A reader sent me a link to the following video: Charlie Kirk Not a SDA Shares Reasons Why He Keeps the Sabbath. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zeg7nr8Md6U
I then found this video: Charlie Kirk’s Powerful Final Message on the Sabbath | A Legacy of Rest and Faith. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2RXIZMzwl1c
In these videos, Charlie Kirk basically says that he was raised in a Presbyterian household, and later attended a more biblically-connected, evangelical-type church.
He says that in 2021, a Protestant pastor challenged him on the Sabbath. Charlie Kirk says he then gave weak arguments why that was not necessary.
But then, later, he decided to rest from sunset Friday to sunset Saturday, like what he called “the Jewish Sabbath.”
He said that this helps him immensely, despite having to deal with hundreds of texts/emails/messages after the Sabbath is over.
He asserted that young people would be less depressed, less anxious, and be better off keeping the Sabbath.
Charlie Kirk said that while the Sabbath is the least promoted of the Ten Commandments, that keeping the Sabbath helps one keep God’s commandments.
He mentioned that since you spend more time with your family because of the Sabbath, you are better able to honor your mother and father. He also said that spending more time with the family reduces things such as coveting your neighbor’s wife.
Charlie Kirk pointed out that if you believe that God created the heavens and the earth as laid out in the first chapter of the Book of Genesis, that you must then accept that the Sabbath came before various other laws, and hence should be kept.
Also, at the beginning of this post, is the front cover of one of his books. Here is what is listed at Amazon.com about it:
Stop, in the Name of God: Why Honoring the Sabbath Will Transform Your Life will help you discover how observing the Sabbath isn’t a rejection of modern life but a rebellion against busyness and a pathway to genuine connection, peace, and presence. Through Stop in the Name of God, bestselling author Charlie Kirk guides you on how to unplug, recharge, and reconnect with God, family, and yourself in a way that nurtures your soul. In a world dominated by screens and constant noise, Stop in the Name of God presents the Sabbath as a radical act of resistance. Packed with practical insights and spiritual wisdom, Charlie Kirk demonstrates how honoring the Sabbath restores balance, reduces anxiety, and nourishes your soul. It’s not just a day of rest-it’s a lifeline to reclaiming what truly matters.
Charlie Kirk also mentioned that book in one or more videos.
Charlie Kirk taught that his life, and the lives of others, are better by keeping the Sabbath.
Anyway, until I got the email about this, I was unaware that Charlie Kirk kept the Sabbath.
That said, contrary to the views of many, the Sabbath has been kept by true Christians throughout the entire church age.
Why?
Well in addition to the fact that Jesus and the Apostles kept it, the New Testament says to keep it. Notice what the New Testament Book of Hebrews teaches using five Protestant (including three ‘literal’), one Eastern Orthodox, and three Roman Catholic translations:
3 Now we who have believed enter that rest, just as God has said, “So I declared on oath in my anger, ‘They shall never enter my rest.'” And yet his work has been finished since the creation of the world. 4 For somewhere he has spoken about the seventh day in these words: “And on the seventh day God rested from all his work.” 5 And again in the passage above he says, “They shall never enter my rest.” 6 It still remains that some will enter that rest, and those who formerly had the gospel preached to them did not go in, because of their disobedience…9 There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; 10 for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from his own work, just as God did from his. 11 Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will fall by following their example of disobedience. (Hebrews 4:3-6,9-11, NIV)
3 For we who have believed enter that rest, just as He has said, “AS I SWORE IN MY WRATH, THEY SHALL NOT ENTER MY REST,” although His works were finished from the foundation of the world. 4 For He has said somewhere concerning the seventh day: “AND GOD RESTED ON THE SEVENTH DAY FROM ALL HIS WORKS”; 5 and again in this passage, “THEY SHALL NOT ENTER MY REST.” 6 Therefore, since it remains for some to enter it, and those who formerly had good news preached to them failed to enter because of disobedience,.. 9 So there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God. 10 For the one who has entered His rest has himself also rested from his works, as God did from His. 11 Therefore let us be diligent to enter that rest, so that no one will fall, through following the same example of disobedience. (Hebrews 4:3-6,9-11, NASB)
