18/05/2026
Leaving the Darkness Behind: The Sabbath as Your New Beginning
The fourth commandment is found in Book of Exodus 20:8:
“Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.”
This commandment is unique because it deals directly with a believer’s relationship with God through time, worship, and devotion. God did not simply ask people to rest physically; He commanded His people to dedicate a specific day completely to Him. The teaching explains that keeping the Sabbath and giving tithes are two basic pillars of Christian faith because they reveal whether a person truly recognizes God’s sovereignty:
1.Tithes and offerings show faith that everything material comes from God.
2.Keeping the Sabbath shows faith that spiritual life and salvation also belong to God.
Together, they demonstrate trust, obedience, and acknowledgment that God rules over every part of life. Since the time of Adam, mankind became separated from God through sin and lost true spiritual rest. People lived under suffering, fear, and spiritual darkness. But because of His great love, God sent Jesus Christ to save humanity. Jesus died on the cross for the sins of the world and rose again on the third day, breaking the power of death. Through His resurrection, believers receive forgiveness, spiritual freedom, eternal life, and the hope of resurrection when the Lord returns again.
Because of this salvation, the Sabbath carries a deeper spiritual meaning. It is no longer only about physical rest, but about the true rest found in Christ. The Sabbath reminds believers that they no longer belong to sin and bo***ge, but to God. Human life in this world is temporary and filled with struggles, so God gave the Sabbath to help His people stop focusing only on worldly things and instead remember eternal and spiritual matters — God the Creator, salvation, resurrection, and the kingdom of heaven.
In the Old Testament, the Sabbath was observed on the seventh day, Saturday, according to God’s command in Book of Exodus 20:8–11. However, after Jesus Christ rose from the dead on Sunday, the first day of the week, early Christians began gathering on that day for worship. Sunday became known as “the Lord’s Day” because it celebrated: Christ’s resurrection, victory over death, salvation,
and the beginning of the new creation. The resurrection changed history spiritually. Early believers saw Sunday as the symbol of: new life, redemption, freedom from sin, and hope of eternal life.
Several passages are connected to this practice:
Jesus rose on the first day of the week(Gospel of Matthew 28:1). Believers gathered on the first day
(Acts of the Apostles 20:7). Offerings were prepared on the first day (First Epistle to the Corinthians 16:2)
Over time, Sunday worship spread throughout the Christian world, especially after Christianity expanded across the Roman Empire. The message also mentions Constantine the Great, who issued a Sunday rest law in AD 321. However, Christians had already been worshiping on Sunday long before his decree.
Today, Christians hold different views: Many believe Sunday fulfills the spiritual meaning of the Sabbath in Christ. Some groups, including Seventh-day Sabbath believers, continue to keep Saturday as the biblical Sabbath. Others emphasize the principle of worship, devotion, and rest more than the exact day itself.
Some Works That Are Permitted on the Sabbath. This spiritual framework explains when it is okay to work on the Sabbath. It moves away from strict "dos and don'ts" and focuses on God’s heart, which cares most about saving lives, showing mercy, and doing God's work. The main idea is that while we should not do worldly work for money, we can do work that saves lives, serves God, or helps people. As Jesus said, it is right to do good on the Sabbath. God looks at why we are doing something, not just the act itself.
People who work for the Lord (like praise team or teachers) are not breaking the Sabbath. It is okay for the church to provide or buy meals for these workers so they can keep doing their ministry all day.
The Goal is not "business"; it is a way to make sure God's work can happen. Services inside the Church like bookstores or snack bars can stay open for two reasons: What they sell: They sell things that help your spirit (like Bibles or sermons) or help parents keep their children quiet so they can focus on the service. The profit doesn't go to one person. It is used for missions and helping the poor.
Some jobs must be done every day to keep people safe. Like police and military they protect us from crime and enemies. That is a great example of a "work of mercy." In this spiritual framework, medical professionals are seen as partners in God's work because they protect and sustain the life that He created. These workers should still keep God in their hearts and attend service if their schedule allows. Sometimes, we do things to show love, like attending a wedding on a Sunday. Helping a Soul, We go to show love so the person getting married doesn't feel hurt or turn away from God.
Setting boundary like it is okay to go and congratulate them, but you should not stay just to party or socialize like the world does. Patience for new believers. We should not force people with "weak faith" to close their shops immediately. Waiting for them to growth. Leaders should be patient and teach them the truth. Eventually, as their faith grows, they will want to keep the Sabbath on their own.
Offer special services for those who must work (like in restaurants), the church provides night services so they can still worship.
Prepared by Deacon Donny Yii
Sibu Jaya Manmin Sanctuary