HOLY DAYS & HOLIDAYS

HOLY DAYS & HOLIDAYS Gal. 4:8-11

HOLY DAYS & HOLIDAYS • Introduction 1. Gal. 4:8-11 Danger sign: observing “holy days” not ordained by God

8 Howbeit then, when ye knew not God, ye did service unto them which by nature are no gods. 9 But now, after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage? 10 Ye observe days, and months, and times, and years. 11 I am afraid of you, lest I have bestowed upon you labour in vain. 1. Gal. 4:8-11 Danger sign: observing “holy days” not ordained by God

HOLY DAYS & HOLIDAYS • Introduction 2. Distinguish holy day & holiday: • Set by church or other religious body VS set by custom or gov’t • Special religious services & activities not authorized by GodVS national, seasonal, secular, & family activities

HOLY DAYS & HOLIDAYS • Introduction 2. Distinguish holy day & holiday: • Bind as church function, claim to honor GodVS Recognize God, but not bind as church function

HOLY DAYS & HOLIDAYS • Introduction 3. What does God say? • Only God Can Ordain True Holy Days • False Holy Days Are Ordained by Men • Holidays May Involve National, Seasonal, Secular, & Family Activities • God’s Word Must Guide Us!

HOLY DAYS & HOLIDAYS I. Only God Can Ordain True Holy Days A. The Law of Moses • Ex. 20:8-11; Deut. 5:12-15 God ordained the Sabbath day

8 Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. 9 Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work: 10 But the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates: 11 For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it. • Ex. 20:8-11; Deut. 5:12-15 God ordained the Sabbath day

12 Keep the sabbath day to sanctify it, as the LORD thy God hath commanded thee. 13 Six days thou shaltlabour, and do all thy work: 14 But the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, nor thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thine ox, nor thine ass, nor any of thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates; that thy manservant and thy maidservant may rest as well as thou. • Ex. 20:8-11; Deut. 5:12-15 God ordained the Sabbath day

15 And remember that thou wast a servant in the land of Egypt, and that the LORD thy God brought thee out thence through a mighty hand and by a stretched out arm: therefore the LORD thy God commanded thee to keep the sabbath day. • Ex. 20:8-11; Deut. 5:12-15 God ordained the Sabbath day

HOLY DAYS & HOLIDAYS I. Only God Can Ordain True Holy Days A. The Law of Moses • Ex. 23:14-16 God ordained annual feasts: Passover, Harvest, & Ingathering

14 Three times thou shalt keep a feast unto me in the year. 15 Thou shalt keep the feast of unleavened bread: (thou shalt eat unleavened bread seven days, as I commanded thee, in the time appointed of the month Abib; for in it thou camest out from Egypt: and none shall appear before me empty:) 16 And the feast of harvest, the firstfruits of thy labours, which thou hast sown in the field: and the feast of ingathering, which is in the end of the year, when thou hast gathered in thy labours out of the field. • Ex. 23:14-16 God ordained annual feasts: Passover, Harvest, & Ingathering

HOLY DAYS & HOLIDAYS I. Only God Can Ordain True Holy Days A. The Law of Moses • Lev. 16 Annual atonement • Lev. 25 7th year sabbath, 50th year jubilee

HOLY DAYS & HOLIDAYS I. Only God Can Ordain True Holy Days B. The Gospel Age • Col. 2:14-17 Christ ended holy days

Col. 2:14-17 Christ ended holy days 14 Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; 15 And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it. 16 Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days: 17 Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ.

HOLY DAYS & HOLIDAYS I. Only God Can Ordain True Holy Days B. The Gospel Age • Mk. 16:2; Acts 2:1; Acts 20:7; 1 Cor. 16:1-2 1st day of week worship, no holy days

2 And very early in the morning the first day of the week, they came unto the sepulchre at the rising of the sun. • Mk. 16:2; Acts 2:1; Acts 20:7; 1 Cor. 16:1-2 1st day of week worship, no holy days 1 And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. 7 And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight.

