THE COLLAPSE OF THE WCG BY PROFANING THE SABBATH

Transcription

1 THE COLLAPSE OF THE WCG BY PROFANING THE SABBATH By Vern F Kardell Welcome brethren to my Web Site Provetheword.com for those of you who don t know me, my name is Vern Kardell. Thank you for joining me; I titled today s sermon The Collapse of the WCG by Profaning the Sabbath and how it has, a major effect on the health and welfare of the church today. For reference, I used a Study Paper published by COGWA. The title is Eating in a Restaurant on The Sabbath. Their Ministerial Board of Directors approved it in November I urge you to go to their website and read the entire article as I am only covering some of the highlights here today. Most of us including the ministry are unaware that profaning the Sabbath and the Holy Day s caused the collapse of the Worldwide Church of God and the scattering of the church. As disappointing, as it may seem most of us have had a role in profaning the Sabbath and helped in bringing down Gods church. It began with the dissension and corruption in the Worldwide Church of God (WCG) and many of those who were not of us left the Church. It was disappointing that they so quickly returned to keeping Sunday, Pagan Holidays and eating unclean foods.

2 Then in 1995, God allowed the breakup and scattering of His church. After all, it was His church, what was His reason. You and I know there is not a man alive that could bring the church of God down unless He allowed it. The church, which had lost its way, was now free to unite and restore the government of God. However, there were those among us, who had a lust for power and position. They saw this as an opportunity to continue with the government of men but more on that later. Today my focus is on profaning the Sabbath by going out to eat in a restaurant, on the Sabbath and Holy Days. Not only COGWA, many other churches have a similar belief including the United Church, Living Church, Philadelphia Church, and the Restored Church of God. The profaning of the Sabbath and Holy Days has been going on for many years. Blinded by Satan it is still going on and is so serious that if we continue on the present path it will jeopardize our survival as a church. Webster s New Collegiate Dictionary says the word profane means to treat (something that is sacred) with abuse, irreverence, or contempt: DESECRATE, VIOLATE Many of the churches who keep the seventh day Sabbath and others who claim to be the Church of God profane and break the Sabbath on a regular basis. Like the world around us, they twist the scriptures to their own destruction. We have been taught that eating in a restaurant on the Sabbath and Holy days is okay but it is not okay. 2

3 Brethren, regardless of what you, have been told going out to eat in a restaurant, on the Sabbath, and Holy Days, is profaning the Sabbath. In the Introduction of COGWA s study paper, they go on to say about the Sabbath, that it is okay to eat in a restaurant on the Sabbath. Quote: There is no question that the Sabbath is a holy day and God s command, to faithfully, respect the holiness of the Sabbath serves as the spiritual foundation for our understanding of how to observe the Sabbath. It is important to us and to God that we honor Him in its observance, instead of providing a detailed list of acceptable and unacceptable actions. unquote So COGWA says we don t need a detailed list of acceptable and unacceptable actions as to how we observe the Sabbath. You and I know that God provides us, with acceptable and unacceptable instructions, as to how we should keep the Sabbath, they are called the commandments. However, COGWA says disregard what is acceptable and unacceptable, we don t need a detailed list as to how we observe the Sabbath. They go on to say quote, it is not a violation of God s Sabbath command, to eat in a restaurant on the Sabbath or annual Holy Days. However, if one decides for conscience sake that he cannot eat in a restaurant on the Sabbath we would 3

