January 28, 2007

What They Believe: Seventh-Day Adventism

Ephesians 2:1-10

Opening Words: In Mere Christianity, C.S. Lewis wrote, “Theology is practical: especially now...If you do not learn theology, that will not mean that you have no ideas about God. It will mean that you have a lot of wrong ones.” Perhaps, that quote is for our age? Our theology is extremely poor. The Biblical standard has been replaced by personal opinions and ideas. The end result is we live in a time of spiritual impotency. People who look sincere can tell us anything and we believe it. Why? Because, we just don’t know any better. We don’t even know what we believe. I believe that is why cults are growing in our area and I have grown tired of it. The time has come to do something before one more soul is lost. But, what can be done?

We are in the middle of a sermon series I have called What They Believe. We are looking at five different cults that exist with the Mahoning Valley. Two weeks ago we looked at the Jehovah’s Witnesses. Next week we look at the Baha’i movement. Today, we look at the cult called Seventh-Day Adventism. Do you know any Adventist? Some are very nice and sincere. They have some admirable treats. Their problem is not their behavior. Their problem is their theology. It is flawed. This morning’s scripture lesson exposes their theological imperfection. Let us look at Ephesians 2:1-10.

Ephesians 2:1-10 1As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, 2in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. 3All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath. 4But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions-it is by grace you have been saved. 6And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, 7in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. 8For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith-and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God- 9not by works, so that no one can boast. 10For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

In George Bernanos’ novel called Diary of a Country Priest he tells the story of a good young priest, who struggled against a corrupt and deceitful church. He has a very difficult life, made more difficult by fact that he develops stomach cancer. In the final days of his life he lies weak and in terrible pain. The end is near so another priest is called to perform the last rites. A friend waits with the dying priest. Together they wait for the priest but the other priest never arrives. The friend grew upset but the dying priest remained calm. The dying priest drew his friend near and said, “Does it matter? Grace is everywhere!” With those words he died.

I love that story because the priest’s theology is clear and accurate. Grace is a big part of Christian theology. The scripture lesson today tells us we are saved by grace and by grace alone. The church has always recognized the power and influence of grace. It is all part of the divine plan to save the world. Without grace Jesus would not have entered this world. Without grace Jesus would not have gone to the cross. Without grace Jesus would not have died and been resurrected. Without grace I would have no hope of salvation. Without grace you would have not hope of salvation. One of the greatest minds in the history of the church was Augustine. He said, “God's mercy ... goes before the unwilling to make him willing; it follows the willing to make his will effectual.” From the very beginning the church has valued grace. However, the Seventh-Day Adventist Church does not see the need of grace.

Do you know anyone who is a member of a Seventh-Day Adventism congregation? Their membership grew to approximately ten million during the 1990’s. The closest Adventist congregation to this building is at the corner of Indianola and Hillman in Youngstown. It pains me to say it. It used to be the former home of the Indianola United Methodist Church. Let me say this clearly. They are not bad people. They have some admirable treats. They emphasize healthy living. They emphasize the ethical principles of the Old Testament. They are good people with bad theology. Do you know what the Seventh-Day Adventists Church believes?

I do not have time to uncover all their teachings but I have the time to touch on three key points. In these three points we discover the difference between them and us. So if you are ready for these Seventh-Day Adventists teachings say, “Amen!”

1. Seventh-Day Adventists believe Ellen G. White was a true prophet. Ellen G. White (1827-1915) was born in the state of Maine. When she was very young the family moved to the city of Portland. It was while they were in Portland that they joined a group lead by evangelist William Miller. He told them that Christ would return on October 22, 1844. They believed him! The problem was that October 22, 1844 came and went but Jesus didn't return. The Millerites, as they were called, were sent into depression. Ellen was only 17 years at the time but she hungered for Christ’s return. She spent much time in prayer asking for guidance. According to the Adventists it was during one of those prayer sessions God spoke to her in a vision. Over the next seventy years she would have approximately 2000 visions. She began to write about them. During her lifetime she wrote more than 5,000 periodical articles and 40 books; but today, including compilations from her 50,000 pages of manuscript, more than 100 titles are available in English. She is the most translated woman writer in the entire history of literature, and the most translated American author of either gender. Her writings still assist Adventists today. They are only second in importance to the Bible, itself. Through their eyes she was more then a gifted writer. She was a true prophet of God. They need her. We believe the Bible is enough. And all of God’s people said, “Amen!”