3 for we do enter into the rest — we who did believe, as He said, ‘So I sware in My anger, If they shall enter into My rest — ;’ and yet the works were done from the foundation of the world, 4 for He spake in a certain place concerning the seventh [day] thus: ‘And God did rest in the seventh day from all His works;’ 5 and in this [place] again, ‘If they shall enter into My rest — ;’ 6 since then, it remaineth for certain to enter into it, and those who did first hear good news entered not in because of unbelief … 9 there doth remain, then, a sabbatic rest to the people of God, 10 for he who did enter into his rest, he also rested from his works, as God from His own. 11 May we be diligent, then, to enter into that rest, that no one in the same example of the unbelief may fall, (Hebrews 4:3-6,9-11, Young’s Literal Translation)
3 For those having believed enter into the rest, as He has said: “So I swore in my wrath, ‘they shall not enter into My rest.’” And yet the works have been finished from the foundation of the world. 4 For He has spoken somewhere concerning the seventh day in this way, “And on the seventh day God rested from all His works.” 5 And again in this passage. “They shall not enter into My rest.” 6 Therefore, since it remains for some to enter into it, and those having received the good news formerly did not enter in because of disobedience, … 9 So then, there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God. 10 For the one having entered into His rest, he also rested from his works, as God did from the own. 11 Therefore we should be diligent to enter into that rest, so that no one should fall by the same example of disobedience. (Hebrews 4:3-6,9-11, Berean Literal Bible)
3 for we enter into the rest—we who believed, as He said, “So I swore in My anger, They will [not] enter into My rest”; and yet the works were done from the foundation of the world, 4 for He spoke in a certain place concerning the seventh [day] thus: “And God rested in the seventh day from all His works”; 5 and in this [place] again, “They will [not] enter into My rest”; 6 since then, it remains for some to enter into it, and those who first heard good news did not enter in because of unbelief … 9 there remains, then, a Sabbath rest to the people of God, 10 for he who entered into His rest, he also rested from his works, as God from His own. 11 May we be diligent, then, to enter into that rest, that no one may fall in the same example of the unbelief, (Hebrews 4:3-6,9-11, Literal Standard Version Bible)
3 However, we who have faith are entering into that rest, even as God said: As I swore in my wrath, they will not enter into my rest. And yet, the works were finished from the foundation of the world. 4 Somewhere [else], God said this about the seventh day: God rested on the seventh day from all his works. … 9 There must still be, then, a Sabbath rest for God’s people, 10 and anyone who has entered into his rest has also rested from his [own] works, just as God did. 11 Therefore, let us do our utmost to enter into that rest, for fear that anyone should fall according to the same pattern of disobedience. (Hebrews 4:3-4, 9-11. THE EASTERN / GREEK ORTHODOX BIBLE NEW TESTAMENT. The EOB New Testament is presented in memory of Archbishop Vsevolod of Scopelos † 2007 https://azbyka.ru/otechnik/assets/uploads/books/18204/Eastern_Orthodox_Bible-New_Testament.pdf)
3 We, however, who have faith, are entering a place of rest, as in the text: And then in my anger I swore that they would never enter my place of rest. Now God’s work was all finished at the beginning of the world; 4 as one text says, referring to the seventh day: And God rested on the seventh day after all the work he had been doing. 5 And, again, the passage above says: They will never reach my place of rest. 6 It remains the case, then, that there would be some people who would reach it, and since those who first heard the good news were prevented from entering by their refusal to believe … 9 There must still be, therefore, a seventh-day rest reserved for God’s people, 10 since to enter the place of rest is to rest after your work, as God did after his. 11 Let us, then, press forward to enter this place of rest, or some of you might copy this example of refusal to believe and be lost. (Hebrews 4:3-6,9-11, NJB)
