The Legacy Collection

© 2009 Dennis Fischer ®
All rights reserved

Volume II

"Defending God's Sabbath"

By
Dennis Fischer

Summary: By Blow the Trumpet

In 2003 Art Braidic and Dennis Fischer collaborated on one of the most explosive publications in this generation of God’s Church. A Sabbath Test addresses the issue of engaging in business on Holy time—specifically dining out in a commercial restaurant on the Sabbath and Holy days which has now become a common practice in the Church—despite the fact that it is soundly condemned in scripture.

The initial reaction to A Sabbath Test by the general membership throughout the COG was very favorable. However, when it came to the leadership their response was OUTRIGHT HOSTILE.

Virtually every major splinter group produced a “comprehensive” position paper or sermon attempting to refute the great truths revealed in this book. Furthermore, in every case each COG claimed their rebuttal was based on Holy Writ. One major group even called their response Dining out on the Sabbath What does the Bible Teach?

Sadly, however, in virtually every case they flooded their arguments with a steady stream of human reasoning and contorted logic. One prominent member who described himself as a “critical thinker” actually claimed that seeking out Sabbath breakers and pay them for their labor on holy time was a “gift from God” for enhanced Sabbath observance. In other words, God not only permits the practice but actually endorses it. Another leader argued that restaurant personal were actually performing a Levitical service and are given special dispensation by God for it. Another fellowship claimed that Jesus acquired as well as prepared meals on the Sabbath—a point that is TOTALLY antithetical to the Biblical record. Another asserted that the Scriptural prohibition against acquiring food on the Sabbath ended when God concluded the Manna miracle. Another group claimed that the Almighty only prohibited the Israelites from gathering manna on the Sabbath everything else was permissible.

But it didn’t end there.

Some went so far as to accuse the authors of A Sabbath Test of wanting God’s people to go without eating altogether on holy time. These are their exact words:

“Do you grasp what these people are saying? They are equating the physical necessity of eating—ingesting food in order to obtain necessary nutrients for life—as entertainment and recreation.”

However, some became even more desperate in their defense of this sin. One prominent fixture in a major group actually challenged Nehemiah as a reliable authority on appropriate Sabbath observance and as such his rebuke of the nobles of Judah should be ignored.

Virtually every one of the plethora of arguments advanced by the vast majority of these COG thinkers, was so egregiously false, Mr. Fischer wrote a 230-page book (Thirty Deceptions) refuting virtually every point with overwhelming evidence and may be read by visiting our wing Honoring God’s Sabbath.

Getting Personal

Opponents of A Sabbath Test became so frustrated over the strength of its persuasive arguments that they even resorted to personal attacks leveled at Braidic and Fischer One prominent leader accused them of being in it for the money (“filthy lucre’s sake”) although neither one has ever received one penny for it. Another long established COG asserted that the authors were in danger of being cast into the Lake of Fire while a former evangelist with the Worldwide Church of God and later a leader in a major splinter group accused them of consorting with demons for assuming they could ever speak contrary to Church doctrine although the history of the Church under the leadership of HWA never formally addressed it other than to make some passing comment about it during a Friday night Bible Study—and when doing so acknowledged that the behavior was problematic.

But there is more.

The level of their hostility became so great that it extended to their own members. For example:

One prominent and very recognizable leader in the Church was approached by a small gathering of his organization to discuss the subject with him. This leader often encouraged his people to feel free to discuss issues with him even if they disagreed. He would even inform them that his commitment to the truth was so great that he welcomed correction if warranted.

However, his reaction to this discussion was stunning. He first prohibited any future discussion on this subject—among all his members which is his right. He then directed them to not read A Sabbath Test—which is also his right. However, what came next was inconceivable. This immensely respected leader then prohibited members who disagreed with him on this issue from having have any contact with each other on this or any other topic. In other words, they couldn’t fellowship with each other at all. One example of this occurred during the Feast of Tabernacles. At that time arrangements were made for the congregation to dine out on one of the high days. This leader then met with those who for conscience sake would not attend. At this time he informed them that it was their right to not share the meal with their brethren, however, they were also prohibited from sharing it with each other as well. In other words, each one would have to dine “alone in their room,” even if they promised to not discuss it at all.

A Defining Moment

As the ongoing discussions concerning A Sabbath Test continued to intensify one of the most highly respected figures in the Church of God decided to enter the debate. He first informed his congregation that he was going to present a message that would “put the issue to rest once and for all.” He assured his members that he had thoroughly studied the subject and that his sermon, which would be delivered in a few weeks, “couldn’t be refuted.”

At this point, members of his congregation who had been persuaded by A Sabbath Test contacted Mr. Braidic and appealed to him to listen to the sermon and respond. Mr. Braidic contacted Fischer and advised him of the request. Fischer consented.

And now, we at Blow the Trumpet are honored to present the Legacy Collection’s second installment“Defending God’s Sabbath.” We hope it makes you think.

Sermon

Salutation:  

Good afternoon everyone and a good Sabbath to you all. And to those who are joining us on-line a good Sabbath to you as well.

Introduction:

Brethren, recently a long-standing minister who serves as a pastor for a very prominent Church of God group, gave a sermon on the subject of dining out on the Sabbath. He defended this practice and offered numerous arguments intended to prove his point.

This gentleman is just one in a long list of Church pastors and leaders committed to convincing God’s people that seeking out the services of a commercial restaurant on holy time does not go contrary to the fourth commandment.

Brethren, this assessment couldn’t be further from the truth. And today I am going to prove it.

Disclaimer

Now by way of introduction I want you to know that I do not know this minister personally. I suspect that he is a very decent man. I certainly respect the fact that he has spent the great majority of his life serving God’s people.

The reason I bring this up is that it is very important for you to understand that what I am about to say, although HUGELY critical, is NOT a referendum on him as a minister of the Gospel. Nor is it intended to call into question the legitimacy of the Church organization he so faithfully serves.

