Paul Preaches on the Sabbath

Acts 13:42-44: “42 So when the Jews went out of the synagogue, the Gentiles begged that these words might be preached to them the next Sabbath. 43 Now when the congregation had broken up, many of the Jews and devout proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas, who, speaking to them, persuaded them to continue in the grace of God. 44 On the next Sabbath almost the whole city came together to hear the word of God.

Acts 16:13: “And on the Sabbath day we went out of the city to the riverside, where prayer was customarily made; and we sat down and spoke to the women who met there.” This is a great verse that confirms that the apostles kept the 7th Day Sabbath according to the Commandment and not the first day of the week. Paul goes out of the city to a quiet place by the riverside to pray on the Sabbath Day. He also meets some women there, who also retreated to this quiet place for the Sabbath.

Acts 18:4: “And he reasoned in the synagogue every sabbath, and persuaded the Jews and the Greeks.” As we can see, Paul is not just going into the synagogue to reason with the Jews, he is also preaching to the Greeks (Gentiles) on the Sabbath Day!

Acts 25:7-8, Acts 28:17-18, 23-24

“7 When he had come, the Jews who had come down from Jerusalem stood about and laid many serious complaints against Paul, which they could not prove, 8 while he answered for himself, ‘Neither against the law of the Jews, nor against the temple, nor against Caesar have I offended in anything at all.’” “28:17 And it came to pass after three days that Paul called the leaders of the Jews together. So when they had come together, he said to them: ‘Men and brethren, though I have done nothing against our people or the customs of our fathers, yet I was delivered as a prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans, 18 who, when they had examined me, wanted to let me go, because there was no cause for putting me to death. 19 But when the Jews spoke against it, I was compelled to appeal to Caesar, not that I had anything of which to accuse my nation. 20 For this reason therefore I have called for you, to see you and speak with you, because for the hope of Israel I am bound with this chain.’ 23 So when they had appointed him a day, many came to him at his lodging, to whom he explained and solemnly testified of the kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus from both the Law of Moses and the Prophets, from morning till evening. 24 And some were persuaded by the things which were spoken, and some disbelieved.”

(this article is from the July-August 2012 edition of the Sabbath Sentinel)

This article was taken from page 17 of this edition. To read more articles from this edition, click this link: http://biblesabbath.org/media/TSSJulyAug2012.pdf

 

 

The Pursuit of Happiness

By Logan Moorer

In the Declaration of Independence, our founders wrote that God had given mankind unalienable rights, including “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness”. One must keep in mind that any one of these three items are not exclusive from each other. Said another way, one’s pursuit of happiness should not hinder the liberty or life of another.

Unfortunately, the direction of the nation has taken a drastic turn for the worst. Some seem to think that their ‘pursuit of happiness’ means the liberty to take the life of another.  Recently, the state of New York has just passed a that will allow for the termination of any fetus, even up to the point of birth.

I watched an entire room of people not just vote to pass this bill, but applaud their self-proclaimed “progressive” agenda. Our country is at the point, and has been for quite some time, where we have the audacity to praise immortality and savagery. These types of behaviors remind us of Jesus words “Because of the increase of lawlessness, the love of many will grow cold” (Matthew 24:12). This perversion of the phrase ‘pursuit of happiness’ has brought us to this place. The phrase is pleasant but taken out of context has led to terrible behavior.

Human happiness is a conditional emotion determined by our circumstance. While it is not evil in and of itself, it does have the potential to lead us straight to death. Therefore the other two inalienable rights, “Life and Liberty” are necessary. Now that those are being jettisoned for the illusion of human happiness, evil is being revealed.

The Apostle John worded it this way: “For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever” (1 John 2:16-17). When we choose to chase after something that’s fleeting, like the sinful desires of our flesh, to attain happiness, we fail to realize that such feelings are temporary.  What then are we to pursue if not human happiness?

Jesus said, “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. ‘Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble’” (Matthew 6:33-34). The pursuit of human happiness in and of itself without restraint leads to a path of ease.

If you choose the path of least resistance then you are sure to face fewer trials, but fewer trials means less growth. Isn’t growth the point of life though? Especially for those of us who have committed our lives to the path of righteousness! “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing” (James 1:2-4). That joy James speaks of is an entirely different subject!

