Elder Ted Wilson Addresses ASI

Elder Ted N.C. Wilson, on August 6, delivered a powerful Sabbath sermon to those gathered for the ASI convention in Sacramento.

Elder Wilson said:

"I have felt convicted in the past weeks to speak out in a stronger way about certain subjects that, in my opinion, are removing us from God’s mission for His remnant church … things that will take us out of the position to which God has called us.  Let me briefly share some of them with you:

1. Guard against mystical beliefs and practices that are finding their way into the church through formats like spiritual formation and the emerging church.  The basis of much of this is an emphasis on the experiential and emotional rather than a strong foundation on the Word of God.  Read helpful information on this subject in the current Adventist Review ASI Special which our editor, Bill Knott, has organized and which was passed out here at the convention.  Note Mark Finley’s two page article and watch for more material that we will be releasing in the near future.  


2. Stay away from mystical forms of prayer such as contemplative prayer, prayer labyrinths, repetitive prayer using one word or a certain phrase or centering prayer that seem to have become popular but lead to the occult since in many cases all thoughts are eliminated thus allowing the evil one to invade rather simple and humble prayer of sharing your concerns with your Lord.  


3. Resist worship styles and music that have more to do with self-centered entertainment than a humble worship of God.  We have to recognize that we have many different cultures and styles of worship in our world church but all should bring glory to God and not to the participants------preachers, musicians and everyone.  We need to focus on worshiping God and not elevating self.  Music should lift us to the throne room of heaven.  I don’t wish to offend anyone and this is my personal opinion, but if music sounds like it belongs to a hard rock concert or a nightclub, it should stay there.  This week’s Sabbath School lesson on “Worship and Song and Praise” by principal contributor Rosalie H. Zinke, has some very helpful points.  In Thursday’s section, it said, “What is important for worship music is that it point us to the noblest and the best, which is the Lord.”  Study Revelation 4 and 5 and the Holy Spirit will lead each of us to the right forms of worship and music.


4. Avoid the practice of inviting major spiritual speakers who are not Seventh-day Adventists to speak to church meetings, men’s meetings, women’s meetings, retreats, pastoral meetings, youth meetings and large convocations.  I’m not talking about inviting civic, community, or religious leaders to attend a meeting.  We need to make friends with people and share our faith.  What I am talking about is asking them to give a major spiritual presentation when they probably have no concept of the Great Controversy theme.  We certainly can learn things from others who are not members and should encourage them in their walk towards God’s truth.  However, we need to be very proactive in requesting humble, Bible-centered Seventh-day Adventist speakers to instruct our church members in fully understanding God’s great Biblical messages for this time."  **To see a video clip of Elder Wilson speaking at ASI, go to http://www.keepnotsilent.com/