Rather my purpose in this message is two -fold:

1. To warn God’s people of a Great deception being advanced by those who defend a practice that is totally antithetical to the scriptures and the God who inspired them. And

2. To issue a warning to those who teach this deception. A Deception that claims that the Lord of the Sabbath now condones a practice that requires His people to go back into the world and seek out Sabbath-breakers and actually pay them to labor on their behalf on holy time.

And brethren, that is exactly what takes place when one dines out in a restaurant on the Sabbath and Holy Day.

And no matter how hard defenders of this practice try to rehabilitate what they are advocating, the truth is really quite simple.

There isn’t one syllable in the Bible that even remotely hints that God ALMIGHTY somehow approves of what takes place in a restaurant on the Sabbath or holy day. On the contrary, the scriptures declare that He absolutely CONDEMNS it. And once again I am going to prove it. So, let’s go through this pastor’s major arguments.

Now I have identified five of them and have given each one a name. The names are not flattering, but they do accurately describe what he says.

So let’s begin.

Argument I

“Making Things Up”

In his sermon, this long-standing minister claims that there is no distinction between the weekly Sabbath and the annual holy days when it comes to the rules governing them. Here is how he expresses this point—and I quote.

“When we look at the holy days we can safely consider that the same rules apply to the Sabbath as well.”

He also makes the following observation. And once again, I quote

“In my entire life I have never heard that the Sabbath has a different set of regulations than the holy days.”

Well brethren, in all due respect to this minister he has not only heard that there are different regulations, he has preached it.

For example:

For example:

Brethren, in truth there are numerous instructions that not only distinguish the holy days from the Sabbath but also distinguish them from each other.

So why would this minister advance this argument?

The Real Motivation

Well his real motivation is that he wants you to believe that there is no distinction between the weekly Sabbath and the annual holy days when it comes to work, and specifically the work involved in preparing food. And brethren, he makes this argument not because it’s true, but because he needs it to be true in order to defend the practice of God’s people soliciting the labor of unbelievers on holy time. He attempts to prove this argument by invoking Leviticus 23: So let’s go there.

Regarding “Servile work”

Brethren, this chapter identifies all of God’s holy days including the Sabbath. As a matter of fact it is the only chapter in the Bible that does so—a fact that this Church leader was quick to mention. So let’s see what it says. Beginning in verse 1

Leviticus 23:

1 And the LORD spoke unto Moses, saying,

2 Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, concerning the feasts of the LORD, which ye shall proclaim to be holy convocations, even these are my feasts.

Now the term “Holy Convocation” is critical to this pastor’s argument. This is because he contends that because both the weekly Sabbath and the annual holy days are referred to as “holy convocations” (which they are), the rules concerning work on these days must also be the same. And what are those rules? Well let’s see what they are with respect to the annual holy days. Let’s pick it up in verse 5 which addresses the spring High Days.

Leviticus 23:5-8

5 In the fourteenth day of the first month at even is the LORD's Passover.

6 And on the fifteenth day of the same month is the feast of unleavened bread unto the LORD: seven days ye must eat unleavened bread.

7 In the first day ye shall have a holy convocation (a high day): ye shall do no servile work therein.

8 But ye shall offer an offering made by fire unto the LORD seven days: in the seventh day is a holy convocation: (once again a high day) ye shall do no servile work therein

Brethren, the point here is that only servile work is prohibited on these holy days. But what is servile work and why would God limit His prohibition against labor to it? Why wouldn’t He just prohibit “All WORK”?

The answer to this question is critical relative to this issue. Consider it

This is because there is one form of labor that God does permit on the annual holy days. This is brought out in Exodus chapter 12

Exodus 12: 16

And in the first day there shall be a holy convocation, and in the seventh day there shall be a holy convocation to you; no manner of work shall be done in them, save that which every man must eat, that only may be done of you (Ex. 12:16).

So it is clear that the one form of labor God does permit on His annual high days is that which involves the preparing of food. “That only may be done of you.”All other labor is considered “Servile work” and is forbidden.

At this point there is something important to understand with respect to Exodus 12:16. Notice that God says that food preparation on the High day may be performed by HIS people (“that only may be done of you”). In other words, God’s people may prepare food for God’s people on the High day. It does not say “God’s people may seek out professional Sabbath-breakers and pay them to prepare their meals for them.

Now let’s go back to Leviticus 23 and see how the term “Servile Work” plays out on the other annual holy days beginning with Pentecost in verse 21.

Pentecost

Verse 21

21 And ye shall proclaim on the selfsame day, that it may be a holy convocation unto you: ye shall do no servile worktherein: it shall be a statute for ever in all your dwellings throughout your generations.

Brethren, notice what it didn’t say. It didn’t say “NO WORK” could be done, but rather no “Servile Work” This is because the labor involved in preparing meals was permissible—“That only may be done of you.”

We mow come to God’s fall festival season beginning with Trumpets. Pick it up in verse 24.

Trumpets

verse 24

24 Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, In the seventh month, in the first day of the month, shall ye have a Sabbath, a memorial of blowing of trumpets, a holy convocation.

25 Ye shall dono servile work therein: but ye shall offer an offering made by fire unto the LORD.

Once again the prohibition is against “Servile Work” not work altogether. This is because God did permit the Israelites to prepare their food—“that only may be done of you.”

We now come to the Day of Atonement and here God makes a very clear distinction between work on this day versus work on the other feast days.

The Day of Atonement

verse 27

27 Also on the tenth day of this seventh month there shall be a day of atonement: it shall be a holy convocation unto you; and ye shall afflict your souls, and offer an offering made by fire unto the LORD.

28 And ye shall do no work in that same day: for it is a day of atonement, to make an atonement for you before the LORD your God.

Now brethren, notice that the prohibition covers ALL WORK. Not simply “Servile Work” Now the obvious reason for this is that the Day of Atonement is a fast day. No meals need to be prepared. Now let’s continue. In verse 34 we come to the Feast of Tabernacles and once again “Servile Work” is mentioned.

