Sabbath and Feasts: A Mark of Separation

• The 7th day Sabbath, God’s feast days, and His new year serve as a perpetual line of demarcation between God’s people and the world (Exodus 8:22-23).

• Observance demonstrates that believers are set apart, sanctified for Christ’s kingdom, and heirs with Him.

• The Sabbath was instituted long before Israel became a nation (Genesis 2:1-3).

Jesus’ words:

• “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath” (Mark 2:27).

• “The Son of Man is Lord also of the Sabbath” (Mark 2:28).

Analogy: Food is given to you to eat, but the food is not you; similarly, the Sabbath is given for humanity’s benefit but is not humanity itself.

God’s Separation of His People

• God separated His people in Egypt from the plagues as a sign of protection (Exodus 8:22-23).

• The Sabbath and feast days are spiritual protection and separation from evil, similar to Israel’s deliverance.

• Jesus instructed His disciples regarding observance even during critical times:

“Pray that your flight be not in winter, neither on the Sabbath day” (Matthew 24:20).

• The line of separation remains a divine mark of distinction for God’s people.

Scriptural Foundation for Obedience

The Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:1-17) remind believers of God’s authority and call to obedience:

1. No other gods.

2. No graven images.

3. Do not take God’s name in vain.

4. Keep the Sabbath holy.

5. Honor parents.

6. Do not murder.

7. Do not commit adultery.

8. Do not steal.

9. Do not bear false witness.

10. Do not covet.

Nehemiah 9:14 and Nehemiah 10:31 reiterate the importance of the Sabbath and holy observances.

Acts 13:42; Acts 17:2 show that Paul and other apostles taught on the Sabbath, demonstrating its continued relevance in the New Testament.

The Law Fulfilled Through Jesus Christ

Romans 3:31

“Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law.”

• The law is fulfilled in the blood of Jesus Christ, and God writes His commandments on the hearts of believers the moment they accept Him.

• Obedience flows naturally from love and faith, not from ritual or compulsion.

Devotional Reflection

Songs and Worship

• My Jesus loves me; no circumstance can change my faith, love, or obedience.

• Glory to the risen Lord, the Lamb upon the throne, who reconciled humanity to God.

• Dedicate life, worship, and all blessings to Him alone.

Key Takeaways

1. Sabbath and feasts are gifts to deepen intimacy with Christ.

2. Obedience to God’s commandments unites believers fully with Him.

3. Separation from the world is both spiritual and practical, marking God’s sanctified people.

4. Faith and works are inseparable; true believers live out commandments through love.

5. Jesus Christ is Lord of the Sabbath, and the Sabbath points to Him as our rest and sanctuary.

Offerings and God’s Feasts

John 17:1-26

• Jesus prays for His followers, asking the Father to glorify Him and keep His people sanctified in truth.

• Believers are given God’s words to know Him and to be kept from evil.

• Jesus prays not only for His immediate disciples but also for all who will believe through their message (John 17:20).

• Through Christ, believers are united as one body, set apart from the world.

Devotional song:

“Ascribe greatness to our God the Rock; His work is perfect, and all His ways are just…”

The Lord’s Prayer (Matthew 6:9-13) reinforces dependence on God for daily needs, forgiveness, guidance, and deliverance.

The Seventh-Day Sabbath: Rules and Observance

Time of observance:

• Friday sunset to Saturday sunset (Exodus 20:8; Deuteronomy 5:12; Leviticus 19:3; 26:2; Ezekiel 20:11)

Do not:

• Buy or sell (Numbers 10:31; Nehemiah 13:15-17)

• Perform work (Exodus 20:9-11; 21:15; 34:21; 35:2; 23:12; Deuteronomy 5:13-14)

Holy convocation:

• Attend sacred assembly (Leviticus 23:3)

No cooking:

• Exodus 16:23; 35:3

Be selfless:

• Isaiah 58:13

Benediction:

• Repeat “Hallelujah,” “Amen,” and “Holy” seven times for emphasis.

God’s Feasts: Leviticus 23

• Sabbaths, Passover, Feast of Unleavened Bread, Firstfruits, Pentecost, Trumpets, Atonement, Tabernacles

• Each is described as holy convocations with offerings made by fire to the Lord.

• God commands specific burnt, meat, drink, and sin offerings as a shadow of what Jesus would fulfill.

• Offerings are for God, not exclusively for Israel. God did not attribute the feasts to the Israelites—they are for His glory and to honor Him and Jesus Christ.

Key insight:

• When Jesus shed His blood on Calvary, the veil of the temple was torn, ending the ceremonial laws, animal sacrifices, Aaronic priesthood, and Levitical rituals.

• Christ became the real and everlasting High Priest, allowing believers to worship in spirit and truth (John 4:23-24).

True Worship

• Worship is no longer tied to ritual or temple sacrifices.

• God seeks worshippers who worship Him in Spirit and truth.

• The Sabbath, feast days, and offerings now point to intimacy with Christ, not mere ritual.

Key Takeaways

1. Jesus is our High Priest—all ceremonial laws are fulfilled in Him.

2. Sabbath and feast observance are markers of holiness, separation from the world, and closeness to God.

3. Offerings and feasts are for God’s glory, not a reward system or exclusive to Israel.

4. True worship is spiritual, heartfelt, and aligned with God’s Word, not ritual performance.

5. Believers are united in one body through Christ, sanctified by His blood, and empowered to obey His commandments in spirit and truth.