Celebrating the Sabbath: Finding Rest in a Restless World Book

A good primer on the topic of Sabbath observance for the Christian. It doesn't dive very deep into the theological questions of Sunday as the Christian Sabbath. It's more about giving you questions for evaluating your treatment of Sunday, though there's plenty of Scripture referenced. Ray avoids giving do's and don'ts.

I liked the way Ray defines general principles for Sabbath-keeping: Keep it holily, happily, honestly, and humbly.

I found Pipa's The Lord's Day more helpful.

Notes
Sabbath or Lord's Day? Old Testament Roots
Deut 5:15 adds celebration of Exodus to celebration of creation as reason for Sabbath. It doesn't abrogate creation ordinance, but expands it.

In OT, on Sabbath, sacrifices were doubled (evening and morning) and worship was a prominent part of entire day (Num 28:1-10; 1 Chron 16:39-40). These provide good support having 2 worship services on Sunday.

Sabbath or Lord's Day? New Testament Flower and Fruits
Old covenant Sabbath transformed into new covenant Sabbath (Lord's Day), just as circumcision transformed into baptism, Passover transformed into Lord's Supper, and old covenant template transformed into new covenant temple (believers).

Evidence that Sabbath changed to Sunday found in fact that following occurred on Sunday: Christ's resurrection, Pentecost, Christ's post-resurrection appearances, disciples met and worshipped, early church met (1 Cor 16:1-4; Acts 20:6-11), John's revelation (Rev 1:10).

Theme of Hebrews is superiority of Christianity over Judaism, and it's written to Christians, and Heb 4:9 says a Sabbath remains.

Sabbath Wars: The Battle Won
Disciples didn't violate Sabbath by eating as they walked through field, because that was a work of necessity while they did God's business (Mark 2:23-28), just as David's men ate consecrated bread in 1 Sam 21:1-6.

Jesus' healing of the man with the shriveled hand shows works of mercy and compassion are good to do on Sabbath.

John 5:16-17 shows that it's right to do good on Sabbath.

Most of Jesus' 6 clashes with Pharisees over Sabbath had to do with healing, and all had to do with the body. Jesus taught by word and example that it's proper to do on Sabbath things that refresh, heal, and restore strength to body. Works of necessity and mercy, as well as of worship and piety, are appropriate.

Keeping the Sabbath Holily and Happily
General principles for Sabbath-keeping
Keep it holily: gather with God's people for corporate worship.
Keep it happily: with joy for spending time with God.
Keep it honestly: be honest about defining work and determining whether your activities are for God or your pleasure.
Keep it humbly: humbly choose what pleases God rather than yourself.

Keeping the Sabbath Honestly and Humbly
"Be honest with yourself and with God. We speak of our jobs … as work. We also label certain activities as work: housework, yard work, and homework."

"Sabbath keeping should neither be limited to avoiding business transactions on Sunday nor expanded to prohibiting everything you enjoy."

"To the degree that recreation contributes to our physical and spiritual renewal, some moderate recreation may be admissible on the Sabbath."

Questions to ask about Sunday activities
Will it refresh me or wear me out?
Is a competitive spirit (as in sports) compatible with refreshment? What if I lose?
Is my will subordinated to God, or am I doing as I please?

We don't live in the OT theocracy, so the civil authorities don't need to enforce Sabbath observance as they did in Israel. W.J. Chantry said, "The Master reminds us of God's judgment but stipulates no civil reprisals for breaking the Sabbath."