Scripture Reading: Psalms 118:19-29
Intro.
1. Col. 3:17 – Includes worship (Jno. 4:24).
2. Why do we hold Sunday as the scripturally authorized day for worship? Has God specified a time element (day) for the church to “come together” for worship? How can we be sure?
3. What is the significance of the 1st day of the week?
I. THE FIRST DAY OF THE WEEK: THE LORD’S DAY.
A. The “Lord’s Day” Has Special Reference to Christ.
1. “Lord’s” (kuriakos – Twice in NT – “of or belonging to the Lord, relating to the Lord” – Thayer, 365).
2. 1 Cor. 11:20 – Lord’s Supper – Instituted by the Lord & specially related to the Lord (11:23-26 – Memorial).
3. Rev. 1:10 – Day relating to the Lord.
a. A “day” belonging specifically to Christ re. His new covenant.
b. cf. Sabbath (Deut. 5:2-3, 12) – Related only to Israel (7th day).
c. Col. 2:14, 16-17 – Taken out of the way (not binding)…shadow.
d. 1st day is not “Christian Sabbath”.
e. Acts 20:7 – 1st day of week the disciples came together.
II. FIRST DAY OF THE WEEK: “THE DAY THE LORD HAS MADE” – Psa. 118:22-24.
A. First Day of Week: The Day of Christ’s Resurrection – Mk. 16:9.
1. 118:24 – Day the Lord has made…1st day of week…Lord’s day!
2. His resurrection key to gospel & our salvation! (1 Cor. 15:14-20)
B. First Day of Week: Jesus Shown to be the Son of God – Rom. 1:4.
1. His resurrection was God’s declaration & confirming sign.
2. Psa. 2:6-7 (Acts 13:30-33) – This day (of resurr.)! 1st day of week!
3. His exaltation announced – Acts 2:36 (Psa. 118:22).
C. First Day of Week: Church was Established – Psa. 118:22-23.
1. Matt. 16:18 – Death did not defeat His purpose – Day of His resurrection powerfully showed that!
2. Acts 2:41 - Church established on 1st day of week (Pentecost, Lev. 23:16).
3. Acts 4:10-11 - Jesus the Head & chief cornerstone of His church (Eph. 1:22; 2:19-22).
III. IN THE NT, THE FIRST DAY OF THE WEEK IS THE SPECIFIED DAY ON WHICH DISCIPLES ASSEMBLED TO WORSHIP.
A. The Lord’s Supper was Eaten on First Day of the Week – Acts 20:7.
1. “Break bread” has two applications in NT:
a. Lord’s Supper – Acts 20:7; 2:42.
b. Meal to satisfy hunger – Acts 20:11; 2:46.
2. “Break bread” in Acts 20:7 is not a common meal - that was not to be done in the church’s assembly! – 1 Cor. 11:20-22, 33-34
3. Therefore, Acts 20:7 must be discussing the Lord’s Supper.
4. No other day is mentioned in NT – Exclusive (binding) authority.
B. Contribution was Made on First Day of the Week – 1 Cor. 16:2.
1. Why first day of the week? Day on which the saints assembled to worship!
2. No other day is mentioned in NT – Exclusive (binding) authority.
C. Establishing & Applying Bible Authority:
1. Christians are taught to worship God – Jno. 4:24.
2. Commanded to eat the L.S. as part of worship – 1 Cor. 11:24-25.
3. Disciples assembled for worship on 1st day: Illus. –Lord’s Supper--
a. What? Lord’s Supper – 1 Cor. 11:24-25 (command).
b. Where? Assembly of disciples – 1 Cor. 11:18, 20, 33 (example).
c. When? First day of week – Acts 20:7 (example).
d. How often (frequency)? – cf. Exo. 20:8-10 (necessary inference).
D. NT Gives an Exclusive Pattern of the First Day of the Week as the Day of Worship (Lord’s Supper & giving) – cf. 1 Cor. 4:16-17.
1. When we follow apostolic pattern in NT we know we are right (following divine authority) – Phil. 3:17.
2. Who gave men authority to dismiss the NT pattern & establish another day? (2 Tim. 1:13; 2 Ths. 2:15; 2 Jno. 9; Gal. 1:8-9)
Conclusion
1. Psa. 118:24: The Lord made a day:
a. Of salvation (118:21).
b. Of declaration (Son of God) via resurrection (Rom. 1:4).
c. Of announced exaltation of His Christ (118:22).
d. Of praise & rejoicing - remembrance & worship (118:24).
e. That particularly relates to Him – The Lord’s day (1st day of week).
2. “We will rejoice and be glad in it”!