Keeping the Sabbath on Super Bowl Sunday

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blhowes

Puritan Board Professor
In the "Super Bowl" thread, Matthew made a comment about taping the Super Bowl and watching it later (since its on a Sunday) so you can make better use of your time on Sunday. So as not to take the focus of that thread off the Patriots and discussions about how much they'll win by, I thought I'd start a new thread.

Matthew makes a good point, though perhaps we was kidding (or perhaps not). I was wondering what your thoughts are about the proper way to spend your time on the Lord's day? How do you spend your time on a typical Sunday (after church or between services)? Does anybody think its improper (or dishonoring to God) to watch football on Sundays? Why or why not?

What would you say is the best book or article to read that talks about how God wants us to spend our time on Sunday? (let's see who's gonna be the first wiseguy/gal that answers "the Bible" :wink1: )

Bob
 
Well, some friends and I are going to go to an apartment and watch it, and invite all sorts of unsaved people from the apartment complex to come watch it with us.

Hopefully some good conversation and witnessing opportunities will come out of it.

I hope that glorifies God!
 
Lewis Bayly's the "Practice of Piety" is a classic on this topic. This book really popularized the Puritan movment in the early 1600's. The Westminster chapter on Religious worship and the Sabbath is also helpful. Basically, it's the Lord's Day. Therefore, it all belongs to him. We rest from our worldly occupations and pleasures to spend in worshipping and enjoying God without the common interferences of the normal day. My family basically spends most the morning at church and then we have individual and family devotions, a short nap, and a meal, before going to church for the evening service. Occasionally we go to a local nursing home to help provide a worship service for them.
 
[b:65378614c4]puritansailor,[/b:65378614c4]
Thanks for the book recommendation. I found a copy of it [u:65378614c4]online[/u:65378614c4], so I'll probably go ahead and print it out. Skimming through the table of contents, it looks like a very practical book to read.

I like how he starts the book:

WHOEVER. thou art that lookest into this book, never undertake to read it, unless thou first resolvest to become from thine heart an unfeigned Practitioner of Piety. Yet read it, and that speedily, lest, before thou hast read it over, God, by some unexpected death, cut thee off for thine inveterate impiety.

Looks like I may be following in your footsteps...so far, I've got the short nap and the meal down, just have to work on the rest.

[b:65378614c4]FrozenChosen wrote:[/b:65378614c4]
Hopefully some good conversation and witnessing opportunities will come out of it. I hope that glorifies God!

:smilegrin: Hopefully the conversation won't be prompted by your yelling at the TV when/if your team starts to lose..."You call yourself a Christian and you..." :smilegrin:

Seriously, though, it would be neat if the Lord opened up the door for you to share your faith.

Bob
 
blhowes:

I once became pretty angry when Auburn's football team had a valid touchdown taken away from them, and right then, a commercial came on the Jumbotron for Mike Spann, an Auburn University graduate who was the first casualty in Afghanistan. Instantly all of the noise and booing faded out and I thought "How could I care about 6 worthless points when people are dying?"

Hopefully OTHER people will get mad at the game and I can question why, in a loving way of course.

I also want your opinion...do you think that an outreach thing like that should be done on Sunday or not? Just curious.
 
puritansailor,
The book is definitely a "must read" for me. I was thumbing through the book and found a few pages that were such a blessing - thought I'd share them with the group (I don't usually do long posts, but this is just so neat). If the rest of the book is anything like this, wow!