4 encourage the individual to be true to his conscience. Each one should live according to his faith, while promoting peace and harmony in the church as a whole. Unquote. Then on page 9 of their study paper, they say Quote Jesus stated that the Sabbath was made for man and not man for the Sabbath. That is, the Sabbath was created to benefit mankind, not to be a day that people serve by being saddled with unnecessary rules and limitations. Unquote Now if we break those statements down, they are telling us that as long as we observe the Sabbath we don t need God telling us how to keep it with a detailed list of acceptable and unacceptable actions or unnecessary rules and limitations. However, they say if it bothers your conscience, don t go out to eat in a restaurant because we want harmony in the church. It does not matter to the authors of the article I just quoted how we observe the Sabbath as long as we observe it. Some of you are aware, that this was going on; I was not until God opened my eyes to it. We have been deceived brethren. They go on to say in the introduction of their study paper that Quote God has left it to us to apply proper judgment to have our senses exercised to discern both good and evil based upon the instructions and principles He has revealed. unquote God has not left it to us as to how we observe the Sabbath, Nehemiah in chapter 10 tells us not to buy or sell on the Sabbath, doesn t that cover everything? Profaning the 4

5 Sabbath, by going to a restaurant and purchasing a meal is not keeping the commandments it is a sin. Just, like the world around, us we think we honor and keep the Sabbath Holy and all along Satan has done a number on us. He has deceived us into profaning the Sabbath day. The president of COGWA wrote a letter in Feb 2016 stating that Quote In fact, profaning the Sabbath is so serious to God that Ezekiel lists it as one of the two primary reasons for Israel s captivity in the 8 th century B.C. (Ezekiel 20:19-26). He is absolutely, right but it does not coincide with their study paper. Their paper condones and encourages going out to eat in a restaurant on the Sabbath and Holy Days. They go on to say Quote: The church, has long taught that it is not wrong to eat out on the weekly Sabbath occasionally, or on the annual Holy Days, depending upon one s circumstances and preferences. Unquote: Ok, so what does, depending upon one s own circumstances and preference s mean, other than doing, your own thing? Sin is sin it doesn t matter if you occasionally sin or you always sin it is still sin. They go on to say quote. This conclusion is consistent with previous doctrinal statements that it is not a violation of God s Sabbath command to eat in a restaurant on a Sabbath or a Holy Day unquote. 5

6 It does not stop there apparently, they think that we only have the basic principles of Sabbath observance and God has left it up to us to figure out the rest. Not only that we are to, base it on new situations and opportunities. In COGWA S study paper introduction, they say; quote God has chosen to reveal the basic principles of Sabbath observance and that it can be consistently applied as we encounter new situations and opportunities. He has left it to us, to apply proper judgment to have our senses exercised to discern both good and evil based upon the instructions and principles He has revealed unquote. I take this to mean, that depending upon what situations and opportunities we get involved in we can decide for ourselves how to interpret God s instructions for keeping the Sabbath. Does this mean we have only a part of the commandments and God expects us to fill in the rest? Now we know better than that, God did not leave it up to us as to how we observe the Sabbath, don t be fooled brethren. His instructions and commandments are clear keep it Holy We have profaned not only the Sabbath we have profaned God the Father by showing contempt for His law. If we allow the Holy Spirit, to help us discern good from evil, we will not be in danger of being imposed on by false doctrine. 6

7 Ezekiel 22:26 Her priests have violated My law and profaned My holy things; they have not distinguished between the holy and the unholy, nor have they made known the difference between the unclean and the clean; and they have hidden their eyes from My Sabbath, so that I am profaned among them. COGWA goes on to say; quote. This paper offers a thorough study of relevant scriptures and principles and provides a brief historical perspective of our teaching. The conclusion is consistent with previous doctrinal statements: It is not a violation of God s Sabbath command to eat in a restaurant on a Sabbath or Holy Day. Unquote Notice they said it is their teaching. It sure is not Gods teaching. I wonder what the relevant scriptures are that gives them the right to profane the Sabbath. Other than keeping it on the seventh day, they blatantly announce without shame that God does not impose any restrictions on how to keep the Sabbath. Where in scripture does it say it is okay to buy or sell on the Sabbath? It says just the opposite one cannot justify buying a meal on the Sabbath or Holy Days it is breaking the commandment. Since the commandments are just that, a command, and not a suggestion, no one has the authority to adjust the scriptures to fit the mold, of the world around us. God is clear as to how we are to keep the Sabbath Holy and it has nothing to do with new situations and opportunities. Furthermore, He has not left it up to us as to how we are to observe the Sabbath. 7

