Sermon for the Sullivan SDA Church

Jan 5th, 2002

Happy New Year – 2002

 

 

I                Dimensions

A.   Three dimensions of Space

1.     (XYZ); forward and back, left and right, up and down; east and west; north and south, up and down.

a      If you’ve never been anywhere, you don’t know how things are elsewhere.

2.     The dimension of Time

3.     If you’re not very old, you don’t know how things used to be

a       America’s lack of interest in their history.

 

4.    CET - Christian Experience and Teachings of Ellen G. White (1922)    In reviewing our past history, having traveled over every step of advance to our present standing, I can say, Praise God! As I see what God has wrought, I am filled with astonishment, and with confidence in Christ as leader. We have nothing to fear for the future, except as we shall forget the way the Lord has led us, and His teaching in our past history. {CET 204.1}

 

II              Review of 2001 for the Sullivan Church

A.   I’ll need your help

B.    Two Work Bees

1.     Spring

a      Cleaned, fixed lights, reorganized Pastor’s closet, fixed doors, spiked and fertilized lawn,

b      Tiled kitchen

c       Further work on drainage problem and wet basement

2.     Fall

a      Built the new shed, painted the two back rooms and behind baptistery, cleaned, temporary fix to the steeple, etc.

3.     Ongoing structural work

a      Restructured downstairs room

b      Restructuring of the Pastor’s office

C.    We have a new Pastor,
D.   Church’s Spiritual work in 2001:
E.    What Spiritual work do you remember being involved with in 2001?
F.    We “did church.”         Many great sermons
G.   Asking God to fulfill his promises!
H.   We “did church school.”
I.      Mailings of “Impending Conflict” to various areas. Insertions in the local paper of the “Where Was God” Signs of the Times    special editions.
J.     Visitor’s Day
K.   Dr. Riffel’s good sermon
L.    Many visitors, full church
M.  Great music
N.   We had a few baptisms

 

O.   Your Spiritual advancement in 2001
P.    Bible reading and studies
Q.   Prayer life
R.    Worship
S.     Witnessing
T.    Victories over besetting sin
U.   Family spiritual growth

 

 

Philippians 3:8-21

8 Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ9 and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith;10 that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death,11 if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.

12 Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me.13 Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead,14 I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.15 Therefore let us, as many as are mature, have this mind; and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal even this to you.16 Nevertheless, to the degree that we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us be of the same mind.

17 Brethren, join in following my example, and note those who so walk, as you have us for a pattern.18 For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ:19 whose end is destruction, whose god is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame—who set their mind on earthly things.20 For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ,21 who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself.  Philippians 3:8-21  [1]

 

III            So what shall we do in “two, double “O’ two” (2002)?

 

A.   We’re planning for a “church business meeting” in February where a number of things will be discussed.

 

B.    For the structure of the church
C.    New carpet
D.   Paved parking lot
E.    These things will cost money!

 

F.    Evangelistic activities of the Church
G.   We will be involved in Church Growth
H.   We need new members. We could double our present membership, and still have room for more. 
I.      For the spiritual growth of the church.
J.     Prayer (groups)
K.   Study (groups)
L.    Women’s ministries (not just going to the yearly conference, but women’s ministries here in Sullivan), mentoring.
M.  Men’s ministries (prayer breakfasts, outings)
N.   Practical Christianity (community activities),

 

O.   So what will you do in “two, double “O’ two” (2002)?
P.    I have some suggestions

 

Q.   What are you going to read this year?

 

R.             Daily devotionals – bible reading
S.              Review – Ministry – etc.
T.             Spirit of Prophecy
U.   How much money are you going to give this year? – plan ahead!

 

1 Corinthians 16:1-5

Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given orders to the churches of Galatia, so you must do also:2 On the first day of the week let each one of you lay something aside, storing up as he may prosper, that there be no collections when I come.

 

V.    How much time are you going to spend on your own spiritual advancement?
W.  I challenge you to spend as much time in personal spiritual activities as you spend watching television!
X.   Okay, I’ll broaden this to total time spent in any spiritual activity; church, evangelism, community activities.
Y.    Remember, the average child spends about 4 hours a day in front of the Television. Have you seen what’s on television these days?

 

2 Timothy 1:8-14

8 Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me His prisoner, but share with me in the sufferings for the gospel according to the power of God,9 who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began,10 but has now been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ, who has abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel,11 to which I was appointed a preacher, an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles.12 For this reason I also suffer these things; nevertheless I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day.

13 Hold fast the pattern of sound words which you have heard from me, in faith and love which are in Christ Jesus.14 That good thing which was committed to you, keep by the Holy Spirit who dwells in us.[2]



[1]The Holy Bible, New King James Version, (Nashville, Tennessee: Thomas Nelson, Inc.) 1982.

[2]The Holy Bible, New King James Version, (Nashville, Tennessee: Thomas Nelson, Inc.) 1982.