A. Divine Colloquy between the Soul and her Saviour upon the effectual Merits of his dolorous Passion.
[b:3bb7e223dd]Soul[/b:3bb7e223dd]. Lord, wherefore didst thou wash thy disciples' feet?
[b:3bb7e223dd]Christ[/b:3bb7e223dd]. To teach thee how thou shouldst prepare thyself to come to my supper.
[b:3bb7e223dd]Soul[/b:3bb7e223dd]. Lord, why shouldst thou wash them thyself? (John xiii. 4.)
[b:3bb7e223dd]Christ[/b:3bb7e223dd]. To teach thee humility, if thou wilt be my disciple.
[b:3bb7e223dd]Soul[/b:3bb7e223dd]. Lord, wherefore didst thou before thy death institute thy last supper? (Luke xxii. 19, 20.)
[b:3bb7e223dd]Christ[/b:3bb7e223dd]. That thou mightst the better remember my death, and be assured that all the merits thereof are ■thine.
[b:3bb7e223dd]Soul[/b:3bb7e223dd]. Lord, wherefore wouldst thou go to such a place where Judas knew to find thee ? (John xviii. 2.)
[b:3bb7e223dd]Christ[/b:3bb7e223dd]. That thou mightst know that I went as willingly to suffer for thy sin, as ever thou wentest to any place to commit a sin.
[b:3bb7e223dd]Soul[/b:3bb7e223dd]. Lord, wherefore wouldst thou begin thy passion in a garden ? (John xviii. 1.)
[b:3bb7e223dd]Christ[/b:3bb7e223dd]. Because that in a garden thy sin took first beginning (Gen. iii. 3.)
[b:3bb7e223dd]Soul[/b:3bb7e223dd]. Lord, wherefore did thy three select disciples fall so fast asleep, when thou didst begin to fall into thy agony ? (Matt. xxvi. 40.)
[b:3bb7e223dd]Christ[/b:3bb7e223dd]. To shew that I alone wrought the work of thy redemption (Isa. lxiii. 5.)
[b:3bb7e223dd]Soul[/b:3bb7e223dd]. Lord, why were there so many plots and snares laid for thee? (Matt. xxvi. 4.)
[b:3bb7e223dd]Christ[/b:3bb7e223dd]. That I might make thee to escape all snares of thy ghostly hunter (Psal cxxiv. 7.)
[b:3bb7e223dd]Soul[/b:3bb7e223dd]. Lord, why shouldst thou suffer Judas, betraying thee, to kiss thee ? (Matt. xxyi. 49.)
[b:3bb7e223dd]Christ[/b:3bb7e223dd]. That by enduring the words of dissembling lips, I might there begin to expiate sin, where Satan first brought it into the world (Gen. iii. 4, 5.)
[b:3bb7e223dd]Soul[/b:3bb7e223dd]. Lord, why wouldst thou be sold for thirty-pieces of silver ? (Matt, xxvii. 3.)
[b:3bb7e223dd]Christ[/b:3bb7e223dd]. That I might free thee from perpetual bondage.
[b:3bb7e223dd]Soul[/b:3bb7e223dd]. Lord, why didst thou pray with such strong crying and tears ? (Matt. xxvi. 39; Heb. T. 7.)
[b:3bb7e223dd]Christ[/b:3bb7e223dd]. That I might quench the fury of God's justice, which was so fiercely kindled against thee.
[b:3bb7e223dd]Soul[/b:3bb7e223dd]. Lord, why wast thou so afraid, and cast into such an agony ? (Mark xiv. 33.)
[b:3bb7e223dd]Christ[/b:3bb7e223dd]. That suffering the wrath due to thy sins, thou mightst be more secure in thy death, and find mor^ comfort in thy crosses.
[b:3bb7e223dd]Soul[/b:3bb7e223dd]. Lord, wherefore didst thou pray so oft and so earnestly that the cup might pass from thee? (Matt. xxvi. 39, 42, 44.)
[b:3bb7e223dd]Christ[/b:3bb7e223dd]. That thou mightst perceive the horror of that curse and wrath, which being due to thy sins, I was then to drink and endure for thee (Gal. iii. 13.)
[b:3bb7e223dd]Soul[/b:3bb7e223dd]. Lord, wherefore didst thou, after thy wish, submit thy will to the will of thy Father? (Luke xx& 42 )
[b:3bb7e223dd]Christ[/b:3bb7e223dd]. To teach thee what thou shouldst do in all thy afflictions; and how willingly thou shouldst yield to bear with patience that cross, which thou seest to come from the just hand of thy heavenly Father.
[b:3bb7e223dd]Soul[/b:3bb7e223dd]. Lord, wherefore didst thou sweat such drops o¥ blood ? (Luke xxii. 44.)
[b:3bb7e223dd]Christ[/b:3bb7e223dd]. That I might cleanse thee from thy stains and bloody spots-
[b:3bb7e223dd]Soul[/b:3bb7e223dd]. Lord, why shouldst thou be taken when thou mightst have escaped thine enemies? (Luke xxii. 54.)
[b:3bb7e223dd]Christ[/b:3bb7e223dd]. That thy spiritual enemies should not take thee, and cast thee into the prison of utter darkness (Matt. v. 25; xxii. 13.)
[b:3bb7e223dd]Soul[/b:3bb7e223dd]. Lord, wherefore wouldst thou be forsaken of all thy disciples? (Matt. xxvi. 56.)
[b:3bb7e223dd]Christ[/b:3bb7e223dd]. That I might reconcile thee unto God, of whom thou wast forsaken for thy sins.
[b:3bb7e223dd]Soul[/b:3bb7e223dd]. Lord, wherefore wouldst thou stand to be apprehended alone? (John xviii. 8.)
[b:3bb7e223dd]Christ[/b:3bb7e223dd]. To shew thee that my love of thy salvation was more than the love of all my disciples.
[b:3bb7e223dd]Soul[/b:3bb7e223dd]. Lord, wherefore was the young- man caught by the soldiers, and unstript of his linen, who came out of his bed, hearing the stir at thy apprehension and leading to the high priest? (Mark xiv. 51, 52.)