1 Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye. 2 Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come. • Mk. 16:2; Acts 2:1; Acts 20:7; 1 Cor. 16:1-2 1st day of week worship, no holy days

HOLY DAYS & HOLIDAYS I. Only God Can Ordain True Holy Days B. The Gospel Age • Gal. 4:8-11; 5:1 Warnings against holy days

8 Howbeit then, when ye knew not God, ye did service unto them which by nature are no gods. 9 But now, after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage? 10 Ye observe days, and months, and times, and years. 11 I am afraid of you, lest I have bestowed upon you labour in vain. • Gal. 4:8-11; 5:1 Warnings against holy days

1 Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage. • Gal. 4:8-11; 5:1 Warnings against holy days

HOLY DAYS & HOLIDAYS I. Only God Can Ordain True Holy Days B. The Gospel Age • Rom. 14:1-6; 16:17-18 Do not bind a day of private devotion

1 Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations. 2 For one believeth that he may eat all things: another, who is weak, eateth herbs. 3 Let not him that eateth despise him that eateth not; and let not him which eateth not judge him that eateth: for God hath received him. 4 Who art thou that judgest another man's servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand. • Rom. 14:1-6; 16:17-18 Do not bind a day of private devotion

5 One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind. 6 He that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto the Lord; and he that regardeth not the day, to the Lord he doth not regard it. He that eateth, eateth to the Lord, for he giveth God thanks; and he that eateth not, to the Lord he eateth not, and giveth God thanks. • Rom. 14:1-6; 16:17-18 Do not bind a day of private devotion

17 Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. 18 For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple. • Rom. 14:1-6; 16:17-18 Do not bind a day of private devotion

HOLY DAYS & HOLIDAYS II. False Holy Days Are Ordained by Men A. EASTER: Jesus’ Death & Resurrection • 100’s-300’s Started as Pasch (from Passover), spring festival • 700’s Associated with Estera, Anglo-Saxon goddess of spring & fertility • Convert pagans: absorb their gods

HOLY DAYS & HOLIDAYS II. False Holy Days Are Ordained by Men B. CHRISTMAS: Jesus’ Birth • 200’s-300’s Started as festival for birth of Christ associated with Roman sun gods Mithra & Saturn

HOLY DAYS & HOLIDAYS II. False Holy Days Are Ordained by Men C. God Warns of False Religions’ Influence • Deut. 12:29-32 Israel warned not to borrow from pagan religions

29 When the LORD thy God shall cut off the nations from before thee, whither thou goest to possess them, and thou succeedest them, and dwellest in their land; 30 Take heed to thyself that thou be not snared by following them, after that they be destroyed from before thee; and that thou enquire not after their gods, saying, How did these nations serve their gods? even so will I do likewise. • Deut. 12:29-32 Israel warned not to borrow from pagan religions

31 Thou shalt not do so unto the LORD thy God: for every abomination to the LORD, which he hateth, have they done unto their gods; for even their sons and their daughters they have burnt in the fire to their gods. 32 What thing soever I command you, observe to do it: thou shalt not add thereto, nor diminish from it. • Deut. 12:29-32 Israel warned not to borrow from pagan religions

HOLY DAYS & HOLIDAYS II. False Holy Days Are Ordained by Men C. God Warns of False Religions’ Influence • 2 Cor. 6:14-18 “Come out from among them”

14 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? 15 And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? 16 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. • 2 Cor. 6:14-18 “Come out from among them”

17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, 18 And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty. • 2 Cor. 6:14-18 “Come out from among them”

HOLY DAYS & HOLIDAYS II. False Holy Days Are Ordained by Men C. God Warns of False Religions’ Influence • 2 Thess. 2:3-4 No compromise with “man of sin”

3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; 4 Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God. • 2 Thess. 2:3-4 No compromise with “man of sin”

HOLY DAYS & HOLIDAYS II. False Holy Days Are Ordained by Men C. God Warns of False Religions’ Influence • 1 Tim. 4:1 Do not depart from the original teaching 1 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;

HOLY DAYS & HOLIDAYS II. False Holy Days Are Ordained by Men D. Roman Catholic Holy Days of Obligation • 10 holy days in universal church: must attend Mass • Jan. 1 Circumcision of Jesus • Jan. 6 Epiphany: Jesus Manifest to Magi • Mar. 19 St. Joseph, Jesus’ earthly father • 40 Days after Easter Ascension, Christ taken to heaven

