The Question of Life

Andrews Memorial Seventh-Day Adventist Church
Sabbath April 25, 2009

At a Sabbath School class conducted by Bro. Melvin Brown, the question was asked: What is Life?

I have just received my response.

To lack life is to lack responsiveness to G-d and his purpose or goal for you. TO lack life to fail to live up to G-d's expectations for you or to fail to live according the intent for which you were created.

The absence of life is to be active or inactivated that you are unable to accomplish your eternal purpose of having dominion over the resources of the earth.

And this is G-d's eternal purpose for you:

So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.

And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.

And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat. (Genesis 1:27-29)

Embrace that purpose for it is the life to be lived!

SABBATHS and COVENANT

I read this morning the following ideas:

By observing the "sabbath," Israel confessed that they were God's redeemed people, subject to his lordship to obey the whole of his law. They were His stewards to show mercy with kindness and liberality to all.

- ("To Cease" Vines Complete Expository Dictionary p.33)

The Sabbath:

eschatological in perspective [looks] to the accomplishment of God's ultimate purpose through the redemption of His people to whom the "sabbath" was a covenant sign.

- ("To Cease" Vines Complete Expository Dictionary p.33)

On the basis of these readings, my soul pondered a few short thoughts and revelations that I want to share.

How is the Sabbath a covenant to the Christian?

Every time G-d completes a phase of a work, a rest period follows. After G-d completed the creation of the earth, the weekly sabbath followed as a period of rest and celebration for the cycle that G-d had completed. G-d therefore commemorated this seven day cycle with the weekly Sabbath.

With the salvation of humanity, the first aspect of the work was the completion of the Sacrifice of the Passover Lamb - Messiah JESUS or Yeshua. After that followed a sabbath, (which was actually the first day of the Feast of Unleavened bread and not the weekly Sabbath). On the night to be much observed, Messiah JESUS (Yeshua) established that his blood and body were the new covenant. Thus, G-d made a new covenant with Jews and Gentiles via the Passover marking the period of the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus. This is why at the end of the Sabbath, we find a new phase of the work.

The next major work to be accomplished was the pouring of the Spirit of G-d into the hearts of humanity, to write G-d's laws on men's hearts and minds. This was accomplished by another annual Sabbath commemoration. The Feast of Pentecost followed, where the pouring of the Spirit took place and the people of G-d were empowered to be redeemed and expand the kingdom and liberality of G-d to all men.

There are other works that G-d must accomplish - Feast of Trumpets, Day of Atonement, Feast of Tabernacles and the Last Great Day. However, so far, the works that G-d have done for humanity's redemption so far, have all established covenant significance for us as Christians.

The Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread now represents the new covenant of the blood of Jesus poured out for us and his body given for us so that we may be forgiven of our sins by his substituted death. It thereby signals triumph over Death and the grave, and triumph over sin.

The Feast of Pentecost now represents the pouring of G-d Spirit - another sign and seal of his covenant that we have indeed been adopted as heirs and sons of G-d.

If these two feasts still have covenant significance to us, then why not a people, Christianity do not even commemorate these seasons using the G-d approved Calendar?

May the SHALOM of G-d be yours today as you read the words of my soul to yours.

Amen!



Work Cited:

Vine, W. E., Merrill F. Unger, and William White. Vine's Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words: With Topical Index. Nashville: T. Nelson, 1996.

A pamphlet on The Lies in Christendom

I will be writing a pamphlet entitled "The Lies in Christendom". This pamphlet covers my own evolution as a Christian, where G-d gradually brought me to a place where I have tested all that I have been taught and have discovered many errors and distortions in Christian doctrine.

Yet, I have a duty not to keep the errors to myself, but through dialogue in love and concern to share with church leaders, pastors and others some of the lies that they have been told and believed.

As I begin this project, i will keep you posted. Below are some excerpts from my first draft of the first chapter:

Before the book begins, it is important first to define the term, "LIES". What is a lie? A lie is misrepresentation or distortion of truth. It is deception in all its form.



A lie is not error! Error comes when there is something unknown and one attempts to guess, postulate or make a judgement based on information given, but fails to precisely comprehend the unknown.



This distinction must be very clear. Because not all the times that pastors, priests or churches teach things that distort the truth. Sometimes they teach things that are erroneous, or a misunderstanding of reality or truth. A misunderstanding, misconception or misconstruing are not lies. These are only failures in human thinking to perceive truth.



Lies however involves knowledge of truth and reality, yet a deliberate attempt to misrepresent or distort that reality.



In order to support this idea of what lies are, let us go to the source of all truth. Many if not most Christians agree that the Bible is the source of truth. If you believe this, then we can trust that the Bible will be able to define what LIES are. If you do not believe this, then you will have to trust the dictionary's definition.



