The Fourth Commandment (HC 103)

The Fourth Commandment
Heidelberg Catechism 103

HC Q. 103. What does God require in the fourth Commandment?
In the first place, God wills that the ministry of the Gospel and schools be maintained, and that I, especially on the day of rest, diligently attend church to learn the Word of God, to use the Holy Sacraments, to call publicly upon the Lord, and to give Christian alms. In the second place, that all the days of my life I rest from my evil works, allow the Lord to work in me by His Spirit, and thus begin in this life the everlasting Sabbath.

WSC Q. 60. How is the sabbath to be sanctified?
A. The sabbath is to be sanctified by a holy resting all that day, even from such worldly employments and recreations as are lawful on other days; and spending the whole time in the public and private exercises of God's worship, except so much as is to be taken up in the works of necessity and mercy.

WSC Q. 61. What is forbidden in the fourth commandment?
A. The fourth commandment forbids the omission or careless performance of the duties required, and the profaning the day by idleness, or doing that which is in itself sinful, or by unnecessary thoughts, words or works, about our worldly employments or recreations.

The Sabbath is about heaven and it is most clearly anticipated in corporate worship each Sunday.

I.    TWO TRADITIONS—WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE?
    A.    The Differences

Heidelberg Catechism     Westminster Shorter Catechism
    
    B.    The Emphasis of the “Continental Tradition” (Matthew 11:28-30)

II.    TIME AND PLACE
    A.    The Land and the Sabbath (Deuteronomy 12:8-10)
    B.    A Sabbath Rest Still Awaits (Psalm 95; Hebrews 4:1-10; Genesis 2:1-3)
    C.    You Have Come (Hebrews 12:22-24)