The Feast of Tabernacles

verse 34

34 Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, The fifteenth day of this seventh month shall be the feast of tabernacles for seven days unto the LORD.

35 On the first day shall be a holy convocation: ye shall do no servile work therein.

36 Seven days ye shall offer an offering made by fire unto the LORD: on the eighth day shall be a holy convocation unto you; and ye shall offer an offering made by fire unto the LORD: it is a solemn assembly; and ye shall do no servile work therein.

Notice, that on every holy day, with the obvious exception of Atonement, God prohibits “Servile Work,” not work altogether. Once again, this is because He does permit His people to prepare their meals on the annual feast days.

“That only may be done of you.”

Now Brethren, I want you to notice how this pastor intentionally attempts to blur the lines between God’s instructions concerning work on the annual holy days and work on the weekly Sabbath.

And please follow his logic. Because what he is doing is the product of calculus and it goes like this.

This minister wants you to believe that because both the weekly Sabbath and the annual holy days are “holy convocations,” and because God does permit food to be prepared on the annual holy days, He must also permit food to be prepared on the weekly Sabbath.

After all, they are both commanded assemblies—holy convocations. And according to him, what is good for one must be good for the other. Here is how he expresses his view on this. And I quote

“God permits work on the holy convocations for food. [Therefore], labor for preparing food is OK on the Sabbath.”

Did you catch it?

The Big Problem

Now here is the problem with this minister’s argument. And brethren,it’s a very BIG problem

You see, if you rely on the scriptures and not on the reasoning of this pastor you will find that unlike the annual holy days which prohibit “Servile Work,” the weekly Sabbath prohibits ALL WORK. That’s right brethren. Nowhere does the Bible ever use the term “servile work” in conjunction with the weekly Sabbath.

In other words it never says “you shall do no servile work” like it does on the annual holy days. The steadfast rule on the Sabbath is that NO WORK is to be done. Consider the command itself

Exodus 20:8

8 Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.

9 Six days shalt thou labor, and do all thy work:

10 But the seventh day is the Sabbath of the LORD thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, nor thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates:

Deuteronomy 5: 14

14 But the seventh day is the Sabbath of the LORD thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, nor thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thine ox, nor thine ass, nor any of thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates;

Brethren, please understand what God is saying. The clear prohibition in His sacred law is against any work on the Sabbath.

Now let’s go back to Leviticus 23 because this is where this minister anchors his argument. And while he claims that the weekly Sabbath should be treated just like the annual holy days with respect to work, Leviticus 23 says just the opposite. Let’s pick it up in verse 3.

Pentecost

Verse 21

21 And ye shall proclaim on the selfsame day, that it may be a holy convocation unto you: ye shall do no servile work therein: it shall be a statute for ever in all your dwellings throughout your generations.

Brethren, notice what it didn’t say. It didn’t say “NO WORK” could be done, but rather no “Servile Work” This is because the labor involved in preparing meals was permissible—“That only may be done of you.”

We mow come to God’s fall festival season beginning with Trumpets. Pick it up in verse 24.

Trumpets

verse 24

Once again the prohibition is against “Servile Work” not work altogether. This is because God did permit the Israelites to prepare their food—“that only may be done of you.”

We now come to the Day of Atonement and here God makes a very clear distinction between work on this day versus work on the other feast days.

The Day of Atonement
verse 27

27 Also on the tenth day of this seventh month there shall be a day of atonement: it shall be a holy convocation unto you; and ye shall afflict your souls, and offer an offering made by fire unto the LORD.

28 And ye shall do no work in that same day: for it is a day of atonement, to make an atonement for you before the LORD your God.

Now brethren, notice that the prohibition covers ALL WORK. Not simply “Servile Work” Now the obvious reason for this is that the Day of Atonement is a fast day. No meals need to be prepared. Now let’s continue. In verse 34 we come to the Feast of Tabernacles and once again “Servile Work” is mentioned.

The Feast of Tabernacles
verse 34

34 Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, The fifteenth day of this seventh month shall be the feast of tabernacles for seven days unto the LORD.

35 On the first day shall be a holy convocation: ye shall do no servile work therein.

36 Seven days ye shall offer an offering made by fire unto the LORD: on the eighth day shall be a holy convocation unto you; and ye shall offer an offering made by fire unto the LORD: it is a solemn assembly; and ye shall do no servile work therein.

Notice, that on every holy day, with the obvious exception of Atonement, God prohibits “Servile Work,” not work altogether. Once again, this is because He does permit His people to prepare their meals on the annual feast days.

“That only may be done of you.”

Now Brethren, I want you to notice how this pastor intentionally attempts to blur the lines between God’s instructions concerning work on the annual holy days and work on the weekly Sabbath.

And please follow his logic. Because what he is doing is the product of calculus and it goes like this.

This minister wants you to believe that because both the weekly Sabbath and the annual holy days are “holy convocations,” and because God does permit food to be prepared on the annual holy days, He must also permit food to be prepared on the weekly Sabbath.

After all, they are both commanded assemblies—holy convocations. And according to him, what is good for one must be good for the other. Here is how he expresses his view on this. And I quote

“God permits work on the holy convocations for food.[Therefore], labor for preparing food is OK on the Sabbath.”

Did you catch it?

The Big Problem

Now here is the problem with this minister’s argument. And brethren, it’s a very BIG problem

You see, if you rely on the scriptures and not on the reasoning of this pastor you will find that unlike the annual holy days which prohibit “Servile Work,” the weekly Sabbath prohibits ALL WORK. That’s right brethren. Nowhere does the Bible ever use the term “servile work” in conjunction with the weekly Sabbath.

In other words it never says “you shall do no servile work”like it does on the annual holy days. The steadfast rule on the Sabbath is that NO WORK is to be done. Consider the command itself

Exodus 20:8

8 Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.

9 Six days shalt thou labor, and do all thy work:

10 But the seventh day is the Sabbath of the LORD thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, nor thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates:

Deuteronomy 5:14

14 But the seventh day is the Sabbath of the LORD thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, nor thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thine ox, nor thine ass, nor any of thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates;

Brethren, please understand what God is saying. The clear prohibition in His sacred law is against any work on the Sabbath.

