The Day Observed #7

The point: Recognize that our children are not exempt from the Fourth Commandment, just as they are not exempt from other moral laws of God.

Martin asks if parents exempt children from the Third, Fifth, Eighth, or Ninth Commandments (e.g., taking God's name in vain, disrespect, stealing, lying) to highlight the inconsistency of exempting them from the Fourth.

Now that is a fundamental principle. We must begin by recognizing our children are not exempt from the fourth commandment any more than they are exempt from the other commandments commandments of God's moral law. Do you exempt your children from the other commandments of the moral law? Do you exempt them, for example, from the third commandment, and allow them to take God's name in vain? Do you exempt them from the fifth commandment, and allow them, permit them,

8:53 - 9:26 Read in full sermon

The point: Recognize that our children are not exempt from the Fourth Commandment, just as they are not exempt from other moral laws of God.

A hypothetical scenario of a child stealing a trinket from a vendor is used to show that parents would insist on repentance and restitution for the Eighth Commandment, reinforcing the idea that children are not exempt from God's law.

your small child should happen to reach on a vendor's table, and take some toy or some trinket and stick it in his pocket, will you do nothing? Is that an allowable exemption, or will you stop right there, and call your son or your daughter to repentance? Make them to return that item, and allow them to take it. And even to ask for forgiveness from the vendor, do we exempt our children from the eighth commandment? Do you exempt them from the ninth commandment, and allow them to lie?

9:44 - 10:13 Read in full sermon

The point: Carefully consider the standard set for children's Sabbath observance, ensuring it is neither too strict nor too lenient.

The Pharisees' overly strict rules and regulations regarding the Sabbath are cited as a negative example, illustrating how zeal can turn the Sabbath into a grievous burden rather than a blessing.

But there's a ditch on the other side of the road too. That we would become so strict and become so regimented in our Sabbath keeping that we go beyond what is written and commit the error of the Pharisees.

25:56 - 26:12 Read in full sermon

Driving home: The Pharisees forgot that the Sabbath, or that man was not made for the Sabbath, but that the Sabbath was made for man.

A quote from John Owen describes how some have prescribed so many duties for the Sabbath that it's impossible to read them all in six days, serving as a warning against Pharisaical strictness.

Need to take care that we not bind burdens for our children that we have never been willing or able to bear. John Owen says that some, and here I quote, have collected whatever they could think of that is good and pious and useful in the practice of religion. Whatever could be commended as being good for the soul. Whatever could be commended as being pious.

27:04 - 27:31 Read in full sermon

In this part of the sermon: Martin explains that biblical guidelines for Sabbath keeping are general, not a detailed list of do's and don'ts, and the same principles should guide both adults and children…

The desire for a detailed manual like Baxter's Christian Directory for Sabbath rules is used to illustrate the human tendency to want explicit instructions for every conceivable circumstance, contrasting it with God's wisdom in providing general principles.

other. At least some of us want the other. We would love to have a manual the size of Baxter's Christian Directory. A huge manual, something like this.

30:09 - 30:19 Read in full sermon

The point: Use Bible games, Christian video games, or Christian audio tapes in moderation to instruct children in the things of God, recognizing their entertainment factor but prioritizing the message.

Martin compares allowing children to read Christian biographies (like William Carey or Charles Spurgeon) with watching Christian videos (like Pilgrim's Progress), arguing that the medium is neutral and the message determines suitability for the Sabbath.

Most of us would let our children read the biography of a great Christian on the Lord's Day.

39:23 - 39:28 Read in full sermon

In this part of the sermon: He presents five practical guidelines: rest from ordinary labors, allow for physical and mental rest, avoid recreation, consecrate the day to holy activities, and make decisions…

Comparing Charles Dickens' 'Oliver Twist' with Courtney Anderson's 'To the Golden Shore' (a biography of Adoniram Judson) as both books, Martin illustrates that the content, not the medium, determines suitability for Sabbath reading.

The issue is not the medium. It's the message. Charles Dickens' Oliver Twist and Courtney Anderson's To the Golden Shore. His Life of Adoniram Judson, probably the finest biography, Christian biography, ever written. But now Dickens'

41:14 - 41:34 Read in full sermon

In this part of the sermon: He presents five practical guidelines: rest from ordinary labors, allow for physical and mental rest, avoid recreation, consecrate the day to holy activities, and make decisions…

Comparing Disney's 'The Lion King' with a video version of Bunyan's 'Pilgrim's Progress' as both videos, Martin again emphasizes that the message conveyed, not the medium, is the crucial factor for Sabbath appropriateness.

Oliver Twist and Anderson's To the Golden Shore are both books, but only one of them is suitable for Sabbath reading.

41:34 - 41:43 Read in full sermon

The point: Do not allow children to play in sports leagues on Sunday, as it compromises commitment to God's law.

Martin contrasts a game of Bible charades or a Bible sword drill with a basketball game, arguing that while both are games, the former's purpose of instruction in God's Word justifies it on the Sabbath, unlike the latter's pure entertainment.

I believe there's a vast difference between a game of Bible charades or a Bible sword drill and a basketball game. Now both are games, but their purpose is different. The goal of the sword drill is instruction in the things of God. The children are learning how to find things in their Bible by carefully selecting the text.

42:39 - 43:02 Read in full sermon

In this part of the sermon: He presents five practical guidelines: rest from ordinary labors, allow for physical and mental rest, avoid recreation, consecrate the day to holy activities, and make decisions…

Martin recounts visiting the home of a Reformed Baptist elder whose son, a talented athlete, declined an international soccer opportunity because it required playing on Sunday, illustrating godly character and commitment to the Sabbath over worldly success.

different homes. One as a visitor for a week. One home just less than an hour. The one home was the home of one of the elders of the Reformed Baptist Church of Grand Rapids.

47:19 - 47:33 Read in full sermon

In this part of the sermon: He presents five practical guidelines: rest from ordinary labors, allow for physical and mental rest, avoid recreation, consecrate the day to holy activities, and make decisions…

Martin describes visiting the home of a retired NFL player filled with memorabilia, contrasting the worldly success and accolades with the character of the elder's son, emphasizing the greater value of a good conscience before God.

I think most of you know my wife and I. I was in a soccer team. I was in a soccer team. I was in a soccer team.

49:06 - 49:08 Read in full sermon