[b:3bb7e223dd]Christ[/b:3bb7e223dd]. To shew their outrage in apprehending me, and my power in preserving out of their outrageous hands, all my disciples, who otherwise had been worse handled by them than was that young man.
[b:3bb7e223dd]Soul[/b:3bb7e223dd]. Lord, wherefore wouldst thou be bound? (Matt, xxvii. .2.)
[b:3bb7e223dd]Christ[/b:3bb7e223dd]. That I might loose the cords of thine iniquities.
[b:3bb7e223dd]Soul[/b:3bb7e223dd]. Lord, why wast thou denied of Peter? (Luke xxii. 57, 58, 60.)
[b:3bb7e223dd]Christ[/b:3bb7e223dd]. That I might confess thee before my Father, and thou mightst learn, that there is no trust in man, and that salvation proceeds of my mere mercy.
[b:3bb7e223dd]Soul[/b:3bb7e223dd]. Lord, wherefore wouldst thou bring Peter to repentance by the crowing of a cock ? (Matt. xxvi. 74, 75.)
[b:3bb7e223dd]Christ[/b:3bb7e223dd]. That none should despise the means which God hath appointed for their conversion, though they seem never so mean.
[b:3bb7e223dd]Soul[/b:3bb7e223dd]. Lord, wherefore didst thou at the cock-crowing turn and look upon Peter? (Luke xxii. 61.)
[b:3bb7e223dd]Christ[/b:3bb7e223dd]. Because thou mightst know, that without the help of my grace, no means can turn a sinner unta God, when he is once fallen from him.
[b:3bb7e223dd]Soul[/b:3bb7e223dd]. Lord, wherefore wast thou covered with a purple robe? (John xix. 5.)
[b:3bb7e223dd]Christ[/b:3bb7e223dd]. That thou migbtst perceive that it was I that did away thy scarlet sins (Isa. i. 18*)
[b:3bb7e223dd]Soul[/b:3bb7e223dd]. Lord, wherefore wouldst thou be crowned with thorns? (Matt, xxvii. 29.)
[b:3bb7e223dd]Christ[/b:3bb7e223dd]. That by wearing thorns, the first fruits of the curse, it might appear, that it is I which take away the sins and curse of the world, and crown thee with the crown of life and glory (1 Pet. v. 4; Rev. ii. 10.)
[b:3bb7e223dd]Soul[/b:3bb7e223dd]. Lord, why was a reed put into thy hand? (Matt, xxvii. 29.)
[b:3bb7e223dd]Christ[/b:3bb7e223dd]. That it might appear that I catfie not to break the bruised reed (Matt. xii. 20.)
[b:3bb7e223dd]Soul[/b:3bb7e223dd]. Lord, wherefore wast thou mocked of the Jews ? (Matt, xxvii. 29.)
[b:3bb7e223dd]Christ[/b:3bb7e223dd]. That thou mightst insult over devils, who otherwise would have mocked thee, as the Philistines did Sampson (Judg. xvi. 25.)
[b:3bb7e223dd]Soul[/b:3bb7e223dd]. Lord, wherefore wouldst thou have thy blessed face defiled with spittle? (Matt, xxvii. 30.)
[b:3bb7e223dd]Christ[/b:3bb7e223dd]. That I might cleanse thy face from the shame of sin.
Soui. Wherefore, Lord, were thy eyes hood-winked with a veil? (Mark xiv. 65.)
[b:3bb7e223dd]Christ[/b:3bb7e223dd]. That thy spiritual blindness being removed, thou mightst behold the face of my Father in heaven.
[b:3bb7e223dd]Soul[/b:3bb7e223dd]. Lord, wherefore did they buffet thee with fists, and heat thee with staves ? (Matt. xxvi. 67; Matt, xxvii. 30.)
[b:3bb7e223dd]Christ[/b:3bb7e223dd]. That thou mightst be freed from the strokes and tearings of infernal fiends.
[b:3bb7e223dd]Soul[/b:3bb7e223dd]. Lord, wherefore wouldst thou be reviled ? (Matt, xxvii. 39.)
[b:3bb7e223dd]Christ[/b:3bb7e223dd]. That God might speak peace unto thee by his word and Spirit.
* Soul. Lord, wherefore was thy face disfigured with blows and blood? (John xix. 3; Isa. 1. 6.)
[b:3bb7e223dd]Christ[/b:3bb7e223dd]. That thy face might shine glorious as the angels in heaven (Matt. xiii. 43.)
[b:3bb7e223dd]Soul[/b:3bb7e223dd]. Lord, wherefore wouldst thou be so cruelly scourged? (John xix. I.)
[b:3bb7e223dd]Christ[/b:3bb7e223dd]. That thou mightst be freed from the sting of conscience, and whips of everlasting torments.
[b:3bb7e223dd]Soul[/b:3bb7e223dd]. Lord, wherefore wouldst thou be arraigned at Pilate's bar? (Mark xv. 1.)
[b:3bb7e223dd]Christ[/b:3bb7e223dd]. That thou mightst at the last day be acquitted before my judgment-seat.
[b:3bb7e223dd]Soul[/b:3bb7e223dd]. Lord, wherefore wouldst thou be falsely accused? (Luke xxiii. 2.)
[b:3bb7e223dd]Christ[/b:3bb7e223dd], That thou shouldst not be justly condemned.
[b:3bb7e223dd]Soul[/b:3bb7e223dd]. Lord, wherefore wouldst thou be turned over to be condemned by a strange judge ? (Matt, xxvii. 2.)
[b:3bb7e223dd]Christ[/b:3bb7e223dd]. That thou being redeemed from the captivity of a hellish tyrant, mightst be restored to God, whose own thou art by right.
[b:3bb7e223dd]Soul[/b:3bb7e223dd]. Wherefore, O Christ, didst thou acknowledge that Pilate had power over thee from above? (John xix. 11.)
[b:3bb7e223dd]Christ[/b:3bb7e223dd]. That antichrist, under pretence of being my vicar, should not exalt himself above all principalities and powers (Tit. iii. 1; Rom. xiii. 1; 1 Pet. ii. 13, 14.)
[b:3bb7e223dd]Soul[/b:3bb7e223dd]. Lord, why wouldst thou suffer thy passion under Pontius Pilate} being a Roman president to Caesar of Rome? (Luke xxiii. 1, 2; John xix. 13, &c.)
