Trace Adkins a country singer came out with a catchy song back in 2020 called Mind on Fishin’

The lyrics of the song are kinda fun and we might even rationalize his way of thinking.

He says this…

Well I got up early on this Lord’s day With the sun peekin’ through the curtains Thought I’d wet a line For a couple good hours And still make the 10 o’clock sermon But the sky is blue And the breeze is cool And they’re bitin’ good not to mention If I left right now Might make it somehow But I doubt I could pay attention

I’d rather be on the lake with my mind on God In the middle of his creation In an old Jon Boat with my Zebco rod For some private conversation There might be a few people talkin’ bad about me When they see that I’m a’missin’ But I’d rather be on the lake with my mind on God Than in church with my mind on fishin’

Well based on what we have studied so far in the 10 Commandments, Mr. Adkins you are wrong.

Clearly his God is Fishing

His Idol is his boat and fishing pole

He later refers to God as “the man upstairs,” which certainly is not reverent and I think taking God’s name in vain.

There certainly is nothing wrong with fishing and even admiring God’s creation while doing it, but like everything else, there is a time and place for it.

This brings us to the fourth commandment which we see in Exodus 20:8-11.

Exodus 20:8–11 NASB95

“Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. “Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a sabbath of the Lord your God; in it you shall not do any work, you or your son or your daughter, your male or your female servant or your cattle or your sojourner who stays with you. “For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea and all that is in them, and rested on the seventh day; therefore the Lord blessed the sabbath day and made it holy.

Let me highlight the word “Remember” for a moment.

remember, i.e., to recall information or events, with a focus on responding in an appropriate manner

Remembering the Sabbath then shows a sense of showing remembrance in action!

History and Information about the Sabbath

The structure of this commandment speaks to God’s perfection.

In Hebrew, the seventh letter of the Hebrew alphabet begins the commandment. The day to be observed is the seventh day of the week and the list of people who are not to do work consists of seven groupings.

The number 7 often refers to completeness or perfection in the Bible

The Sabbath is the 7th day of the week which is Saturday.

The Sabbath literally means “stopping/stoppage/cessation, in other words Rest!

Rest does not mean sleeping in, but to take a break from every day work and reflect on what God is doing, and is going to do.

The idea of a 7th day rest started with God in creation. God did not rest because He was tired, but He rested because the work was done.

Genesis 1:31–2:3 NASB95

God saw all that He had made, and behold, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day. Thus the heavens and the earth were completed, and all their hosts. By the seventh day God completed His work which He had done, and He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had done. Then God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it, because in it He rested from all His work which God had created and made.

Interestingly Job 38:4-7, let’s us know the Angels were worshiping God in amazement as He created and I can only imagine the joy and worship they must of had when He was finished.

As we look at this 4th command it is important to understand this command had already been in place. We see it in Exodus 16:22-26, the Sabbath was being observed.

God had given the people manna to eat while they were in the wilderness

They were commanded to take what they needed for each day of the week

But on the 6th day (Friday) they were to gather double, so they would have enough for the 7th day (Saturday) which was the Sabbath.

God did not provide manna for them on the Sabbath, because He wanted them to reflect and worship Him on that day for His provision for them that previous week and for His provision out of Egypt Deut 5:15.

Deuteronomy 5:15 NASB95

‘You shall remember that you were a slave in the land of Egypt, and the Lord your God brought you out of there by a mighty hand and by an outstretched arm; therefore the Lord your God commanded you to observe the sabbath day.

The concept of the Sabbath was not only observed on a weekly basis, but it was also observed and commanded by God to let their land rest every 7 years.

The purpose of the Sabbath is not only to rest from work and worship God but also to understand our dependence is completely in Him for all of our needs.

Sabbath Law Corrupted - like many of the laws the Sabbath was corrupted by man’s laws.

Jesus was accused by the Pharisees for healing a man on the Sabbath in Matthew 12, they had so corrupted the Sabbath that even an act of kindness was condemned.

Jesus reminded them in Matthew 12:8 ““For the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath.””

The Jew’s so distorted the observance of the Sabbath to the point that when Antiochus Epiphanes IV attacked them on the Sabbath in 167 B.C. many of them were slaughtered as they chose death rather disobey the Sabbath laws.

Today they have Shabbat Elevators in Jerusalem. These elevators are designed to go up and down automatically stopping at every floor so those who observe the Sabbath law of requiring Jews to abstain from operating electrical switches can go up and own floors.

Why don’t we observe the Sabbath today?

If you read through the gospels you will find Jesus was often teaching in the temples on the Sabbath. Luke 13:10 “And He (Jesus) was teaching in one of the synagogues on the Sabbath.”

