13th March 2025

13th March 2025


Pray (ACts)


Read (Exodus 20v8-11)


Message (Scott Woodburn)


There was a period in the history of Northern Ireland that it wasn't uncommon for the swings in town parks to be locked on the Lord's Day. Those days are long gone and it seems that locks are no longer placed on anything when Sunday comes. But what is required by the fourth commandment? "The fourth commandment requireth of all men the sanctifying or keeping holy to God such set times as he hath appointed in his word, expressly one whole day in seven; which was the seventh from the beginning of the world to the resurrection of Christ, and the first day of the week ever since, and so to continue to the end of the world; which is the Christian sabbath, and in the New Testament called The Lord’s Day."


The Lord requires us to put one day aside to attend to matters of the soul. Life is increasingly busy, phones buzz incessantly and many of us are just pure done out. What is to be done? Set aside the Lord's day, worship the Lord and consider His majesty. The Larger Catechism argues that the Lord's day is a day to rest from our usual work and hobbies. I think it is a real tragedy that so many are now called to work seven days a week. I'm certain that many of our personal troubles come from the fact that the world doesn't seem to stop. The Lord in His wisdom calls us to set aside our work, our sport, our usual activity and to rest in Him.


Is the Lord's day for either sitting in the house or church? By no means. We should delight in the worship of God on the Lord's day but we shouldn't be afraid to do works of necessity and mercy. In other words if your cows need to be milked then you should milk them and if granny falls out of bed you shouldn't leave her until Monday morning. But ordinarily and ideally the Lord's day is for the Lord and for our soul.


There is a saying that those who fail to prepare, prepare to fail and so it is a wise person who prepares for the Lord's day. We are to ready our affairs and our hearts so that we can make the most of the day the Lord has given us. Do you remember when we said that Covid would teach us to value what is really important? As I reflect on these past five years I don't think Covid changed anything. We are as busy as ever, life moves at one hundred miles per hour and increasingly we are exhausted all the time.


Brothers and sisters, stop running so hard. The Lord knows your frame and He understands our frailty. Equally He knows that the things which charm us have no eternal significance. When the Lord's day comes again, receive it with great joy. The Lord has established it so that you can worship Him and rest from all your labours. It isn't optional but it is for your good - call the Lord's day a joy.


Pray (acTS)


Sing


WSC


Q30 How doth the Spirit apply to us the redemption purchased by Christ? The Spirit applieth to us the redemption purchased by Christ, by working faith in us, and thereby uniting us to Christ in our effectual calling.
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