[b:3bb7e223dd]Christ[/b:3bb7e223dd]. To shew, that the Caesarian and Pontifician polity of Rome should chiefly persecute my church, and crucify me in my members (note well Rev. xi. 8, and Rev. xvii. 5, 6; John xix. 16.)
[b:3bb7e223dd]Soul[/b:3bb7e223dd]. But why, Lord, wouldst thou be condemned? (Luke xxiii. 24; Rom. viii. 3.)
[b:3bb7e223dd]Christ[/b:3bb7e223dd]. That the law being condemned in me, thou mightst not be condemned by it.
[b:3bb7e223dd]Soul[/b:3bb7e223dd]. But why wast thou condemned, seeing nothing could be proved against thee ? (Matt, xxvii. 24; John xix. 6.)
[b:3bb7e223dd]Christ[/b:3bb7e223dd]. That thou mightst know, that it was not for my faults, but for thine that I suffered.
[b:3bb7e223dd]Soul[/b:3bb7e223dd]. Lord, wherefore wast thou led to suffer out of the city? (Matt, xxvii. 33; Heb. xiii. 12.)
[b:3bb7e223dd]Christ[/b:3bb7e223dd]. That I might bring thee to rest in the heavenly city.
[b:3bb7e223dd]Soul[/b:3bb7e223dd]. Lord, why did the Jews compel Simon of Cy-rene, coming out of the field, to carry thy cross? (Luk& xxiii. 26; Matt, xxvii. 32.)
[b:3bb7e223dd]Christ[/b:3bb7e223dd]. To shew the weakness whereunto the burden of thy sins brought me, and what must be every Christian's case which goeth out of the field of this world toward the heavenly Jerusalem.
[b:3bb7e223dd]Soul[/b:3bb7e223dd]. Lord why wast thou stripped of thy garments ? (John xix. 23.)
[b:3bb7e223dd]Christ[/b:3bb7e223dd]. That thou mightst see how I forsook all to redeem thee.
[b:3bb7e223dd]Soul[/b:3bb7e223dd]. Lord, wherefore wouldst thou be lifted upon the cross ? (John xii. 32.)
[b:3bb7e223dd]Christ[/b:3bb7e223dd]. That I might lift thee up with me to heaven.
[b:3bb7e223dd]Soul[/b:3bb7e223dd]. Lord, wherefore didst thou hang upon a cursed tree? (Gal. hi. 13.)
[b:3bb7e223dd]Christ[/b:3bb7e223dd]. That I might satisfy for thy sin committed in eating the forbidden fruit of a tree (Gen. ii. 17.)
[b:3bb7e223dd]Soul[/b:3bb7e223dd]. Lord, wherefore wouldst thou hang between two thieves ? (Luke xxiii. 33.)
[b:3bb7e223dd]Christ[/b:3bb7e223dd]. That thou mightst have place in the midst of heavenly angels.
[b:3bb7e223dd]Soul[/b:3bb7e223dd]. Lord, wherefore were thy hands and feet nailed to the cross? (Psal. xxii. 16 ; John xx. 25.)
[b:3bb7e223dd]Christ[/b:3bb7e223dd]. To enlarge thy hands to do the works of righteousness, and to set thy feet at liberty to walk in the ways of peace.
[b:3bb7e223dd]Soul[/b:3bb7e223dd]. Lord, wherefore did they crucify thee in Golgotha, the place of dead mens' sculls ? (Matt, xxvii. 33.)
[b:3bb7e223dd]Christ[/b:3bb7e223dd] To assure thee that my death is life unto the dead.
[b:3bb7e223dd]Soul[/b:3bb7e223dd]. Lord, why did not the soldiers divide thy seamless coat ? (John xix. 24.)
[b:3bb7e223dd]Christ[/b:3bb7e223dd]. To shew that my church is one, without rent or schism.
[b:3bb7e223dd]Soul[/b:3bb7e223dd]. Lord, wherefore didst thou taste vinegar and gall ? (Matt, xxvii. 34.)
[b:3bb7e223dd]Christ[/b:3bb7e223dd]. That thou mightst eat the bread of angels, and drink the water of life.
[b:3bb7e223dd]Soul[/b:3bb7e223dd]. Lord, why saidst thou upon the cross, " It is finished ?" (John xix. 30.)
[b:3bb7e223dd]Christ[/b:3bb7e223dd]. That thou mightst know that by my death the law was fulfilled, and thy redemption effected (Rom. x. 4; 2 Cor. iii. 13.)
[b:3bb7e223dd]Soul[/b:3bb7e223dd]. Lord, why didst thou cry out upon the cross, " My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me ?" (Mark xv. 34.)
[b:3bb7e223dd]Christ[/b:3bb7e223dd]. Lest thou, being forsaken of God, shouldst have been driven to cry in the pains of hell, wo and alas! for evermore.
[b:3bb7e223dd]Soul[/b:3bb7e223dd]. Lord, wherefore was there such a general darkness when thou didst suffer and cry out upon the cross? (Matt, xxvii. 45.)
[b:3bb7e223dd]Christ[/b:3bb7e223dd]. That thou mightst see an image of those hellish pains which I suffered to deliver thee from the endless pains of hell, and everlasting chains of darkness (2 Pet. ii. 4; Jude v. 6.)
[b:3bb7e223dd]Soul[/b:3bb7e223dd]. Lord, why wouldst thou have thy arms nailed abroad ?
[b:3bb7e223dd]Christ[/b:3bb7e223dd]. That I might embrace thee more lovingly in the everlasting arms of mercy (Mark. x. 16 ; Col. ii. 14; Deut. xxxiii. 27.)
[b:3bb7e223dd]Soul[/b:3bb7e223dd]. Lord, why did the thief, that never wrought good before, obtain paradise upon so short repentance ? (Luke xxiiL ,43.)
[b:3bb7e223dd]Christ[/b:3bb7e223dd]. That thou mayst see the power of my death to forgive them that repent, that no sinner needs despair.
[b:3bb7e223dd]Soul[/b:3bb7e223dd]. Lord, why did not the other thief which hanged as near thee obtain the like mercy ? (Luke xxiii. 39-)