Now let’s go back to Leviticus 23 because this is where this minister anchors his argument. And while he claims that the weekly Sabbath should be treated just like the annual holy days with respect to work, Leviticus 23 says just the opposite. Let’s pick it up in verse 3.

Leviticus 23:3

Six days shall work be done: but the seventh day is the Sabbath of rest, a holy convocation; ye shall do no work therein: it is the Sabbath of the LORD in all your dwellings.

Brethren, the command regarding labor on the Sabbath in Leviticus 23 is identical to the command regarding labor on the Day of Atonement.

And that command expressly forbids ALL WORK—servile or otherwise. And that is not the only thing these two days have in common. Consider the consequence for engaging in any labor on these days.

First, here is what God says about working on the Sabbath—as expressed in His Sabbath Covenant.

The Sabbath Covenant

Exodus 31:14-15

You shall keep the Sabbath therefore; for it is holy unto you: every one that defiles it shall surely be put to death: for whosoever does any work therein, that soul shall be cut off from among his people.

Six days may work be done; but in the seventh is the Sabbath of rest, holy to the LORD: whosoever doeth any work in the Sabbath day, he shall surely be put to death.

When it comes to the Day of Atonement the consequence for engaging in any labor is equally severe.

Leviticus 23:28

28 And ye shall do no work in that same day: for it is a day of atonement,to make an atonement for you before the LORD your God.

30 And whatsoever soul it be that doeth any work in that same day, the same soul will I destroy from among his people.

Brethren, God doesn’t say this about the other holy convocations, only the Day of Atonement and the weekly Sabbath.

Furthermore, what this pastor refuses to concede is that when the Almighty instructed the Israelites regarding His holy convocations, He had already prohibited them from preparing food on the weekly Sabbath. And this minister knows it!

Exodus 16:22-23

22 And it came to pass, that on the sixth day they gathered twice as much bread, two omers for one man: and all the rulers of the congregation came and told Moses.

23 And he said unto them, This is that which the LORD hath said, To morrow is the rest of the holy Sabbath unto the LORD: bake that which ye will bake to day, and seethe that ye will seethe; and that which remains over lay up for you to be kept until the morning.

Brethren, the reason God prohibited all work on the weekly Sabbath and the Day of Atonement is because the labor involved in food preparation was expressly forbidden on both of these days.

On all the other holy days only “SERVILE WORK” was forbidden because food was allowed to be prepared.

“That only may be done of you.”

 

A Final Thought

Here is a final thought concerning this particular point.

Brethren, what this minister has done with this argument is a desperate attempt to manipulate scripture.

He knows full well that Leviticus 23 makes a very clear distinction between labor on the weekly Sabbath and labor on the annual holy days. But he turns a blind eye to this fact because he would rather defend a policy of his Church than to honestly represent God’s word and correct His children.

Now I know this sounds harsh. But it is a tragic reality in the Church today.

Think about this. The long standing minister who gave this message is trying to persuade you to believe that God not only permits His people to prepare their own meals on the Sabbath, which is totally false, but that they may even seek out Sabbath-breakers and pay them to prepare those meals for them.

Do you really believe this is what God intended the 4 th commandment to say?

Brethren, the idea that the Creator of heaven and earth somehow permits food to be prepared by anybody on the weekly Sabbath is flat out wrong on so many levels.

First, it is a claim that goes totally contrary to God’s Sabbath law as expressed in the Ten Commandments—a law that says you shall not do ANY work.

It is also a claim that goes totally contrary to God’s Sabbath covenant as expressed in Exodus 31, a covenant that forbid ANY work.

And it is a claim that goes totally contrary to God’s instructions concerning His Sabbath as a holy convocation as expressed in Leviticus 23—instructions that declare, “you shall do NO work.”

Brethren, if God wanted to limit His prohibition against work on the weekly Sabbath to “servile work,” as He did with His holy days, you can bet that He would have said so. It’s not as if He didn’t know how to say “servile.” But He said no such thing. And contrary to the teaching of this minister the scriptures bear this out.

Brethren, you may read your Bible from page 1 to the back cover and not find a single example of any work, Servile or otherwise, on the weekly Sabbath referred to as anything but UNLAWFUL.

And once again, this pastor knows it.

With that said, once again it’s critical to understand that my intent is not to impeach the legitimacy of this man as a true minister of God. I am absolutely convinced he is just that. But this is a HUGE blind spot in him and he needs to prayerfully examine what he is doing with this teaching and who he is really speaking for with this argument.

We now come to argument II proffered by this FAITHFUL servant

Argument II
“Turning Grace into License”

Brethren, in an attempt to justify dining out on the Sabbath virtually every advocate of this practice invokes the story of Jesus' disciples picking grain on this day. And the minister who gave this message is no different.

The story is found in Matthew 12.

Please go there

Matthew 12:1-8

And we’re going to read all eight verses.

1 At that time Jesus went on the Sabbath day through the corn; and his disciples were an hungred, and began to pluck the ears of corn and to eat.

2 But when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto him, Behold, thy disciples do that which is not lawful to do upon the Sabbath day.

3 But he said unto them, have ye not read what David did, when he was an hungred, and they that were with him;

4 How he entered into the house of God, and did eat the shewbread,which was not lawful for him to eat, neither for them which were with him,but only for the priests?

5 Or have ye not read in the law, how that on the Sabbath days the priests in the temple profane the Sabbath, and are blameless?

6 But I say unto you, that in this place is one greater than the temple.

7 But if ye had known what this means, “I will have mercy, and not sacrifice,” ye would not have condemned the guiltless.

8 For the Son of man is Lord even of the Sabbath day.

Now this minister contends that what took place at this moment in the life of the Messiah proves that acquiring small amounts on food on the Sabbath is not a violation of God’s Sabbath law.

