Living in Liberty

A Ministry of Bryce Lowance

Elder Bryce Lowrance

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Honoring The Lord's Day

27 January 2015

"And when he was departed thence, he went into their synagogue: and, behold, there was a man which had his hand withered. And they asked him, saying, Is it lawful to heal on the sabbath days? that they might accuse him. And he said unto them, What man shall there be among you, that shall have one sheep, and if it fall into a pit on the sabbath day, will he not lay hold on it, and lift it out? How much then is a man better than a sheep? Wherefore it is lawful to do well on the sabbath days. Then saith he to the man, Stretch forth thine hand. And he stretched it forth; and it was restored whole, like as the other.Then the Pharisees went out, and held a council against him, how they might destroy him." (Matthew 12:9-14)

We have previously discussed that Jesus was the fulfillment of the shadow of the Sabbath in the Old Testament. Jesus is REST for the people of God. We also observed that the abundance of examples throughout the New Testament show that we should worship on Sunday, rightly call "The Lord's Day."

With this is mind, we should ever be encouraging one another to public worship each week. It should not be a question in our family’s mind whether or not we will attend church each Sunday.

Having said that, emergencies do happen. But that is the key word, emergency. Jesus gives the example of a sheep falling into a pit on the sabbath. This is not the danger of losing A pet. This is endangering a man's livelihood and ability to provide for himself and his family. Jesus clearly states that in this type of emergency, the Lord allows for us to take care of the emergency and not be at fault for not honoring the Lord on His day.

I do not believe it is necessary to give an in depth list of what is allowed and what is not allowed. The is exactly what the Pharisees did. However, we can learn from this lesson a few key guidelines for what is considered an emergency.

A planned absence of any kind is not an emergency. in the Lord's example, the sheep fell in on the Sabbath, not the day before. If it fell in the day before, then the owner should save it then. Again, this is a TRUE emergency not just an inconvenience.

Illnes from excessive celebration the night before is not an emergency. That is as if you pushed the sheep in the pit! We know the consequences for late night Saturday fun. Therefore, we should keep that in mind before the festivities begin.

When a person looks for a job, he should pray for the Lord's help. A sure sign that a job is NOT a blessing from God is if it keeps the person from worship on the Lord's Day. Why would God for a person a job that would rob His Son of much deserved glory? He wouldn't

There are endless questions that arise when we look at all the possible things that can happen on a Sunday. Therefore, remember our liberty in Christ. Apply the few principles given above and then listen to the Holy Spirit Who dwells in you. If you think it is wrong to miss, it probably is!

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Tags: harmony_of_the_gospels, jesus, practice, sabbath

Welcome

Brentwood Hills Primitive Baptist Church is a community of believers working together to transform our lives to the image of Jesus Christ. We believe it is our duty and privilege to live the gospel of the doctrines of grace in such a way as to edify the families within our church and other children of God in our community. Through regular worship based on strong Biblical principles, fellowship, admonishment, and outreach, we glory in the grace of the sovereign God working in our lives thereby showing the Spirit of God in the world.

Brentwood Hills was organized in 1906 in Fort Worth, Texas as Laodicea Primitive Baptist Church. You can find much of the history of the church, as well as other churches here: Primitive Baptist History Database

We identify ourselves as an old-line Primitive Baptist church. If you read our Articles of Faith, you’ll see that we hold to such doctrines as the inspiration and inerrancy of the Bible. We recognize the King James Version (KJV) as the only English translation worthy of being called the Bible. We believe in salvation solely by the grace of a sovereign God. We believe that Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God, came to the earth to do the will of His Father, which was to deliver from the sentence of death all those the Father gave Him before the world began. We believe that Jesus fully satisfied the Father by atoning for all the sins of all His people. In time, we believe the Holy Spirit comes to each person that belongs to Jesus and regenerates them. Then (and only then) can anyone have faith, which is a fruit of the Spirit, by which you are able to believe the glorious gospel of Jesus Christ. Whether or not you ever hear the gospel, or believe it if you did hear it, or obey it if you did believe it, rest assured that Jesus will remain forever faithful to you because, if He died for you, He will never deny that you belong to Him.

We believe that everyone for whom Christ died will without fail be raised again from the dead to a glorified life. Even if we are alive when He returns to raise the dead, we shall be changed to a glorified life. All the Redeemed will meet the Lord in the air. Then He will take us to Heaven and there we shall forever be with the Lord. The wicked will be raised at the same time as the righteous, but the wicked shall go away into everlasting punishment along with Satan and his angels. Until that glorious day when Christ returns to raise the dead, He has provided a place for His people to find rest for their souls. This place is the Church. Jesus Christ set-up His church on this earth before His death on the Cross. The church is there for those of His people who have come to believe that God saved them by His Son, Jesus Christ. To believe that Christ “paid it all” gives believers the strongest motivation to serve Him. Once enlightened to this glorious truth, then the child of God should feel an obligation to become and remain an active member of the His church. To serve the Lord in His church makes for one of the great blessings to experience this side of Heaven. It fulfills you to serve in His church and it gives your life purpose and meaning.