[b:3bb7e223dd]Christ[/b:3bb7e223dd]. Because I leave whom I will, to harden themselves in themselves, to destruction, that all should fear, and none presume (Rom. ix. 18.)
[b:3bb7e223dd]Soul[/b:3bb7e223dd]. Lord, wherefore didst thou cry with such a loud and strong voice in yielding up the ghost ? (Matt. xxvii. 50.
[b:3bb7e223dd]Christ[/b:3bb7e223dd]. That it might appear that no man took my life from me, but that I laid it down of myself (John x. 18.)
[b:3bb7e223dd]Soul[/b:3bb7e223dd]. Lord, wherefore didst thou commend thy soul into thy Father's hands ? (Luke xxiii. 46.)
[b:3bb7e223dd]Christ[/b:3bb7e223dd]. To teach thee what thou shouldst do, being to depart this life.
[b:3bb7e223dd]Soul[/b:3bb7e223dd]. Lord, wherefore was the veil of the temple rent in twain at thy death? (Matt, xxvii. 51-)
[b:3bb7e223dd]Christ[/b:3bb7e223dd]. To shew that the Levitical law should be no longer a partition-wall between Jews and Gentiles, and that the way to heaven is now open to all believers (Eph. ii. 14; Heb. x. 19, 20.)
[b:3bb7e223dd]Soul[/b:3bb7e223dd]. Lord, wherefore did the earth quake and the stones cleave at thy death ? (Matt, xxvii. 51.)
[b:3bb7e223dd]Christ[/b:3bb7e223dd]. For horror to bear her Lord dying, and to upbraid the cruel hardness of sinners' hearts.
[b:3bb7e223dd]Soul[/b:3bb7e223dd]. Lord, wherefore did not the soldiers break thy legs, as they did those of the thieves who hanged at thy right and left hand ? (Exod. xii. 46; John xix. 33.)
[b:3bb7e223dd]Christ[/b:3bb7e223dd]. That thou mightst know that they had not power to do any more unto me than the scripture had foretold that they should do, and I should suffer to save thee.
[b:3bb7e223dd]Soul[/b:3bb7e223dd]. Lord, wherefore was thy side opened with a spear?
[b:3bb7e223dd]Christ[/b:3bb7e223dd]. That thou mightst have a way to come nearer my heart.
[b:3bb7e223dd]Soul[/b:3bb7e223dd]. Lord, wherefore ran there out of thy precious side blood and water ?
[b:3bb7e223dd]Christ[/b:3bb7e223dd]. To assure thee that I was slain indeed, seeing my heart-blood gushed out, and the water which compassed ray heart flowed forth after it, which once spilt, must needs die.*
[b:3bb7e223dd]Soul[/b:3bb7e223dd]. Lord, wherefore ran the blood first by itself, and the water afterwards by itself, out of thy blessed wound? (1 John v. 6.)
[b:3bb7e223dd]Christ[/b:3bb7e223dd]. To assure thee of two things:-First, That by my blood-shedding justification and sanctification were effected to save thee. Secondly, That my Spirit, by the conscionable use of the water in baptism, and blood in the eucharist, will effect in thee righteousness and holiness, by which thou shalt glorify me.
[b:3bb7e223dd]Soul[/b:3bb7e223dd]. Lord, wherefore did the graves open at thy death ? (Matt, xxvii. 52.)
[b:3bb7e223dd]Christ[/b:3bb7e223dd]. To signify that death, by my death, had now received his death's wound, and was overcome.
[b:3bb7e223dd]Soul[/b:3bb7e223dd]. Lord, wherefore wouldst thou be buried ? (Matt, xxvii. 60.)
[b:3bb7e223dd]Christ[/b:3bb7e223dd]. That thy sins might never rise up to judgment against thee.
[b:3bb7e223dd]Soul[/b:3bb7e223dd]. Lord, wherefore wouldst thou be buried by two such honourable senators as Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea? (Matt, xxvii. 57; John xix. 39, 40.)
[b:3bb7e223dd]Christ[/b:3bb7e223dd]. That the truth of my death, the cause of thy life, might more evidently appear unto all.
[b:3bb7e223dd]Soul[/b:3bb7e223dd]. Lord, wherefore wast thou buried in a new sepulchre, wherein was never man laid ? (John xix. 41; Ma,tt. xxvii. 60.)
[b:3bb7e223dd]Christ[/b:3bb7e223dd]. That it might appear that I, and not another, arose; and that by my own power, and not by another's virtue, like him who revived at the touching of Elisha's bones (2 Kings xiii. 21.)
[b:3bb7e223dd]Soul[/b:3bb7e223dd]. Lord, wherefore didst thou raise up thy body again ? (Matt, xxvu'i. 6.)
[b:3bb7e223dd]Christ[/b:3bb7e223dd]. That thou mayst be assured that thy sins are discharged, and that thou art justified (Rom. iv. 25.)
* There is about man's heart a skin called pericardium, containing water, which cools and moistens the heart, lest it should be scorched with continual motion. This skin once pierced, man cannot Eve,- Columb. A.natom. 1. 7; Horst. de Nat. Human, 1. i. exerce. 8. <j. 5.
[b:3bb7e223dd]Soul[/b:3bb7e223dd]. Lord, wherefore did so many bodies of thy saints, which slept, arise at thy resurrection ? (Matt, xxvii. 52, 53; Acts xvii. 31.)
[b:3bb7e223dd]Christ[/b:3bb7e223dd]. To give thee assurance, that all the saints shall arise, by virtue of my resurrection, at the last day.
[b:3bb7e223dd]Soul[/b:3bb7e223dd]. Lord, what shall I render unto thee for all these benefits ? (Psal. cxvi. 12.)
[b:3bb7e223dd]Christ[/b:3bb7e223dd]. Love thy Creator, and become a new creature (Gal. vi. 15.)