Yet, it is strange that people are willing to trust dictionaries and not the Bible. While both sources have been around for a long time, the Bible is much older and is a compilation of writings from men who have experiences times and lives that we have not. The dictionary also is a compilation of words, with a shorter history, done by men.



There are between the dictionary and the Bible. Both deal with the written Word/word. Words communicated throughout the ages. Both have been written with cultural perspectives and lens.



Personally, the author trust both the Bible and the dictionary as recorded sources of knowledge. One is of historical and spiritual knowledge and power, while the other is the source of communicative power.



Humanity's knowledge of the spiritual and of monotheism begins in the Bible. All major monotheistic religions embrace the first few books in the Bible. Though they have their own interpretations and additions, all monotheistic faiths believe in the Pentateuch and the laws thereof.



It is in the Pentateuch that we first as humanity find a definition of lie as being immoral.



In Genesis - we have as our record the first lie ever told. The perpetrator - a mysterious serpent. This serpent contradicted G-d by telling the first human pair that if they disobeyed G-d, they would not "surely die."



It is from this passage we learn the origin of death. Thus, clearly, there is a link between death and lies. The first LIE was the cause for humanity's loss of immortality.



Consequently, if we today believe lies, it too can cause us loss of immortality. If we today believe lies, it can cost us life. Thus lies are not to be trifled with.

Are some already "raptured"?

For a while now, I have been contemplating and re-examining my anti-rapture stance. I had previously been certain that Christians were not going to heaven and that when a man dies, his soul sleeps until the day of Jesus' advent or coming.

Today, as I set out to examine the spiritual issues, the issue returns.

In Ephesians 1:10 (KJV)it says (breaking into the thought):

That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:

The issue raised th question of whether there are currently persons living in heaven. Are some persons already "raptured" (for want of a better term)?

Two weeks ago, at a Millsborough Bible Study group, I was trying to defend my position against the adherents of Pre-tribulation rapture on John 14. The perspective was that Jesus is gone to prepare a place for us to take us there. I opposed that perspective, stating that the place being prepared could either be that of being a position of authority or if it was physical, it would be relocated to the earth for us to live in.

On checking the Vine's Complete Expository Dictionary (p. 392), I found that the term "mansions" coming from the Hebrew word did not suggest a physical dwelling, but rather a "staying" or "abiding".

Yet by March 17, I came across Revelations 3:21 (KJV), which says:

To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.

I examined the above verse and began to consider where would Christ's throne be located. Is it currently in heaven? Does the above verse imply that Christ's throne is in heaven?

The reward to be given is a seat in the throne of Jesus. However the L-RD in the passage states that Jesus sat down with His Father in his throne. Thus, it tells me that Jesus is yet to sit on his throne. He is awaiting coronation. Those who overcome will be found at his coronation and have a seat with him.

Just like how not everyone could be present at Barack Obama's installation ceremony and lunch, I picture the privilege of being at Christ coronation to be similar and even with even more grandeur.

Then, I came across in March 20, Ephesians 2:6 (KJV), which states (breaking into the thought):

And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:

This sitting in heavenly places - raised again the issue of whether the sitting in heavenly places means that saints and believers will be taken to heaven to even sit or be seated. For me it is clear that the heavenly places refer to the positions of authority and not physical place.

Today, I read Ephesians 1:10 (KJV) which I already alluded to in the blog, which got me thinking that there are inconsistencies with the scripture and my thoughts. Clearly there are some already with Jesus, while there are a people on earth to be gathered for the coronation.

Going Missional

The following post makes for interesting reading. It is what I am personally convicted about myself.

From The Christian Post
Missional Church Movement – The Next Big Thing?
By Michelle A. Vu
Christian Post Reporter
Thu, Mar. 12 2009 02:56 PM EDT
http://www.christianpost.com/church/General/2009/03/missional-church-movement-the-next-big-thing-12/index.html

We need to return to the house church and the dialogue with unbelievers where they are. No more can we afford to be building edifices and be concern about filling buildings, pews or benches.

Church need to revert to small group meetings where all worshippers actively participate and share in the proceedings.

I also think we need to have a kingdom focus. We are not waiting to depart, but rather that we are actively participating in spreading the influence of the kingdom through our good works. Our works motivated by love, the fear of God, obedience to his commandments and reliance on his Scriptures and the Holy Spirit.

Persecution & discrimination against Christians in Post-Christian West

Persecution and discrimination against Christians in Post-Christian West has certainly began to manifest itself.

That is the conclusion that I have drawn after reading the following articles.

From The Christian Post : "Christian Party Offices Vandalized After Launch of Bus Ads"

by Maria Mackay, Christian Today Reporter, Monday Feb. 16 2009
http://www.christianpost.com/Intl/Overseas/2009/02/christian-party-offices-vandalized-after-launch-of-bus-ads-16/index.html

The above article speaks about the attack of a Christian political party office after advertisements were run. Hate crimes against Christians in London, committed not by followers of Islam?