As a matter of fact he even cites the Old Testament when making this point. He does so because the Old Testament made provision for the poor and the stranger and travelers to glean from another man’s field.

You can read this in Deuteronomy. So let’s go there

Deuteronomy 23:24-25

When you come into your neighbor's vineyard, then you may eat grapes at your own pleasure; but you shalt not put any in a vessel. (that of course would be theft)

When you come into the standing corn of your neighbor, you may pluck the ears with your hand; but thou shall not move a sickle unto your neighbor's standing corn. (in other words you nay not harvest it. That would be theft)

“What the disciples did was legal.”

However, what he fails to acknowledge is that the Messiah implied just the opposite.

Brethren, I want you to think about something. If what the disciples did was lawful, why would Jesus cite the examples of David and the Levites in their defense? Our Savior readily acknowledged that both David and the Levites did that which went contrary to God's law (Mt. 12:3-5).

If this wasn't also true of the disciples, why did Christ invoke these particular examples? Why didn't He simply argue that no law had been violated? Why didn’t He just cite the provision in the scriptures that provided for gleaning on another man’s property?

He could have said. “You foolish Pharisees, you error in not knowing the law or the power of God. For the law says one may gather food from another man’s fields.” That would have stopped these spiritual leaders dead in their tracks. But He didn’t invoke Deuteronomy.

The question is WHY? After all, this minister cites it as proof that no law had been broken. Why didn’t Jesus?

Well, to answer this question, it is important to understand something about what was taking place in this field as well as something about the Pharisees. Let’s begin with the Pharisees, Jesus’ greatest antagonists.

Brethren, although these religious thinkers were treacherous, they weren't stupid. These men were acutely aware of the provision in the Torah permitting gleaning by a stranger or the poor, on another man's estate. However, they also knew that this provision did not extend to gleaning on the Sabbath, regardless of how little was gathered. And Jesus knew it as well.

Brethren, if you read Matthew’s account of this event carefully you will notice that Jesus never challenged the Pharisees' understanding of the law, but rather their understanding of MERCY. The truth is that the Messiah considered His disciples "guiltless," not because of what they did, but because of why they did it.

The disciples were genuinely famished, just like David—and like David, what was done to remedy it was unquestionably a once-in-a-lifetime act, not something that could be planned out like making Friday evening dinner reservations at a five-star restaurant.

With that said I want to make two observations regarding what took place here.

The first one involves Jesus’ invocation of David and the shewbread.

Listen carefully.

Brethren, when David ate the shewbread he didn’t simply take it and start eating. He first approached the priest and asked for permission to do so. And he had a very good reason for asking.

The scriptures tell us that at this time David was being pursued by King Saul who wanted to kill him. His flight required him and his men to hide out in order to avoid capture and certain execution. In all likelihood, their escape was so swift that they didn’t have time to take provisions with them. Some commentaries suggest that they may have gone as much as 3 days without food when David finally sought out the priest for help.

Jamison, Fausset and Brown’s commentary described David’s plight as “an emergency.” They went on to say: And I quote:

“David and his attendants seem to have been lurking in some of the adjoining caves, to elude pursuit, and to have been, consequently,reduced to great extremities of hunger.”

They were starving, brethren. This was not a simple case of the “munchies.” Nor were they looking for a nice place to fellowship. Their need was REAL. And their situation was becoming desperate.

However, even then David sought the permission of the priest before taking the showbread. And although his need was truly GREAT, Ahimelech the priest still inquired of God as to whether he could give David the food.

Now the scriptures tell us that God showed mercy to David and consented. JFB put it this way. Quote

“A dispensation to use the hallowed bread was specially granted by God Himself.”

WHY BRING IT UP?

The reason I bring this up is this. Why would Jesus invoke the story of David at this time if it didn’t parallel, to some degree, what was taking place with the disciples?

Brethren, I am absolutely convinced, based on Jesus’ response, that this is very similar to what took place in that grain field. In essence the disciples were genuinely hungry, perhaps even famished. You don’t know why. But like David they must have had a very good reason for having not eaten. As a result, they inquired of the Messiah to see if they could gather a small amount of grain to eat. Jesus consented.

Now I personally believe that Jesus was making two points in using David’s example when defending His men.

The first was that the Pharisees were quick to judge the disciples without knowing all the facts. By invoking the story of David Jesus put the situation in perspective. In other words, there is more here than meets the eye.

The second point Jesus was making is truly extraordinary. I believe He was telling the Pharisees that the same God who gave David permission to eat the shewbread gave the disciples permission to eat the grain. Jesus was that God. This is why He said, “For the Son of man is Lord even of the Sabbath day” Brethren, with these words He was asserting His jurisdictional authority in the matter.

The bottom line is this. God's judgment of David as well as His judgment of the apostles was based on a unique circumstance at a unique time. And for this minister to hold this example as proof that God’s people may now make plans to pay Sabbath-breakers to prepare their meals on holy time and also be held guiltless is disgraceful. In a very real sense such a belief turns the grace of God into license. In other words, it rejects the true meaning of the words "I desire mercy and not sacrifice," and represents them to mean "If you can acquire your Sabbath food once, because of a genuine need, then I can do it on occasion because of the pleasure I derive from it.”

Brethren, at one point in his sermon this minister actually referred to dining out on the Sabbath as “a treat.” Do you think that is why David ate the shewbread? Or, why the disciples picked grain

Now here is another observation I want to make concerning what took place in Matthew 12. And it is something you may never have thought about

Brethren, Jesus NEVER picked, nor ate, anything Himself—only His disciples did. Even the accusation of the Pharisees centered on the disciples, not the Messiah. Notice what they said:

“Behold, thy disciples do that which is not lawful to do upon the Sabbath day.”

The question we need to ask ourselves is, why wouldn't Jesus pick grain like His disciples? The only explanation that makes sense is that to do so would have gone contrary to God's law and the Messiah never offended in one point of the law. And although He gave the disciples dispensation, He wouldn’t give it to Himself.