Joy is not conditional like happiness because joy is not an emotion. It is a mindset that is focused on not self, but something beyond ourselves – the will and plan of God and his purpose for our lives. While human happiness without restraint leads us away from the storms of life, the joy of the Lord leads us through them. The joy of the Lord has the power to lead us through the storm because it is the mindset of thankfulness. After all the verb form of the word joy is to rejoice!

Paul wrote, “For I tell you that Christ became a servant to the circumcised to show God’s truthfulness, in order to confirm the promises given to the patriarchs, and in order that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy. As it is written, ‘Therefore I will praise you among the Gentiles, and sing to your name.’ And again it is said, ‘Rejoice, O Gentiles, with his people.’ And again, ‘Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles, and let all the peoples extol him.’ And again Isaiah says, ‘The root of Jesse will come, even he who arises to rule the Gentiles; in him will the Gentiles hope.’ May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope” (Romans 15:8-13). That is the message of our faith!

The fleeting and fickle happiness of our flesh will never stand against the trials of this life, but the joy and hope given to us by the sacrifice and promise of our Lord Yeshua will last for the eternity that he promised. “Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I tell you? Everyone who comes to me and hears my words and does them, I will show you what he is like: he is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when a flood arose, the stream broke against that house and could not shake it, because it had been well built. But the one who hears and does not do them is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. When the stream broke against it, immediately it fell, and the ruin of that house was great” (Luke 6:46-49). As children of God and brethren to one another, let’s build the house of the Lord, not our own! Let us walk in Godly joy and not the unrestrained passions of the flesh. Let us strive for joy and not be content with human happiness.

Logan Moorer  was born and raised in Montgomery Alabama. He attended Little Flock Ministries, a private Christian school, and graduated in June of 2014. He has been a member of  Living God Ministries since 1999. https://thelivinggodministry.org/

Sabbath Meditation #6 – Timing is Everything

by Kelly McDonald, Jr.

“And it came to pass at the end of the four hundred and thirty years, even the selfsame day it came to pass, that all the hosts of the Lord went out from the land of Egypt” (Exodus 12:41).

“My times are in thy hand: deliver me from the hand of mine enemies, and from them that persecute me” (Psalm 31:15).

“See, for that the Lord hath given you the sabbath, therefore he giveth you on the sixth day the bread of two days…” (Exodus 16:29a).

“…the feasts of the Lord, which ye shall proclaim to be holy convocations, even these are my feasts. Six days shall work be done; but the seventh day is the sabbath of rest, an holy convocation” (Lev. 23:2-3)

Have you ever heard the phrase, “Timing is everything?” Just imagine how things would be different in your life if certain events had not occurred at just the right time. For an example: What if our perceived delays prevented us from being in an accident? The point is this: Timing plays a huge part in our lives.

God is all about timing. He is never late. He is always on time to fulfill His promises, even if we question His timing. For instance, God brought the Israelites out of Egypt 430 years to the very day that they went into that land. They did not leave a day before or a day after. God had designed that they leave in His timing.

After the Israelites left Egypt, the theme of time continued. God sent one portion of manna on the first five days of the week, twice as much on the sixth day, and none on the seventh day. The goal was to teach them which day was the Sabbath. “See, for that the Lord hath given you the sabbath, therefore he giveth you on the sixth day the bread of two days…” (Exodus 16:29a). After leaving Egypt, God brought them into His weekly sacred rhythm.

When God told the Israelites to take the Promised Land, they refused due to unbelief (Numbers 13). As a result, God forbid them from entering into the Promised Land (Numbers 14:1-38). They defied God and still tried to take the Promised Land, but failed (Numbers 14:39-45).

In the same way, humans want to work and rest whenever we choose. This can’t be a good idea if God has already ordained that we work certain days and rest on one specific day. If the Israelites had tried to leave Egypt sooner or later than God’s intentional timing, they would have not succeeded.

