Sermon Archive - Rock Hill Seventh-day Adventist Church

The Father I Never KnewScripture: I John 3:2, Romans 8:15Theme: We are adopted into sonship by God through the redemptive sacrifice of Christ at Calvary. We have an eternal Father who loves us infinitely and eternally. Biblical BackgroundDepending on translation, the term "Father" is used approximately 1050 times in Scripture.The term 'Abba" has 3 connotations: "the Father", "my Father", "our Father"Huiothesia (adoption) means literally "to place as a son" and bestows on that person all the rights, privileges, and responsibilities of being a fully endowed member of the new familyPractical ApplicationMy birth father is unknown to me except for scattered facts and scraps of information that were permitted in the adoption process in the 50's.I inherited from him my basic makeup and genetic patterns that can be seen and experienced. His love in surrendering me is a puzzle that I will only understand when eternity comes into play.My adoptive father took this raw material and shaped and formed it into the person I am today. With his unfailing love and guidance I came to know that there was yet another father who loved me even more than my birth father and my "Daddy" did and who was willing to adopt me into His family.My promised inheritance is to to be like Him and becoming conformed to the glorious body of Christ in my eternal home with my ultimate Father.

Pentacost and the BelieverActs 2:42-47There was the most miraculous event 50 days after Christ returned to the Father. The third person of the trinity was poured out on his followers, filling them with what He had promised them.The set up was very particular - they were gathered together; they were praising God continually and everybody in Jerusalem was aware of them and their belief and behavior; they were showing devotion to the proper things. All this had to be in place prior to the Spirit comingA personal Pentacost is the birthright of every believer if they seek and surrender. The results are Power, Purity of Heart, and Effective Prayer.

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John 16:33 (and multiple others)We are one of 2 things as a Christian - a conformer (shaped from without) or a transformer (changed by power within).If we recognize that the biggest obstacle we have to overcome is ourselves we are way ahead of the game. What overwhelms and discourages me are those things that keep us from being what He wants us to be.We have the power to overcome if we do not fall prey to those obstacles of self but immerse ourselves in His grace and love.

Scripture Reading: Romans 12:1-2 Focus will continue throughout the entire chapter as the message grows1. Salvation is free to me. It is a gift. All I have to do is reach out and take it. But.....after that there are some expectations from the gift giver as to what He wants me to do with that gift.2. Knowing the sacrifice that went into the creation and execution of that gift, I must be aware that I am also expected to behave and have the mindset of a sacrifice. Not to acknowledge the price that was paid for me is the essence of ingratitude and arrogance.3. Scripture says that "Let the mind of Christ Jesus be in me." Easier said than done. Here are some good guidelines as to how to help that miracle occur.4. Step by step I am to grow in grace and favor with others as I grow in fellowship with Christ.

Scripture Ecc. 3:1-13We call every year a new year but truth is that each one is pretty much like the ones before. Resolutions are great if made in a way that allows us to be what God intends us to be.1. I must know what my PURPOSE is on this earth. Is it to be all that I can be or all that my Savior wants and intends for me to be.2. I must PRIORITIZE my actions and use of time. A purpose once known needs to be placed in a position to be acted upon.3. I must PLAN to do what I am led to do by the Holy Spirit. I may not always be comfortable or sure, but I must step out in faith to do what He has purposed for me.

Scripture: James 1:17, Eph.2:8The miracle of Christmas is that God gave us the most perfect gift that we could ever dream of. We can never understand what the gift we were given cost and how we will benefit from it for eternity.God's gift was personal. It was crafted with every single individual ever born as the intended recipient, An eternity of planning and preparation went into it's timing and packaging. God's gift was practical. Without it I am lost for eternity. There is absolutely nothing I can do to escape my fate without accepting His gift. I am floating in the middle of an ocean storm with no raft, floatie or ability to swim. He gave me the only way for me not to drown. Very practical.Presents are not about paper - but purpose. Presents are not about ribbons but the reason for giving.

Scripture: I Kings 19:11-12 and Isaiah 55:6In this noisy, busy life that I am living, where do I find God and hear His voice? How do I know what is His will if I am not actively listening and looking for Him every day?1. I can find Him in our work2. I find Him in difficult relationships3. I find Him in my failings4. I find Him in my loneliness5. I find Him in my pleasuresHe is always there speaking to me. He wants me to comprehend what He is saying, to conduct myself according to what He has told me, and to communicate His love to others.

Scripture: Exodus 3:7-10Why do I think that I can offer excuses for faith-related issues that would be laughed at if I used them anywhere else?  God knows need and has a plan to address the need. He calls Moses and the excuses start. 1. Who, me? 3:11-12 2. By what authority? 3:13-15 3. What if? 4:1-9 4. But Lord, I don't do this stuff well. 4:10-12 5.. Send someone else. 4:13-17  Is it that I can't....or I won't?

This week’s sermon is brought to you by Jim Lance from the York SDA Church

This week’s sermon is brought to you by Tom Fulp

This week’s sermon is brought to you by Tom Fulp

This week’s sermon is brought to you by Ryan Becker

This week’s sermon is brought to you by Rebecca Herring

This week’s sermon is brought to you by Ryan Becker

This week’s sermon is brought to you by Rebecca Herring

Key TextMatthew 1:20-23Main PointsJesus entered into the experience of the oppressed peopleJesus has asked us to love others as He loved us.Use this holiday season as an opportunity to enter someone else's experience and meet them exactly where they are.Focus QuestionsHave I spent more time victimizing Christianity instead of loving others?How can I love people more or better this Christmas even if I have already been doing a good job of it?How can I be less defensive and more loving with others who disagree with me?

This week’s sermon is brought to you by Rebecca Herring

This week’s sermon is brought to you by Tom Fulp

Key Text1 Kings 19:1-3Main PointsElijah got scared of Jezebel because he forgot what God had done for him in the past.Elijah focused on the problem with Jezebel instead of focusing on God, which also caused him to falter.We must use our "mountain-top" experiences with God to give us strength for the inevitable low valleys we will face in our lives.Focus QuestionsWhat has God done for me in the last year?How can I remind myself of these things when I get caught up in my life?How can I help others through their valley experiences?