Lesson Nine

THE FOURTH COMMANDMENT (2)

THE LORD'S DAY
(Psa. 118:22-24; Luke 24:1.7; Acts 20:7; 1 Cor. 16:I-2; Rev. 1:9)

Burden to Impart:

In the New Testament age we no longer keep the Sabbath, which was established to remember God our Creator and His rest on the seventh day. We do, however, set aside one day to remember the Lord Jesus, that is, the first day of the week, the day of His resurrection. On this day, the Lord's Day, we gather together to remember Him, to rejoice in His resurrection, and to give our offerings to the Lord.

Memory Verse:

"I was in spirit on the Lord's day" (Revelation 1:10).

Facts to Teach:

  1. The fourth commandment was given to God's people in the Old Testament. On the Sabbath day they were to do no work at all. They were to rest on the Sabbath in remembrance of how God rested after He completed all of His work in making heavens and the earth.
  2. In the New Testament age we are no longer commanded to keep the Sabbath. This is because since the Lord Jesus has died and accomplished redemption the Sabbath type has been fulfilled (Col. 2:16-17).
  3. In the New Testament age we see that the believers set apart one day in particular to honor the Lord the first day of the week. This was the day of the Lord's resurrection (Luke 24:1-7), the day that the desclples' sorrow was turned into joy (John 16:22). On this day of resurrection the Lord met with His disciples and encouraged them, breathing the Holy Spirit into them (John 20:19-22).
  4. This day is a day of rejoicing and praise (compare Psa. 118:22-24 with Acts 4:10-11).
  5. This day Was known as the "Lords Day" by the early disciples (Rev. 1:9) because it was set apart for the Lord in a special way.
  6. The church gathers together on this day to remember the Lord at the Lord's table meeting (Acts 20:7).
  7. Also, on this day the saints are to make their offerings to the Lord in thanksgiving for His blessing to them (1 Cor. 16:1-2).
  8. The unbelievers call the first day of the week "Sunday" in honor of the sun and use this day mainly for pleasure. The Christians respect the first day of the week as the "Lord's Day" and use this day in a special way to honor and remember their Lord and Savior.
    (See Lesson 18, in Assembling Together, by Watchman Nee).