Introduction
God has promised to give His blessing only through the sacred means of grace, His Word and Sacraments. Because these means are very important, God in the Third Commandment warns us not to despise His Word and the preaching of it. He requires that we hold His Word sacred and gladly hear and learn it.
The Third Commandment
You shall keep the day of rest holy.
What does this mean?
We should fear and love God, so that we do not despise preaching and His Word, but hold it sacred and gladly hear and learn it.
- How do we hold God's Word sacred?
We hold God's Word sacred or holy by acknowledging it as the revelation of His will and grace to us.
- How do we gladly hear and learn God's Word?
We gladly hear and learn God's Word by- reading and hearing it thoughtfully and regularly,
- keeping it in our hearts,
- living according to it, and
- proclaiming it to others.
Bible Example: Mary gladly listened to Jesus.
Bible Example: Mary, the mother of Jesus, kept the Word in her heart.
Bible Example: The Christians in Berea searched the Scriptures.
Bible Example: The Christians preached the Word. - How do we despise God's Word and preaching?
We despise God's Word and preaching by not rightly using the Bible and Sacraments (Baptism and the Lord's Supper), or by neglecting divine worship for such reasons as laziness, amusements and unnecessary work. (See Question 8.)
Bible Example: The Pharisees and scribes despise Baptism. - What special requirement did God make of Old Testament people in the Third Commandment?
In the Third Commandment, God required His people of the Old Testament to rest from all labor on the Sabbath Day (Saturday). - Does God still require the keeping of the Sabbath Day?
In the New Testament, God has done away with the laws concerning the Sabbath Day and all other Old Testament types and ceremonies, since they were fulfilled in Christ. (See Question 16.)
Bible Example: Jesus fulfills the Sabbath Day. - Why do we observe Sunday as a special day?
We freely observe Sunday, as the early Christians did, in order to remember the resurrection of Christ and to have a set time for public worship. - How should we observe Sunday and other church festivals?
We should observe Sunday and other church festivals by meeting for public worship, hearing the preaching of the Word and using the Sacraments. (See "The Christian Church Year"; see also the Glossary.) - Why is the use of God's Word so important?
The use of God's Word is so important, since through it the Holy Spirit creates and strengthens our faith in Christ.
Bible Example: The early Christians of Jerusalem worshiped.
Bible Example: The early Christians of Troas worshiped.
Conclusion
God comes to us with te forgiveness of sins, life and salvation through the sacred means of grace. In order to receive these blessings, we use the means of grace both jointly and privately. We come together for worship, especially on Sundays and other church festivals. We should also daily study God's Word privately and always carry it in our hearts. Church services, Bible classes, family devotions and private Bible reading help us grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Savior Jesus Christ.
Hymn
How blest are they who hear God's Word,
And keep and heed what they have heard!
They daily grow in wisdom.
Their light shines brighter day by day,
And while they tread life's weary way,
They have the oil of gladness
To soothe their pain and sadness. (ELH 586:1)
Bible Readings
At home:
In class: