November 21, 2009 - Church at Worship

Sermon: Because God Wants Us to Be Whole by Randy Roberts

Part 10: Why I’m an Adventist... 

Pastoral Welcome: Jacqueline Lynch

Baptism: William Richard Dale, Shirley Jean Dale - Calvin Thomsen

Children’s Feature: Jackie Bishop

Responsive Reading: Healthful Living (Seventh-day Adventist Hymnal #824) - Gary and Michelle Meyer

INTRODUCTION TO THE SERMON We have spent the last two-and-a-half months considering reasons for “Why I’m an Adventist.” In that time period, we have covered quite a bit of ground, beginning with why I am a Christian—which clearly comes first—and then going on to include such things as the Sabbath, the second coming, what it means to say that the Bible is inspired, and numerous others. Today, we come to our concluding sermon. Do you know that God loves all of you? Do you know that he loves every facet of who you are, not just your “soul?” There is a tendency to overlook the importance of the body in the overall plan of God. After all, in the earth made new, aren’t each of us going to receive a new body, one without all the creaks and groans that our current body has? That being the case, there is a tendency, when we think about our life with God, to think of the spiritual side, not the physical. Yet, God created us as physical beings. Furthermore, Paul, in writing to the church at ancient Corinth, wrote, “Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies” (1 Corinthians 6:19, 20, TNIV). Does it not make sense, then, that we ought to care for our bodies as a part of our spiritual life? For many decades, Adventists have placed a priority on the physical body, caring for and maintaining it, and teaching and helping others to do the same. That emphasis, based on Scripture, is an important reason for being Adventist! Having said all that, remember—it’s Thanksgiving! What a time to talk about caring for our physical bodies! Will we be able to push away from the table at a good time?! In the midst of both our needs and our abundant provisions, let us be proactive in thanking God for all the bounteous blessings bestowed and share with others out of our blessings. God bless you. And Happy Thanksgiving!

Randy Roberts

Senior Pastor

MEDITATION Health is a treasure. Of all temporal possessions it is the most precious. Wealth, learning, and honor are dearly purchased at the loss of the vigor of health. None of these can secure happiness, if health is lacking. It is a terrible sin to abuse the health that God has given us; such abuses enfeeble us for life, and make us losers, even if we gain by such means any amount of education. – Ellen G. White