Brethren, I’d like to offer a final thought on this particular point.

A Final Thought

The assertion by this minister that it is permissible with the Lord of the Sabbath for God's people to acquire their Sabbath meals on holy time is TOTALLY FALSE. The Old Testament never permitted it. And Jesus never said any such thing, nor did He imply it—in either word or deed.

This now brings us to the third argument offered by this COG leader.

Argument III
“Embracing the Ridiculous and Rejecting the Obvious”

Brethren, at one point in his sermon this pastor claims that the fourth commandment’s prohibition against compelling servants to labor does not apply to restaurant employees because they are not slaves as defined by the scriptures. In other words, he believes the Bible is silent concerning whether God’s people may seek out Sabbath-breakers and pay them to labor on their behalf on holy time, because the command never addresses this specific situation.

This pastor’s position is consistent with that of his Church affiliation. Here is how the doctrinal committee of his Church expressed it. Please listen very carefully to their words because this pastor is in total agreement with them. Quote:

From the Doctrinal Committee

The waitresses, waiters, cooks, etc., in a restaurant are not your servants. They do not live in your household. This was the principle given in Exodus. Those who live under your roof or are under your control were not to work on the Sabbath. This cannot be applied to a waitress unless you have control over her and can force her not to work.”

Brethren, if what this Church says is true why stop at restaurants? Why not take your car to be washed—they’re not your servants. Or. Pick up your dry cleaning, or go to the bank? It’s not as if you can prevent them from working on the Sabbath. And ladies what about pampering yourself with a few hours at a spa? What about having the gardener do some landscaping on your property on holy time? Or hire someone to clean out your garage? They’re not your servants either.

Brethren, what this pastor’s Church asserts as the "principle given in Exodus" is totally CONTRIVED! In essence they claim the fourth commandment is more properly rendered:

“Remember the Sabbath day to sanctify it, as the Lord your God has commanded you. Six days you shall labor, and do all your work: but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord your God: in it you shall not do any work, you nor your son, nor your daughter, nor your manservant, nor your maidservant. However, you may compel someone else’s manservant or maidservant to labor on your behalf, provided they genuinely desire to work and are appropriately compensated for it.”

Contrary to what it claims, God's purpose when giving the fourth commandment was not to define who could work on the Sabbath and who couldn't.

When the Almighty was presenting His Sabbath law He was not crafting some elaborate labor code. He was declaring in no uncertain terms that the Sabbath is HOLY and that work profanes this day no matter who performs it.

Whose Servants are They?

And to me brethren, the idea that any Sabbath keeping minister of the true God would dare to suggest that those who labor in a restaurant on this day are not slaves, is bizarre.

The scriptures actually say that this is exactly what they are. They are slaves. Every bit as much as the children of Israel were slaves some 3500 years ago. That is what sin is. It is a form of SLAVERY. It is bondage. The apostle Paul certainly thought so and conveyed just that in a letter to the Church at Rome. Here is how he expressed it.

Romans 6:16

Know you not, that to whom you yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants you are to whom you obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? (Ro. 6:16)

Brethren, today, those who work on the Sabbath are truly slaves to sin—a sin that has been sold by mankind’s greatest enemy (Rev. 12:9). In other words, they profane God’s day because they have been deceived into doing so by a real God rejecting devil who has dedicated his entire existence to destroying the great hope that the Sabbath pictures.

And by soliciting their sabbath breaking labor those in God’s Church are promoting that deception.

And if you have any doubts concerning Satan’s complicity in this sin… THINK AGAIN

Brethren, regardless of what the leaders of His Church falsely claim he is the force behind profaning the Sabbath.

2 Corinthians 4:3-4

But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.

Brethren, whether this minister wants to believe it or not, those in God’s Church who solicit the sin taking place in a restaurant every Sabbath are condoning both the slavery and the SLAVE MASTER.

And we, of all people, should understand this because we were once deceived by that same slave master. You know the scriptures actually say that.

Deuteronomy 5:15

And remember that you were a slave in the land of Egypt, and that the Lord your God brought you out thence through a mighty hand and by an outstretched arm: therefore the Lord your God commands you to keep the Sabbath holy.

The Bottom Line

Here’s the bottom line on this particular argument.

Brethren, the scriptures reveal that just as the children of Israel were enslaved in Egypt until God miraculously delivered them, those whom He has called in this present age were also once enslaved in spiritual Egypt. God’s people today were once in bondage. We once believed the things the world believes, taught the things the world teaches, and practiced the things the world practices.

We even profaned God’s Sabbath and holy days. We did so because we were blinded by the ultimate Sabbath breaker.

However, the scriptures tell us that we were delivered from that bondage. And it is forthis reason that God’s people today should never seek out the modern day slave to work on their behalf on the Sabbath. We must reject this practice because we were miraculously delivered from the very bondage those who work in restaurants find themselves in today.

And brethren, that’s the REAL principle given in Exodus!

We now come to Argument IV

Argument IV
“Smoke & Mirrors”

Brethren, virtually every advocate of dining out on the Sabbath has a slant on Nehemiah’s indictment of the nobles of Judah—and this pastor is no different. He claims that Nehemiah only condemned spending the entire day profaning the fourth commandment, not just an hour or two enjoying a meal prepared by paid Sabbath-breakers.

In other words, according to him this sin is a matter of degrees, and in his view, anything as minor as dining out in a commercial restaurant is not worthy of being considered a violation of God’s law. He repeatedly claims that what took place in Jerusalem during Nehemiah’s time was a market day—Not the simple acquisition of a meal.

Now apparently, he derives a great deal of consolation in making a distinction between spending all day buying products from food merchants as opposed to only purchasing one meal from food merchants. And he is not alone in this assessment. Here is how the doctrinal committee of his Church attempts to make this same distinction.

As you hear it please notice how they attempt to magnify the difference between shopping at a market and dining out. By the way I call this the “Huge Difference Theory”

And I quote.

“There is a huge difference between opening up a market or going to market on the Sabbath day and eating a meal in a restaurant.”

