Friday: Further Thought – Unity in Worship
Further Thought: Read the articles “Prayer”, pages 1044-1046, and “Worship”, pages 1290, 1291, in The Ellen G. White Encyclopedia.
“‘The importance of the Sabbath as the memorial of creation is that it keeps ever present the true reason why worship is due to God’ – because He is the Creator, and we are His creatures.
Image © Stan Myers from GoodSalt.com
‘The Sabbath therefore lies at the very foundation of divine worship, for it teaches this great truth in the most impressive manner, and no other institution does this. The true ground of divine worship, not of that on the seventh day merely, but of all worship, is found in the distinction between the Creator and His creatures. This great fact can never become obsolete, and must never be forgotten.’-J. N. Andrews, History of the Sabbath, chapter 27. It was to keep this truth ever before the minds of men, that God instituted the Sabbath in Eden; and so long as the fact that He is our Creator continues to be a reason why we should worship Him, so long the Sabbath will continue as its sign and memorial. Had the Sabbath been universally kept, man’s thoughts and affections would have been led to the Creator as the object of reverence and worship, and there would never have been an idolater, an atheist, or an infidel. The keeping of the Sabbath is a sign of loyalty to the true God, ‘Him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.’ It follows that the message which commands men to worship God and keep His commandments will especially call upon them to keep the fourth commandment.” – Ellen G. White, The Great Controversy, pages 437, 438.
Discussion Questions:
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Summary: Worship is the Christian believer’s thankful response to God for His gift of salvation. It is also an essential element of the Christian community’s experience of unity and fellowship. Without prayer and Bible study in a desire to know God’s truth for us, our community will fail to experience oneness in Christ.
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I just watched a TED talk about a healthy and extended life based on research of nine communities. Seventh-day Adventists featured as expected. The researchers found several contributing factors. Of particular interest to our study this week are:
1) belonging to a faith-based community
2) connecting actively with their community.
I know that spiritual life is more than longevity and quality of life, but it does provide affirmation of some of the principles that have been our focus this week in our lesson study. Time spent interacting with one another, helping one another, discussing and even arguing together, creates bonds that strengthen our faith.
I would add that even in the somewhat indistinct world of Internet forums such as Sabbath School Net we also forge a community. We are a community in our own right and while sometimes we argue, friendships are forged and faith tested and strengthened by our interaction together. (We need to remember that we are arguing with friends when posting an argument {wry grin})
I quoted Heb 10:24,25 on Wednesday but I think it bears repeating:
1. Satan has led the world to disregard the Sabbath command of the Lord, and on this point the whole world will be brought to a decision that will reveal faith or unbelief in every soul. Many who have acknowledged the Sabbath will be found wanting, and many who have not yet understood or accepted it will follow the Lamb of God where He leads them, and embrace His commandment of Rest. Thus the whole world will make their final choice for eternity to either keep the commandments or to defy the One who created all things.
2. “Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness”. Worship is seen in the life that is righteous by faith in Christ as the Surety for the soul. The most appropriate “act” of worship in a worship service is only a lie in anyone who regards iniquity in their heart(Ps 66:18).
3. See John 12:32. Simply making “worship” more interesting or fun will not create a worshiper of the Living God. Faith in Christ alone will turn the sinner into one who worships God “in spirit and in Truth”(John 4:23), by observing "all things whatsoever [He] has commanded [us]"(Matt 28:20).