8 As COGWA S Study Paper continues, we will see how the scriptures and the commandments of men, conflict in keeping the Sabbath Holy and the consequences of profaning the Sabbath. Jesus said in Matthew 15:8-9 these people draw near to Me with their mouth, and honor Me with their lips but their heart is far from Me. And in vain do they worship Me teaching as doctrine, the commandments of men. Jesus said He was Lord of the Sabbath and it was made for man. Mark 2:27-28 The Sabbath was made for man and not man for the Sabbath. Therefore the son of man is also Lord of the Sabbath. The, Sabbath, was created for man but the Sabbath belongs to God, we are reminded to remember that the Sabbath is a Holy Day. The Father said if we keep His Sabbaths they would be a sign between Him and His people. Exodus 31: and the Lord spoke to Moses saying, speak also to the children of Israel saying: Surely, My Sabbaths you shall keep, for it is a sign between Me and you throughout all your generations that you may know that I am the Lord who sanctifies you. The Sabbath is a sign that identifies who we are (God s true church.) the body of Christ. God s Church keeps all the commandments of God. 8

9 Not only is God s Sabbaths a sign between God and His church, He sanctifies us and sets us apart as holy from the world, we are special to Him. That sign, will no longer identify us as God s true church if we continue to profane the Sabbath and the Holy Days. That sign will be removed because we have broken everyone of God s laws. Haven t we fallen short of that blessing when we profane God s Sabbath and go to a restaurant on the Sabbath and Holy days? We should be apart from all that, not a part of it. The scriptures tell us that if we break one commandment we break them all. Not only is one guilty of breaking the law they are not to teach others to break the law. This is serious brethren, there is no such thing as breaking one law. James 2:10 for whosoever shall keep the whole law and yet stumble in one point he is guilty of all. For years, we have been deceived into profaning the Sabbath and the church has been held captive by it. No wonder the Worldwide Church of God fell apart. Matthew 5:18-19 for assuredly I say to you till heaven and earth pass away one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law until all is fulfilled. Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so shall be called least in the Kingdom of Heaven; but whoever does and teaches them he shall be called great in the Kingdom of Heaven. 9

10 The commandments are commanded, they affect not only us they affect our children. It will be well with our children and us forever if we keep the commandments. God promises our children a longer life, by our obedience to them and we are blessed for not profaning the Sabbath. Deuteronomy 5:29 Oh that they had such a heart in them that they would fear Me and always keep all My commandments that it might be well with them and with their children forever. Deuteronomy 6:2 that you may fear the Lord your God to keep all His statutes and His commandments which I commanded you, and your son and your grandson all the days of your life and that your days may be prolonged Isaiah 56:2 Blessed is the man who does this, and the son of man who lays hold on it; who keeps from defiling the Sabbath and keeps his hand from doing evil. Nehemiah tells us not to buy or sell on the Sabbath. It doesn t matter what you buy on the Sabbath whether it s a meal or anything else we are not to buy or sell. The study paper I previously mentioned says yes but God doesn t say anything about food. What part of no don t they understand? We are not supposed to buy or sell anything on the Sabbath. 10

11 Nehemiah 10:31 If the peoples of the land brought wares or any grain to sell on the Sabbath day, we would not buy it from them on the Sabbath or on a holy day. Eating in a restaurant on the Sabbath or Holy Days comes at a price. The Father says we are to turn away from the world not doing our own pleasure, turn away your foot from dishonoring the Sabbath. Leaving our place of worship, a holy convocation, to eat in a restaurant profanes the Sabbath. Is a restaurant on the Sabbath a place where God would put His name for the day that He made Holy and sanctified? Is it a place for us, who like the Sabbath are Holy and sanctified? It was, created for us to spend time, with God the Father and our Brethren; it is a sign that identifies God s true Church. His Church keeps (all) His commandments. There should be no doubt in our minds as to where we should be on the Sabbath. The Father s rest is where His Spirit dwells, in His church and with His people not out in the world. Hebrews 4:9 there remains therefore a rest for the people of God. For he who has entered His rest has himself ceased from his works as God did from His. Ezekiel 11:12 and you shall know that I am the Lord; for you have not walked in my statutes nor executed my judgments but have done according to the customs of the Gentiles which are all around you. God did not leave it up to us to decide for ourselves as to how we should observe the Sabbath. His instructions are very clear. It is God s Sabbath, (sanctified) and set apart for us 11