HOLY DAYS & HOLIDAYS II. False Holy Days Are Ordained by Men D. Roman Catholic Holy Days of Obligation • Thursday after Trinity Sunday (after Pentecost) Corpus Christi, body of Christ offered in Eucharist • June 29 Saints Peter & Paul • Aug. 15 Assumption of Mary to heaven

HOLY DAYS & HOLIDAYS II. False Holy Days Are Ordained by Men D. Roman Catholic Holy Days of Obligation • Nov. 1 All Saints Day • Dec. 8 Immaculate Conception of Mary • Dec. 25 Christmas, Birth of Christ

HOLY DAYS & HOLIDAYS III. Holidays May Involve National, Seasonal, Secular, & Family Activities A. Holidays Chosen by Custom & Gov’t • Some have purely secular roots • Some originated as holy days but developed dual status • Holy to religious devotees • Secular to other people

HOLY DAYS & HOLIDAYS III. Holidays May Involve National, Seasonal, Secular, & Family Activities A. Holidays Chosen by Custom & Gov’t • Proper holiday activities: • Time off work, school • Family gatherings • Special foods • Decorate house • Costumes • Send cards • Games • Gifts • Special songs • Prayer, Scripture

HOLY DAYS & HOLIDAYS III. Holidays May Involve National, Seasonal, Secular, & Family Activities B. Common U.S. Holidays • Jan. 1 New Year’s Day, 1 st day of calendar year (Catholic mass for Jesus’ circumcision) • Feb. 14 Valentine’s Day, token of affection sent to opposite sex (mass celebrates martyr of the 200’s)

HOLY DAYS & HOLIDAYS III. Holidays May Involve National, Seasonal, Secular, & Family Activities B. Common U.S. Holidays • Easter, 1st Sunday after 1st full moon on or after Mar. 21 Celebrate Christ’s resurrection; secular activities by many • 2nd Sunday in May Mother’s Day, began 1908 in WV & PA

HOLY DAYS & HOLIDAYS III. Holidays May Involve National, Seasonal, Secular, & Family Activities B. Common U.S. Holidays • 3rd Sunday in June Father’s Day; began 1910 in WV • July 4 Colonies separate from England in 1776 • Oct 31 Halloween (hallow: sanctify); All Saints or All Hallows’ Eve 600’s-800’s; Druids feared wicked spirits; secular

HOLY DAYS & HOLIDAYS III. Holidays May Involve National, Seasonal, Secular, & Family Activities B. Common U.S. Holidays • 4th Thursday in Nov. Thanksgiving Day; began in Plymouth Colony in 1621 • Dec. 25 Celebrate Christ’s birth; secular activities by many

HOLY DAYS & HOLIDAYS IV. God’s Word Must Guide Us! A. Church Dishonors God If Keep Holy Days Not Ordained by God • Rev. 22:18-19 Not add to or take from God’s Word

18 For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: 19 And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book. • Rev. 22:18-19 Not add to or take from God’s Word

HOLY DAYS & HOLIDAYS IV. God’s Word Must Guide Us! A. Church Dishonors God If Keep Holy Days Not Ordained by God • 1 Kgs. 12:32-13:2 God condemned Jeroboam’s feast day with borrowed pagan activities

32 And Jeroboam ordained a feast in the eighth month, on the fifteenth day of the month, like unto the feast that is in Judah, and he offered upon the altar. So did he in Bethel, sacrificing unto the calves that he had made: and he placed in Bethel the priests of the high places which he had made. 33 So he offered upon the altar which he had made in Bethel the fifteenth day of the eighth month, even in the month which he had devised of his own heart; and ordained a feast unto the children of Israel: and he offered upon the altar, and burnt incense. • 1 Kgs. 12:32-13:2 God condemned Jeroboam’s feast day with borrowed pagan activities

1 And, behold, there came a man of God out of Judah by the word of the LORD unto Bethel: and Jeroboam stood by the altar to burn incense. 2 And he cried against the altar in the word of the LORD, and said, O altar, altar, thus saith the LORD; Behold, a child shall be born unto the house of David, Josiah by name; and upon thee shall he offer the priests of the high places that burn incense upon thee, and men's bones shall be burnt upon thee. • 1 Kgs. 12:32-13:2 God condemned Jeroboam’s feast day with borrowed pagan activities

HOLY DAYS & HOLIDAYS