Exodus 20:8-11 Remember the Sabbath Day

Biblical Church Worship: A Study of the Ten Commandments 
Exodus 20:3-17
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Exodus 20:8-11 Remember the Sabbath Day[1]
Reading: Genesis 2:1-3; Psalm 95:1-11; Matthew 11:27-30; John 6:26-29; Hebrews 4:1-11

Return to your rest, O my soul, For the LORD has dealt bountifully with you.
Psalm 116:7 NASB

I. Remember the Sabbath Day (v8-10).
  A. Remember: to mark; be mindful
  B. Sabbath (Heb. “Shah-bawth”) Day: to cease to do; to rest[2] (Gen. 2:1-3; Ex. 31:17)
    1. The seventh day of the week (Saturday)[3]
“The Sabbath was the day on which man was to leave off his secular labors and keep a day holy to Yahweh.”[4]
    2. God’s people called to observe
      1a. The Sabbath was made for man (Mk. 2:27).
        1b. It was a day for man’s good, thus needed activities were not a violation of rest[5].
    3. Represents our rest in Christ (Heb. 4:10)[6]
    4. Substituted with the Lord’s day after Jesus’ resurrection (Rev. 1:9, 10)[7]
      1a. The Lord’s day is the first day of the week .
  C. Keep it holy (sanctified: separate).
    1. A day separate from work days (v9, 10)
II. Why? 
  A. Because God rested (ceased) (v11) (Gen. 2:3; Ex. 31:17)
    1. He finished the work[8].
      1a. Rest (salvation) was available at the finish of God’s creation work[9] (Gen 3:15; Heb. 4:3).
  B. Because God commands man to rest (Ex. 20:8; Acts 17:30)
III. Implication: Worship is Entering Into God’s Rest Through Christ.
  A. Rest is offered through Christ (Mt. 11:28).
    1. Rest from the consequences of sin (Is. 1:18).
IV. Challenge:
  A. Obey (trust in) the gospel (Heb. 4:7; Mt. 11:28; Jn 6:29).
    1. This is how we enter God’s rest.


[1] February 2, 2025 Hall Church and Renewal Bible Fellowship
[2] (Smith, 1863)
[3] Ibid.
[4] (Orr, 1938)
[5] (Gill, 1816) (MacArthur, 2005)
[6] (Hawker, 1828)
[7] Ibid.
[8] God’s promises are so sure, it is as if they are already done  when they are given.
[9] (Kretzmann, 1921)