12 to worship God the Father. Not speaking our own words but His words. This study paper also use s the excuse that a waitress or waiter would be working whether we ate in the restaurant or not, therefore they are not our servant. In Exodus 20:8-11 tells us that a servant or a stranger that is among us is, commanded not to work. You; and I know that if you buy a meal on the Sabbath and it is served by someone, that individual is a servant. The waitress has extra work because of us. We are causing her to do work that she would otherwise not have to do. When, it comes to paying for that meal, money changes hands. Isn t it clear that we are not to buy on the Sabbath? What would be the deference between buying a new car on the Sabbath verses buying a meal other than the price? Isaiah 58:13 tells us we are not to do our own pleasure on the Sabbath this includes golfing, jogging, a movie, and other activities. According to this article by COGWA this tradition in the church of going out to eat in a restaurant, begin 60 years ago, under Mr. Herbert Armstrong. They say on page 2 of 18 of their study paper that Mr. Armstrong addressed this question as far back as the 1950s and early 1960s that it was okay to buy a meal on the Sabbath. Also, Mr. Armstrong addressed this question in a bible study in Pasadena, California on Oct , on the topic of how to keep the Sabbath stating: Quote: Now if you go out to a restaurant on the Sabbath, that restaurant is going to be there and that food is going to 12

13 be prepared whether you go or not and the other people are going to be working anyway. They don t keep the Sabbath. They pay no attention to that. Now I had never thought until this evening when the question was brought up to me about whether it s wrong to go to a restaurant to eat. I know when I travel, I have to do it or do without. And so I do Unquote. I remember when Mr. Armstrong used to say he feared for the church when he died because the wolves would move in. Mr. Armstrong was deceived. Little did he know that the wolves were already there and they devoured the church? Paul said in Acts 20:28-30 Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood. For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. (Also from among yourselves men) will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves. It s still going on today, and unless we change our ways and repent for profaning the Sabbath, the church will continue to be held captive and scattered until there are only a few left. The traditions of men are in God s church, unashamed they don t even hide their transgression of the law. They 13

14 brag about Profaning the Sabbath for the past 60 years and God s church has been going downhill ever since. Think of that, for 60 years we have not only profaned the Sabbath but also profaned everyone of the commandments. Jesus said He came not to destroy the law or the prophets but to fulfill the law, Jesus died fulfilling the law for us. The precious Sabbath was one of those laws. Sad to say Gods people and many of the ministry are deceived, they don t even know they are profaning the Sabbath. Lip service given to God does not honor Him nor is buying a meal on the Sabbath; these are the traditions of men, observing the Sabbath is a test by God to see whether we will walk in His law or not. Exodus 16:4 then the Lord said to Moses, Behold, I will rain bread from heaven for you. And the people shall go out and gather a certain quota every day, that I may test them, whether they will walk in My law or not. God was testing the Israelites, as to whether they would keep the Sabbath. Brethren that same test is here today and we are tested each and every week as to how we keep the Sabbath. The guilt for not keeping the law is our guilt as well. Exodus 16:22-30 God tells Moses that the Sabbath is a day of rest and a Holy Day to Him. He gave them twice, as much manna on the sixth day to meet their needs on the Sabbath Day. 14

