"Beyond Sunday"

“Don’t let anyone capture you with empty philosophies and high-sounding nonsense that come from human thinking and from the spiritual powers of this world, rather than from Christ. For in Christ lives all the fullness of God in a human body. So you also are complete through your union with Christ, who is head over every ruler and authority.

When you came to Christ, you were circumcised; but not by physical procedure. Christ performed a spiritual circumcision: the cutting away of your sinful nature; for you were buried with Christ when you were baptized. And with him you were raised to a new life because you trusted the mighty power of God, who raised Christ from the dead.”

Colossians 2:8-12 NLT

For many centuries in the United States, Sunday has been a time when families all over attend church services. In many cases moms and dads would even send their children to Sunday school… Most church-going folk did their best to honor the fourth commandment;

“Remember the Sabbath day and to keep it holy…”

Normally in our household, mom would always start preparing Sunday dinner on Saturday night; then after church services were over, many of our relatives would join us for dinner and fellowship.

During the 50’s and 60’s bars were closed, not many stores were opened; and the few that did open would close earlier than usual. You would be hard-pressed to even find much drama happening on Sundays.

But when Monday came, it was back to business as usual. Our concerns reverted to our daily routines; work, school, gossip, the neighborhood bar…etc. There may have been the occasional conversation about what the preacher said in his sermon, but there was very little living it out.

“The More Things Change, The More They Stay The Same”

Are we any different today?

Yes, but in a far worse manner…Today the Sabbath is more about being entertained in church services. There used to be a time when the church choir was enough to get us in the mood for the word, but today people need the praise team to pump them up, followed by the praise dance ministry, and finally, an emotionally charged message from the preacher.

After they’ve fulfilled their church obligation (cleared our conscience), then its right back to being carnal and the message they heard instantly vanishes from their memory.

“…a sower went forth to so; and when he sowed, some seeds fell by the way side, and the fowls came and devoured them up: Some fell upon stony places where they had not much earth; and forthwith they sprung up, because they had no deepness of earth.

And when the sun was up, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away. And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprung up and choked them…” Matthew 13:3-7 KJV

When God commanded that we keep the Sabbath holy, it was not intended to be just for one day. Keeping the Sabbath holy must be a continued practice throughout the six days that follow.

Letting your light shine on Sunday only is to hide it from those whom you will come in contact with Monday through Saturday.

“But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost…” 2^nd Cor 4:3 KJV

Think about it on this wise; each day on your job there are instructions that you must follow earnestly in order to habitually maintain an outstanding performance grade. How well you follow the instructions is also an indicator of how much of a raise increase you’ll receive. Not only that; but your superiors can determine if you are the kind of worker they can trust and promote to a higher position, with greater demands earning you an even greater pay increase.

For the Christian, it is impossible to live beyond Sunday if we can’t follow the instructions found in Gods’ word daily. Sunday should serve as reinforcement to the word of God that we keep hid in our hearts and that directs us to avoid the pleasures of sin on a regular, daily basis.

Ref. Psalm 119:11

It’s easy to blend in and look the part during Sunday services, however ultimate victory is gained when we can hurdle the snares of the enemy beyond Sunday.

The “Great Commission” demands that our daily walk be a representation of Gods’ Kingdom, which is eternal. Ref. Matthew 28:18-20

His love for us and his promises to us extend far beyond Sunday.

Thererfore, let us live like it daily…