Counsels on Church Life

Counsel #1 — Finding Meaning

Picture: Counsel #1 — Finding Meaning CCL 48.1

The Sabbath was given to us by God as a covenantal reminder of our relationship to Him. In Genesis 1 and 2, God creates the world in six days and rests on the seventh. The Sabbath is a day to remember God created the world out of love for us and created us to enjoy friendship with Him! Prayer, corporate (church) and private worship help us focus on our relationship with God and His desire to recreate us in His image by His Holy Spirit. On the Sabbath we can experience the joy of Christian community as we support each other in the faith. Best of all, the Sabbath is a reminder that God has promised us a future rest in His presence for eternity!^[75] CCL 48.2

“There remains therefore a rest for the people of God. For he who has entered His rest has himself also ceased from his works as God did from His.” Hebrews 4:9, 10 CCL 48.3

“To all who receive the Sabbath as a sign of Christ's creative and redeeming power, it will be a delight. Seeing Christ in it, they delight themselves in Him. The Sabbath points them to the works of creation as an evidence of His mighty power in redemption. While it calls to mind the lost peace of Eden, it tells of peace restored through the Saviour.” Ellen White in The Desire of Ages, p. 289.1 CCL 48.4

Reflect: Does observing the Sabbath lead to a more meaningful spiritual experience for you? What are the reasons behind your answer? CCL 48.5