Health Deform

Christian Standards  •  Sermon  •  Submitted   •  Presented
0 ratings
· 3 views

Has Adventist health reform actually degenerated into health deform? Do we still believe the instructions given to us by our prophet over 150 years ago?

Notes
Transcript
????
Don’t be prejudice
don’t be quick to
reject new/old info.

Mind, Body, Spirit Connection

First truth
to learn about health:
we are interconnected beings.
1 Thessalonians 5:23 ESV
Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Spirit,
Soul
Body
They are inter-connected
One affects the other.
Health in one
leads to health in other.
Physiological Connection
Testimonies for the Church, Volume 1 Chapter 115—Healthful Cookery

We are composed of what we eat. In order to make a good quality of blood, we must have the right kind of food, prepared in a right manner.

It is a

Goes on to teach:
Blood feeds brain.
Brain is seat of spirituality.
Therefore,
Our Spirituality is
directly impacted
by our health habits.
Look from a
different angle:
Proverbs 17:22 ESV
A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.
Joyful heart ->
produced physical health!
Depression ->
leads to
physical illness!
This joyful heart
is a spiritual component!
Take this a step further...
to help others
thrive
emotionally
mentally
spiritual
We must help them
thrive physically!!!
Hence:

The Right Arm

Little history
health work
in SDA church.
Greg’s SDA History class.
Ellen White
cofounder of
SDA Church
made this connection:
Review and Herald June 20, 1899: The Canvassing Work

As the right arm is connected with the body, so the health reform and medical missionary work is connected with the third angel’s message...

Sounds important...
Our work as Adventist:
Get people ready
for second coming!
This is connecting
3 Angels Messages
Book of Revelation.
Goes on to say,
As important as
teaching about
Revelation and End Times...
Also must focus
Health Message
Health Missionaries!
As you can imagine,
some weren’t keen on
this being a central
part of our message...
Many spiritual leaders
shoved to back...
Review and Herald June 20, 1899: The Canvassing Work

The indifference with which the health books have been treated by many is an offense to God. To separate the health work from the great body of the work, is not in his order.

Health work is
“present truth.”
What does that mean,
truth that is
especially relevant
for our time
in last days.
Must be taught
in connection
with other spiritual truths.
We were instructed
to have an army of:

Medical Missionaries

But how?
Where to start?
Child Guidance Section 14—Maintaining Physical Fitness

The science of cooking is not a small matter.… This art should be regarded as the most valuable of all the arts, because it is so closely connected with life. It should receive more attention; for in order to make good blood, the system requires good food. The foundation of that which keeps people in health is

Good cooking = medical missionary.
We think:
dentist, doctor in forest
is medical missionary.
Truth is,
mission field lies
closer than we think:
in our kitchen!!!
How else would
health message
help us serve???

Entering Wedge

Review and Herald June 20, 1899: The Canvassing Work

When properly conducted, the health work is an entering wedge, which will make an opening for other truths to find entrance to the heart.

Health message could
open doors in
witnessing to others.
Creation of SDA Health Evangelism...
Typical SDA Health Message
Unfortunately,
we have often
fallen short of
ideal purpose.
Brag about longevity.

True Purpose of Health Message

Lead everyone to
deeper connection with Christ.
Paul said:
Romans 8:5–6 ESV
For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.
All that we do
should have
spiritual focus!
Where did we go wrong?

Health Deform

Child Guidance Section 14—Maintaining Physical Fitness

Often health reform is made health deform by the unpalatable preparation of food. The lack of knowledge regarding healthful cookery must be remedied before health reform is a success.

We have all had food
that tasted...
well.…
TOO HEALTHY...
Maybe it was
good for you
but it was also,
inedible!!!
Health Deform
come in different forms.
Could be
over-zealous health leader
makes food that
nobody else can stomach.
People that are extreme
eat garlic raw
smell them mile away...
Giving health
bad name.
Health deform
comes in other forms:
Long-time SDA
rejecting Health Message
because it will
require personal change!
Let’s go back
heart of issue:

Spiritual Focus

It is about
spiritual growth!
Romans 12:1–2 ESV
I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
God asked us
make a sacrifice
with physical bodies.
Why?
Consecration and
spiritual growth.
Paul reminds us
physical bodies
matter to God.
1 Corinthians 6:19–20 ESV
Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.
Our body,
does not belong
to us along.
We have our bodies
on lone from God.
We treat them
with honor because
they are God’s temple.
1 Corinthians 3:16–17 ESV
Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you? If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him. For God’s temple is holy, and you are that temple.
God takes this
temple business
very seriously.
We have no right
to say:
“it’s my body
I can do what I want!”
God will hold us accountable.
1 Corinthians 10:31 ESV
So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.
Part of seeking
optimum spiritual health
is eating, drinking, exercise!
Why???
What is the connection???
Dopamine Addiction
In Dopamine Nation,
Dr. Anna Lembke,
psychiatrist and author,
explores the exciting new
scientific discoveries t
hat explain why the
relentless pursuit of pleasure
leads to pain.
Rich Foods:
fat
sugar
salty
are highly addictive.