15 Verse 23 Moses, was instructed by God to bake and boil whatever they needed the day before the Sabbath, that same food, could then be warmed up on the Sabbath. Despite Gods, command to keep the Sabbath Holy some of the Israelites went out anyway on the seventh day to gather manna. What is the difference between the Israelites and us brethren? They went out of their homes to pick up manna on the Sabbath and we leave the church to go buy a meal on the Sabbath. The only difference is their meal was free and ours we paid for, in the end we both profaned the Sabbath. Exodus 16:28 and the Lord said to Moses, How long do you refuse to keep My commandments and My laws? There is no difference between buying a meal on the Sabbath or any other item? Money changes hands. We see in the book of Nehemiah that the people of Israel did not heed the law either. Nehemiah 9:26 Over and over again they walked all over the law even killing the prophets who testified against them. Nehemiah says in chapter 13:15-17 (Jerusalem bible) in those days I saw people in Judah treading wine presses on the Sabbath, and others taking sheaves of corn and loading them on donkeys with wine, grapes, figs and every kind of load which they meant to bring into Jerusalem on the Sabbath day. 15

16 I warned them not to sell the foodstuffs. In Jerusalem itself, Tyrians who lived in the city were bringing in fish and every sort of merchandise to sell them on the Sabbath day. The men of Tyre dwelt there also, who brought in fish and all kinds of goods and they sold them on the Sabbath to the children of Judah and in Jerusalem. They were buying and selling on the Sabbath. What is the difference between buying a meal in a restaurant and those who were buying fish to eat and other wares? By this time, Nehemiah had enough of the people disobeying the commandments and statues and he openly opposed those who continually trampled on the commandments of God and confronted them about keeping the Sabbath day holy. Nehemiah 13:17-18 then I contended with the nobles of Judah and said to them, What evil thing is this that you do, by which you profane the Sabbath day? Did not your fathers do thus and did not our God bring all this disaster on us and on this city? Yet you bring added wrath on Israel by profaning the Sabbath. Profaning the Sabbath is nothing new it s been done in the past and it brought disaster on them. It s brought disaster on us. It is the reason the Worldwide Church of God fell apart and we were scattered because we continually profane the Sabbath. It begin, when Herbert Armstrong gave his approval to eat in a restaurant on the Sabbath and Holy days. The church declined from there with lawsuits, dissention in the ministry, the death of Herbert Armstrong, followed by the captivity and takeover by Joe Tkach. 16

17 I have said it before and I will say it again, there is not a man alive that could bring God s church down unless God allowed it. He allowed; it because we were, and still are profaning the Sabbath and breaking every commandment in the book. My God what have we done? How could we be so deceived? We have been deceived and forgotten that the Sabbath was made for man but the Sabbath is God s. It is a Holy convocation connected to an appointed time, a special holy appointment with God the Father as He speaks to us through His word and through each other by the Holy Spirit. Why would anyone of us go out into the world and leave a holy gathering commanded by God the Father to eat in a restaurant? It is a sin and contempt for God s Sabbath, a Holy convocation intended for fellowship with each other apart from the world. To those who fellowship with the world it becomes an idol as it becomes more important than God. So, important that He scattered the nation of Israel among the gentiles and they went into captivity for profaning His Sabbath. Not only the Sabbath but they were turning to idols. Ezekiel 20:16 because they despised My judgments and did not walk in My statutes, but profaned My Sabbaths for their heart went after idols. God pronounced a death sentence on a man because he was picking up sticks on the Sabbath. 17

18 Numbers 15:32-36 Verse 35, then the Lord said to Moses, the man, must surely be put to death; the entire congregation shall stone him with stones outside the camp. God s death sentence still exists today. Now, we cannot stone someone today but we can die a spiritual death. The Sabbath is the mortar along with God s Spirit that holds the church together. If we continue on the present path not only will we die spiritually the church will die along with us and the Father will remove His Lampstand from the church. Let s not kid ourselves keeping the Sabbath holy is a matter of life or death. It seemed a minor thing to the man who picked up sticks on the Sabbath but there was no doubt in God s mind that the man who did this must surely be put to death. However his death was a physical death not a spiritual one, he did not have the Holy Spirit. That same death sentence for profaning the Sabbath applies to us today. We can and we will lose our first love for not keeping the commandments. COGWA S Study Paper says; quote: In today s world our lives are so interconnected and interdependent that it is impossible to avoid relying on people who work on the Sabbath. One would have to almost totally withdraw from the world. No one is expected to do that. Unquote. We, are commanded to keep God s commandments, they are not a burden as this study paper implies. 18