[Edited on 1-22-2004 by blhowes]
 
[b:e73902cc3b]FrozenChosen wrote:[/b:e73902cc3b]
I also want your opinion...do you think that an outreach thing like that should be done on Sunday or not? Just curious.

Like you, I have questions about how God wants us to spend our time on Sunday. I've never really studied it enough to get any kind of convictions about it, so I'll just give you my :wr50: and you can return the change.

Part of me thinks that its good to share the gospel whenever and wherever possible, so go for it. Resting on the Sabbath doesn't mean (I don't think) that we need to necessarily stay at home reading our Bibles when an opportunity to be about the Lord's business arises and we have an opportunity to tell somebody what Jesus did on the cross.

Another part of me says let's be real. I'd have to ask myself honestly if witnessing to somebody on Super Bowl Sunday was really my greatest desire, or is it just an excuse so I can watch the game and appease my conscience.

Like I said, I don't have strong convictions about it yet. These are just gut feelings.

In a way, I think its nice that the Super Bowls are on Sundays. The church I attend now doesn't have evening services, but my previous church did and having the 2nd service start just as the Super Bowl began was an eye opener. Its great for revealing hypocrocy in our lives. Imagine what the Lord must think while His word is being preached and the minds of His people are focused on some stupid football game (no offense to anybody - I enjoy the game, but let's keep things in perspective) that they're missing. The service is closed in prayer and the parking lot clears in record time. A "worship service" with no worship.

Just some thoughts,
Bob
 
[quote:f379a3ed36][i:f379a3ed36]Originally posted by puritansailor[/i:f379a3ed36]
My family basically spends most the morning at church and then we have individual and family devotions, a short nap, and a meal, before going to church for the evening service. Occasionally we go to a local nursing home to help provide a worship service for them. [/quote:f379a3ed36]

I nap too much and devote too little.

My practice has changed in the past few years. One of the first changes was not watching the Sunday programming on TV. It struck me as being inconsistent to not work on Sunday out of principle but to engage in activities the require someone else to work on Sunday. This is the essence of last half of Ex 20:10. (Of course there is a practical limit. It is impractical to determine if what you buy at a store was produced on Sunday.) Watching prerecorded entertainment fell some months later.

I need to follow through and do the same with Cartalk which is broadcast locally on Sunday. :biggrin: At least radio has the advantage that a number of programs are streamed on the internet and can be picked up later.
 
[quote:8a8aee6f4d][i:8a8aee6f4d]Originally posted by blhowes[/i:8a8aee6f4d]
In a way, I think its nice that the Super Bowls are on Sundays. The church I attend now doesn't have evening services, but my previous church did and having the 2nd service start just as the Super Bowl began was an eye opener. Its great for revealing hypocrocy in our lives. Imagine what the Lord must think while His word is being preached and the minds of His people are focused on some stupid football game (no offense to anybody - I enjoy the game, but let's keep things in perspective) that they're missing. The service is closed in prayer and the parking lot clears in record time. A "worship service" with no worship.

Just some thoughts,
Bob [/quote:8a8aee6f4d]

Consider Eric Liddel reading the Bible in a Church, when he could have been running in his stongest race at the 1924 Olympics! Apparently some English newspapers considered him a traitor for that.
 
[quote:75a1f82bf4][i:75a1f82bf4]Originally posted by blhowes[/i:75a1f82bf4]
John,
Thanks for your response. I had never heard of Eric Liddel, so I found this little [u:75a1f82bf4]blurp[/u:75a1f82bf4] about him on the internet. What an interesting story of a man with convictions.
Bob

[Edited on 1-22-2004 by blhowes] [/quote:75a1f82bf4]

Bob,

Watch the movie "Chariots of Fire". It is a great movie that tells Liddell's story well. Liddell did end up winning a medal in another event, and died in China as a missionary.
 
[quote:0d620a440d][i:0d620a440d]Originally posted by FrozenChosen[/i:0d620a440d]
blhowes:

I once became pretty angry when Auburn's football team had a valid touchdown taken away from them, and right then, a commercial came on the Jumbotron for Mike Spann, an Auburn University graduate who was the first casualty in Afghanistan. Instantly all of the noise and booing faded out and I thought "How could I care about 6 worthless points when people are dying?"

Hopefully OTHER people will get mad at the game and I can question why, in a loving way of course.

I also want your opinion...do you think that an outreach thing like that should be done on Sunday or not? Just curious. [/quote:0d620a440d]

I don't want to (or intend to) bind consciences, but it has always been curious to me that any activity that would ordinarily be considered sinful is made holy by calling it "outreach."

Frozen, if you do not think that the 4th commandment is binding, then it is between you and God whether you watch the game. And if it is not a violation of the law of God to watch the game, then to use it (like anything else) as an opportunity for evangelism is good.

What gets me is those who subscribe to the view (a-la Westminster) that all of the 10 commandments are still binding and that professional sports are forbidden, but somehow it is a good thing to break the commandment if it affords an "unusually good" opportunity for evangelism. To me, that is the equivalent of going to a whore and after fornication, sharing the gospel, and acting as if that made the act "morally neutral."
 
Fred wrote:
Watch the movie "Chariots of Fire".

I'll have to go down to Blockbuster sometime and rent the DVD. Looks like an interesting movie.
Bob
 
I think it's interesting how a command centered on "not working" has grown into "don't do anything recreational".

Where are these other prohibitions besides not doing any work clearly stated? It's fine if we want to include these "extra-prohibitions" under the heading "keeping it holy", and I also wish not to bind any one's conscience on the matter.

The only problem, as far as I see it, is all of a sudden you have a hundred things you have to "enforce". Can my 4 year old color her coloring book on the Sabbath? Wouldn't that be considered "recreational"? Is this qualitatively different than a hobby I might enjoy, such as woodworking? Where does it ever end?
 
[quote:07feb1e17b][i:07feb1e17b]Originally posted by Rick Larson[/i:07feb1e17b]
I think it's interesting how a command centered on "not working" has grown into "don't do anything recreational".

Where are these other prohibitions besides not doing any work clearly stated? It's fine if we want to include these "extra-prohibitions" under the heading "keeping it holy", and I also wish not to bind any one's conscience on the matter.

The only problem, as far as I see it, is all of a sudden you have a hundred things you have to "enforce". Can my 4 year old color her coloring book on the Sabbath? Wouldn't that be considered "recreational"? Is this qualitatively different than a hobby I might enjoy, such as woodworking? Where does it ever end? [/quote:07feb1e17b]

Rick,

I agree with you that the concept of recreation is fluid. That is why I would err on the side of caution with respect to the kids of recreation that you cite - i.e. not disciplining. But professional football is entirely another matter. It is clearly work for those involved, those who watch pay to do so, and even on TV are subjected to ferocious marketing ads that in no way can be in accordance with the purpose of the day.

