Huntington Church of Christ

God places a great emphasis on memory. He has throughout history established certain memorials for the purpose of recalling important lessons and events. We are not talking about manmade holidays, like Lent, Easter or Christimas, but rather days or events established by God Himself.

The Sabbath testified to the creation (Genesis 2:3). God commanded the children of Israel to observe this day in Exodus 20:8,9. The Sabbath and first day of the week are two different days (Matthew 28:1). The Christian observes the first day of the week in commemorating the resurrection of Christ (Acts 20:7; 1 Corinthians 16:2).

The Rainbow in the Clouds is a memorial to the covenant God made with all flesh (Genesis 9:8-17). According to this covenant the world will never again be destroyed by water, but will be destroyed by fire (2 Peter 3:10-12). Every time man sees the bow in the sky he is to remember God's faithful promise.

The Passover was a memorial between God and Israel commemorating the time when God went through the land of Egypt executing his judgment (Exodus 12:12-14). It was only after the Passover and the death of the Egyptians' firstborn that Israel was released from 400 years of slavery.

The Omer Full of Manna was commanded by God to be kept in memory of the Lord's daily provisions during Israel's journey to Canaan, the promised land (Exodus 16:32-34).

The Lord's Supper is the only memorial in which the New Testament Christian is to observe, yet many openly defy and neglect its observance. It is in memory of Christ's death (1 Corinthians 11:24, 25). Early Christians assembled every first day of the week (Acts 20:7; 1 Corinthians 16:2) to commemorate this feast.

Other holidays have been offered and observed without God's approval or command. God is displeased in the audacity and gall of man to go beyond what He has instructed (2 John 9).

adapted from a sermon by W.R. Jones

Daniel S. Dow
Huntington Church of Christ