Dopamine hit.
Want more
Post Stimulus slump
tolerance.
Seeking for
another high.
Studies show
other behaviors that
produce large dopamine hits
sugar
sex
gambling
screen time
they all produce
dopamine...
Interestingly,
they like each other...
They all produce
same chemical...
They work together...
Example:
eating with screen time.
Alcohol and gambling.
smoking and _______.
The more dopamine addicted
that we become,
the more excited
we are to get that high
from any source
especially combine!
(tolerance)...
This has pretty seriously
damaging consequences
for us spiritually.
EGW talks
about this 125 years ago:
Review and Herald June 13, 1899: Disease and Its Causes

Those who permit themselves to become slaves to a morbid appetite, often

The more we become addicts,
The more we become addicts...
The Signs of the Times October 17, 1878: A Lesson for the Times

Many are addicted to the use of the filthy weed, tobacco, which perverts the appetite, and

We always want more...
Truth is,
most church folks
as addicted as
average worldling.
During Vows:
no alcohol
no tobacco
street drugs
still addicted!!!
Opposite is also true!

More Victories

One victory
does lead to another!
Two cycles
addiction cycle
victory cycle.
Review and Herald October 13, 1874: The Temptation of Christ (Continued)

Although Christ gained a priceless victory in behalf of man in overcoming the temptations of Satan in the wilderness, this victory will not benefit man

Who wants more victory????!!!!
How?
Get off addiction cycle.
Fasting.
Cold turkey.
take a break.

Dopamine Nation Book
recommends 30 days
fasting from source.
Food?
don’t fast 30 days.
Fast from
unhealthy food
for 30 days.
During brake
don’t switch addictions
different dopamine hit.
Replace with healthy habit.

Opportunities for Improvement

Not to brow beat.
education alone.
You choose
where to go from here.
Flesh Foods
The Signs of the Times January 6, 1876: Christian Temperance

Those who subsist largely upon flesh-meats inflame the stomach thereby, the blood becomes torpid and impure, head-aches and indispositions follow. The system is filled with humors; fevers, scrofula and cancers are the consequences. Especially is this true of those who eat swine’s flesh. Yet so great is the tendency to ignore these evils, that few can be brought to realize the true effects of this sort of diet upon the human system.

Modern Slaughter System
Review and Herald June 20, 1899: Disease and Its Causes

When they have to travel far, they become surfeited and exhausted, and in that condition are killed for market. Their blood is highly inflamed, and those who eat of their meat eat poison.

Child Guidance Section 14—Maintaining Physical Fitness

Flesh was never the best food; but its use is now doubly objectionable, since disease in animals is so rapidly increasing.

Frequent Eating
Review and Herald June 13, 1899: Disease and Its Causes

And the more the appetite is indulged, the more will be its clamors for gratification. This faintness is generally the result of meat-eating, and eating frequently, and too much. The stomach becomes weary by being kept constantly at work, disposing of food not the most healthful. Having no time for rest, the digestive organs become enfeebled, hence the sense of “goneness,” and desire for frequent eating.

Stimulants
Review and Herald February 21, 1888: The Path of Progress

The stimulating diet and drink of this day are not conducive to the best state of health. Tea, coffee, and tobacco are all stimulating, and contain poisons. They are not only unnecessary, but harmful, and should be discarded if we would add to knowledge, temperance

Rich Food
Child Guidance Section 14—Maintaining Physical Fitness

Persons who have accustomed themselves to a rich, highly stimulating diet have an unnatural taste, and they cannot at once relish food that is plain and simple. It will take time for the taste to become natural and for the stomach to recover from the abuse it has suffered.

Consider Exercise Load
Child Guidance Section 14—Maintaining Physical Fitness

Often food that can be used with benefit by those engaged in hard physical labor is unsuitable for persons of sedentary pursuits or intense mental application.

Natural Food Simple Preparations
Child Guidance Section 14—Maintaining Physical Fitness

In order to know what are the best foods, we must study God’s original plan for man’s diet. He who created man and who understands his needs appointed Adam his food.… Grains, fruits, nuts, and vegetables constitute the diet chosen for us by our Creator.

Child Guidance Section 14—Maintaining Physical Fitness

Fruits, grains, and vegetables, prepared in a simple way, free from spice and grease of all kinds, make, with milk or cream, the most healthful diet. They impart nourishment to the body and give a power of endurance and a vigor of intellect that are not produced by a stimulating diet.

Mealtime Should be Enjoyable
Child Guidance Section 14—Maintaining Physical Fitness

The table is not a place where rebellion should be cultivated in the children by some unreasonable course pursued by the parents. The whole family should eat with gladness

Does It Still Matter

Is the health message
outmoded philosophy?
Seems so old-fashioned...
Should we just
value it historically?
Let’s try to convince
not accurate.
First Sin
Genesis 3:6 ESV
So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate, and she also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate.
Review and Herald June 13, 1899: Disease and Its Causes

The first great evil was intemperance in eating and drinking. Men and women have made themselves slaves to appetite.

Jesus Temptations
Matthew 4:2–3 ESV
And after fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. And the tempter came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.”
Desire of Ages Chapter 12—The Temptation

With Christ, as with the holy pair in Eden, appetite was the ground of the first great temptation. Just where the ruin began, the work of our redemption must begin. As by the indulgence of appetite Adam fell, so by the denial of appetite Christ must overcome.

Final Battles
No buying or selling...
What do you think
great temptation will be???
HUNGER!!!!
(or fear of it).

Grace and Encouragement

Church is not
place to police
each other.
Place to support each other.
Share with each other
accountability and support.
Ask
Encourage
Pray
John’s example:
3 John 2 ESV
Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, as it goes well with your soul.
John cared about
whole person:
physical
spiritual.
Illustration about the journey.
Health is a journey.
Enjoy the journey.
(Not too much)
(Dopamine)

Appeal

Where are you?
Enter the path.
One Step in Front of the other.
Related Media
See more
Related Sermons
See more
Earn an accredited degree from Redemption Seminary with Logos.