I’m so glad that it’s Sunday! It’s the Lord’s Day! Under the Law of Moses, the Israelites were commanded to “Remember the Sabbath Day, to keep it holy” (Exodus 20:8). The Sabbath Day was Saturday, the seventh day, and it represented the day of rest. “And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made” (Genesis 2:2). But we now worship on the first day of the week, as was the practice of the New Testament church. “And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight” (Acts 20:7). It’s a significant day because it is the day that Christ rose from the dead, ““Now when Jesus was risen early the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had cast seven devils” (Mark 16:9).
We know that the apostles heard sound preaching on the first day of the week. They also gathered together to “break bread” or partake of the communion which represented and reminded them and us of the sacrifice Jesus made when He went to the cross(Acts 20:7). They gave on the first day of the week, as commanded in I Corinthians 16:2, “On the first day of every week let each one of you put aside and save, as he may prosper, that no collections be made when I come.” Other acts of worship include singing, “Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord” (Ephesians 5:19 – note, we are all to sing and the instrument we use is our heart) and praying, “Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him” (Acts 12:5).
Yes, today is such a special day! I get to worship and fellowship with my church family! Yay! “This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it” (Psalm 118:24). We are to gather together as the church on the first day of the week. “If therefore the whole church be come together into one place. . .” (I Corinthians 14:23a). So, what are your plans today? Are you going to take advantage of this amazing day to worship and praise God with your church family? We’d love to have you worship with us today at the Doniphan Church of Christ! Our Vacation Bible School starts today! Oh, how we are simply blessed! Courtney
Courtney–call me on my new phone number–nothing wrong–just can’t work my new phone. Not even sure I know how to answer it! Wait about 5-10 mins. Have got to do something before I start talking.