As Paul instructed us all, we should not let men judge us for keeping God’s Sabbaths, Holy Days
or New Moons (Col.2:16-17). God commanded His people to observe the New Moons as a
Statute (Deut.16:1, Ps.81:3-4). David observed the new moons with fellowship and special
worship (1 Sam.20:5, 18, Ps.81:3-4). New moons will continue to be observed in the world
tomorrow as a special time of worship (Isa.66:23). The new moons were observed as the
beginning of each month, and as a special time to worship God, to fellowship with others in the
faith, and to reflect on our walk with God. It was used as a monthly “check” of one’s spiritual
progress in their walk with God. The new moons were NOT Sabbath days nor was it commanded
to assemble on a new moon. Many did however assemble, often sharing a meal together, as they
reflected on God and rejoiced together. This spirit of rejoicing and eating together on God’s
Sabbaths, Feasts and new moons bothered the Gentile populace of Colosse because they believed
in penance and asceticism as a sacrament and form of atonement. To them self-denial was the
way to their god, “touch not, taste not…etc”
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Col 2:20 – Therefore, if you died with Christ from the basic principles of the world, why, as though living in the world, do you subject yourselves to regulations — 21 "Do not touch, do not taste, do not handle," 22 which all concern things which perish with the using — according to the commandments and
doctrines of men? 23 These things indeed have an appearance of wisdom in self-imposed religion, false humility, and neglect
of the body, but are of no value against the indulgence of the flesh.
This is why the apostle Paul told the church not to let any man
judge them for celebrating and feasting when they kept the
Holy Feast days of God. Paul did not want us to let anyone
interfere with our obeying God in this way. This Gentile
Church Paul established was FEASTING and eating and rejoicing before God as they kept his
commanded holy days and new moons. These Holy Days were originally kept by both the Jewish
and Gentile members of the early Church of God! They are God’s time markers reminding us of
where we are in God’s plan of salvation – as taught through the keeping of God’s Holy Feasts.
They too are a reflection of the Body Jesus for the benefit of all mankind.
Each of God’s Holy Days teaches the observer a vital part of HOW God’s plan will be carried
out. The Sabbath and Holy Feasts are like a beacon and a topographical map showing us details
of God’s plan to save all mankind. These Statutes of God are given to us as a light to our path
and they make us wiser than our teachers or the ancients (Ps 119:98-105)! Let’s all thank God
for them.
Sermons