19 1 John 5:3-4 for this is the love of God that we keep His commandments, and His commandments are not burdensome. For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this the victory that has overcome the world-your faith. The world does not know they profane the Sabbath, but we do and we are being, judged now. Profaning the Sabbath is a felony in God s eyes. 1 Peter 4:17 For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God; and if begins with us first. What will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God? Nehemiah mentions foodstuffs and adamantly says we will buy nothing on the Sabbath. We can readily see that buying anything on the Sabbath violates the commandment. Nehemiah 10:31 the Jerusalem Bible says, If, the natives of the land bring goods or any foodstuff whatever to sell on the Sabbath day, we will buy nothing from them on the Sabbath or holy day. COGWA goes on to say; Quote, As a footnote, it is worth noting that even Nehemiah s zeal and somewhat extreme measures to move the Jewish remnant back to the ways of the true God had little lasting effect unquote. They also say; Quote: Not everything in Nehemiah or the old covenant was intended as an exact set of guidelines for Christian conduct today. Unquote. COGWA insinuates that times have changed and we can take the scriptures with a grain of salt by deciding for ourselves 19

20 what our conduct should be in this contemporary culture. That s what they claim, listen to this, Quote these examples are instructive to those who seek to meet challenges of keeping the Sabbath in this contemporary culture Unquote Contemporary means: happening beginning now or in recent time, or marked by characteristics of the present period. I take this study paper to imply that times have changed and the book of Nehemiah and the old covenant does not apply to this enlightened period of the church. Society has changed but nothing has changed as to how we keep the law of God. We have slipped into darkness, by disregarding God s commandments and have taught others to disobey the law. Brethren we need to get back to God s law and not buy or sell on the Sabbath. COGWA calls Nehemiah too extreme because he sternly warned the nobles of Judah about keeping the Sabbath day holy. Nehemiah 13:17-18 Then I contended with the nobles of Judah and said to them, What evil thing is this that you do, by which you profane the Sabbath day? Did not your fathers do thus and did not our God bring all this disaster on us and on this city? Yet you bring added wrath on Israel by your profaning the Sabbath. COGWA S study paper goes on to say quote there is no specific scripture that alludes to the preparation day. 20

21 I can tell you that statement is absolutely false, and contrary to scripture. In the book of Mark 15:42 it says quote now when evening had come because it was the Preparation Day, that is the day before the Sabbath. unquote It could not be any clearer than that the preparation Day is the day, before the Sabbath. Speaking to Moses God said they were to prepare twice as much Manna on the sixth day. The sixth day starts on Thursday at sunset and goes to Friday at sunset it was the preparation day to prepare for the Sabbath. Exodus 16:4-5 the Lord said to Moses, Behold I will rain bread from heaven for you, and all the people shall go out and gather a certain quota everyday that I may test them whether they will walk in My law or not. And it shall be on the sixth day that they shall prepare what they bring in and it shall be twice as much as they gather daily. Exodus 16:22 and so it was on the sixth day that they gathered twice as much bread, two omers for each one. The preparation day is a test commandment in which we as a church have failed miserably. Do we see the analogy with the scattering of the church today? Israel did the same thing and they lost their identity. The Worldwide Church of God went back to keeping the commandments of men instead of the commandments of God. We are now headed in the same direction. 21

