Sabbath: Worship the Creator
Image © Pacific Press
Read for This Week’s Study: Ps. 115:1-8, Deut. 10:17-22, Ps. 101:1, Isa. 1:10-17, Isa. 58:1-14, Mark 12:38-40.
Memory Text: “Is this not the fast that I have chosen: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, to let the oppressed go free, and that you break every yoke? Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, and that you bring to your house the poor who are cast out; when you see the naked, that you cover him, and not hide yourself from your own flesh?” (Isaiah 58:6-7, NKJV).
Even a quick reading of the Old Testament prophets alerts us to their concerns about the mistreatment of the poor and oppressed. The prophets and the God for whom they spoke were outraged about what they saw being done in all the surrounding nations (see, for example, Amos 1 and 2). But they also had a particular sense of anger and grief at the acts of iniquity done by God’s people themselves, those who had been the recipients of so many divine blessings. Given their history, as well as their God-given laws, these people should have known better. Unfortunately, that wasn’t always the case, and prophets had a lot to say about this sad state of events.
It is interesting to discover, too, that many of the best-known statements concerning justice and injustice from the Old Testament prophets are actually given in the context of instructions about worship. As we will see, true worship is not just something that happens during a religious ritual. True worship is also about living a life that shares God’s concerns for the well-being of others and that seeks to lift up those who have been downtrodden and forgotten.
Study this week’s lesson to prepare for Sabbath, August 10.
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I am not sure why the lesson authors used the title "Worship the Creator" for this week's lesson, except perhaps for us to reflect on the notion that our treatment of others is ultimately the true worship of God. Maybe that will become clearer later in the week.
This afternoon's lesson is a reflection on last week's lesson in many respects and refers back to Isaiah and his speaking out on the treatment of the poor and the oppressed. In our modern world we often see oppression and maltreatment of the underprivileged. For example, the treatment of refugees and illegal immigrants comes up on the news just about every day. I am not going into the causes of such immigration here, but rather the treatment that these folk get. In Australia we have the "boat-people" problem, with refugees arriving from overseas in leaky boats. Their treatment, when they arrive here is often inhumane and they are detained for long periods of time. I understand that it takes a while to sort out the issues surrounding their acceptance as genuine refugees but at least they should be entitled to fair treatment and the basic necessities of life, and families should be kept together.
What can we do about it as Christians? I believe that our voice against oppression should be heard, not necessarily as a church organisation but as individuals. We may not be able to make the decisions regarding these people but we can make our voices heard by those who do make the decisions. The big problem is that all too often good people do not speak out against evil when they see it.
When I was fairly new on the faculty at Avondale College, Dr David Millikan, a prominent religious analyst was invited to speak faculty colloquium. He spoke on the need for Seventh-day Adventists to speak up and add to the public voice when they see issues of oppression. He added that the public debate needed our Christian voice, particularly on issues of mistreatment as a result of decisions made by our democratically elected leaders. This was not about being political but ensuring that Jesus voice is being heard in the noisy arena of public debate.
Isaiah was willing to say his piece about the treatment of the poor and oppressed during his prophetic ministry.
Isaiah's message about the treatment of the poor and oppressed was important enough to be referenced in the ministry of John the Baptist. Maybe that is our call to be prophetic too.
“What can we do about it as Christians? I believe that our voice against oppression should be heard, not necessarily as a church organisation but as individuals. We may not be able to make the decisions regarding these people but we can make our voices heard by those who do make the decisions. The big problem is that all too often good people do not speak out against evil when they see it.”
The treatment of illegal immigrants and asylum seekers is an issue in the US, as well. I have been asking myself what I can do personally. I do not have the financial or physical ability to do much directly for the people affected. I speak out when and where I can...mostly on social media. The question of what more I can do has been a subject of a lot of prayer lately.
We have had conversations in our Sabbath school about obeying the law of the land. We as Christian's need to remember that we answer to God first and to man last. When our government and those in power go againts the will of God and Christ's character that is when we need to put our foot down and speak truth to power. In the book of Revelation God includes cowards as those who will be lost.
