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Sabbath Bible Lessons

Worship in Awe and Reverence

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Lesson 9 Sabbath, September 1, 2012

Hallowing the Sabbath

“And hallow my sabbaths; and they shall be a sign between me and you, that ye may know that I am the Lord your God” (Ezekiel 20:20).

“Far more sacredness is attached to the Sabbath than is given it by many professed Sabbathkeepers.”—Testimonies, vol. 6, p. 353.

Suggested Readings:   Maranatha, p. 238
  Testimonies, vol. 6, pp. 349-368

Sunday August 26

1. A BLESSING PRONOUNCED

a. How and why does God explicitly state His will for humanity regarding the seventh day of the week? Genesis 2:1–3; Exodus 20:8–11.

“In the fourth commandment, God is revealed as the Creator of the heavens and the earth, and is thereby distinguished from all false gods. It was as a memorial of the work of creation that the seventh day was sanctified as a rest day for man. It was designed to keep the living God ever before the minds of men as the source of being and the object of reverence and worship.”—The Great Controversy, pp. 53, 54.

“The seventh day is God’s chosen day. He has not left this matter to be remodeled by priest or ruler. . . . God saw that men would study their own convenience and choose a day best suited to their inclinations.”—Maranatha, p. 238.

b. Why is God so deserving of our worship on the memorial of His creation? Psalm 111:2, 4.

“When the foundations of the earth were laid, when the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy, then was laid the foundation of the Sabbath. . . . Well may this institution demand our reverence; it was ordained by no human authority and rests upon no human traditions.”—The Great Controversy, p. 455.


Monday August 27

2. A CUSTOM-MADE GIFT

a. For whom was the Sabbath made, and why? Mark 2:27, 28.

“The Sabbath was made for man, to be a blessing to him by calling his mind from secular labor to contemplate the goodness and glory of God. It is necessary that the people of God assemble to talk of Him, to interchange thoughts and ideas in regard to the truths contained in His word, and to devote a portion of time to appropriate prayer.”—Testimonies, vol. 2, p. 583.

“The Sabbath—oh! make it the sweetest, the most blessed day of the whole week. . . . Parents can and should give attention to their children, reading to them the most attractive portions of Bible history, educating them to reverence the Sabbath day, keeping it according to the commandment. . . . They can make the Sabbath a delight if they will take the proper course. The children can be interested in good reading or in conversation about the salvation of their souls.”—My Life Today, p. 287.

b. In these busy, fast-paced days, how will the true Christian reveal his or her appreciation for God’s special gift—the Sabbath? Psalms 8:3, 4; 92:5, 6.

“Many seem to begrudge moments spent in meditation, and the searching of the Scriptures, and prayer, as though the time thus occupied was lost. I wish you could all view these things in the light God would have you; for you would then make the kingdom of Heaven of the first importance.”—Sons and Daughters of God, p. 109.

“The world, filled with sport and pleasure-loving, is always thirsting for some new interest. And how little time and thought are given to the Creator of the heavens and the earth. God calls upon His creatures to turn their attention from the confusion and perplexity around them, and admire His handiwork.”—Ibid., p. 110.

“You will ever find with the true Christian a marked cheerfulness, a holy, happy confidence in God, a submission to His providences, that is refreshing to the soul. By the Christian, God’s love and benevolence can be seen in every bounty he receives. The beauties in nature are a theme for contemplation. In studying the natural loveliness surrounding us, the mind is carried up through nature to the Author of all that is lovely.”—Testimonies, vol. 3, p. 377.


Tuesday August 28

3. HONORING THE CREATOR AND REDEEMER

a. How will God’s people honor Him on the Sabbath day? Isaiah 56:1, 2; 58:13, 14; Matthew 11:28–30.

“To all who receive the Sabbath as a sign of Christ’s creative and redeeming power, it will be a delight. Seeing Christ in it, they delight themselves in Him. The Sabbath points them to the works of creation as an evidence of His mighty power in redemption. While it calls to mind the lost peace of Eden, it tells of peace restored through the Saviour.”—The Desire of Ages, p. 289.

“Parents, you need to remember the Sabbath day yourselves to keep it holy. And if you do this, you are giving the proper instruction to your children; they will reverence God’s holy day.”—My Life Today, p. 287.

