Peter Barnes | Romans 14:5-6
SERMON NOTES
OBSERVING DAYS
(Romans 14:5-6)
1. The issue of holy days.
(a) There are different attitudes.
Contrast to Gal.4:10-11; Col.2:16.
(b) What about the Sabbath?
– Martyn Lloyd-Jones says that the Sabbath is moral, not ceremonial. The early Church Fathers did not call Sunday the Sabbath (e.g. Ignatius of Antioch; the Epistle of Barnabas; the Epistle to Diognetus). The Lord’s Day is Sunday (Acts 20:7; 1 Cor.16:1-2; Rev.1:10).
(c) Societies where the Lord’s Day is not kept.
In Nepal most churches meet on Saturday because it is the day off for all. In Islamic countries it is Friday. The church can be flexible on this issue but not on the other nine commandments.
(d) Christmas, Lent and other ‘holy’ days.
Deuteronomy 16 describes the three feasts of Passover, Weeks (Pentecost), and Tabernacles (Booths). Nothing like that is in the New Testament.
2. The Christian’s response.
(a) Be fully convinced in your own mind.
Paul is not afraid to leave some things with the individual Christian.
(b) Recognise diversity.
This is not said for the resurrection of Jesus, salvation by grace, or homosexual acts. Tish Harrison Warren: ‘We Can Agree to Disagree on Women’s Ordination’. Can we? Diversity is real, but there are limits.
(c) Honour the Lord.
Thomas Schreiner: ‘Paul can tolerate diverse practices, which do not violate any biblical or moral norm, as long as they are motivated by the glory of God.’ 1 Corinthians 10:31.
(d) Give thanks to the Lord.
See too 1 Tim.4:4-5.
The key question is: Are you right with God through faith in Christ?