I will remind everyone that when Daniel was told that he could only pray to the image of the king he purposely prayed with his window opened so all would see who he would worship. When his 3 friends were asked to bow down before the king, they disobeyed man's law. Peter was asked to stop preaching about Jesus, and he disobeyed because it is of more pressing importance to obey God than man.
In WW2 it was againts the law to protect and hide jews. Many Christian's lost their lives protecting the oppressed and persecuted.
We as Christians, if we raise the banner of Christ better be sure we are representing Him correctly. We do that not only by being kind, gentle and helpful to those in need but also by making sure WE ARE NOT SUPPORTING THOSE IN POWER WHO OPPRESS AND ABUSE THE LEAST OF THESE.
Alleluia
Amen
Yes, and Amen. I agree with all of you. We, as Christians, should be willing to speak out and/or support injustice that effect the church or in the world around us. We have to get pass just raising your voice when it's about religious injustice. We must show that we have compassion for the injustice done to our fellow men (and to our planet, hint, hint, a subject for another time).
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr once wrote:
“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly.”
Please pray for the United States, and all of its leaders (government and religious leaders), that they may work Together as we face and work through so many of these injustices, the same injustices you all mentioned here, Marcus and others. I will be praying for all of your countries as well; as MLK Jr quote says,"We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny.” We are all trying to make Heaven our destiny through our Lord, Savior, and Heavenly Brother Jesus Christ. Be blessed everyone!!
Amen Amen
Am happy to connect people of God from abroad. Am keen to understand more about my God's word.
If we know God, we would share in His vision.
The author had correctly pointed out, "True worship is also about living a life that shares God’s concerns for the well-being of others and that seeks to lift up those who have been downtrodden and forgotten."
John 4: 19 & 20
19 We love because he first loved us. 20 Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen. 21 And he has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister.
Here in these verses it is clearly demonstrated, our love for God must be shown in our love for others.
Luke 13
16 Then should not this woman, a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan has kept bound for eighteen long years, be set free on the Sabbath day from what bound her?”
She is a child of Abraham. All are created and recreated in Him.
Deuteronomy 4
6 Observe them carefully, for this will show your wisdom and understanding in the sight of the peoples, who shall hear of all these statutes and say, “Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.” 7 For what nation is so great as to have a god as near to them as the LORD our God is to us whenever we call on Him?
Maurice, we see the needs in so many parts of the world, that we can do little or nothing about. To help where and how we can is our obligation. Political pressures usually are not terribly affective. Some years ago in our church there was an individual and his wife that had a burden to help. Our church, started by putting clothes and items that were scarce in a shipping container and shipped it to an area that was the most needy. He and his wife flew to the area later to help in person, for a year or two. I don't remember the name of the area but there was a concern about cobras. One was on top of the engine of his vehicle when he got up in the morning. Missionaries are always needed in many parts of the world.
Let's start with our own little world around us. The Mission work is right before our own eyes.
Please i want to know what worship is. In other word What is worship? Please help me out.
Fundamentally, worship is about who or what you put first in your life. it is like being truly in love with someone. You don't do anything without considering them first. And that is a lot more than just a couple of hours of church liturgy on Sabbath.
It is really easy to think about helping others abroad, and it is necessary, but we need to really start focussing on our "neighbors" right in our own neighborhoods, states and countries. There is a lot of "turning a blind eye going on". I don't believe that we should get bogged down in political debates, but we need to move forward with our swords, God's word. There is a lot of misconception and disunity among those who profess to be Christians. God's word is not disputable.
Worship is what you care about the most; never about the time and effort that we spend on priceless objects. Worship of our creator is the most priceless gift that we are given. The time that we spend during a Sabbath church service should always be about our God and not about other activities. Similar to what Maurice said.
I had a comment that was lost. it was about a martyr; Martin Luther, one the most significant martyrs about indulgences. A way to pay ones way to heaven. He was killed by the Vatican leadership. Many other martyrs were burned at the stake also by the Vatican leadership.
Luther was not killed by the Vatican leadership. He was not a martyr. But many other reformers were, e.g. Hus and Hieronymus.