3 For we, that have believed, shall enter into their rest; as he said: As I sware in my wrath, if they shall enter into my rest: and truly the works from the foundation of the world being perfected. 4 For he said in a certain place of the seventh day thus: And God rested the seventh day from all his works … 9 Therefore there is left a sabbatisme for the people of God. 10 For he that is entered into his rest, the same also hath rested from his works, as God did from his. 11 Let us hasten therefore to enter into that rest; lest any man fall into the same example of incredulity. (Hebrews 4:3-6,9-11, The Original and True Rheims New Testament of Anno Domini 1582)
3 For we who believed enter into [that] rest, just as he has said: “As I swore in my wrath, ‘They shall not enter into my rest,’” and yet his works were accomplished at the foundation of the world. 4 For he has spoken somewhere about the seventh day in this manner, “And God rested on the seventh day from all his works”; 5 and again, in the previously mentioned place, “They shall not enter into my rest.” 6 Therefore, since it remains that some will enter into it, and those who formerly received the good news did not enter because of disobedience,… 9 Therefore, a sabbath rest still remains for the people of God. 10And whoever enters into God’s rest, rests from his own works as God did from his. 11 Therefore, let us strive to enter into that rest, so that no one may fall after the same example of disobedience. (Hebrews 4:3-6,9-11, New American Bible)
Thus, the Book of Hebrews clearly shows that the command to keep the seventh day Sabbath is in the New Testament. It also shows that only those who will not observe it because of their disobedience argue otherwise. And, because he did not want to be disobedient, that is why Paul observed it.
Here is something that Herbert W. Armstrong wrote about the Sabbath:
What does it mean to “rest”?
God is concerned with two overall aspects of your life on the Sabbath. First, he wants your time to be free from responsibilities and activities. Secondly, he wants your mind free from thinking about those daily responsibilities and activities. This makes you free to properly worship God on this day.
Certainly we can physically rest more on the Sabbath. But the main emphasis is to rest from your normal toil and activities on this day. You should serve God with your mind on the Sabbath.
Those who can’t or don’t control their minds call the Sabbath “bondage.” They eagerly wait for the end of the Sabbath so they can be about their ways and pleasures, which they have been thinking about all day anyway. Once you are able, on the Sabbath, to get your mind and thoughts on God’s purpose and God’s ways, you will find out what a real delight and joy the Sabbath is. “Then you shall delight yourself in the Lord” (Isaiah 58:14).
How do you accomplish this? Devote the additional free Sabbath time you have to extra Bible study, extra prayer and extra meditation. This is the one day of the week when you don’t have to worry about getting to the job, making payments, building fences, working out schedules, cleaning house.
Remember, we are to take care of all our responsibilities during the rest of the week. But the Sabbath is free time — free from all your daily cares and worries — free to be completely absorbed in God and His Word.
God’s instruction
Notice God’s positive instruction about the Sabbath: “If you turn away your foot from the Sabbath [that is, don’t trample on it], from doing your pleasure on My holy day, and call the Sabbath a delight, the holy day of the Lord honorable, and shall honor Him, not doing your own ways, nor finding your own pleasure, nor speaking your own words, then you shall delight yourself in the Lord” (verses 13-14).
Let’s understand the principle of Isaiah 58:13-14. What are “your own ways,” ” your own pleasure,” “your own words”?
1) Your ways. This means course of life, mode of action — that is, your employment, enterprises, finances, the serious business of making a livelihood.
You should not involve yourself in working at what you normally do during the week — those things by which you feed, clothe and care for yourself physically. This includes working around the house, sewing, cleaning, washing the car — all the things that pertain to your physical maintenance during the normal course of the week.
2) Your pleasure. Forsaking one’s pleasure does not mean that the Sabbath is to be a rigorous day of abstinence. The principle is that we should avoid having our mind, time and energy taken up in hobbies, sports and pleasure seeking.
