For Such a Time As This
Here are the sermon notes from the message given on 26 April 2014 by Elder Samuel Leer at Santa Barbara Seventh-day Adventist Christian church.
John F. Kennedy wrote Profiles in Courage in 1955 while he was recovering from battle injuries. The book is a 1957 Pulitzer Prize-winning volume of short biographies describing acts of bravery and integrity by eight United States Senators throughout the Senate’s history. The book profiles senators who crossed party lines and/or defied the opinion of their constituents to do what they felt was right and suffered severe criticism and losses in popularity because of their actions.
Other examples of courageous men are Abraham and Joseph. Why do bad things happen to good people?
Joseph was sold into slavery but seized the moment years later when he was in authority under the Egyptian Pharaoh and was able to save his entire family.
Moses was sent on a rescue mission by God. Turn to Deuteronomy 7:6-7
For you are a holy people to the Lord your God; the Lord your God has chosen you to be a people for Himself, a special treasure above all the peoples on the face of the earth. 7 The Lord did not set His love on you nor choose you because you were more in number than any other people, for you were the least of all peoples.
Israel was chosen by God as a special people. Esther rescued the Jewish people by pleading with the King.
The Seventh-day Adventist church is sharing the original message of Christianity with people. Christianity in the first century consisted of the Word of God from the Scriptures and the New Covenant that Jesus revealed to the world to explain God’s character to the world.
Turn to Micah 6:8
He has shown you, O man, what is good;
And what does the Lord require of you
But to do justly,
To love mercy,
And to walk humbly with your God?
Jesus was at the right place at the right time. How did Jesus display compassion? There is the example of the woman who touched Jesus’ garment and was healed. Another example of the love that Jesus displayed was raising the sleeping child from death. The Centurion asked for healing for his servant. Jesus healed the 10 lepers.
How did Jesus display humility? Jesus washed the disciple feet.
How did Jesus display acceptance? Samaritan woman at the well was amazed at the conversation she had with a Jewish male. The woman received the Gospel message and went quickly back to her home and began sharing about the man called Jesus.
Life today has to many people running around broken hearted, marginalized and lost from running around without a clue as to where to go for help.
As a human being, our greatest need is to be loved. Our neighbors need a kind word from us. We can then share Jesus with them. The principles that Jesus taught are needed more today than ever before.
If Jesus is our Master, we must do as He did. Give of our time and care for other people. This display of love shows our concern for other people. Turn to 1 John 4:8
He who does not love does not know God, for God is love.
Lucifer ( the devil or Satan ) accused God of being unfair. Lucifer was created a perfect angel by God but Lucifer’s pride caused him to fall. Lucifer wanted to be like God.
How can we make sure we are following Jesus example of Christian living?
Bless those around you. Be other centered and not self-centered. People are best when we bless others. If you know someone in need, help them.
We need to be cognizant of opportunities to share the Good News of Salvation by faith in Jesus Christ. Our most powerful testimony is to allow other people to see Jesus in you and your life and actions. We should develop relationships with people as this unlocks our being able to share our faith with other believers.
Matthew 5
The Sermon on the Mount is a powerful philosophy to live by. Jesus followers are to be Light in this dark world.
Do you know the hymn titled: This Little Light of Mine ?
2 Corinthians is a good resource to have handy as the Love of Christ is revealed in those pages.
Praise Be to God our creator and redeemer. Be a walking church. People need the Lord so commit random acts of kindness. People are hurting today so reach out to them!