
day, which was therefore called the
Sabbath, or Rest Day. Five definite
objects may be assigned to the Sab
bath:
l. To commemorate the work of
creation Gen. IS. CT. Elk. 20:1D.
. 2. To keep alive the knowledge of
the true God. Creation witnesses of
a creator. Keeping the Sabbath in
mind kept in mind the creation, and
the creation made real the Creator.
8. A forward look to the time when
man shall enjoy full fellowship with
God (Heb. 4:1-10).
4 no CT Of tbp
covenant between them and God
(Deut. 5:12-15).
s. 1t was made for mans well-being
OZARK 2:27).
At least while mans earthly condi-
ton continues, the Sabbath is needed
to keep a proper balance between his
body and his soul.
/. The Fourth Commandment lex.
.20:S-1D.
l. Obligations enjoined (20:9, 10Y.
ID Work through six days ". 81.
The command to work six days is
just as binding as the command to
rest the seventh day. In fact, there
can be no rest unless there first be
work.
(2) Rest on the seventh day ". 10Y.
There must be cessation from all
work on the Sabbath. Since God gave
the example and then sanctified the
day, it should be kept holy. 1t was
not only to give relief to the physical
body but to be a time when mans
thought would be turned to God. 1t
was designed to keep fresh in his
mind the consciousness of God and
His mercies. The human spirit should
be refreshed by the study of Gods
Word.
2. How this commandment may be
broken.
Q) BY engaging in labor or pursu-
ing business interests on this sacred
day.
(2) By devoting it to amusements,
since it was designed to keep fresh
in mind the consciousness Of God.
go BY making it Il day of feasting,
II. The Son of Man Is Lord of the
Sabbath (iatt. 12:1-S).
|. The hungry disciples plucking
corn ". ~.
This took place on the Sabbath day
aud became the occasion for criticism.
2. The Pharisees finding fault ". y.
They asserted that Christ's disciples
were breaking the law, when in real
ity they were only violating the tradi-
lions with which the law was encum-
bered. The Lords purpose in institute
ing the Sabbath was to conserve mans
highest interest and contribute to his
happiness. 1t is extremely unfor-
tunate when human tradition is ele-
waited above the Word of God.
8. Christ's reply to the cavils of the
Pharisees ". So.
In this reply He shrewdly answered
the Pharisees and pressed His tran
scendent claim as to the dignity of
His person. This claim moved them
to plot His death. AS to His claim,
observe:
ID He is greater than their great
est king ". 3, ~. David, when re-
jected, was forced tG do that which
was unlawful for him to do Il Sam. ~.
Because they had rejected the one
greater than David, the pIucking of
the ears of corn became a necessity.
(2) He is greater than their sacri-
fee and priesthood ". 81. If the
priests, because of their position and
services, could violate the Sabbath
laws and be blameless, much more the
One greater than they in performing
His work of sacrifice and redemption
for them should be considered guilt
less. He was the true sacrifice and
priest.
(3) He is greater than the temple
". O.. The temple, with all its gOr-
geous rites and ceremonies, was typ
ical of Christ Much more then did
He have the right to do what He did.
(4) He is greater than the Sabbath
". 81, because He is Lord of the Sab
Eraaf Task of Happipacs