The Significance Of Sunday

Dr. Thamsing Lamkang *

What is the significance of Sunday that influences all others to observe as holiday? All works are ceased and you are free, because it's a universal holiday? No, it's not! It's a 'Holy Day for the Lord'. Everyone will have their own opinions, some of the business people may even think Sunday is accounting day or cleaning day. And many others will enjoy simply just that it is in the calendar.

Well, many others may not know but every Christians must know its value of the day. Yes, before the first coming of Jesus, Sabbath-Day was an important day because in six days God had created everything and on the Seventh day God was rested. The Lord had commanded the chosen nation Israel to observe as the Sabbath Day unto the Lord.

In the lives of believers Sunday is very important, glorious, and a historic day. 'Just as your time with God is very important for the day'! Sunday too is also very special day for a week. It always had been a holiday because it is the weekly reminder of Christ Resurrection from the dead on the first day of the week. Since than, the importance of Sabbath resting day is changed to the "Lord's risen day" i.e. on Sunday! The practice of Christian assembling for worship on Sunday dates back to the beginning of the Christian era!

However, it was only in 321 A.D. that, Constantine, the Great Roman Emperor issued a decree that all works should cease on Sundays. It become more widespread and practice to other nations when the European countries conquered the other nations of the world. Especially, the British ruled nations (Common Wealth countries) in the world. No matter what you are-God must be your first priority on Sunday.

GOING TO CHURCH IS A MUST ON SUNDAY - 3 REASONS

First - to worship the Lord, through prayer of supplications, praise & worship, hymns, testimony and thanksgiving with what you have, sing a song with joy to reach the heartbeat of God.

Secondly - to listen God's word, to renewal our faith, to correct and repent and to encourage one another for our spiritual growth. It will also strengthen your relationship with God.

Thirdly - to fellowship, with other believers, meet as the body of Christ, to pray for each other, and also to encourage one another through fellowshipping. There might be more reasons to go church but these 3 are one of the important reasons in our faith lives!

One Sunday morning, a certain God fearing preacher was in South America just about to preach his sermon. Suddenly the king's messenger arrived with an order from the king that the king wants to see him at once. The preacher was the king's counselor. After he listen the messenger the preacher responded to the messenger, "I am in an important business for my God, no matter who happens to me I will first finished my priority and than only for others." Tell the king that I am busy now with my greater King of heaven and earth, and then only I can come to see him. What about you, how important are Sundays to you?

Most people must have heard the inspirational story of Eric Liddell from Scotland. It was the story of during the Modern Olympic Games in the beginning of 19th Century. Eric is one of the most committed sport persons one can remember. He is famous and remembered not just because of his sportsmanship, but for his love for Jesus. He is also one of the most admired sportsperson in the history, for overcoming his humble beginnings. And for his perseverance and his total dependence on God's will in his life.

He stopped running for his confirmed to his winning record in 100 meters race final. Just for being on Sunday, saying that, "It's a time for Rest and Worship the Lord." His countrymen, family and friends called him even a fool to let go his winning record race. He was not convinced to run on Sunday. He was allowed to run the 400 meters race, which he never run before, but he won the race for God's glory that surprises many!

Moments before the race another runner gave Eric a piece of paper on which was written "The Lord declares… those who honor Me, I will honor him". Very few people understood Eric life why, after winning several medals in the Paris Olympics, and when he was at the peak of his athletic ability to win more medals for him and his country. He chose the calls of God to take the gospel to a foreign land, to preach the gospel of Christ.

Eric knew who deserves the very best. He died as a Missionary in China at the age of 37. Everyone in the history has different stories and commitment, in a time with God is important for the day, so is Sunday important for the week.

"Our Sunday with God is an important time for taking in what we need from Him"

God Bless your Sundays!