The Sabbath was not designed for activities such as hunting, fishing, golfing, movies, television, boating — those things that take up our leisure time. This would also include the many time-consuming hobbies such as ham radio, woodworking and stamp collecting.
3) Your words. This is the spiritual application of the first two principles. “Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks” (Matthew 12:34). We talk about what we are thinking. Our words show what is going on in our minds and hearts.
This is obviously the most difficult of all! We may cease doing our ways and our pleasures, but it is much more difficult to cease thinking or talking about them.
Again, we shouldn’t become pharisaical. This doesn’t mean you can’t mention physical things. There is no such regulation as “You may not spend more than 30 seconds talking about cars on the Sabbath.” You simply apply the principle by putting your mind on the positive purposes for which the Sabbath was made.
Sabbath begins at sunset
In order to keep the Sabbath your mind, walk time you are leaving for holy, we need to know when it occurs. Man begins his days at midnight. But God’s days begin and end at sunset. (Armstrong HW. Rejoice in God’s Sabbath! Good News, October-November 1985)
Yes, we are to rejoice in the weekly Sabbath.
The Bible, in Deuteronomy 10:13, says that God gave His commandments for our good.
God made the Sabbath for our good.
Notice something from another deceased COG writer:
Rejoice! …
Since the Sabbath is GOD’S Day, it is the most important day of the week! It is a day to LOOK FORWARD to, to eagerly anticipate! It is a day of joy and rejoicing — a day of worship and prayer — a day of REST from the previous six days of the week!
How wonderful it is, after working arduously for the previous days of the week, sweating, straining, becoming mentally and physically exhausted, to WELCOME with open arms the arrival of God’s Sabbath!
Only those who have been observing God’s Sabbath truly realize what a joyous and inspiring BLESSING it is!
Contrary to the thoughts and ideas of men, the Sabbath was never meant to be a day of abstinence, affliction of the soul, a negative day of cant’s and don’ts, a day of mental slavery and physical boredom! The Sabbath was never intended to become a human strait jacket which hampered, hindered and restricted!
It is a day of spiritual FREEDOM!
Freedom from the frustrations and anxieties of the week, freedom from one’s own labor! Liberty from one’s own thoughts and plans! It is a day when MORE TIME can be spent studying God’s Word, praying, having fellowship with one’s family and with God’s people!
The Sabbath is a FEAST Day! A day of superabundance of joy, worship, and drawing close to God! It is a day which foreshadows the coming Millennial reign of Jesus Christ over the nations!
When we meditate upon the purpose of the Sabbath, we should clearly realize that it is a DAY OF JOY! It is indeed one of the greatest blessings God has given man! …
The Family Sabbath
Families, also, should not feel overly restricted on the Sabbath. The Sabbath should not seem a dull day to children. Rather, it should be a day of interest, special Bible study, and subdued play.
The family can sleep later on the Sabbath, usually. Rise, shower and clean up. After time for personal prayer and study, a nice appetizing breakfast may be eaten. The head of the house might then lead the entire family in an interesting Bible study, perhaps reading and expounding from The Bible Story for children, written by Basil Wolverton.
The children might be encouraged to study some educational, profitable books, or to play quiet, subdued and educational games. It would be all right for young children to play quiet, subdued games on the Sabbath. They do not know how to keep the Sabbath spiritually, but the difference in the day should be impressed upon their young, pliable minds so that they will realize God’s day is something very special! But noisy, boisterous, active games should be avoided.
Occasionally, a family might go for a Sabbath picnic, also, and relax and enjoy the peaceful, outdoor calm of a nearby park or picnicking area. On such an outing they should be careful to keep the PURPOSE of the Sabbath in mind, and they should use the opportunity to draw close to God — not to seek their own pleasures or think their own thoughts! Keep the Sabbath HOLY!