Responding to the “Huge Difference” Theory

Brethren that is true. However, this is true as well. There is also a huge difference between working all day on the Sabbath in a coal mine and working two short hours as a part-time receptionist in an air-conditioned office. But does this huge difference meanthat one of these behaviors is not violating the fourth commandment?

Brethren, what this pastor and his Church are doing is a desperate attempt to manufacture an artificial line between the sin they wish to commit and the sin of others. They do this in order to deflect attention away from their sin. And it will always work because you can always find some trespass that is much worse than anything you’ve ever done.

Brethren, the argument these Church leaders advance is very transparent. Not only that, but making such comparisons goes totally contrary to God’s word which cautions believers from comparing themselves to others. It’s just not the standard God uses

2 Corinthians 10:12

For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.

Brethren, the fact that some sins may appear more severe than others does not mitigate anything. Unfortunately, this fact doesn’t stop these Church leaders from pursuing this particular approach. Consider how they continue to make a broad distinction between going to a market and going to a restaurant. And I quote.

“Nehemiah saw people treading grapes on the Sabbath—working in clear violation of the Sabbath command (Exodus 20:8-11; Deuteronomy 5:12-15). They were loading up their produce and bringing it into Jerusalem to sell. They had again made the Sabbath a market day. All of these activities mentioned here (Nehemiah 13:15-17) dealt with a market day. This is not a restaurant nor does it have anything to do with eating a meal. It was a market day! Notice the items mentioned here: wine, sheaves, grapes, figs, provisions (corn and other items of sustenance), fish and “all kinds of goods.”

Brethren, I am not making this up. This is a direct quote They offer it because they think it somehow proves that God would never take issue with His people seeking out Sabbath-breakers to prepare their meals and paying to do so. According to these Church leaders He only condemns setting up a grocery store or patronizing one. After all, Nehemiah makes no mention of a restaurant here.

Brethren, do you honestly believe this is how God thinks? What this Church and this pastor have done with this point is self-justification at its worst.

A Striking Resemblance

Furthermore, contrary to what these learned men claim, what took place in Nehemiah’s time has a striking resemblance to what takes place in a restaurant today. I know people who work in restaurants. My Son actually worked in a very upscale restaurant in Southern California.

With that said recently I asked him how they get their inventory of goods to sell. He informed me that they were delivered by fleets of trucks.

For example:

Bakery trucks deliver breads and pastries.

Produce trucks deliver fresh fruits and vegetables.

Beverage trucks deliver a variety of drinks and alcohol.

Meat trucks provide beef, poultry and seafood products.

Some fine bistros even have their linens (tablecloths and napkins) delivered.

 

The point here brethren is that the only difference between today and Nehemiah’s time is the method used to transport great amounts of food. In Nehemiah’s day they used carts and animals. Today, they use refrigerated trucks.

Brethren, if this pastor is really honest with himself he would have to admit that a restaurant is nothing other than another food merchant selling their victuals on the Sabbath. And by the way, the claim by this Church that there is no mention of eating a meal on the Sabbath is not true. It is wishful thinking, not a Biblical fact.

Brethren, the word “victuals” used in Nehemiah’s indictment comes from the Hebrew word tsayid. This word means, “game,” “lunch,” or that which is “taken in hunting.” It has also been used to refer to a single meal. There is nothing in Nehemiah, or any other book, suggesting that the purchaser would have to buy large amounts of food in order to be profaning the Sabbath.

It is just not there brethren.

It is true that the merchants had brought significant amounts of food into Jerusalem. But they would have sold their victuals in any quantity their customer wished to purchase. You know even today you can buy an apple at a supermarket and they’ll sell to you gladly.

And although this Church and this pastor desperately want you to believe that the issue was about the volume of food purchased, this was clearly not what concerned Nehemiah. Nowhere does this faithful man mention the volume of food purchased or length of this activity as an issue, but rather the activity itself. He threw every merchant and vendor out of the city.

And when doing so he issued a directive to God’s people concerning their Sabbath behavior that specifically addressed the scope of what God requires of them.

Nehemiah 10:31

And if the people of the land bring ware or ANY victuals on the Sabbath day to sell, that we would not buy it of them on the Sabbath, or on the holy day.

With that said, I’d like to offer a final thought on this particular argument.

A Final Thought

Brethren, this long-standing minister and his very prominent Church may draw some perverse consolation from the belief that Nehemiah was only opposed to Wall Mart and Costco but not opposed to Chilis or the Outback Steakhouse if they want, but they do not have the force of scripture to defend their view.

There is not one chance in a trillion that Nehemiah would have allowed one restaurant to remain open for one minute on God’s Sabbath.

Furthermore, this minister knows it.

And there is not one chance in a trillion that Nehemiah would have allowed God’s people to spend one cent on their goods.

And this minister knows this as well.

Brethren, the defenders of dining out on the Sabbath may choose to ignore this, but Nehemiah was motivated to take action because he knew all to well where this sin would ultimately take God’s people. And believe me it is not a pleasant place. And we’re going to find that out right now.

Argument V
“Dismissing Nehemiah”

Brethren, at one point in his message, this pastor implies that Nehemiah is not an authoritative Old Testament book because it is not a part of the law and the prophets.

Now he doesn’t say this directly but it is the only reason for him to advance the following point. Listen carefully brethren.

These are the words from one who claims to be a minister of the GOSPEL.

And I Quote

“To know where doctrine is established we must be able to rightly divide the word.”

“The Jews understood that the place to go to understand God’s word was the law and the prophets.”

“Jesus Christ upheld this concept of the law and the prophets as the place one should go to understand God’s instructions.”

What this pastor is suggesting is stunning. In essence he is not denying that Nehemiah leveled a blistering indictment against the nobles of Judah for purchasing goods and services on the Sabbath. Rather he is arguing that Nehemiah had no such authority to do so. After all, Nehemiah is not a prophet. Therefore, his words have no authority over God’s people today.