In the book of Acts one of the first things Paul would often do is go the temple of what ever city he was in and teach in the temple, often on the Sabbath. Acts 18:4 “And he (Paul) was reasoning in the synagogue every Sabbath and trying to persuade Jews and Greeks.”

If Jesus and Paul observed the Sabbath and taught there, then why don’t we?

The 4th Commandment “to keep the Sabbath” is the only commandment that is not given to us again in the New Testament. All other nine commandments are restated in one form or another but not this one.

Paul admonishes those who tried to keep new believers under the law of the Sabbath. Col 2:16

Colossians 2:16 NASB95

Therefore no one is to act as your judge in regard to food or drink or in respect to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath day—

The early Church began meeting on the first day of the week (Sunday) to separate themselves from Jewish custom and to begin to recognize Christ resurrection which happened on the Sunday. Acts 20:7

Acts 20:7 NASB95

On the first day of the week, when we were gathered together to break bread, Paul began talking to them, intending to leave the next day, and he prolonged his message until midnight.

1 Corinthians 16:2 NASB95

On the first day of every week each one of you is to put aside and save, as he may prosper, so that no collections be made when I come.

Today, as Christians who know that true rest is found in dependence on God through faith in Christ, we can learn from the Israelite example and regularly cease from our normal activity to reflect on God and his salvation.

That is why you and I today meet on Sundays

You might be thinking okay, Ben, thank you for the history lesson but what does that mean for me today?

While the Church of today is not held to the Sabbath day, there are principles we must consider.

What principle of the Sabbath can we apply to our lives?

Three words “Go to Church!”

This is not optional!

In the book of Hebrews we are commanded to meet together as believers. Heb 10:25

Hebrews 10:25 NASB95

not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.

What Does Church Do For Us?

Church is where we are fed spiritually and sometimes literally :) Acts 2:42

Acts 2:42 NASB95

They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.

Church is a place where we can love one another. 1 John 4:11

1 John 4:11 NASB95

Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.

Church is a place to encourage one another into right living. Heb 3:13

Hebrews 3:13 NASB95

But encourage one another day after day, as long as it is still called “Today,” so that none of you will be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.

Hebrews 10:24 NASB95

and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds,

Church is a place where we can serve one another, we can meet the needs of our assembly. Gal 5:13

Galatians 5:13 NASB95

For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.

Church is a place to instruct one another and to honor one another. Rom 15:14

Romans 15:14 NASB95

And concerning you, my brethren, I myself also am convinced that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge and able also to admonish one another.

Romans 12:10 NASB95

Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor;

As a Pastor Church is a place for me by God’s grace to equip you for service to our King and Savior Jesus Christ. Eph 4:12

Ephesians 4:12 NASB95

for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ;

The word “equip” by the way means to complete! to bring to spiritual maturity.

These are just some of the reasons and benefits of church, don’t you think we should prioritize it and here more often?

My Challenge For You Today!

I Don’t know if you noticed the Title to today’s sermon.

0.6%

The Title of the Sermon is 0.6%

In one week, there are 168 hours.

0.6% represents 1hr of Church.

1.2%

1.2% = If you were to go to church and Sunday school that would be 2hrs.

Are you willing to give God 2hrs a week?

1.8%

1.8% = If you were to go to church and Sunday School and Sunday night service 3hrs.

3hrs is less than an NFL football game.

Are you willing to give God 3hrs a week?

2.4%

2.4% = If you were to go to Church, Sunday School, Sunday Night, and Wednesday night service.

Are you willing to give God 4hrs a week?

12.5%

12.5% = 21hrs. 3hrs a day x 7 is the average amount of time people spend watching TV per-week.

Most people would rather watch the filth that is on TV than be in church. Well, no wonder we are in the mess we are in. Others are like Trace Adkins and prioritize fishing or sports, or any activity, but won’t prioritize God in their lives.

Listen, folks I am just as guilty as the next person. I have put other things in place of church at times. I will also say this, there are always things that come up as to why we may miss, but I am talking about missing consistently. If this is you, then I would suggest you check your priorities.

Conclusion

Jesus who referred to Himself as the Lord of the Sabbath in Matt 12:8 says this in the previous chapter 11.

Matthew 11:28–30 NASB95

“Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. “Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. “For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

Jesus is letting us know everything you can possibly need is found in Him. He is the true rest you are seeking.

Do you want real REST? Rest is more than a day like the Sabbath, it is giving your time, body, heart, mind and soul to Jesus!

Let me ask you… Are we willing to give God the time He deserves?

Are you willing to commit to coming to church for 0.6% of your week or better yet why not give 2.4% and see what God can do in your life! I can guarantee you, if start spending time around believers and learning from others here at the church it will change your life!

Let’s Pray