By Robert Olsen, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Christian Studies, University of Mobile
UNDIVIDED WORSHIP
Deuteronomy 12:1–11, 29–32
Remove Idolatry (1–7)
As the Israelites prepared to go into the promised land, Moses told them how they were to approach the religions of the peoples around them. They were to destroy all of the sacred stones and idols. Everything that was a part of pagan religion needed to be destroyed. The fact that they did not do this would be a thorn in the side of Israel for years.
A question we have to answer today is how to approach the beliefs of those around us. Many Christians do not know the difference between Christianity and other religions.
I have heard Christians say they believe that we do not need to send missionaries because God reaches each religion differently. This is a dangerous and extremely unbiblical idea.
Christianity requires that we understand God according to how He has revealed Himself to us. Christians need to know what the Bible teaches and also what other religions teach.
Back in the 1990s, the Mormon church got many of their converts from among Southern Baptists because so many Baptists did not know the teachings of Mormonism.
Christians need to be familiar with the beliefs of those around them and know how those beliefs differ from Christianity so we are not led astray.
Worship God (8–11)
Once the Israelites were in the promised land, they were to bring all of their offerings to a designated place. God still expects us to give our offerings to Him through churches, where they are used by God to accomplish His purposes.
Pastors and church staff are used by God to minister to His people and to send the gospel to the nations. We need to support them as they help preach the gospel and carry out their duties on a regular basis.
Missionaries also need to have support that provides for day-to-day living as they dedicate their lives to preaching the gospel around the world. By supporting missionaries, we take part in the missions work that they are doing.
However, we can all be involved in ministry on a regular basis. God calls us to minister to the body of believers daily. We can do this by taking care of others, helping share their burdens. We can also love our neighbors, giving us a chance to share the gospel with them.
Stand Firm (29–32)
God told the Israelites to get rid of all vestiges of the Canaanite religion so they would not be tempted to worship God incorrectly. This is still an issue today in areas where Christianity is not taught clearly.
In some parts of Latin America, for example, Roman Catholics have blended some of their Catholicism with elements of indigenous religions, a process called syncretism. Syncretism is when parts of two or more religions get blended together.
We need to take stock of our surrounding culture to make sure we do not incorporate any parts of it that are not biblical. Many mainline denominations in the U.S. have a form of syncretism in which they embrace parts of Jesus’ teachings and then ideas like transgenderism creep in, blending a cultural teaching with biblical teaching.
This is one of the major challenges we face today. Are we willing to take a stand against the culture for the sake of the gospel, or will we cave into cultural pressure and teach a false gospel?
EDITOR’S NOTE — The Sunday School lesson outlines are provided by Lifeway.
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