Second Sunday after Pentecost

 Sermon Text: Deuteronomy 5:12-15

 Other Readings: Colossians 2:13-17 and Mark 2:23-28


 

  1. The Ten Commandments, including this Third Commandment, were first spoken in Exodus 20:8-11. Compare Exodus 20:8-11 with Deuteronomy 5:12-15. What differences do you notice?
     
  2. Old Testament Israel was commanded not to do any work on Saturdays. We are free to work on Saturdays, to worship on any day, and to do work on the days we worship. Why is that? Confer Colossians 2:13-17.
     
  3. In our Gospel reading from Mark 2:23-28, the Pharisees were obsessing about some external ways to keep the Sabbath. When it comes to worship, what are some self-righteous things you might obsess about?
     
  4. We confess our sins of not keeping the Sabbath day holy. How does Colossians 2:13-17 comfort us about those sins? 
  1. Deuteronomy uses the word observe instead of remember. Exodus focuses on God’s resting on the seventh day, but Deuteronomy highlights the flight out of Egypt. Why the difference? The Deuteronomy account helped the Israelites remember not to overwork their neighbors because it was God who graciously brought them out of slavery in Egypt.
     
  2. Jesus fulfilled all of the Ten Commandments for us. Since he has fulfilled the external requirement of no work and worship on Saturday, we have freedom in how we keep the essence of this commandment (getting spiritual rest).
     
  3. Answers may vary. Here are some possibilities: worship styles, worship times, clothing for worship, etc.
     
  4. In Christ, we have forgiveness. Any debt we owe God has been canceled because it has been nailed to the cross. Therefore, we are at rest with God!