22 The scattering of the church, not just COGWA, but the rest of the off shoots will continue unless we keep the Sabbath and all commandments of God. If we don t His Sabbaths will no longer be a sign between the Father and us and we will lose our identity. Ezekiel 20:19-26 I am the Lord your God: walk in My statues, keep My judgments, and do them; hallow My Sabbaths and they will be a sign between Me and you, that you may know that I am the Lord your God. Verse 23 Also I raised My hand in an oath to those in the wilderness, That I would scatter them among the gentiles and disperse them throughout the countries. Verse 24 because they had not executed My judgments but had despised My statues profaned My Sabbaths and their eyes were fixed on their fathers idols. God said to Moses how long will, you refuse to keep my commandments. He, was fed up with Israel and kept them wondering in the wilderness for 40 years. They did not have the Holy Spirit but God expected them to keep His commandments. How much more does He expect of us who have His Holy Spirit? They were judged, unfit, to go into the Promised Land and they were scattered around the world. Their identity as Gods people lost to this day. Brethren, we are headed down the same path. Like Israel, we are already scattered, and unfit to enter the Promised Land the Kingdom of God. We are about to lose our identity unless we repent and change our ways. 22

23 The difference between us, and Israel, they profaned the Sabbath and Holy Days for 40 years while void of Spirit. While we who have the Holy Spirit have been at it for 60 years, what a disgrace. What a disappointment to our Father. Unlike Israel, we are being judged, now and in danger of losing our eternal life. God expects more of us who have the Holy Spirit we are without excuse. Isaiah 29:13 Therefore the Lord said: Inasmuch as these people draw near with their mouths and honor Me with their lips, but have removed their hearts far from Me. And their fear toward Me is taught by the commandment of men. Are you afraid to stand up to those who trample on the commandment of God? Jesus said in Matthew 5:10 blessed are you when they revile and persecute you and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. If profaning the Sabbath continues, our Father will put an end to those who feed us with lies and cause us to profane the Sabbath. God will cut them off, their livelihood will end, and they will be held accountable for teaching us and others to profane the Sabbath. Ezekiel 34:10 Thus says the Lord God: Behold I am against the shepherds and I will require My flock at their hand;i will cause them to cease feeding My sheep, and the shepherds shall feed themselves no 23

24 more for I will deliver My flock from their mouths, that they may no longer be food for them. COGWA goes on to say there is nothing wrong with preparing a light meal on the Sabbath. I say, what is the difference in preparing a light meal or a heavy meal? COGWA also says quote: certainly, based on principles we have seen in other passages heavier meal preparation, when possible should be done ahead of time to reduce the amount of effort on the Sabbath. Even though the Sabbath is a day of rest, there is nothing in this account that would lead us to believe light meal preparation or the heating of food on the Sabbath is improper. Unquote. This study paper goes on to infer that now day s things have changed. Quote: In today s culture with both husbands and wives in many families working five days a week, the Sabbath preparation or some Sabbath meals for those families might be quite different Unquote. They use the excuse that the day before the Sabbath is not sanctified or set aside as the preparation day for the Sabbath, it is a regular work day. They are right; it is not sanctified, as a holy day. That s because if the preparation day were sanctified as a Holy day we would not be able to prepare food for the Sabbath on that day. This study paper also transcends the law and insinuates we may prepare a meal for the Sabbath whenever it fits our schedule. They tell us that it is impossible to avoid relying 24

25 on people who work on the Sabbath, in order to do that we would have to totally withdraw from the world. Quote: In today s world, our lives are so interconnected and interdependent that it is (impossible) to avoid relying on people who work on the Sabbath. One would have to almost totally withdraw from the world. No one is expected to do that. Unquote. They imply that God doesn t expect us to avoid relying on people who work on the Sabbath or withdraw from the world. Is that how they defend profaning the Sabbath? Doesn t God tell us to come out of the world? I am not proud of it; I was one of those who did the same. I was deceived as many others are until God opened my eyes to the truth. It is a sin to buy any item or food on the Sabbath. In the future, let us set down together during the Sabbath and Holy Days, and get back to fellowship and potlucks on the Sabbath. If you prepare your own food, make sure your food is cooked before the Sabbath, a hot dish for instance, and warm it up on the Sabbath. You are not baking or boiling on the Sabbath when you warm up food that is already baked or boiled. There is an exception for the Feast of Unleavened Bread. God permits us to bake or boil food on the first and last day of unleavened bread that is prepared; by us, not a restaurant. Note the preparation of food for the Feast of unleavened bread. 25