By the way, the NT explication of the 4th commandment is not such much "don't work" as "keep my day holy." There is a difference. Our eyes should be focused on how we can please God and gain spiritual good from the Lord's day, not on how much or how little work we can avoid.
 
My family uses superbowl sunday as another "holiday" to get together and enjoy the game and fellowship. This year we are meeting at my brothers house. My father his wife, my sister and her husband will be there as well. I my opinion this is making good use of the Lord's Day, after all family is the inststution God himself established. :)

Blessings,
Terry :)
 
[quote:9e70c0ddc7]
Fred wrote:
Watch the movie "Chariots of Fire".

I'll have to go down to Blockbuster sometime and rent the DVD. Looks like an interesting movie.
Bob
[/quote:9e70c0ddc7]

Will you be watching it on Sunday????
:lol::lol::lol::lol::lol:

Sorry, I couldn't resist. :tongue::tongue::tongue:
 
[quote:87c04785ed][i:87c04785ed]Originally posted by Dan....[/i:87c04785ed]
[quote:87c04785ed]
Fred wrote:
Watch the movie "Chariots of Fire".

I'll have to go down to Blockbuster sometime and rent the DVD. Looks like an interesting movie.
Bob
[/quote:87c04785ed]

Will you be watching it on Sunday????
:lol::lol::lol::lol::lol:

Sorry, I couldn't resist. :tongue::tongue::tongue: [/quote:87c04785ed]

Doohhh! {Smacking forehead with hand}
 
In regards to Super Bowl:

Since the athlete's "work" on the Lords day, do you feel as if you indulge this type of sin in watching it:question:
 
For those of you who are strict sabbatarians, I have a question.

On Super Bowl Sunday I will be driving home from out of state. A family member is getting married Saturday the 31st. It is necessary for us to drive and the trip is about 9 hours one way.We have to be home and rested by Monday morning. So we will drive back Sunday.

Will I be breaking the Sabbath?

And if I were a member of your church, what would your counsel be?

Phillip

PS - I guess the question for me will be should I listen to the game on the radio while driving?

PSS - I will be driving through Houston during the game.....guess I better not stop, huh?



[Edited on 1-23-2004 by pastorway]
 
Phillip,
Things of neccesity are allowed. It is not necessary to watch secular men _work_ on the Lords day. Should the people of God set a standard for the unbeliving world or should we indulge their carnality?
 
[quote:a2d436321f][i:a2d436321f]Originally posted by pastorway[/i:a2d436321f]
For those of you who are strict sabbatarians, I have a question.

On Super Bowl Sunday I will be driving home from out of state. A family member is getting married Saturday the 31st. It is necessary for us to drive and the trip is about 9 hours one way. We have to be home and rested by Monday morning. So we will drive back Sunday.

Will I be breaking the Sabbath?

And if I were a member of your church, what would your counsel be?

Phillip

PS - I guess the question for me will be should I listen to the game on the radio while driving?

PSS - I will be driving through Houston during the game.....guess I better not stop, huh?

[Edited on 1-23-04 by pastorway] [/quote:a2d436321f]

As one who probably tends toward the strict sabbatarian view, I did the same at the beginning of the month. Went to a family wedding on Saturday, the 3rd, in Gainesville, FL. Sunday we went to Church and then drove to Montgomery. Then Monday completed the return to Germantown in time for my son to get to night school.

Jewish law set absolute limits without regard to circumstances. Even the Westminster Standards, probably the strictest Reformed confession, allows works of mercy and necessity. Getting back from a significant family event in time to meet lawful obligations, I would consider a work of necessity (though others may disagree).

A question was raised concerning recreation. This is an area where the reformers did not agree. The continental reformers being more liberal than the Puritans. I would not judge a group of fathers and sons playing an informal neighborhood game on Sunday. However, I would consider formal competition, whether professional or amateur, to be a work that is not of mercy or necessity, and therefore a violation of the Sabbath.

As I indicated in an earlier post taking an action that requires someone else to work on the Sabbath (again not of necessity or mercy) is also a violation of the Sabbath (Gen 2:10b).

What burns me are the "christian" programs that will parade out the "christian" superbowl players the following week (like 700 Club and TBN). :flaming: What sort of role model are they who for the sake of personal fame and fortune, take breaking the fourth commandment as a matter of routine. Why can't they bring out a notable athlete today with the principles and moral courage of Eric Liddel. (Oh yeah! the last one was a Jewish baseball player!)

[i:a2d436321f][quote by pastorway edited by pastorway][/i:a2d436321f]

[Edited on 1-23-2004 by pastorway]
 
[b:3a95790514]John wrote:[/b:3a95790514]
Why can't they bring out a notable athlete today with the principles and moral courage of Eric Liddel. (Oh yeah! the last one was a Jewish baseball player!)

I'm wondering. If an athlete stuck to their convictions/principles concerning working on Sunday, would they have the opportunity to be recognized as a notable athlete? I mean, if a football player opted out of playing on Sundays, would they even be allowed in the NFL (seeing as how a good number of games during the season are played on Sundays)?
 
I agree with Fred's statements, and would myself say that watching the Superbowl on Sunday is certainly inappropriate under any circumstances.

The book "The Lord's Day" by Joseph Pipa is a very good book on the subject of the Christian Sabbath, and I would recommend it to all.

The 4th Commandment's meaning is not to be understood as just prohibiting "work," however that might be defined, but to set the day apart as holy and completely given to the worship and service of God, as the WCF and LBCF state clearly.

