February 15th, 2026: The Lord's Day | Exodus 20:8-11, Romans 14:4-6, Revelation 1:10

There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God. For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his. (Hebrews 4: 9-10).

Our lesson is about The Lord’s Day.  As you study with us, think about your life. Do you have true rest?  Why should you rest and in whom do you rest?  Does perfect rest only come through Jesus?

It feels like everyone is constantly rushed;  meeting or trying to meet impossible deadlines, living miles away from each other, and many families have little or no interaction and support. People are on the go and schedules are full. We work, we earn, we pay, and we are driven to achieve all the world thinks we should.  And it seems reasonable for a while, like it's the responsible thing to do to push through and do it all. It makes sense to the natural man to work hard, stay busy, and please ourselves, but if we do, we will suffer.  The frenetic lifestyle leads to burnout. Our health suffers. We want to slow down, but no longer have the option.  We have wasted the opportunity to slow down and put our relationship with God first. God knew we would do this. But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased. (Daniel 12:4). 

Exodus 20:8-11

Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work: But the seventh day is the sabbath of the Lord thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates: For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the Lord blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it.

Did you realize that God intended and even went so far as to command that His people rest? The sabbath was and is more than a tradition; it is a desire of God’s heart. The word Sabbath means to rest, to abstain from work, and to reflect on Him. The first place the word Sabbath is used is when God is instructing the children of Israel to gather manna while in the desert.  

And it came to pass, that on the sixth day they gathered twice as much bread, two omers for one man: and all the rulers of the congregation came and told Moses. And he said unto them, This is that which the Lord hath said, To morrow is the rest of the holy sabbath unto the Lord: bake that which ye will bake to day, and seethe that ye will seethe; and that which remaineth over lay up for you to be kept until the morning. (Exodus 16:22-23). God Himself defines the Sabbath as the seventh day of the week, a day to rest, and to be observed as a holy day. But why?

God has never asked anything of us that He didn’t model Himself, sharing His character and His perspective with His children. God asked His people to follow His example. In six days, He created everything, and then He rested.  He instituted a rest for His people, also, and don’t forget this isn’t a suggestion, it is His Commandment. It is interesting that the very thing we need the most is what we choose to turn away from. Likewise, because we rest, we are to allow others to rest; all of the people and even animals (cattle) around us are blessed by our obedience. It is important to note that false/pagan gods never allow rest. They ask for continual work and often require horrific sacrifice. Believers of God are required to rest, heal, recover, and reflect.  We are resting to acknowledge the Creator and obey His example to us. 

Many confuse the Sabbath with the Lord’s Day. The Old Testament Sabbath was celebrated from sundown on Friday to sundown on Saturday. There were many complex religious laws created on how the nation of Israel was to observe the Sabbath. Faithful Jews are not allowed to conduct business transactions, cook, garden,  or even do simple things like laundry on the Sabbath. They were to use this day to look forward to the Messiah, and remember the glory and honor of God.  They looked forward to a rest that was to come, because all things belong to God and are under His authority and not ours. 

Romans 14: 4-6

 Who art thou that judgest another man's servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand. One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind. He that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto the Lord; and he that regardeth not the day, to the Lord he doth not regard it. He that eateth, eateth to the Lord, for he giveth God thanks; and he that eateth not, to the Lord he eateth not, and giveth God thanks.

In the New Testament, the church is established.  The death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus completes the way the Sabbath is understood. Paul wrote to the church in Rome about resting in Christ for our salvation.

Jesus is our Sabbath.  He is the rest we reside in continually.  The church doesn’t observe the Sabbath day in the same way that the Old Testament believers did because “It is Finished” declared by Jesus on the cross instituted a permanent and continuous rest from the work of our salvation.  We observe the Lord’s Day, Sunday, or the first day of the week.  Jesus said, And he said unto them, The sabbath was made for man, and not man for the sabbath: Therefore the Son of man is Lord also of the sabbath. (Mark 2:27-28).

By the time of Jesus’ earthly ministry, the Pharisees had made so many rules that even picking grain to eat while walking by was considered work. The Sabbath was never intended to be a burden.  God intended to renew and revive the children of God, spiritually and physically.  It was a holy day, because God is holy.  It was serious because God means what He says.  Since we follow Jesus every day and fellowship with Him through the presence of the Holy Spirit, we are observing His sabbath.  He is our rest - every day. He is our burden bearer.  He is our peace. 

This does not mean that gathering together for church is not important. In fact, scripture also says  Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. (Hebrews 10: 23-25).  It is more, not less. Obeying God’s commandment to worship Him together and spread the gospel is our priority.

Paul is reminding us that we are to understand that every man answers to God, not to us.  What is essential is to recognize Jesus as the Savior, the Son of God. We are to believe Him, and through His name we are saved. Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole. This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner. Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. (Acts 4: 10-12). This is the essential requirement for salvation. 

 In all things, we are to have a commitment to God, dedication to His word, and thankfulness for all He is and all He does.

Revelation 1:10

I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet,

Again, scripture gives us a clue that the Lord’s Day was celebrated on the first day of the week. John, in the spirit on the Lord’s Day, received by inspiration the book of Revelation. Isolated on the Isle of Patmos, John dedicated his time to being in the presence of his Lord. And so should we.

Thank you for studying with us! God bless!