REMEMBER
Teacher Mark enjoys watching his favorite TV shows, but they air on Saturday afternoon. He wonders if watching them on the Sabbath is an acceptable way to relax.
Bible Verse: Isaiah 58:13: “If you turn away your foot from the Sabbath, from doing your pleasure on My holy day... then you shall delight yourself in the Lord.”
Watching secular TV, which distracts from the sacredness of the Sabbath, is not an ideal way to keep the day holy. Teacher Mark should focus on activities that help him delight in the Lord, such as reading the Bible or spending time in prayer and reflection.
Kuya Dan enjoys working out, and he likes going for a run on Saturday mornings to clear his mind. He wonders if physical exercise on the Sabbath is permissible.
Answer:
Bible Verse: Isaiah 58:13-14: “If you call the Sabbath a delight... not doing your own ways, nor finding your own pleasure.”
While moderate, peaceful activities like a walk in nature may help connect with God’s creation, intense physical workouts for personal pleasure should be avoided. Kuya Dan could use his time for spiritual refreshment instead.
Daniel’s father never observed the Sabbath, but on his deathbed, he accepted Christ. Daniel wonders if he’ll be saved even though he never kept the Sabbath.
Bible Verse: Luke 23:42-43: “Then he [the thief on the cross] said to Jesus, ‘Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.’ And Jesus said to him, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.’”
God is just and merciful. The thief on the cross wasn’t able to keep any commandments before he died, yet Jesus promised him eternal life because of his faith. Susan’s father will be judged based on the light he had, and if he accepted Christ, his salvation is secure through grace, not based on Sabbath observance.
Ate Renyl's extended family plans a reunion on Saturday, with activities that include barbecuing, games, and socializing. She is excited but unsure if hosting a large, non-religious gathering is appropriate for the Sabbath.
Bible Verse: Exodus 20:10: “But the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord your God. In it you shall do no work.”
While it’s fine to spend time with family on the Sabbath, Ate Renyl should ensure the activities respect the holiness of the day. Instead of games and barbecuing, the focus could be on spiritual fellowship, prayer, and family worship.
A neighbor asks Ate Janice to help move furniture on Saturday because they have a tight deadline. Ate Janice wants to be helpful but also feels conflicted about engaging in physical labor on the Sabbath.
Bible Verse: Exodus 20:8-10: “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord your God. In it you shall do no work.”
Ate Janice should politely decline helping with the move on the Sabbath but could offer to help either on Friday before sunset or on Sunday. The Bible instructs us to refrain from regular work on the Sabbath and to rest.
Ate Gia's relative passes away, and the funeral is scheduled for Saturday morning. She is unsure if attending a funeral service on the Sabbath aligns with Sabbath principles.
Bible Verse: Romans 12:15: “Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.”
Attending a funeral, which is a solemn event, can be appropriate on the Sabbath, as it allows Ate Gia to offer comfort and support to her family in a time of grief. She can honor the Sabbath by maintaining a spiritual focus during the service.
Ate Ellie grew up in a Christian denomination that doesn’t observe the seventh-day Sabbath. She recently learned about it and is wondering if her salvation is in jeopardy because she hasn’t been keeping it.
Bible Verse: Ephesians 2:8-9: “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.”
Salvation is by grace through faith in Jesus Christ, not by works, including Sabbath observance. However, once a person learns truth from God’s Word, they are called to follow it. Observing the Sabbath is part of living a life in harmony with God’s commandments, but it is not the basis of salvation. God looks at the heart and understanding, and those who follow the light they have will be saved through His grace.
Vangie's church meets for Sabbath worship, but the weather forecast predicts a severe storm. She wonders if she should risk driving in unsafe conditions to attend church.
Bible Verse: Mark 2:27: “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.”
The Sabbath is a blessing, not a burden. If attending worship puts Vangie's safety at risk, she can worship at home and still honor the Sabbath. God values our health and safety, and He invites us to rest and worship in ways that are safe and meaningful.
Kuya Aaron is a teacher, the director offers to pay him extra if he completes a project by Saturday. Kuya Aaron wonders if working for payment on the Sabbath is acceptable since it’s a unique opportunity.