2. Seventh-Day Adventists believe Jesus returned invisibly in 1844. The founders of the Seventh-Day of Adventists movement started with William Miller. He told them he would return on October 22, 1844. The Master didn’t return but they didn’t admit their error. Instead, they said, Jesus did return, invisibly. He returned invisibly to begin an investigative judgment upon the world, using Old Testament law as a standard for holy living. That is why they worship on Saturday, the true Sabbath. That is why they study and follow Old Testament laws. We believe Jesus’ return is still to home. And all of God’s people said, “Amen!”

3. Seventh-Day Adventists focus on the law overshadows the doctrine of grace. This emphasis on Old Testament law leads to works righteous. True Christian grace is not experienced or emphasized within their circles. In other words, they are earning their salvation by what they do. We believe we receive salvation by what has been done for us. We are saved by grace and by grace a lone. And all of God’s people said, “Amen!”

So what is my Biblical response to the Seventh-Day Adventist Church? You will find it in the second chapter of Ephesians, the first ten verses. The Apostle Paul is writing to the church at Ephesus about the year A.D. 60. The reason he is writing them is to encourage them in the faith. He is not addressing any particular problem within the life of the congregation. He is encouraging them to aim higher, to expand their theological understanding. His point is clear. They were not just saved for themselves. They were saved for a purpose. They were saved by the grace of God. It was the same grace that Paul, himself, had experienced on the Damascus Road. He knew it. He did not deserve to be saved but he was saved by grace. The people at Ephesus didn’t deserve to be saved but they were saved by grace. I don’t deserve to be saved but I am saved by grace. You don’t deserve to be saved but you are saved by grace. Verse eight and nine in our scripture lesson says it clearly, “For it is by grace you have been saved … not by works so that one can boast.” We are saved by grace and by grace alone! And all of God’s people said, “Amen!” The Apostle Paul was the greatest theologian in the history of the church but he would have a horrible Adventist.

One of the finest people I know in the church today is George Lee. He is retired now but he was the pastor at the Canfield United Methodist Church. He tells the story of a woman by the name of Edith. Some of you have heard this story in the past. Edith was a wonderful church member. She supported the church in every way. She served on the committees. She sang in the choir and attended all the church functions. She worked in the kitchen during the church dinners. Everyone who works in the kitchen is assigned a job. It was Edith’s job to peal the potatoes. Only the Lord knows how many potatoes she pealed through the years. In time Edith was diagnosed with cancer. She grew weak and George would visit her in her home. During his last visit they planned her funeral. The visit ended with a prayer and a question. Edith looked at George and asked with all sincerity, “George, have I pealed enough potatoes to go to heaven?” George told me he was stunned. He said she was a wonderful woman with a heart of gold. She was a wonderful church member. After all the preaching and teaching she missed the whole point. We are not saved by pealing potatoes, or sitting on committees, or coming to worship or being generous when the offering plate comes your way. She missed the whole point. We are saved by grace and by grace alone! And all of God’s said, “Amen!” And once you experience the grace of God in your life you may want to use your time your talents and your financial resources in a way to say, “Thank-you.”

In 2002 Denise Banderman was a youth ministry student at Hannibal-LaGrange College in Missouri. The day came for the class to that their final exam. When Denise and her fellow students opened their papers they were astonished to find every answer filled in. At the bottom of the page was a message the professor. It read: "This is the end of the exam. All the answers on your test are correct. You will receive an A on the final exam. The reason you passed the test is because the creator of the test took it for you. All the work you did in preparation for this test did not help you get the A. You have just experienced ... grace."

That is why I am not a Seventh-Day Adventists. I don’t take tests very well. I do the best I can but my life is filled with problems. My life is still filled with sin. However, I am still going to heaven because I know Jesus is my Lord and Savior. His death bought me eternal life. His blood washed me white as snow. I am saved by grace and by grace alone. I hope that is your story as well. And all of God’s people said, “Amen!”