Series: The Gospel: It's Not...
Message: About Health 
Preacher: Tom Eickmann
Daily Walk: Mark Johnson

Refresh: Open with prayer. Read or listen to Psalm 91:1-4.

Read: Romans 14 (Message). Note 1-3 insights/questions that arise from the paraphrase. 

Reflect: At the age of fifteen, Joseph Bates became a cabin boy on a ship, thus entering upon a maritime career in 1807.  During his early career, he was captured by Danish privateers during the Napoleonic wars, often worked under hard and cruel captains, and was captured by an English press gang which compelled him to work against his will in the British navy for two and a half years. Maritime careers like his made many men profligates and drunkards, but his career had the opposite effect on him. Observing the intemperate habits of many of his fellow sailors and prisoners, he resolved to avoid hard liquor and sought to be a "sober, reflecting" man. He did so quietly. He did not urge his practices on others, nor did he make his views on diet public unless asked about them.
This quiet witness had a profound impact on some of the early Adventists. Joseph Bates's lifestyle deeply impressed James and Ellen White, although they too did not originally see the issue as one of great spiritual impact. Slowly, however, they began to see how lifestyle choices and spiritual health were connected.  
Even before she received the vision in 1863 that led to the adoption of healthy living principles by the church, Ellen and James began to make changes in their own habits. But Ellen was always very patient with those who did not, or could not, make quick changes in their own lifestyle habits. She even cautioned against rapid changes. "I saw that the angels of God would lead His people no faster than they could receive and act upon the important truths that are communicated to them. But some restless spirits . . . get in haste for something new, and rush on without divine guidance, and thus bring confusion and discord into the ranks."  (Testimonies Vol. 1, pp. 206, 207)  As things progressed for the church, however, it eventually led to major changes in both individual lifestyles and congregational missions. It eventually led to the Adventist healthcare system we see today.

Recalibrate: ​ 

1. ​​With all the "truth" we have about health and healthcare, how do we fit it into the main mission of the church?
2. Can we still be as patient as the early Adventists were in allowing individuals to make changes in their lives?

Respond: Pray for those who are struggling with lifestyle issues, and for patience.

Research: How did the health message come about in the Seventh-day Adventist Church?