During the week, we can feel overwhelmed with everything that can be or needs to be done. Moreover, there are certain events in our culture that might often occur on Sabbath (such as sporting events). The enemy, satan, wants you to think that because you abstain from these activities to honor the Sabbath that you are missing out on something. In these moments, we must trust in God’s timing, which is perfect. If God’s timing was so precise and perfect in bringing the Israelites out of Egypt, then why would this not also apply to the Sabbath? You cannot miss out on anything that God has for your life when you follow His timing.

His timing leads us towards the fulfillment of His plans and purposes. He knows best. David wrote, “My times are in thy hand…” (Psalm 31:15). Recall from Sabbath Meditation #1 that God did not give mankind dominion over time. That is left to God’s sovereignty. What is left in His hands cannot be taken away (John 10:29).

The Israelites cried out and wanted to leave Egypt as soon as possible, but God ordained it happen on a specific day. Similarly, God has planned the Sabbath on the seventh day, not a day of our choosing. He has established the pattern for our times.

If we find ourselves outside of His weekly rhythm by failing to observe Sabbath, we will miss out on something He wants us to have. In previous Sabbath Meditations, we have reviewed the spiritual strength and Joy we receive when we honor the seventh day of the week (see Sabbath Meditation 4[link] and  Meditation 5[link]).

In Leviticus 23:2-3, God said that the Sabbath was one of HIS feasts. The Hebrew word translated as ‘feasts’ is moed, and it means an appointed or set time.  For the natural mind, any time seems convenient. In John 7:6, Jesus said, “My time has not yet come, but your time is always ready.” For man, any time works – any time to work and any time to rest. God already has an appointment for you and I on the Sabbath – He will not fail to come through on this set time. Why would we want to miss it?

God is very intentional and He designed the seven-day week according to His purpose for our lives and our best interest. His ways are higher than our ways (Isaiah 55:8-9). When we simply follow His timing, the possibilities are endless.

Selah.

Kelly McDonald, Jr

BSA President

www.biblesabbath.org

Be Your Best

by Brandy Webb

When I was a child I believed that I would live a long life. I believed that death happened mainly to old people, even though I knew that sometimes children died. My brother lost two great friends when he was a kid, but I thought that the death of children was few and rare. I would look at my parents, who at the time I thought were so old, which is very ironic because I am older than they were at that time, and I would say, surely I will live to be their age. I would also look at my grandparents and my great-grandparents and think; well, I definitely should live to their ages. Given I was very young and, yes, very naive.

I grew up, and I have been to more funerals than I ever thought possible. Some were for friends, some for family members, young and old. Death knows no bias. It can strike the old, young, rich, or poor. It is non-discriminatory, and I don’t believe that we are ever really prepared for it when it occurs, even when it is someone with a terminal illness.

However, I do not want to write a downer-type blog. Life is short no matter how long you live. We all know that. We also know that we all have an appointed time to die (Hebrews 9:27). Therefore, we need to make sure we are our best every moment, every minute, every second of our lives while we still have the breath of life within us.

I know that there are songs like “Live like you are dying.” Plus, there are multiple statements about not taking life for granted. Yet, how well are we doing that? Are we striving to be the best person that we can be every day of our lives? Are we striving to put aside bitterness, discontent, fears, worries, and any other negative characteristics, and instead, embracing love, peace, joy, patience, kindness, goodness, self-control, and full contentment with who God has made us to be?

Ron Dart made a great point in one of his many sermons that I’m going to paraphrase. He stated that God’s will for our lives is for us to do His will on earth while we are here. God wants us to be His lights. He wants us to bear good fruit. He wants us to “make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy” (Hebrews 12:14), to love our neighbor as ourselves (one reference, Leviticus 19:18), to “love your enemies, do good to them” (Luke 6:35), to keep His commandments (John 14:15), to love Him (John 14:15), to be set apart from the world (John 15:19), etc. We are to be our best that we can be in every moment of our lives because this brings glory to His name. It will also make life more enjoyable and more peaceful. Therefore, “[d]o your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth” (Colossians 3:23-24). Also, enjoy life, rejoice daily, and thank God for every moment He grants you.

Brandy Webb is with the Church of God International (CGI). We encourage you to follow them and pray for their success.

https://www.cgi.org/

(This article was originally published on October 3, 2018 on the CGI website)