“In all that pertains to the success of God’s work, the very first victories are to be won in the home life. Here the preparation for the Sabbath must begin. Throughout the week let parents remember that their home is to be a school in which their children shall be prepared for the courts above. Let their words be right words. No words which their children should not hear are to escape their lips. Let the spirit be kept free from irritation.”—Testimonies, vol. 6, p. 354.

b. What solemn warning is given against hallowing a counterfeit Sabbath? Revelation 14:9–11. What does true seventh-day Sabbathkeeping reveal about our relationship with God? Exodus 31:13–17; Ezekiel 20:12, 20.

“The Sabbath given to the world as the sign of God as the Creator is also the sign of Him as the Sanctifier. The power that created all things is the power that re-creates the soul in His own likeness. To those who keep holy the Sabbath day it is the sign of sanctification. True sanctification is harmony with God, oneness with Him in character. It is received through obedience to those principles that are the transcript of His character. And the Sabbath is the sign of obedience. He who from the heart obeys the fourth commandment will obey the whole law. He is sanctified through obedience.

“To us as to Israel the Sabbath is given ‘for a perpetual covenant.’ To those who reverence His holy day the Sabbath is a sign that God recognizes them as His chosen people.”—Ibid., p. 350.


Wednesday August 29

4. PREPARING FOR REST

a. How does the Lord identify the beginning and end of a day? Genesis 1:5 (last part); Leviticus 23:32.

b. Name various activities that should be finished before sunset on the sixth day of the week. Exodus 16:4, 5, 23; Mark 15:42; Luke 23:54–56.

“All through the week we are to have the Sabbath in mind and be making preparation to keep it according to the commandment.”—Testimonies, vol. 6, p. 353.

“The precious words might well be often repeated: ‘My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from Him’ (Psalm 62:5).

“When the Sabbath is thus remembered, the temporal will not be allowed to encroach upon the spiritual. No duty pertaining to the six working days will be left for the Sabbath. During the week our energies will not be so exhausted in temporal labor that on the day when the Lord rested and was refreshed we shall be too weary to engage in His service.

“While preparation for the Sabbath is to be made all through the week, Friday is to be the special preparation day.”—Ibid., p. 354.

“On Friday let the preparation for the Sabbath be completed. See that all the clothing is in readiness and that all the cooking is done. Let the boots be blacked and the baths be taken. It is possible to do this. If you make it a rule you can do it. The Sabbath is not to be given to the repairing of garments, to the cooking of food, to pleasure seeking, or to any other worldly employment. Before the setting of the sun let all secular work be laid aside and all secular papers be put out of sight. Parents, explain your work and its purpose to your children, and let them share in your preparation to keep the Sabbath according to the commandment.

“We should jealously guard the edges of the Sabbath. Remember that every moment is consecrated, holy time. Whenever it is possible, employers should give their workers the hours from Friday noon until the beginning of the Sabbath. . . . By such a course you will suffer no loss even in temporal things.

“There is another work that should receive attention on the preparation day. On this day all differences between brethren, whether in the family or in the church, should be put away.”—Ibid., pp. 355, 356.


Thursday August 30

5. TRUE SABBATHKEEPING

a. What type of activity is ideal for the Sabbath? John 5:5–9; Luke 6:9, 10.

“According to the fourth commandment the Sabbath was dedicated to rest and religious worship. All secular employment was to be suspended, but works of mercy and benevolence were in accordance with the purpose of the Lord. They were not to be limited to time or place. To relieve the afflicted, to comfort the sorrowing, is a labor of love that does honor to God’s holy day.”—Welfare Ministry, p. 77.

b. How are many parents guilty of shutting God out of worship services?

“The house of God is often desecrated, and the Sabbath violated by Sabbath-believers’ children. In some cases they are even allowed to run about the house, play, talk, and manifest their evil tempers in the very meetings where the saints should worship God in the beauty of holiness. And the place that should be holy, and where a holy stillness should reign, and where there should be perfect order, neatness, and humility, is made to be a perfect Babylon, ‘confusion.’ This is enough to bring God’s displeasure and shut His presence from our assemblies.”—Child Guidance, p. 540.

c. How is God’s seal of sanctification to be manifest in our life all week long? 2 Thessalonians 2:13; 1 Thessalonians 4:3, 4; Revelation 14:4, 5, 12.

“We are not merely to observe the Sabbath as a legal matter. We are to understand its spiritual bearing upon all the transactions of life.”—Testimonies, vol. 6, p. 353.


Friday August 31

PERSONAL REVIEW QUESTIONS

1. When and why did God establish the Sabbath?

2. What special benefits does the Sabbath bring to humanity?

3. Elaborate on the deep meaning of the Sabbath.

4. What preparations should be completed before the Sabbath begins?

5. Describe the characteristics necessary in true Sabbathkeepers.

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