Another way to enjoy the Sabbath, without permitting it to seem like a monotonous routine, is to occasionally spend a little time listening to inspiring music which is in keeping with the spirit of the Sabbath. We should be careful that such music does not interfere with our Bible study. But a little relaxing, enjoyable background music of the right kind can add to the atmosphere of the environment, and help make the Sabbath a delight.
Also, it would not be wrong for a family to tune in a news broadcast on the Sabbath! Christ commanded His Church to watch world events — to keep abreast of world happenings. To listen to a news program or commentator on the Sabbath would be all right. Once again, however, let us remember to keep our balance! We should NOT attempt to use this principle for license to go overboard and keep the radio playing constantly, thus detracting from and breaking the Sabbath!
A little time may be spent reading the newspaper or a news magazine, also, as well as … Doing this would help break up the feeling of bogging down in Bible study alone. Just as too much honey is not good (Prov. 25:27), so it would not be wise to spend too much uninterrupted time in Bible study, without an occasional break, lest your mind becomes drugged or seemingly tired out. A break could be used to take the family for a short walk.
Although these little things can certainly add to the enjoyment of the Sabbath, nevertheless, remember — the BASIC PURPOSE of the Sabbath is to draw close to GOD, on His Holy Day, worship Him, and think His thoughts! DO NOT NEGLECT fervent, believing PRAYER, or diligent, inspiring BIBLE STUDY on the Sabbath! If you do, you are missing the entire spiritual benefit and blessing of the Day! How you spend your time on the Sabbath can be vital TO YOUR SALVATION!!! (Dankenbring W. The Joyful BLESSING of God’s Holy SABBATH! Good News, September 1964)
The idea that the Sabbath is good for you and for families is not something no one knew about before Charlie Kirk, but it is good that he, too, learned that.
Notice also something that the Apostle Paul wrote:
5 Now the purpose of the commandment is love from a pure heart, from a good conscience, and from sincere faith, 6 from which some, having strayed, have turned aside to idle talk, 7 desiring to be teachers of the law, understanding neither what they say nor the things which they affirm. (1 Timothy 1:5-7)
Remember in the passages in Hebrews 4 about keeping the seventh-day Sabbath, we are warned not to follow the “example of disobedience” (Hebrews 4:11). False teachers against the Sabbath have strayed and do not understand many things, including many aspects of God’s love.
Yet, the purpose of the commandments is love.
That includes the commandment about the Sabbath.
God loves us.
And yes, He gave the Sabbath for our good.
Some items of possibly related interest may include:
The Sabbath in the Early Church and Abroad Was the seventh-day (Saturday) Sabbath observed by the apostolic and post-apostolic Church? Here is a related sermon video The Christian Sabbath and How and Why to Keep It.
The Christian Sabbath. This is a series of articles from the Catholic Mirror essentially proving that the biblical Sabbath was Saturday, that the Lord’s day in Revelation 1 is not a reference to Sunday, that the Church of Rome implemented Sunday, and that nearly all Protestants followed Rome. Here is a link to a related sermon: Catholic teachings on the Sabbath, Sunday, and Protestantism.
Relatives of Jesus What are the names of Jesus’ relatives in the Bible? Who were James, Joseph, Simon, Judas, Mary, Clopas, Joseph of Arimathea, Symeon, and Salome? What does history report about what happened to them? Are any in any succession lists? What about Judah Kyriakos? What did Malachi Martin write about relatives of Jesus meeting Silvester of Rome in 318? Here is a link to a related sermon titled Relatives of Jesus.
Early Sabbath Keeping in North America When did Europeans first keep the Sabbath in North America? Did the pilgrims who arrived on the Mayflower keep Saturday or Sunday?
How to Observe the Sabbath How should you keep the Sabbath? This is an old article by Raymond Cole, with updated information for the 21st century.
Can You Keep Your Job, Get Your Degree, and Keep the Sabbath? This article has some information on that. Here is a link to a related video titled: Can you keep the Sabbath and your job? What about college?