Bible Verse: Exodus 20:9-10: “Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord your God. In it you shall do no work.”
Kuya Aaron should not accept the payment or complete the work on the Sabbath. The Bible is clear that the Sabbath is a day of rest from regular labor and should not be used for earning income. He can work on the project after the Sabbath and maintain his spiritual commitment
Marizh is a nurse who often works shifts on Saturdays. She is committed to keeping the Sabbath but wonders if it’s acceptable for her to work in healthcare on this holy day, considering that lives may be at stake.
Bible Verse: Matthew 12:12: “It is lawful to do good on the Sabbath.”
Healthcare workers, such as nurses, perform acts of mercy and care, which align with the principles Jesus emphasized regarding the Sabbath. Marizh's work in helping and healing others is in harmony with Sabbath observance, as it involves showing compassion and relieving suffering. However, where possible, she may try to adjust her schedule to have more opportunities to rest and worship on the Sabbath.
Kuya Brylle's family is planning a road trip, and they want to drive on Saturday to reach their vacation destination. The drive is long, and Kuya Brylle is unsure if traveling for leisure is appropriate on the Sabbath.
Answer:
Bible Verse: Exodus 16:29: “Let every man remain in his place; let no man go out of his place on the seventh day.”
Traveling long distances for leisure on the Sabbath would detract from the rest and spiritual focus of the day. Kuya Brylle should encourage his family to travel on Friday or Sunday, allowing the Sabbath to remain a day of worship and rest.
Ate Jing forgot to do laundry on Friday, and her children don’t have clean clothes for church. She considers doing a quick load of laundry before leaving for service.
Bible Verse: Exodus 20:8-10: “Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord your God. In it you shall do no work.”
Household chores like laundry should be avoided on the Sabbath. Ate Jing could find alternative clean clothes or prioritize doing laundry on Friday in the future, keeping the Sabbath day for rest and worship.
Lisa’s church is holding a fundraiser on Saturday to raise money for a mission trip. The event involves selling baked goods and crafts. Lisa is excited to contribute but is unsure if participating in a fundraiser is appropriate for the Sabbath.
Bible Verse: Nehemiah 13:15: “In those days I saw in Judah people treading winepresses on the Sabbath, and bringing in heaps of grain and loading them on donkeys... I warned them on the day when they sold food.”
Selling goods, even for a good cause, is not in harmony with Sabbath observance. Lisa can support the mission trip by helping with the preparation before the Sabbath or contributing to the fundraiser on another day. The Sabbath should remain free from commerce.
Ate Lyngie believes that Christians can choose any day to observe as a Sabbath, as long as they dedicate time to rest and worship.
Bible Verse: Exodus 20:9-10: “Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord your God.”
God specifically blessed and sanctified the seventh day, not just any day. While rest and worship are important every day, the Sabbath is a special day set apart by God Himself. It is not a matter of human preference but a divine command.
Kuya Jezriel's refrigerator breaks down on Sabbath, and he worries that food will spoil if it’s not fixed immediately. He considers repairing it on Sabbath to prevent waste.
Bible Verse: Matthew 12:11: “If any of you has a sheep and it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will you not take hold of it and lift it out?”
If fixing the refrigerator is necessary to prevent significant loss or hardship, it may be permissible to repair it on the Sabbath, as Jesus emphasized acts of necessity and mercy. However, non-urgent repairs should be postponed to avoid turning the Sabbath into a day of work.
Kuya Ace is accustomed to spending time on his phone, browsing social media and watching YouTube videos. He wonders if it’s acceptable to continue using his phone on the Sabbath for entertainment purposes.
Answer:
Bible Verse: Psalm 46:10: “Be still, and know that I am God.”
The Sabbath is a time for spiritual stillness and reflection, not for distractions. Kuya Ace should consider setting aside his phone for secular entertainment and instead use it for spiritual activities, such as listening to sermons or reading Scripture.
John’s car breaks down on Sabbath morning, and he needs it to get to church. He wonders if fixing his car is acceptable since it’s an urgent need.
Bible Verse: Matthew 12:11: “If any of you has a sheep and it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will you not take hold of it and lift it out?”