From the University World News
US: University bans Christian group from campus
Writer: Robert L Shibley
Date: 08 March 2009



http://www.universityworldnews.com/article.php?story=20090305185900707

Now this article speaks about the denial of the rights of a Christian society to exist on a college campus, because of their beliefs and how they structure their club to conform to their spiritual beliefs.

If it is happening in universities, when will it move into governments. A time seem to be coming when Christians will be denied the right to organise meetings and congregate because of their beliefs?

Spoilt Lime Juice and Hospitality

Yesterday, I wrestled with my flesh and earthly mindset over a issue that I historically would not have a problem with.

My wife had some friends over in the evening. However during the day, from she came from church, she slept out the entire day. (She attends a first-day church). My soul kind of felt resentment for that, as in my heart and my mind, her rest should have been Saturday and not Sunday.

In addition to this, she complained that we had no juice to give our visitors or guests. And she lamented how she felt not having such juice and that we might have to go on the road to purchase juice. I found myself saying to her that the guests invited themselves, and as such they may not be expecting anything in return. Because they invited themselves, I declared that we were under no obligation to provide juice or refreshments.

In addition, I had a whole lot of work to do. I was trying to complete some readings for a certificate course, plus I had not yet had a bath. But I did not want to bathe yet, until I clean my shoes for school. In fact I had even wanted to do some hedge clippings. And I wanted to do all of this before my daughter woke up (she is 13 months).

Any way, I gave into my wife, suggesting that we could make some lime juice. The guest called to let us know that they were five minutes away. I arose from my study and went to squeeze lime. Yet I was resenting the activity, and fighting my earthly mindset which had not wanted visitors and did not want to be fussy about getting juice for them.

To make matters worse, our house was a mess. Things were out of place and untidy. (When you have an active 13 month old, it is hard for you to keep the house in order.)

The friends arrived, and the juice was not yet ready. Neither was I appropriately dressed, for I wore a shorts with a hole. It was a disaster! The juice ended up being spoilt by one spoilt lime. I attempted to redeem it, but I could not rid the juice of the spoilt lime taste. There was no artificial juice flavours in the cupboard, and I thought in vain about an alternative fruit that we stored that I could use. Eventually, I improved the taste of the juice, but that spoilt lime taste was still there.

This I served my guest, but knowing that I did not give my best. Secondly, I was struggling in my mind saying that I had so much work to do, and I did not need guests now. In addition, the guests are coming mainly for my wife sake. My wife will benefit more from their visit. In my heart I wanted to address the work that existed and not entertain guests.

Yet the Word of G-d came to my mind declaring that my father Abraham was always ready to show hospitality and to stop what he was doing to entertain persons (Genesis 18:2). However, at the time, when the word came to my mind, I counteracted it saying that Abraham could afford to do that for he was rich and had man servants and maid servants.

Then to mind came the stories in the Gospels, where persons were always ready to entertain guests. Zacchaeus also came to mind. Also the fact that Jesus was always be entertained. Martha and Mary's story also came to mind. This counteracted the complaint I had that I had too much work to do and could not receive guests.

But what was even more condemning was the story that Jesus told about the person who in the middle of the night went to knock up his neighbour because he had no food to give his guests (Luke 11:5-8). This person had guests at an inconvenient time, and had to beg his friend/neighbour for food.

As I reflect today, I see how wrong my attitude was. I was a spoilt or sour lime. I tried to mask my distaste for entertaining persons at the time, but the juice betrayed me. I could see that my guests did not particularly enjoy the juice, but they were polite and tolerated it.

Apostle Paul states that we must not be "forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares" (Hebrews 13:2 (King James Version))Even though my guests were not strangers, how much more am I convicted of wrong as I should be ready at all times to entertain people in my house.

As I reflect other scriptures come to mind. Lot before Sodom was destroyed was at the gate looking for opportunities to be hospitable. The persons that the L-RD sent to investigate the city and its wickedness appeared and Lot immediately went to meet them and invite them to his house to be entertained (GENESIS 19:1-3).

I am learning, and I pray that G-d will give me another chance to redeem myself. I feel like a miserable failure. But G-d has given me life today, which means I have another opportunity to be hospitable to someone.

Even this morning, I resisted the word, stating that being hospitable is a cultural thing and not necessary a spiritual trait expected by G-d of us. I argued with the L-rd saying that in my time, we are very busy and have no time in our culture to entertain guests. Yet I realise how foolish that argument is. Because the L-RD gently stated that so is the Sabbath and all the feast days.

I thank you G-d that your mercy is everlasting and that you plead with me to display righteousness. To the readers of this blog, I say, do not be spoilt limes! Be hospitable! It is a command - God does it (Deuteronomy 10:18)