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Ask The Pastor

Why Does God
Allow Evil?
How do I deal with all the demands on
my life?
Since I can worship God anywhere, why go to church? What does the Bible say about friendship? Why don't I feel God's love? Why are there so many Bible versions?  
How can I go to church when I work most Sundays? What does the Bible teach about God?
Part 1
What does the Bible teach about God?
Part 2
Does God want me to vote? How do I honor my parents? Why doesn't God answer my prayers?  
What is Heaven like? Does God care what I wear? When is the Second Coming of the Lord? How do I respond to the Second Coming?      

My schedule makes regular church attendance and involvement almost impossible. How can I go to church when I have to work most Sundays?

By Pastor Chuck Lovelady

I am going to answer your question by first summarizing the three major views in Christianity concerning how the Lord’s Day should be observed. [The following details are from the ‘Evangelical Dictionary of Theology’ by Walter Elwell].

Some Christians believe that the early church was mistaken to leave a Saturday worship for Sunday worship. They believe we should strictly follow the fourth commandment: "Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy.” Exodus 20:8.  This view stresses the importance of rest and religious observance on Saturdays.

A second group of churches basically transfer the strict principles of the Sabbath over to Sunday.  “Sabbatarian” is name of this position. Many years ago these beliefs motivated a lot of ‘blue laws’ restricting commerce on Sundays in various parts of our country.

 

                                               

The third and largest group of Christians believe that the Sabbath command is not applicable to the church age because it was part of the ceremonial law of Israel. In applying this, most Christian theologians would not consider work or recreation on Sunday as inappropriate. However, they would encourage Christians to gather with other believers for fellowship, worship, and teaching.

The apostle Paul speaks clearly about our attitude toward religious activities in Col 2:16-17:   “Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day. These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ.” The issue is not whether you worship on Saturday or Sunday, or even Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday. The issue is who Christ is and how you are related to Him on a daily basis.

 

So in response to your question, the most important thing is to regularly connect with a group of Bible-believing Christians for your encouragement and edification. If you cannot find a church which fits into your schedule on Sundays, see if you can find a service at another time you can attend. Some churches have added Saturday evening services for those who can’t attend on Sunday. If that is not an option, try finding a midweek home Bible study in which you can participate.

The Bible declares the importance of regular fellowship, “Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another--and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”  Hebrews 10:25. Don’t give up looking for a place of regular fellowship until you find it. Finally, remember that it is more than your attendance, it is your participation in fellowship and worship which will make a vital difference in your life.

 

 

 

Contact Pastor Lovelady at clovelady@pastors.com

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