Whether watching a football game with others might be a good way to accomplish the "godly" tasks of evangelism and spending time with family on other days of the week, it is certainly forbidden on the Lord's Day. No offense meant to anyone, but our witness and testimony is to be built on personal holiness, and to break God's law by participating in worldly entertainments on a day set apart for His worship is surely not a prime setup for evangelism. Evangelism is meaningless if it is not blessed by God, His Spirit effectually working to anoint your words and to move the hearer's heart, and we have no right to ask His blessings over an activity that is an affront to Him.

Evangelism to the unsaved and spending time with family can certainly be done in a God-centered way, separated from the entertainments of this world, and that is certainly the way they must be done on Sunday.
 
[quote:7ac8e3aed4][i:7ac8e3aed4]Originally posted by blhowes[/i:7ac8e3aed4]
[b:7ac8e3aed4]John wrote:[/b:7ac8e3aed4]
Why can't they bring out a notable athlete today with the principles and moral courage of Eric Liddel. (Oh yeah! the last one was a Jewish baseball player!)

I'm wondering. If an athlete stuck to their convictions/principles concerning working on Sunday, would they have the opportunity to be recognized as a notable athlete? I mean, if a football player opted out of playing on Sundays, would they even be allowed in the NFL (seeing as how a good number of games during the season are played on Sundays)? [/quote:7ac8e3aed4]

Bob,
Christians have always been called to the carpet. There is a line drawn in the sand; which will you choose, life or death? Money or your daily bread?
 
Scott,
I agree totally with you.

What I'm wondering about is if the NFL, for example, has ever allowed somebody onto the team who at the outset made it clear that they couldn't play on Sundays, but would give 120% at practices and at games not on Sunday? Has there ever been an example of somebody in the NFL like Daniel, who proposed in his heart not to defile himself, went to those in authority with a good attitude and an alternate solution, and was blessed (ie., allowed to play) as Daniel was?

I agree with you that we as Christians must live by biblical convictions and have faith that God will take care of the consequences, whatever they may be.

Bob
 
[quote:22b91e866a][i:22b91e866a]Originally posted by Jie-Huli[/i:22b91e866a]
I agree with Fred's statements, and would myself say that watching the Superbowl on Sunday is certainly inappropriate under any circumstances.

The book "The Lord's Day" by Joseph Pipa is a very good book on the subject of the Christian Sabbath, and I would recommend it to all.

The 4th Commandment's meaning is not to be understood as just prohibiting "work," however that might be defined, but to set the day apart as holy and completely given to the worship and service of God, as the WCF and LBCF state clearly.

Whether watching a football game with others might be a good way to accomplish the "godly" tasks of evangelism and spending time with family on other days of the week, it is certainly forbidden on the Lord's Day. No offense meant to anyone, but our witness and testimony is to be built on personal holiness, and to break God's law by participating in worldly entertainments on a day set apart for His worship is surely not a prime setup for evangelism. Evangelism is meaningless if it is not blessed by God, His Spirit effectually working to anoint your words and to move the hearer's heart, and we have no right to ask His blessings over an activity that is an affront to Him.

Evangelism to the unsaved and spending time with family can certainly be done in a God-centered way, separated from the entertainments of this world, and that is certainly the way they must be done on Sunday. [/quote:22b91e866a]

Well it seems like that was directed at me! :mad: Haha! Just kidding!

No offense taken at all, it's great to hear solid valid ideas and truths on the subject, and after all, I _did_ ask for criticism!

I'm learning more and more, so it's nice to have those ahead of me teach me a little while I study other things.

We simple humans can only do so much.
 
to blhowes

In ref. to A. Divine Colloquy between the Soul and her Saviour upon the effectual Merits of his dolorous Passion.

WOW!!! Thanks for posting that! That was one of the most amazing things I've ever read in my life! My jaw dropped a couple of times while reading it; I was just flabberghasted at the insight, wisdom, reverence, gloriousness of that writing!
My suggestion (as I'm too lazy to do it myselft) would be for someone to "modernize" it just a bit (or people won't take the time to read/understand it) and make THAT one of the "fwd's" that goes around in "Christian" circles, instead of all the drivel I get in my email box daily!;) Whad'ya think?
 
alwaysreforming,

First of all, welcome to the forum. Glad to have you here.

I agree with you about the Divine Colloquy. My reaction was exactly the same. I've never read anything like it before, either. And that was only probably 5 or 6 pages out of a 300+ page book. I'm really looking forward to reading the rest of it.

[b:544d86a583]alwaysreforming wrote:[/b:544d86a583]
My suggestion (as I'm too lazy to do it myselft) would be for someone to "modernize" it just a bit (or people won't take the time to read/understand it)

That probably wouldn't be a bad idea. It would be interesting to search the internet to see if its already been done (ya never know). Personally, I use the KJV, so I'm right at home with it, but I can see how it might dissuade somebody who's not use to the style (but then again, I would think that after they read a few lines, the content would grab a hold of them and they'd overlook the inconvenience of working through the old english (just my :wr50: ).

Bob

[Edited on 1-23-2004 by blhowes]
 
[quote:ec25d36848][i:ec25d36848]Originally posted by blhowes[/i:ec25d36848]
[b:ec25d36848]John wrote:[/b:ec25d36848]
Why can't they bring out a notable athlete today with the principles and moral courage of Eric Liddel. (Oh yeah! the last one was a Jewish baseball player!)

I'm wondering. If an athlete stuck to their convictions/principles concerning working on Sunday, would they have the opportunity to be recognized as a notable athlete? I mean, if a football player opted out of playing on Sundays, would they even be allowed in the NFL (seeing as how a good number of games during the season are played on Sundays)? [/quote:ec25d36848]

Considering how many of these guys are supposedly Christian, the owners would waste no time in changing the schedule if these players held to principle!
 
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