Brethren, I don’t have any idea why this COG leader would think this observation would somehow prove that God’s people may now solicit the services of Sabbath breakers and pay them for their labor on holy time but that is exactly what he is doing.

After all, it isn’t as though the law and the prophets are silent on the issue of Sabbath observance. And quite frankly, neither comes close to supporting this man’s position.

On the contrary, both the law and the prophets soundly condemn this practice.

Taking Pause

And although this minister wants to dismiss Nehemiah’s blistering indictment of the nobles of Judah, and his prohibition against buying and selling on holy time, because his words are not included in the weightier books, I suggest that he take serious pause before ever parading this argument before God’s people again.

And while he does perhaps he should consider the words of a Great prophet God also sent to the nobles of Judah nearly 100 years before Nehemiah.

The prophet’s name was Jeremiah and his stinging rebuke makes absolutely clear how God Almighty feels about His Sabbath and those who would dare profane it. Furthermore, when Nehemiah mentioned the “evil” the Jews had brought upon themselves he was actually citing Jeremiah and his rebuke of God’s people.

Brethren, Jeremiah actually quotes the Creator Himself and conveys the great agitation the Lord of the Sabbath had because of a practice that looks remarkably similar to theone Nehemiah confronted.

It is recorded in Jeremiah 17. I am going to read this from the Good News Translation.

Buckle up everyone.

Jeremiah 17: 20-22, 24, 27

20. Tell the kings and all the people of Judah and everyone who lives in Jerusalem and enters these gates, to listen to what I say.

21. Tell them that if they love their lives, they must not carry any load on the Sabbath; they must not carry anything in through the gates of Jerusalem

22. or carry anything out of their houses on the Sabbath. They must not work on the Sabbath; they must observe it as a sacred day, as I commanded their ancestors.

24. "Tell these people that they must obey all my commands. They must not carry any load in through the gates of this city on the Sabbath. They must observe the Sabbath as a sacred day and must not do any work at all.

27. But they must obey me and observe the Sabbath as a sacred day.They must not carry any load through the gates of Jerusalem on that day, for if they do, I will set the gates of Jerusalem on fire. Fire will burn down the palaces of Jerusalem, and no one will be able to put it out." (Jer. 17:20-22, 24, 27)

Tragically, the leaders of Judah refused to heed God’s warning and they would pay dearly for their defiance. For you see brethren, God was not bluffing. Unfortunately, His people would find this out the hard way.

Brethren, both the scriptures as well as secular history reveal that a powerful Chaldean army would attack Jerusalem and leave it in ruins.

Here is how Jeremiah described its utter destruction.

Jeremiah 52:12

Now on the tenth day of the fifth month, which was the nineteenth year of King Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, Nebuzaradan the captain of the bodyguard, who was in the service of the king of Babylon, came to Jerusalem. He burned the house of the Lord, the king’s house and all the houses of Jerusalem; even every large house he burned with fire. So all the army of the Chaldeans who were with the captain of the guard broke down all the walls around Jerusalem.

Brethren, the book of Lamentations bewails what happened to this once great city. Here is how Jeremiah expressed his sorrow at its destruction. I’m reading from the “New American Standard” version

Lamentations 1:1

How lonely sits the city

That was full of people!

She has become like a widow

Who was once great among the nations!

She who was a princess among the provinces

Has become a forced laborer!

“A forced laborer” brethren. God’s people were thrust into captivity because they thought they could trifle with the Sabbath. They did so because they would rather embrace their traditions than listen to the truth. They thought they could decide for themselves how the Sabbath could be observed. They thought they could make up their own rules concerning this holy convocation.

But in the end all they got was bondage.

Five Questions

Brethren, I would like to conclude by presenting five very serious questions. I offer them because they honestly capture the essence of this issue as it applies to you personally. I cannot emphasize too much how critical it is for you ponder them carefully.

Here they are:

1) Are you prepared to bet captivity that even though the fourth commandment specifically prohibits ALL WORK from being done on the Sabbath, that God only meant to prohibit “SERVILE WORK” like He does on His annual holy days?

Because that is exactly what the stakes are

2) Are you prepared to bet captivity that because Jesus’ disciples picked grain on the Sabbath once in their life, that God’s people may now seek out Sabbath breakers to pick it for them because of the pleasure they derive from it.

Because that is exactly what the stakes are

3) Are you prepared to bet captivity that those who labor in restaurants on holy time are not really slaves at all, therefore, you can seek them out and pay them to labor on your behalf?

Because that is exactly what the stakes are

4) Are you prepared to bet captivity that Nehemiah only condemned spending the entire Sabbath at a market, not just an hour or two buying a meal from local unconverted food merchants?

Because that is exactly what the stakes are

5) Are you prepared to bet captivity that Nehemiah’s words don’t reflect the sentiments of God Almighty because his book is not regarded as a part of the law or the prophets?

Because that is exactly what the stakes are

A Final Thought

I would like to leave you with one final thought on this issue.

Brethren, God’s people have never had a great track record when it comes to Sabbath observance.

Oh, to be sure they were aware of this day. But that knowledge is worthless without genuine obedience, as God counts obedience.

Brethren, the history of God’s people in the desert as well as the history of the kingdoms of Israel and Judah is a sad tale of defiance against the 4 th commandment.

And I fear that this generation is repeating that tale. And if it doesn’t repent, its destination will be the same as theirs.

Brethren, think about this.

Not everyone is taken to a place of safety.

Not everyone is delivered from what the book of Revelation refers to as the hour of temptation.

The complacent will be left behind. And like those before them, they will have to learn their lessons the hard way.

Brethren, this is what Jeremiah was warning Judah about during the Days of King Zedekiah.

It is what Nehemiah was warning the nobles of Judah about during the days of Artaxerxes.

And it is what “A Sabbath Test” is warning God’s people about today.

I sincerely hope you have heard it.

Brethren, thank you for allowing me to share it with you. It has truly been an HONOR to do so.

Volume III
Things Unfinished

DIRECTORY