If John’s car repair is essential for attending worship or fulfilling a basic need, it may be permissible to fix it. However, regular car maintenance or non-essential repairs should be postponed until after the Sabbath.
Ate Rochelle is a Sabbath school teacher and feels inspired to host a Bible study with her neighbors on Sabbath afternoon. However, some of her neighbors are not Sabbath keepers, and she wonders if this might disrupt their day.
Bible Verse: Matthew 18:20: “For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.”
Hosting Bible studies is perfectly in line with Sabbath principles. Ate Rochelle should feel free to share God’s Word with others, as this aligns with the purpose of the day. She can invite her neighbors in a spirit of love, allowing them to decide if they wish to join.
Ate Ailyn didn’t finish cleaning her house on Friday, and guests are coming over on Saturday evening after sunset. She considers spending part of the Sabbath day cleaning to prepare.
Bible Verse: Exodus 16:23: “This is what the Lord commanded: ‘Tomorrow is to be a day of Sabbath rest, a holy Sabbath to the Lord. So bake what you want to bake and boil what you want to boil. Save whatever is left and keep it until morning.’”
Ate Ailyn should rest from housework on the Sabbath and trust that her home’s condition is less important than honoring God. She can complete the cleaning after sunset or plan better for future Sabbaths by doing her preparation on Friday.
Kurt argues that the Sabbath was given to the Israelites as part of the Mosaic covenant and therefore is not binding on all humans today.
Bible Verse: Genesis 2:2-3: “And on the seventh day God ended His work which He had done, and He rested on the seventh day... Then God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it.”
The Sabbath was established at creation before the existence of Israel, and it was sanctified for all humanity, not just Israelites. It is a day of rest and worship for all people, a memorial of God’s creation (Exodus 20:8-11).
James believes that since Christians are saved by grace through faith in Christ, they no longer need to observe the Sabbath. He questions whether Sabbath-keeping is still necessary under the New Covenant.
Bible Verse: Matthew 5:17: “Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill.”
The grace of God does not abolish His law but rather enables believers to live in harmony with it. The Sabbath is part of God’s moral law, which reflects His character. Jesus Himself kept the Sabbath and never suggested it should be discarded (Luke 4:16). Observing the Sabbath today is an act of love and faith, acknowledging God as Creator and Redeemer (Exodus 20:8-11). Grace empowers us to obey God's commandments, including the Sabbath.
Bro. Horam's close friend is getting married on Saturday, and the wedding is expected to be a grand event with a big reception afterward. He wonders if attending a wedding on the Sabbath is in line with its observance.
Bible Verse: John 2:1-11: Jesus attended a wedding in Cana, where He performed His first miracle.
While weddings are joyful occasions, attending a large celebration could detract from the Sabbath’s spiritual focus. Bro Horam could attend the ceremony to support his friend but may consider skipping the reception if it involves excessive partying or distractions from the sacredness of the Sabbath.
James wonders if the Sabbath is only for this earthly life or if it will be observed in heaven as well.
Bible Verse: Isaiah 66:22-23: “‘For as the new heavens and the new earth... shall remain before Me,’ says the Lord... ‘And it shall come to pass that from one Sabbath to another, all flesh shall come to worship before Me.’”
This passage suggests that the Sabbath will continue to be observed even in the new heavens and new earth. The Sabbath is an eternal principle, reflecting God’s rest and our worship of Him.
Ate Shekainah has a major exam on Monday, and she feels pressured to study on Saturday to prepare. She knows that the Sabbath is a time for rest and worship but is concerned about not being ready for her test.
Bible Verse: Matthew 6:33: “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.”
Shekainah should trust God and use the Sabbath for spiritual renewal, setting aside her study materials until after the Sabbath. By prioritizing her relationship with God, she can trust that He will help her with her exam preparation during the other six days.
Rod is a single father who works on Saturdays to support his family. He feels torn between keeping the Sabbath and providing for his children.
Bible Verse: Matthew 6:33: “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.”
God understands Derek’s situation and the struggles he faces. Derek is encouraged to trust in God’s provision, seeking ways to align his life with Sabbath observance, even if it requires making difficult choices. God promises to care for those who prioritize His kingdom and righteousness.