26 Exodus 12:16 (New King James) Version) on the first day there shall be a Holy convocation, and on the seventh day there shall be a holy convocation for you. No manner of work shall be done on them; but that which everyone shall eat that only may be prepared by you. We are allowed to prepare food on the Feast of Unleavened bread but not on Atonement and the Sabbath. By the way having a catered meal is not keeping the Sabbath Holy as we cause, these people to work we are to prepare the food for ourselves as God says. Proponents, of eating in a restaurant on the Sabbath have also tried to convince us that turning on a light switch or heat is no different then, going to a restaurant on the Sabbath. They maintain it will cause someone at that facility to work. Don t be fooled brethren we pay a month ahead of time for our utilities and those who may be working are not under our control. Let us then join together and enter the Fathers rest as He says in Hebrews 4:1-6 and Hebrews 9:12 In conclusion: In Revelation 2:1-5 Jesus addresses Ephesus as a church that had lost its first love. On the surface they were doing many things right. Jesus said I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bare those who are evil. And you, have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My names sake and have not become weary. 26

27 On the surface, everything looks great but God can look at the heart. The hearts of every one of us is the sum of the church and those who profane the Sabbath and Holy days destroy the church. Verse 4-5 Nevertheless, I have this against you, that you have left your first love. Remember therefore from where you have; fallen repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place unless you repent. It is interesting to note that out of the seven churches Ephesus is the only one that Christ said He would remove their lampstand. It appears they were doing everything right but Christ knew their hearts were not right and He was about to remove His presence from them, it was a dying church. Jesus said he who loves Me will keep My Commandments. The one thing the church of Ephesus lacked was keeping the commandments; they had lost their first love, the love of God. Most of us did not deliberately commit the sin of profaning the Sabbath we did it because, we, have been deceived. We see in Numbers 15:22-29 God was giving Moses instructions for various offerings, that the people, were commanded to keep. God made allowances for the people who unintentionally failed to make these offerings by not observing, all the commandments, which the Lord had spoken. 27

28 Most of us have unintentionally profaned the Sabbath and Holydays. God has made provisions for us who unintentionally sinned. Verse 26 of Numbers 15:22-29 It shall be forgiven the whole congregation of the children of Israel and the stranger who dwells among them, because all the people did it unintentionally. Verse 28 of Numbers 15:22-29 so the priest shall make atonement for the person who sins unintentionally, when he sins unintentionally before the Lord to make atonement for him; and it shall be forgiven him. Now if we continue to deliberately sin and buy a meal on the Sabbath or Holy Days the penalty is severe, for there is no forgiveness. Hebrews 10:26 for if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins. This is a chance for a new beginning for us, and peace in the church. Back in the day, we did not profane the Sabbath. We ate our meals together and we fellowshipped together. God s Holy Spirit was with us, it was in our hearts, and it showed by our love for one another. We need to get back, to those days and not scatter between services only to return from the world again for the second service. The entire atmosphere will change when we realize who we are and where we are supposed to be in God s commanded assembly to glorify God. A house divided against itself cannot stand but in unity we are strengthen by the 28

29 power of the Spirit. No longer deceived by Satan and free from captivity will bring peace in the church. In the mean time, remember Hebrews 10: Hebrews 10:23-25 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works. Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much more as you see the Day approaching. Join me for my next sermon I titled The Holy Spirit is Ours Forever. Jesus said it and I will show, you where it is in scripture and how it affects those in the Spirit. Until next time join me on provetheword.com and May all your days, be good ones. 29