The Dramatic Story of Chinese Sabbathkeepers This reformatted Good News article from 1955 discusses Sabbath-keeping in China in the 1800s.
Is God Unreasonable? Some have suggested that if God requires Sabbath-keeping He is unreasonable. Is that true? Here is a link to a related article in Mandarin Chinese NN*N Ttv„y^ÿ
Should You Keep God’s Holy Days or Demonic Holidays? This is a free pdf booklet explaining what the Bible and history shows about God’s Holy Days and popular holidays. Two related sermons would be Which Spring Days should Christians observe? and Fall Holy Days for Christians.
Is Revelation 1:10 talking about Sunday or the Day of the Lord? Most Protestant scholars say Sunday is the Lord’s Day, but is that what the Bible teaches?
Sunday and Christianity Was Sunday observed by the apostolic and true post-apostolic Christians? Who clearly endorsed Sunday? What relevance is the first or the “eighth” day? A related sermon is also available: Sunday: First and Eighth Day?
The Ten Commandments: The Decalogue, Christianity, and the Beast This is a free pdf book explaining the what the Ten Commandments are, where they came from, how early professors of Christ viewed them, and how various ones, including the Beast of Revelation, will oppose them. A related sermon is titled: The Ten Commandments and the Beast of Revelation.
Two Beasts and Ten Commandments The “Mystery of Iniquity” has been present since the time of the Apostle Paul. Will the coming two beasts of Revelation 13 violate the Ten Commandments, but the faithful still keep them in the end times?
FIRST COMMANDMENT: Priorities and the Most Broken Commandment Which commandment is broken the most? Which one is most involved with what should be your top priority? Here is a link to a related sermon: The Most Violated Commandment and Priorities.
SECOND COMMANDMENT: What Did the Early Church Teach About Idols and Icons? Did the early Church use icons? What was the position of Christians about such things? A related sermon is available: The Second Commandment, Idols, and Icons.
THIRD COMMANDMENT: Words Matter Are you obeying the Third Commandment? Are you sure? Could you be blaspheming with your euphemisms or life actions? Here is a link to a related sermon: Third Commandment Plus: Words Matter. Here is a link to a shorter video: Was Increased Cursing Prophesied?
FOURTH COMMANDMENT: The Sabbath in the Early Church and Abroad Was the seventh-day (Saturday) Sabbath observed by the apostolic and post-apostolic Church? Here is a link to a related sermon: Fourth Commandment: Saturday or Sunday?
FIFTH COMMANDMENT: Honor and Be Honorable The fifth commandment involves family relationships. Is it more than parents and children? What about love and ruling well your household? Here is a link to a related sermon: Honor Your Parents and Rule Honorably.
SIXTH COMMANDMENT: Anger, Murder, Abortion, Sports, Self-Control, & Kindness Is there more to the 6th commandment than not murdering? What about abortion, hate, and violent sports? What is the attitude real Christians should have? Here is a link to a related sermon:: Murder, anger, kindness, and love.
SEVENTH COMMANDMENT: Love and Faithfulness, Not Sexual Immorality The seventh commandment prohibits adultery. Jesus made it clear that it involved more than marital infiedlity. What about the LGBTQ+ movement and the Bible? Here is a link to a related video sermon: 7th Commandment: Love and Faithfulness.
EIGHTH COMMANDMENT: Give not take. The eighth commandment prohibits stealing. This includes thievery, not tithing, debasing currency, cheating, and many other wrong acts. Here is a link to a related sermon: 8th Commandment: Do Not Steal or Cheat, Instead Produce and Give.
NINTH COMMANDMENT: No False Witness For a Better World What were the first lies in the Bible? What would happen if people obeyed God and did not bear false witness? Here is a link to a related sermon: NINTH COMMANDMENT: Joys to the World.
TENTH COMMANDMENT: Protects You From Sinning Against Yourself Lust is not a victim-less crime. A related sermon is available: Tenth Commandment: Sinning against yourself and society.